What Is So Great About A Bed & Breakfast?

[NotUrsula]

Remember that there is generally a huge difference between US b&b's and those in Europe. The ones in the US are usually a lot more expensive and more formal, and heavily market from a "romance" angle. Men often balk at the frilliness of it all.

European b&b's are much more casual, and most of the time really are someone's home.

 

[4nana]

We've only been to a few and they've been a very nice experience w/charming hostess, fabulous breakfast, interesting couples and cozy bedroom . Recently surprised my DH with a B&B with a wolf preserve for my wolf lovin' better half, so it was different and adventurous. However I agree, it's a more laid back atmosphere, so if one prefers more action or space, a B&B is not for you.

 

[johnsontrio]

My only experience at a B&B was not a good one...One summer we took a trip to the NC mountains to white water raft and see the Biltmore on our way to the Outer Banks for our annual beach vacation. The first night there my Mom got turned around and walked into another room and interrupted two ladies in the middle of a personal situation. Well she was quite embarrassed and the first thing out of her mouth was "I'm sorry, I thought you were my daughters."

Being 16 and 20 at the time, my sister and I were mortified after this happened to have to eat as a group with everyone for the next two days. We still tease my Mom about what she said!

My DH and I have never been to a B&B and I doubt we ever will. I would rather be in a hotel where I can get up in the middle of the night if need be and not bother anyone. Usually we are traveling with our DD anyway and I wouldn't want to ruin anyone else's romantic weekend.

 

[Imzadi]

We stayed at a B&B in Shelburne, VT that we did not like at all. The owners were too "in our face" all the time. They were polite, but too nosey. I'm sure in their minds they were just making conversation, but when you want to know who/what/when/where/why of my vacation in Vermont, you're asking me too many questions!

Yes, being a NYer, I so love my privacy and other people minding their own business. Not being a morning person, I really don't want someone in my face, first thing in the morning asking me a bunch of questions, being polite and chatty while I'm having my morning coffee.

Morning coffee time for me needs to be quiet, meditative time where I'm slowly coming awake. I'm not into polite and chatty.

I hate being a guest in someone's house. I always end up feeling awkward and uneasy. Sort of like I'm imposing.

I've stayed in a couple, both in England and New England, and each time I feel that way, like I'm imposing in someone's house. I still felt that way even after I've shut the door to my room. And I felt uneasy, anticipating they may knock on my door - which both times they did. When I close my door, I don't want to feel like someone is going to intrude on my privacy.

When I stay in a hotel, I love being able to close the door and know the room is all mine, I can relax, do what I want, and no one will knock, and I don't have to answer if someone does.

When I have questions about the city or where to go, that's what the Concierge is for.

 

[mhsjax]

I know that people who like them REALLY like them, but I just don't get them.

To me, it just seems... weird... you are in someone elses house, they serve you breakfast, and then you go home, right? Granted, they are usually really beautiful houses, the food is homemade and delicious, and the hospitality is wonderful. Still, I just don't get it.

If you've been to them and really enjoy them, please explain to me what you like about them!

I agree with you 100%. In fact we actually paid for 2 nights at a bed and breakfast and left after 1 night we were so uncomfortable. I will never go back to one. I just feel like a stranger in someone's home.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just feel like a stranger in someone's home.

Interesting to read people that feel that way.

I guess growing up with a summer home and a boatload of guests and hosting people at my house, it seems "normal" to me. I love to meet people and chat, esp. in the morning over coffee.

 

[Imzadi]

Interesting to read people that feel that way.

I guess growing up with a summer home and a boatload of guests and hosting people at my house, it seems "normal" to me. I love to meet people and chat, esp. in the morning over coffee.

The key distinction is that you were hosting people. It was your home. You get to set the tone and the rules. It's quite different than feeling like an intruder in someone else's home.

ETA: When I'm staying in a hotel room, I know I can come in after a hard day of touristing, throw back the sheets, put on my less than for public jammies, pull out a meatball hero and settle down in front of the TV for a favorite TV show in bed and eat in peace.

In a B&B, I have to worry, is it okay to eat in bed? Is it even okay to eat in the room, or do I have to go down to the dining room and miss my show? Is the owner going to knock on the door as she smells all the garlic and tell me to please eat downstairs, and I will miss the show I was sooo looking forward to relaxing and eating a meatball hero in front of?

 

[escape]

I wonder if there is a review spot for B & B's where you can hear about other people's experiences? Sort of like Trip Adviser but for the B & B crowd?

TripAdvisor has reviews for B & B's. That's how I chose the ones I stayed at in Rome and Florence. At the time, the hotels in those area were very pricey. The B&Bs offered a great alternative.

The one in Rome is more like a small hotel. The owners are a married couple - he's from Italy and she's from Florida. Most of the staff at the time were Americans. I got more help and tourist advice from these people than I have from any hotel concierge in America. Everyone was very friendly and courteous. Plus, since our rooms did not have telephones, we were given cell phones for our use during our stay. If we were out and about and needed help or a question answered, we could press a preset button and reach someone at the B&B 24 hr/day.

The B&B in Florence was originally part of a museum that had been converted to a B&B. It had a small hotel feel but it was definitely part of someone's home whereas the one in Rome was not. One of the owners is from Canada and she provided a lot of helpful info, if we asked. She never intruded on our plans or personal space. DH looked forward to the cappacinos she made for him everyday.

I'll admit, I was a little apprehenive about staying in a B&B...for much of the same reasons some of you have listed. But, these two turned out to be great experiences...thanks in large part to the reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

[LexiC123]

Yes, being a NYer, I so love my privacy and other people minding their own business. Not being a morning person, I really don't want someone in my face, first thing in the morning asking me a bunch of questions, being polite and chatty while I'm having my morning coffee.

Morning coffee time for me needs to be quiet, meditative time where I'm slowly coming awake. I'm not into polite and chatty.




I've stayed in a couple, both in England and New England, and each time I feel that way, like I'm imposing in someone's house. I still felt that way even after I've shut the door to my room. And I felt uneasy, anticipating they may knock on my door - which both times they did. When I close my door, I don't want to feel like someone is going to intrude on my privacy.

When I stay in a hotel, I love being able to close the door and know the room is all mine, I can relax, do what I want, and no one will knock, and I don't have to answer if someone does.

When I have questions about the city or where to go, that's what the Concierge is for.

We are so on the same page with this one. Give me a nice, impersonal Four Seasons or W Hotel any day, LOL.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The key distinction is that you were hosting people. It was your home. It's quite different than feeling like an intruder in someone else's home.

No, I don't feel that way ever. I have stayed with family and B&B's and I think it is fun.

 

[Kath2003]

Common in the UK. I don't feel like it's staying in someone's home; it's like a smaller hotel. I would choose to stay in a large hotel in a big city and a B&B somewhere small where local knowledge matters. The last B&B we stayed in was fantastic and we wouldn't hesitate to return.

 

[Imzadi]

No, I don't feel that way ever. I have stayed with family and B&B's and I think it is fun.

I had added more to my post, responding to you:

When I'm staying in a hotel room, I know I can come in after a hard day of touristing, throw back the sheets, put on my less than for public jammies, pull out a meatball hero and settle down in front of the TV for a favorite TV show in bed and eat in peace.

In a B&B, I have to worry, is it okay to eat in bed? Is it even okay to eat in the room, or do I have to go down to the dining room and miss my show? Is the owner going to knock on the door as she smells all the garlic and tell me to please eat downstairs, and I will miss the show I was sooo looking forward to relaxing and eating a meatball hero in front of?

 

[Kath2003]

In a B&B, I have to worry, is it okay to eat in bed? Is it even okay to eat in the room, or do I have to go down to the dining room and miss my show? Is the owner going to knock on the door as she smells all the garlic and tell me to please eat downstairs, and I will miss the show I was sooo looking forward to relaxing and eating a meatball hero in front of?

You can do whatever you want in your room. It's BED and BREAKFAST so unless the show you really, really want to watch is on for the entire three hours between 7am and 10am, I doubt you'd miss it.

Usually you get there, and are offered a cup of coffee or tea, then you do what you want until the morning when they serve breakfast. Then you do your own thing or check out.

 

[Silent1CB]

I find them weird too. Not for me.

 

[rwdavis2]

Don't like 'em. I'm not a morning person, so getting up, getting dressed and then eating with strangers is not my thing.
BD

 

[Ilivetogo]

A PP asked for reviews ...

if you go to bbonline.com and then choose the B&B you want to know about, then go to the bottom right of that page and you will see the website for the actual B&B that you can click on. Typically somewhere in their website will be some reviews.

Also stuff like recipes and other stuff about the area! Very nice info!

I've stayed at a few B&B's and found them to be wonderful.

 

[Acklander]

We once won a 2 night stay at a B&B (The Daniel Webster Inn) on the cape. It was more like a small hotel than someone's house. the room was great in that it had a jacuzzi tub for 2, canopy bed, working fireplace, etc.... It had a restaurant on the premises so you could eat dinner there as well, and a spa. It was a very romantic get away.

 

[Minnie_me]

DH and I almost stayed in one once. We booked it in advance, and were enthralled with the building when we arrived. It was a beautiful brownstone in an historic district. The woman gave us a tour of the home, and we were amazed to see that it was filled with African antiques -- just gorgeous! She was telling us what time breakfast was served as she walked us into our room.

And that's where the amazement ended. Our room, in stark contrast to the rest of the house, looked very similar to a college dorm room. White walls, a bed on a frame (no headboard, etc.). One wall was entirely corkboard. Two cheap dressers, and a closet with sliding doors made of mirror. Ewwww. There was a cheap nightstand with a cheap digital alarm clock on it. Absolutely no decorations or antiques.

We left. We told her that we felt that she misrepresented the place, and got our money back.

I like the predictability of a hotel.

 

[anniemae]

DH and I stayed at a B and B in Nantucket and have not stayed in one since!! We do not like them. I felt like I was staying at my Grandmothers house. When we came in from dinner and drinks one night, we were killing ourselves laughing as we "snuck" upstairs. I have no idea why it felt like we were two drunk teenagers sneaking in trying not to get caught I felt like we may get grounded.

The Inn was sooooooo quiet, it seemed like everyone went to bed at 8:00.

Also, there were no T.V.'s or radios. Now, I didn't want to sit in front of the tv during my vacation, but I am a news junkie and I needed my morning news and local forcast.

Also, we were not fans of the "gather in the kitchen and chat with strangers during breakfast." We just wanted to grab coffee and breakfast and go back to the room to eat, but this felt rude.

We much prefer the huge impersonal hotels with a tv in the room..... thank you very much!

 

[minniecarousel]

DH & I have been to two different ones. One was on the Coast, here in California, years ago. We went with 2 other couples, and it was a large, very modern complex. The dining room had several tables - I think we had breakfast at the only one for a large party of six.

The other one we went to, DH said I had to reserve a room with a TV! This was in the foothills of the Sierras, and the town is "quaint", meaning not much to do, other than some antique shops. We had b'fast in a large dining room - everyone ate together and had to chit-chat. Not something DH is comfortable doing.

Therre are plenty of B&B's within a few hours driving around us, where they deliver your b'fast at a pre-arranged time, and you eat in your room. DH would probably be OK with that set-up.