In this era of huge hotel chains, cookie-cutter housing developments and identical fast food establishments in every town, it can be difficult to find anything unique. When you’re planning a trip, it's hard to distinguish between motels – after a while, they can all begin to resemble one another.
Fortunately, there’s an alternative to look-alike lodgings. The bed and breakfast inn, popularly known as the B&B, is an option that appeals to many senior travelers.
What is a Bed and Breakfast?
The bed and breakfast concept began long ago, when pilgrims, merchants, soldiers and noblemen journeyed on foot or by horse. Monks and private citizens opened their residences to travelers needing a place to sleep. Visitors received a simple meal the next morning.
In modern Europe, the B&B gave budget-conscious vacationers a way to stay in one place for a short time without paying for a high-priced hotel room.
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What Is a Bed & Breakfast?
B&B proprietors rented out simple rooms in their homes or farmhouses and served up a filling breakfast. B&B owners registered with a local tourist board so that travelers could find them. Today, European B&Bs are more popular than ever. Some European countries, such as Ireland and the UK, have a well-established network of B&Bs. Others, like Italy, are just discovering the B&B alternative.
As more and more people from North America stayed in bed and breakfasts, they began to see the benefits of B&B vacations. Instead of experiencing the antiseptic feel of a hotel room, B&B travelers had the chance to talk with the host and his or her family and to learn more about the local area and culture.
When entrepreneurs began to open their homes to travelers in the United States, they took the original B&B idea in many different directions. Today, you can find all kinds of B&Bs in the U.S., ranging from the upstairs spare bedroom to a luxurious suite in a renovated historic inn. Breakfasts, too, vary from simple to sublime.
Where Can I Learn About B&Bs?
There are many ways to find B&B directories and reviews.
- Books
You can find B&B guidebooks in your local bookstore or library. Pamela Lanier, Karen Brown and Deborah Edwards Sakach have all written popular guides to B&Bs, country inns and guesthouses that cover destinations around the world.
If you’re a member of AAA, you can ask for free regional TourBooks, which include some B&B listings in the section on hotels.
- Websites
There are hundreds of B&B websites. Individual B&Bs often create websites to showcase their properties. Checking a B&B’s website is an excellent way to decide if you would like to stay there, because you can see photos of guestrooms and common areas, learn about accessibility and read about the B&B’s special features. Many B&B owners also list their properties on national or regional B&B association websites. These sites allow you to search for a B&B by location, amenities or other criteria.
- Magazines and Newspapers
Many travel magazines profile B&Bs, either regularly or on an occasional basis. Regional travel magazines, such as Midwest Living, are excellent resources for B&B reviews. National travel magazines, including Travel & Leisure and Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, sometimes profile exceptional B&Bs.
Niche publications, such as Teacher, AARP The Magazine and Curve, regularly publish travel features that provide information about B&B getaways and discounts.
Newspaper travel writers also cover B&Bs. Look for articles about weekend getaways or road-less-traveled destinations as well as reviews of big-city accommodations. If you plan to travel far from home, check the website of your destination’s newspaper for B&B information.
- Word of Mouth
There’s no substitute for honest reviews from your family and friends. Ask around; friends and acquaintances will probably be happy to tell you about their B&B stays.
What Can I Expect at a B&B?
It’s important to remember that most B&Bs are also the owners’ homes. They may be beautifully appointed or plainly furnished. You may or may not have a TV or telephone in your room. Many B&B owners attract guests by providing a relaxing, lovely atmosphere, impeccable service and scrumptious food. Other owners prefer a simpler approach and focus instead on getting to know their guests and providing information about local restaurants and attractions.
Some B&Bs aren’t staffed during the evening hours; this is especially true of B&Bs that aren’t the owner’s residence. If this is the case at your chosen B&B, be sure to ask how to contact the owner in case of an overnight emergency.
Noise is a concern for many B&B guests. Older homes may have thin walls. B&Bs that permit children may be especially noisy, although most parents will do their best to keep their children calm and quiet. If you’re a light sleeper, it’s a good idea to ask about the late-night noise level.
The best way to find out what to expect is to call the owner of the B&B and ask questions.
