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