Places To Stay: Bed & Breakfasts by Travelogger

Sep|25|2007

Places To Stay: Bed & Breakfasts

Posted by Camica as Around The World, Destinations, Travelogger

For those who’ve traveled in a small town, chances are you’ve stayed in a Bed and Breakfast. A Bed and Breakfast, or a B&B, is a type of lodging usually operating out of a large single family residence. Unlike hotels, which are owned by a company or a corporation, B&Bs are usually operated by a family, either as a primary occupation or as a secondary source of income. The staff often consists of the house’s owners and members of the family who live there. Bed and Breakfasts are usually small, with only 2-10 rooms.

B&Bs are usually found in small towns or less popular locations. They are usually found in places where there isn’t as much travelers, or locations that are far from the city center. Guests stay in private bedrooms, and some B&B may have shared bathrooms. Most services and amenities found in large hotels may be missing, such as a pool, a gym, wi-fi internet and a refrigerator or mini-bar in the room. Don’t expect a restaurant or café in a B&B, meals are usually served in a common dining room, prepared by the host or owners. And some B&Bs strictly adhere to serving just breakfast; you’ll have to go someplace else for lunch or dinner.

While a B&B doesn’t offer as much in terms of facilities and amenities, there is a special charm to staying in a B&B. Services are more personalized, and interaction with fellow guests and the staff is friendlier and less formal. The service is also more flexible and accommodating. The décor is quaint and unique. B&Bs generally cost a lot cheaper than a regular hotel room. And since Bed and Breakfasts are essentially a family dwelling, the hours of operation are a lot different from a hotel. Don’t expect 24 hour service from its staff. And while check-in and check-out times may be more flexible than a regular hotel’s, try to refrain from checking in too late at night, lest you find yourself locked out.