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| How to choose
a Bed and Breakfast |
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| For many travellers seeking accommodations, the bed
and breakfast option is an appealing one. Some of the
motivating factors are the opportunity to meet other travellers,
to have direct access to the knowledge of the host and
in general to be in a more intimate environment and to
experience the uniqueness of the establishment. It is
fair to say that no two bed and breakfasts are the same.
Yet it is precisely the lack of standardization that can
make choosing a bed and breakfast somewhat overwhelming.
Here are some guidelines that can help you. |
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| CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED ACCOMMODATION |
| Bed and breakfast is the ultimate cottage industry.
Especially since the advent of the internet, anyone can
hang out a shingle and call themselves a bed and breakfast.
Find out if the bed and breakfast you are considering
has any accreditation. Do they belong to a local bed and
breakfast association? Are they certified by a government
agency? Does the local tourist bureau know about them?
If you get a positive answer you can know with some certainty
that at the very least basic standards are being adhered
to.
Travel publications are a somewhat useful guide, especially
those that offer critical evaluations, such as Frommer's and Fodor's. However, many excellent establishments
are often not mentioned in these publications simply
because their writers don’t know about them. Books
such as the “Bed and Breakfast Encyclopedia”
and “Lanier’s Guide to Bed and Breakfasts”
are not critical guides. Bed and breakfasts pay to be
listed and write their own descriptions, so there is
no guarantee that what you read is what you get.
The best thing to do is to invest in a phone call and
have a chat with the innkeeper. |
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| CHOOSE A PROFESSIONALLY RUN ACCOMMODATION |
| Just because a bed and breakfast is accredited, there
is no guarantee that it is well run. When you call during
regular business hours do you get a helpful, courteous
person at the other end or do you get voice mail? If you
do leave a message on voice mail is your call returned
promptly? If you e-mail the establishment do they answer
you quickly? Personal service and attention are what make
bed and breakfasts special. If these traits are perceived
to be lacking in your initial encounters, you have to
ask yourself how you’ll be treated if you were to
be a guest in that establishment. |
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| CHOOSE A BED AND BREAKFAST THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS |
| It’s important to be very clear at the outset
as to what your needs are, so that you can ensure in advance
that you won’t be disappointed. The more you can
narrow the gap between expectation and reality the likelier
you are to have a positive bed and breakfast experience.
Here are some major considerations, not in any particular
order of significance. |
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1) Location
Where do you want to be? Do you require
a location in or near downtown? Do you want to be some
place quiet and secluded? In addition to checking with
the innkeeper, or the inn’s website or brochure,
it’s also a good idea to refer to Mapquest or similar
sites. Once you’ve established the location, it’s
then easier to determine if you’ll need a car, or
if you can get by with public transportation. If you do
need a car, you’ll want to make sure that adequate
convenient parking is available. Most bed and breakfasts
offer free parking.
2) Special needs
Do you have food allergies or dietary
preferences such as low fat, vegetarian or vegan? Are
you allergic to feathers or animal hair? Do you have
difficulties with stairs? Do you need a particular kind
of bed or bed arrangement? Are you a smoker or an anti-smoker?
Do you require a refrigerator for special food or medication?
Do you require internet access or a phone in your room?
Will you be arriving/leaving very late or very early?
Will you be needing a very early or late breakfast,
or will you be missing breakfast altogether? These are
all matters which should be discussed with your host
prior to your arrival.
3) Environment
Are you a morning person who loves
to chat with strangers at the breakfast table, or are
you a reserved person who prefers privacy and solitude?
It’s a good idea to find out what the breakfast
arrangement is in advance so that you won’t feel
deprived or inconvenienced. Also on the subject of environment,
how important is décor to you? Will you be bothered
by a more feminine style of décor with frills,
pillows and stuffed animals, or do you insist on simplicity?
4) Children
Many bed and breakfasts are adult oriented,
but if you have a preference to not being around children
it’s best to ask what is the policy of the particular
bed and breakfast you are considering. By the same token
if you are travelling with children, you must tell the
innkeeper in advance, or risk being turned away when
you arrive.
5) Price
Everyone loves a bargain, but if a bed and
breakfast is priced very low you’ll want to be
circumspect. Perhaps the room is small, or the bathroom
is shared with several rooms, or it’s not well
located or well maintained, or breakfast is of no significance.
By the same token, a high priced bed and breakfast should
offer amenities worthy of the price. Also with regard
to money, make sure that you will be able to pay for
your accommodations in a manner that is convenient to
you. For example, some bed and breakfasts ask for a
credit card to secure the reservation, but then ask
for cash or traveller’s cheques to settle the
account. It’s always best to know in advance. |
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| MAKE A RESERVATION |
| Although there is a lot to be said for spontaneity,
it is always best to make a reservation. Some people think
that a bed and breakfast may not be as busy as a hotel
and they can just turn up and get a room. Often this is
not the case, especially during the height of a busy tourist
season or a major event such as a big convention. |
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To sum up, know what you want, ask the right questions,
and enjoy. It’s hard not to have a memorable time
when the way you’re treated makes you feel special.
And that’s what bed and breakfasts are all about. |
