| Inns are a delightful alternative to hotels and | | | | provide you, and other guests, with a unique |
| resorts. They can be just the right ticket for your | | | | experience in unique surroundings, but to do that |
| vacation, providing you understand how they | | | | they'll need your understanding. |
| work and function. | | | | WHAT'S THE USUAL CHECK-IN TIME? |
| Are they for everybody? | | | | Your host will go out of their way to greet you |
| No, they're not. But here's the answers to some | | | | when you check-in. Usually when you reserve |
| basic questions to determine if it's the type of | | | | you'll be told when their normal check-in period is. |
| accommodation that'll work for you... | | | | But most can accommodate you arrivals outside |
| WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INNS AND | | | | those hours. |
| BED AND BREAKFASTS? | | | | But you need to let them know if you'll be late so |
| Let's start by clearing up any confusion on the | | | | they can arrange for you to get into the house |
| differences between inns and bed and breakfasts. | | | | (yes, the doors are locked after a certain hour), |
| And it's not so much in the name as how they | | | | and to your room. It's one thing to show up at |
| advertise themselves. | | | | midnight at your hotel - they're staffed round the |
| Firstly, there's no difference in accommodation. | | | | clock - but it's entirely another matter to roll-in |
| The charm of a bed and breakfast can be every | | | | after 11:00pm at an inn, and expect your host to |
| bit as good as the personality of an inn. The | | | | get out of bed and greet you smiling. |
| difference is the prepared meals. A bed and | | | | CAN YOU NEGOTIATE PRICE? |
| breakfast is just that... expect a bed and a | | | | You bet you can! |
| breakfast, but you're on your own for dinner. But | | | | Just like hotels the room rate for inns is |
| at inns, they're set-up to provide dinner as well, | | | | negotiable. The main difference is unlike a hotel, |
| although it's usually an option, and not included in | | | | the person on the other end of a phone is usually |
| the quoted price. The listing will be very clear if | | | | the owner of the bed and breakfast, and they |
| dinner is offered. But assume its just bed and | | | | can make the decision on the spot. All you have |
| breakfast if nothing is mentioned. | | | | to do is ask in a nice way. |
| In many areas of the world inns and bed and | | | | Just remember the innkeeper may only have a |
| breakfasts are also called guesthouses. | | | | few rooms to begin with anyway, and if your |
| ARE THEY RIGHT FOR MY KIDS? | | | | haggling over the last room then don't be |
| When an inn says kids are welcome, then you'd | | | | offended if it's no dice on a price reduction. But on |
| better believe they really mean they're kid | | | | the other hand one room of a four-room inn |
| friendly. Now there's nothing wrong with that (I | | | | without a paying guest reduces a host's profit by |
| have three myself), but don't expect too much | | | | 25%. So it's always worth asking for a reduction! |
| piece and quiet and solitude. | | | | HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALLY SAVE? |
| You'll find a number of listings that put age | | | | Off-peak travel will save you a bundle. |
| restriction on children. For example they'll say | | | | Most inns can book their weekend's months in |
| something like: 12 or older, or above 6-years old. | | | | advance. But filling the rooms during the week, |
| They're not being mean. It's just these places are | | | | particularly off-season, is much more difficult. You'll |
| also catering to a single or couple looking for a | | | | get the best deals for bed and breakfasts |
| chance to unwind and free of noise and high | | | | traveling mid-week and out of season. Now |
| activity. If you've got high-action kids then bed | | | | contrast this with hotels that have the opposite |
| and breakfasts may not be ideal for your family. | | | | problem, because they cater to the mid-week |
| WHAT SERVICE CAN I EXPECT? | | | | business traveler, but can't get people in rooms at |
| Staying in inns is very different than staying at a | | | | the weekends. |
| hotel. You shouldn't expect a country inn to be like | | | | I love staying in inns. They've a lot going for |
| a Sheraton, with hordes of staff at your beck | | | | them. Inns are usually very affordable, offer tons |
| and call, and soundproof walls. Also, having a party | | | | more variety than a bland hotel room, and are a |
| and playing loud music after 11:00pm won't win | | | | great way to meet fellow travelers or |
| you any brownie points with your host or the | | | | vacationers. You'll find web sites devoted to inn |
| other guests. | | | | and bed and breakfast listings now - so crank up |
| Remember... the innkeeper or host is there to | | | | Yahoo or Google and get searching... and saving! |