What to Look for When Booking a B&B
Tranquility, relaxation and a getaway from the hustle and bustle of life; this is what a bed and breakfast offers. You’re moving away from the traditional hotel or motel atmosphere where you’re just another name on a list and living alongside the owner of the residence for a few days.
A B&B’s base definition states that breakfast is included, and that the dwelling is the owners’ main residence.
So, you can think of a B&B as a short stay with the owner of a beautiful home that welcomes guests inside to make money.
When looking for a B&B, there are a few things you’ll want to make note of before making payment:
- Pet Allowance: Some B&Bs will allow pets, but others don’t. Ask beforehand and confirm that pets are allowed even if the listing says “yes” already.
- Children Allowance: There are times when children may not be allowed to stay at a B&B, so keep this in mind when booking.
- Check In and Out Times: Arriving in the middle of the night? You might not be able to check in. This isn’t a 24-hour hotel, so make sure that the check in and out times correlate with your schedule.
- Payment Options: Most operators will allow you to pay with cash or credit, but some will If you plan on staying in a very remote location, you might not be able to make payment with a credit card or PayPal.
- Deposits and Cancellation Policies: Deposit and cancellation fees are a norm for a B&B. Check these policies to understand how much of a deposit is needed and when, if possible, you can cancel a reservation without a charge.
- Minimum Stay Requirements: B&Bs may not allow a person to come for just one day because a lot of work is involved to prepare the room. Hosts may also want to get to know their guests, which is difficult with a one night stay.
- Bathroom Style: Small bed and breakfasts may not provide a private bathroom, and you’ll need to share the bathroom with other guests and maybe even the owner. If this is something you’re not willing to do, you’ll want to ask if the bathroom is shared or private.
- Amenities: Do you need to work on your next big project during your escape? Is there WiFi available? How about television? Ask about any amenities that may be offered beforehand to ensure that your desired B&B has everything you need for a comfortable stay.
The great thing is that you can also look at reviews. Most B&Bs will have some form of reviews that you can look at to judge how guests like a B&B and their stay. There are a lot of options available, but a review will help you narrow down your choices.
And reviews further help you learn what people didn’t like.
If a host cancelled the last minute or decided that they now don’t allow pets when a person walked up to the door, a review will have this information so that you know to stay far away from the host’s B&B.
Opening a B&B? Do’s and Don’ts
Running a B&B can be a very rewarding experience. I think most of us have dreamed of opening a quaint bed and breakfast along the shore of a tropical island somewhere…. Continue Reading