Bed and breakfasts differ from small inns and hotels by having the owner/operator doing most of the cooking, cleaning and also administrative work. Moreover, bed and breakfasts offer a morning meal, but they usually do not offer lunch or dinner--although some may opt for a light tea in the afternoon. This gives bed and breakfasts a uniquely comfortable and private feel, making guests feel more like true guests rather than paying customers.
A large number of bed and breakfasts are created in historical properties that are lovingly restored to their former glory. You will be hard-pressed to find a bed and breakfast in a modern building. If the property is not truly a historical treasure, bed and breakfast operators sometimes go to great lengths to artificially age the home with the help of paint, retro-looking fixtures, and also antique furniture prior to setting up guest rooms.
Bed and breakfasts have become a staple of the wedding industry, and newlyweds love the ambiance of spending their first weekend as a married couple in this quaint and very personalized environment. Some bed and breakfast owners have begun to market almost exclusively to the wedding industry, going so far as to erect gazebos perfect for wedding ceremonies on their properties.
No matter how old the bed and breakfast you are staying at, the odds are good that you will have modern amenities, including high-speed Internet access and even a Jacuzzi out back. The rooms themselves are lovingly decorated with real antiques and high-quality linens instead of the typical hotel fare. Frequently the bathrooms are shared between two guests, although in some of the newer facilities each room has its own lavatory.
When choosing a bed and breakfast, look for window decals identifying a trade organization that oversees the bed and breakfast trade. At the same time, check with your local AAA chapter to see if the bed and breakfasts you are considering have been rated by them. The majority of these businesses are members of one or more trade organizations---such as the Bettina Network (a link is included in the resources)--that help with the marketing aspect of the business; in return, the business agrees to meet certain industry standards with respect to safety and cleanliness, and also participates in regular inspections of the facility.
Exercise caution before putting down a deposit on a bed and breakfast. There are a few scam artists at work that will rent nonexistent properties to unsuspecting clients. The Trip Advisor website (link included in the resources) recounts one such situation. Avoid being taken advantage of by checking with the Better Business Bureau, your travel agent and also the local Chamber of Commerce before committing funds. Thereafter, it is a good idea to pay any deposit with a credit card that may refund your money if you run into trouble.
