| Bed and breakfasts are a common sight in most | | | | en-suite? If not, ask how many rooms share the |
| towns and villages, but although there are many | | | | bathroom. I would suggest that more than three |
| of them, only a few are able to provide top | | | | rooms sharing one bathroom are too many, and |
| quality service. The problem is; how do we | | | | can cause lengthy delays in the morning. |
| differentiate the good from the bad? The internet | | | | Tea and coffee making facilities are a must, and |
| is usually the first resource to look for places to | | | | should be standard even in a poor quality hotel or |
| stay, but with so many advertising websites, this | | | | B&B, but do not take it for granted that |
| can often be more headache than helpful. | | | | they will provide this. Other services that I |
| So what should we look for when searching? It is | | | | consider an absolute must are a TV, |
| easy to be fooled by a hotels flashy website, but | | | | coat-hangers, a desk and a full length mirror. If all |
| often on closer inspection, they really don't offer | | | | of these are not provided, I simply look |
| much. It's therefore important to know what to | | | | somewhere else. |
| look for. Below I have written a few key points | | | | Additional services such as wi-fi are becoming |
| that you may want to take note of when | | | | more and more important to the modern day |
| searching for accommodation. | | | | traveler. Most establishments will charge a fee to |
| The first thing to look for is their facilities. Do they | | | | use their internet services, and whilst this is |
| have parking? Many B&B's are located on | | | | acceptable, there are some good places that will |
| busy roads or town centres, and having to cart | | | | offer this for free. |
| your luggage a mile down the road from a car | | | | Another often overlooked aspect of hotels and |
| park that charges per hour is not suitable. Make | | | | B&B's is where the rooms are within the |
| sure that there is either on site parking, or at | | | | building. Stairs can be problematic for some |
| least a suitable place for your car nearby. You | | | | people, but even a healthy and fit youngster will |
| should also be aware that some places will charge | | | | probably not want to climb five flights of stairs |
| to leave your car with them, so to avoid a nasty | | | | every time they go to their room. If you are |
| surprise, its better to check in advance. | | | | booked onto a high floor, check they have an |
| Location is always important, and whilst some | | | | elevator. |
| B&B's will advertise themselves as located in | | | | A bed and breakfast rate can mean different |
| the 'town centre' or 'within easy reach', you are | | | | things to different establishments. Personally, I |
| better off checking this out for yourself. I have | | | | think bed and breakfast should include a full |
| stayed in quite a few places that state they are | | | | cooked breakfast (with a vegetarian alternative), |
| situated within easy access of local amenities, only | | | | but some only provide a continental menu. |
| to find I need a taxi to go anywhere. Google | | | | Unfortunately, unless you have stayed at the |
| maps are one of the best ways to avoid such | | | | establishment before, it's difficult to tell in advance |
| circumstances. | | | | what the quality of a breakfast will be like. |
| Sometimes being too close to the hub of a busy | | | | Probably the best way to avoid the worst places |
| town can be a disadvantage. The last thing a | | | | is to check for online reviews, being one of the |
| weary traveller needs is a sleepless night caused | | | | best. |
| by local bars and clubs found directly outside your | | | | Finally, it is no secret that these days the |
| window. Look for somewhere that is located | | | | economy has forced most of us to be a little |
| away from main roads within a town centre. | | | | more frugal with our spending. However this does |
| Residential streets are usually the best as they | | | | not mean that spending less on accommodation |
| tend to be quieter. | | | | should be reflected in the quality of service you |
| When calling the hotel to check availability, ask | | | | receive. It is quite possible to get all of the above |
| what amenities are included in the room. Is it | | | | for less than £50 per person per night. |