Many travellers, whether for business or pleasure, miss out on the experience of staying at an authentic B&B.
The concept of Bed & Breakfast was conceived in the UK many years ago, with a traveller paying by the night and joining in with residents of the B&B, often sharing a simple meal around the kitchen table, often sharing the one and only family bathroom.
In olden days, travellers returned often to the same B&B, where they were welcomed as family; it was indeed their "home away from home".
Today, Bed and Breakfast has grown in both its sophistication and ranking in the world of hospitality.
A B&B can be anything from a croft in the highlands of Scotland to a luxurious multi-room establishment in Manhattan, New York.
So how can the "novice B&B enquirer" increase their odds of a pleasurable and authentic B&B experience? Listen & ask questions.
The importance of making personal "voice" contact with the prospective host is stressed.
E mails are fine, but they don't always communicate the warmth you would appreciate from a B&B host.
For the most part, a voice on the telephone is more likely to give you confidence that the host, with whom you are considering "living with", albeit for a short time, is interested in meeting your needs.
Some B&B's employ booking registries to actually make their booking for them.
In this case you may not have an opportunity to talk directly with your host until you are their front door.
Making sure that the host actually lives on the B&B premises is always a good idea.
Sometimes they don't, leaving you to fend for yourself.
It's strange how something that you would see as only a minor issue in your own home...
can present a resident guest with unwelcome stress in an unattended B&B! (Most municipalities do have bylaws stipulating that the B&B owner live in the B&B.
) Breakfast! If you are more a Bed & Brunch type of person, be sure to check out if in fact, any breakfast will be available past a certain time? B&B's vary in their breakfast repertoires and schedules.
Likewise, if you have a need for a very early breakfast and you haven't mentioned it in advance, don't be disappointed if upon checking in, your early morning breakfast request is politely turned down.
If you know there's a food that you can't or don't eat, please don't keep it a secret.
If it does remain unknown to your host, Murphy 's Law says it will be served to you at your very first breakfast! Something that many people don't expect is that they will be sharing a bathroom with other guests...
or even the host's family! Two rooms, each occupied by two people is usually an acceptable shared bath arrangement.
However if there are more than four users of the bathroom...
hmmm? In this situation, the bathroom availability needs to be closely monitored by the host with an alternate bathroom be available for that "urgent" situation.
By definition, private bath means the guest has there own bathroom, but it is not adjoining their bedroom...
whereas, ensuite has the bathroom adjoining the bedroom.
Bedrooms should have the ability to be totally darkened should that be your preference.
If you are not used to a bedroom that "rises" with the sun, you can be robbed of a few valuable sleep hours.
If you will be visiting with a car, find out if your parking spot will be on site? Is there an additional charge for parking? Will car jockeying be required? Find out in advance what terms of payment your host will accept...
this may avoid your having to run around on your day of checkout, searching for an ATM machine..
..
because you've just found out cash is the only form of payment accepted! A B&B is first of all your host's home and secondly a B&B...
and there is usually a common area(s) where guests are able to sit quietly and enjoy some TV or read the newspaper.
Hosts appreciate that guests respect their privacy...
it a two way street in this regard.
Not all B&B's accept children as guests and there is no doubt that a couple of youngsters can change the dynamics of the B&B experience...
and not always in a positive way.
It certainly does not guarantee a great B&B stay, but positive reviews posted on line by previous guests will give you confidence that the B&B you are considering is well run with a good reputation.
If there is one thing that you can be assured of, it is that every B&B will provide a unique experience.
Enjoy!