I'm not a hotel

I think you need to tell them that you cannot manage anymore.
You need to enjoy the beutiful place you live as well. You should not have to cater for others.

I think if they invite themselves, well that's what's commonly known on MN as cheeky f*****y. Many an entertaining thread over there along the lines of "we live in a beautiful part of the country, we have people who invite themselves".....and some more alarming ones of "they've come to stay and now we're worried they'll never leave" ..........no! you don't need it, we have a few friends where it's become a sort of set in stone yearly fixture on top of family, you can't say no to the latter! but I'm trying to cut back on some it can be hard work, preparing the house, the guest room, cooking etc.

You need to be up front, things don't stay the same, what might have been ok for you 20 years, 10 years, 5 years ago is now taking it's toll........just say "I don't want to do this anymore, for all the reasons you've given..... I'm too tired, get a hotel nearby and come for lunch"

You're not selfish, do they reciprocate in any way I'm wondering? meals out, gifts or reciprocal invites to stay with them.

We used to have "summer soldiers" when we lived in a beautiful spot years ago.
Nobody in the winter but as soon as the sun came out ...

Sadly you must just say sorry, it's unfortunately not convenient - but I could meet you somewhere for afternoon tea (or lunch).

Just say no, you don't have to say why.

"Sorry, love, I am feeling my age, and can no longer cope with the extra work."

If you want, you can add you will be thrilled to see them for afternoon coffee while they are in your area, or suggest you meet up with them at one of the beauty spots they are intending to visit, then add "bring a packed lunch, and we will do the same"

We have quite a few visitors throughout the year and they are very welcome but we always suggest three days at the most. Arrive for tea and cake first day and we go out for supper (they pay), next day we organise a nice trip, we split the cost of a lunch out and I provide a simple supper in the evening, third day I do lunch and they go home. We do the same if we visit them. It works really well and our visitors always come with wine and some really nice consummerables. If for any reason I don't want visitors I just say "sorry can't do those dates" with no further explanation.

How lucky are you to be living in a beautiful part of the country !
Just say ‘No’ . Ofcourse, your house is not open house. Just say you and your husband are not as young as you used to be. Better still, give them the names and telephone numbers of local B&Bs

Our own children and grandchildren are welcome to stay.

Our own generation don't seem to expect to stay and have always booked a local hotel or Premier Inn without any prior discussion.
I think they like a bit of their own space as much as we do these days!

I have made an exception when it was my (older, widowed) sister-in-law or my sister coming on her own, and I have invited them (separately) to stay here.
However they certainly didn't expect to, and it's only been for an odd night, not a full-blown holiday. That's really cheeky!

Do you have any regular social engagements or groups you go to locally? That could narrow down the day(s) you'd be free to meet up with your would-be guests.

I'd just tell them you're sorry but your "B&B" is closed now though you'd be happy to meet up with them once or twice for a meal, as Allira and winterwhite suggest.

Lucky you that people want to come and stay- you must be doing something right!

Unlucky you that you don't get the chance to go away yourselves so my suggestion is either:

ask them to return the favour and expect the same treatment you give to your guests

or

just go away every weekend, or tell people you are away and so can't let them stay.

If they call your bluff and offer to housesit then charge then B&B rates.

Good luck.

In your situation ,I would be happy to provide a bed, access to a bathroom and a kettle. They can sort out their own food by eating in restaurants or ordering takeaway. No way I'm cooking for multiple people all summer long. They should be out and about most days anyway, exploring that lovely countryside, and only coming back for sleep. Unless they are there to actually see you and spend time together, but that's an entirely different conversation.

Tell them you have done it for years, but are getting too old now.
The reasonable people will quite understand.

The unreasonable ones..well, they are unreasonable, so wont.

Not sure why I quoted your post, winerwhite, but I do agree!

"We'll meet you for a meal". 👍

winterwhite

Do people really ask to come and stay? I’d just say you can’t put people up but would be pleased to see them for a meal. And take great care not to invite the problem by saying You must come and see us.

Do they invite themselves or do you tell them they'll be welcome to come and stay?

Just tell them that, much as you'd love to put them up, you just can't manage it any more. I know we can't, unless it's one of our DC and immediate family, who always pitch in to help (or take over the kitchen 😀).

Send them a list of local b&bs or hotel and tell them you'll look forward to joining them for an evening meal at the hotel or local restaurant.

Do people really ask to come and stay? I’d just say you can’t put people up but would be pleased to see them for a meal. And take great care not to invite the problem by saying You must come and see us.

This makes me smile, as we had the same issue sort of at least.
Lots of visitors making the most of somewhere to stay while having a weekend or longer away.
It makes me smile as the visitors I was most dreading were the very best and undemanding and the ones I’d expected to be most fun were polar opposites!
We were in a desirable location for a period of 3/4 years and saw it all. You really can politely refuse saying it’s inconvenient.