Rachel Thompson at the front desk of the Albatross. This looks like the perfect place to stay for the Bamboozle generation. But can Rachel handle it? Sure she can!

By Paul Goldfinger,  editor @Blogfinger

The rumor that Ocean Grove’s hotels and B and Bs are completely booked for the Bamboozle weekend is not exactly true, despite the impression you might have gotten from reading Tuesday’s Asbury Park Press. In an email last night to its members, the OG Chamber of Commerce reported that at least six establishments still had some rooms available. The email mentioned the Quaker Inn, Ocean Vista, The Melrose, House by the Sea, Henry Richard Inn and the Lilligard.

Owner Jane Johnson of the Henry Richard Inn at 16 Main Avenue said Wednesday that she still has 10 rooms open and was hoping for some last-minute reservations.  “We just want to be filled,” she said, “and we didn’t raise our prices.”

Jane is enthused about the Bamboozle event in Asbury Park. She said, “It will be  amazing.” She is unsure as to why her B and B is  not completely booked. They have a website (www.henryrichardinn.com), and they are listed on the Chamber of Commerce website as well.

Valery Trembly, owner of the Hotel Majestic on Main Avenue, said she had booked many of her rooms shortly after the event was announced in December, even before the acts were made public. Then, about two weeks ago, she completely sold out.

Valery has no idea of the demographics of her customers. But they have to be at least 18 to rent there, and there are strict rules about how many people can be in a room. She said that one time, when there was a festival in Asbury Park, a man took a room, filled it up with a group of friends, and then brought them downstairs the next morning for a free breakfast. Valery presented him with a substantial breakfast bill.

If her guests turn out to be younger than the usual demographic at the Majestic, she isn’t worried about wild parties. After all, she says, “Older people can get a little wild also.” (Who knew that old people can “get a little wild?”)

Over at the Albatross, a 50-room hotel on Ocean Pathway, the 22-year-old front desk manager, Rachel Thompson, said all their rooms are filled, as of yesterday.  The Albatross doesn’t even have an internet presence. Rachel said all their reservations are made by phone.

She said that the Albatross  usually has “an older” group of guests, but “we definitely have a younger crowd for this event.” After speaking to her Bamboozle guests over the phone, she estimated that most are between 18 and 25. Rachel said she is not worried about this weekend. “We have a rule regarding noise control after 11 p.m.,” she cautioned. But she smiled as she acknowledged the possibility of some raucous fun. What will she do if things get out of hand?  Well, she doesn’t anticipate anything but noise issues, but she said she is “ready for anything.”

If “anything” does occur, that will be another story for Blogfinger.