You can check in but...

I bet you thought I was going to sing the Hotel California song didn't you? No instead I would like to talk about B&B check in times.
Time management for innkeepers can be very challenging. Most of us have little to no staff and have to fit all our jobs into a long day. Having a set check in time window and guests that respect that can help tremendously.
Here at the Inn at Woodward Park check in is 3pm to 7pm. Check out is 11am. I have had guests show up at noon wanting to check in. I understand they are excited to stay at the B&B and want to have as much time as possible here; but there is no way I am going to have the room ready by then.
I have had guests wanting to check in late at night and suggest I just leave a key outside for them. I want to welcome each and every guest to the Inn, give them a quick tour, show them where they can get coffee and water and DVDs. I also like to give a quick orientation of the room, closets, thermostat, outlets, safety lights, etc. then I get out of their hair and let them enjoy themselves.
I am always happy to see you when you get here, happier if it is between 3-7.

Breakfast at the B&B

What's for breakfast? This particular morning a couple is having breakfast in bed, one wanted waffles and one wanted french toast.
Not all breakfasts are the same at all B&Bs. Some give you a choice and some have a set menu. One B&B may do a sit down three course candlelit breakfast and the next may have a continental spread set out as a buffet.
To avoid disappointment or surprises, I would suggest you ask when you make your reservation.
I try to accommodate every one's preferences. If I have just one couple and that want different things, I can do that. If I have a full house and everyone is eating at the same time, then it will probably be all the same meal. Of course, I make exceptions for special dietary needs such as gluten-free, diabetic, vegetarian or any allergies.
Some folks want to eat in the privacy of their rooms, but personally, I feel people enjoy the B&B experience more if they all eat at the breakfast table together. The most lively, fun and interesting conversations happen when you get people together from different places. It is amazing how people find a common ground to relate to each other.
It is fun to see how people react to food they are not familiar with. I have had a woman from Japan that would eat anything I put in front of her. She did not recognize sausage patties as she had only had sausage links. Another time I had a gentleman from London who would not touch the biscuits and gravy. It takes all kinds and I respect every one's food choices; but he sure missed out on a delicious southern treat.
So stealing a line from Paula Deen (and I use several of her recipes, too) Best Dishes, y'all.

Elton John at Tulsa BOK Center

From Elton John to Larry the Cable Guy, from Oklahoma's own Carrie Underwood to Lady GaGa; the BOK Event Center has it covered in the upcoming months.
The BOK Event Center at 3rd and Denver in downtown Tulsa is a 6 minute drive from the Inn at Woodward Park. A trolley can be taken from the nearby Cherry Street District if one didn't want to bother with parking downtown. Although, there is plenty of parking and other things to see and do downtown.
But let me tell you of some of the great acts coming to Tulsa. We'll start with Carrie this Sunday night, October 10th, Maroon 5, Oct. 19th, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy, Oct 23, Elton John and Tulsa native Leon Russell, November 12, Brad Paisley, Nov 20, the Trans Siberian Orchestra Dec 16 and Lady GaGa April 4th, 2011. Wow, what a list.
I saw Elton John right here in Tulsa back in the late 70s. We were both a lot younger then, but it was one of the most entertaining and memorable concerts I have ever been to. Sir Elton made several costume changes, once coming out on stage in a Donald Duck suit. And when he played Saturday Nights all right for fighting and kicked the piano bench off the stage; the crowd went wild, it was great!
I hope you can make it to one of these great concerts, enjoy our beautiful downtown and perhaps stay at the Inn. Some dates we are already sold out. For reservations visit www.innatwoodwardpark.com

Going Green

Green Travel is a fast growing trend in the tourism industry and I am proud to say I just recieved my ECO certification from the Oklahoma Department of Enviromental Quality. But I didn't start out that way when I opened my B&B 6 years ago.

Like most I ordered amenity sized soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. from an online vendor and went to the local warehouse club to buy a case of 5000 sugar packets. I wanted to do things by the book, you know, the way things had always been done.

I had been going to the local Farmer's Market and buying things for my own personal use. One day I was visiting with Linda, the owner of Hilltop Honeyand a beekeeper. Linda makes soaps and lotions from her honey, olive oil and other organic products. I mentioned I wished she had amenity sizes I could use in my B&B. "Honey" She exclaimed. (She calls everyone Honey, isn't that cute?) I can do that!" Thus began a friendship and my quest to use local products.

I think Natural Farms was my next step. I joined their weekly food co-op. I get a bag of orgainc locally raised meat, a produce bag and the rise n shine bag. The rise n shine always includes local eggs, orgainc milk, a grain product which could be a cereal or bread and locally made jams, etc. The produce bag is always a surprise and includes 3 recipes using some of the in season produce for that week. I have learned to use vegatables I would normally not use. It is like an adventure every week.

You, too, can start small by making little changes and exploring your community for local products. It is fun, you make new friends and you are doing a good thing for you planet.

Tulsa State Fair

The Tulsa State Fair starts on Thursday, Sept. 30th and runs until Sunday Oct. 10th. The Tulsa Fairgrounds are located only 3 miles from the Inn at Woodward Park. Any fairgoing guests will be fed a nutritious breakfast of local eggs and produce before heading out for a fun filled day or evening of fried anything you can think of on a stick.
The midway is great for people watching, game playing and all the thrilling rides. Don't miss all the great booths inside the buildings. The weather should be perfect, too.
Make your reservations now at www.innatwoodwardpark.com and experience this once a year event.

Babymoon

You may be wondering what the heck is a babymoon? Well, here at our Tulsa bed and breakfast, Inn at Woodward Park; we offer the mother-to-be a unique experience. A babymoon is a time for the expectant parents to have a special time for just the two of them before the special delivery. Book a night or weekend with the babymoon package. This includes a soft comfortable bed with special pillows, a deep tub to take a relaxing bath in, a prenatal massage, plenty of DVDs to watch and breakfast in bed. Lots of pampering and relaxation is just what every pregnant woman needs.

Winterfest in Tulsa

Arvest Winterfest starts Friday with a 60 by 150 foot outdoor ice skating rink in front of the BOK Center which is 6 minutes from our Tulsa bed and breakfast. The ice rink is flanked by a warming tent at one end for spectators to watch skaters in climate-controlled comfort. Live entertainment is slated for Fridays and Saturdays on the ONEOK Stage. There will be concessions like gingerbread lattes, eggnog, apple cider and polish sausage. Old-fashioned horse and carriage rides through the streets of downtown are also available.
Wouldn't it be fun to take a carriage ride downtown to admire the cool art deco buildings. Then try your luck at ice skating. Reserve the Moroccan Room here at the Inn at Woodward Park so you can come back to soak your sore muscles in the Jacuzzi Tub for two.