Wallace_and_Gromit

I have NEVER heard of a B&B that said they don't offer breakfast - isn't that like eating a "B-L-T" without a slice of tomato?

I have been looking at Boston area B&Bs all night (and this morning): The 1st time I saw "no breakfast offered" I laughed. Now I am in shock. I would say that 70% of the B&Bs that I looked at (and I looked at a lot) don't offer breakfast. Most of the ones that do, don't offer much. (One site said there was a law against cooked food - but it must just be in Boston. I saw a few places in Cambridge that offer a nice spread)

I won't even get into the fact that prices are VERY HIGH just for a room. I know it was stated on here several times that Boston is not cheap. Ok, that is fine... I just can't understand how it is allowed to call yourself a "B&B" when all you are offering is a room.

Can someone please explain it to me?

Cassandra

Oh dear. Perhaps you ought to bring a nice piece of Wensleydale along with you, eh Gromit? I'm sure a few still offer smashing toast.

mrwunrfl

It's probably caused some local food service law or regulation that, when translated to a B&B, means that it is not economical to offer the second B. Other places may have less regulation for small places like B&Bs.

mrwunrfl

ok, I held back, but I just have to post this: it's like a topless bar in a jurisdiction that requires pasties.

Dan

In New Orleans, I've read about a couple of B&Bs where the second B is "beverage" rather than breakfast. Basically, no food but you get a welcome cocktail!

Wallace_and_Gromit

Casandra,

rkkwan

If you're looking for a serious, real, explanation, then there's one.

The term "B&B" is widely known around the world as independently owned small inns. So, even if the propertys around Boston don't provide breakfast, the main service is still the same. These owners don't want to have to start a different booking service for just "B" or use the terms "guesthouse" or "inn", as "B&B" is so much more frequently used, especially in England and elsewhere.

Wallace_and_Gromit

Yes, thank you. (I really did want an answer)

But I don't agree with it. I am well traveled and prefer the B&B. - I understand government regulations. I remember several years ago a B&B owner (US) complaining on talk radio that they government was making them use paper products and packets of salt/pepper etc. and she was afraid it would lose the "B&B feel" and be bad for business. - It is sad! I know for a fact Belgium and the UK do not have this problem!

Anyway, I am just wondering how the government can regulate every little thing and then allow the term "B&B" to be used when it is not really one.

I am not trying to argue or start a debate. That isn't my intention at all. I just find the whole thing a little absurd and needed to comment.

BAK

Well,. it's not known widely around the world to me.

B&B is bed and breakfast; otherwise,it's just a tourist home, transplanted from the 1950s.

The quality of the braakfast is a big deal -- that's what makes people go to one of these instead of another one.

BAK

Cassandra

That may be a serious, real explanation but it doesn't hold up -- as BAK said, it's not well known to just everyone and is going to create a lot of consfusion and disappointment, if not squabbles.

There are many other categories that apply to small establishments that offer bed but not board to transients, including small inns, hostels, guestrooms, apartments, short-term rooms to let, etc. If "B&B" comes to be applicable to a category where the second "B" doesn't refer to food (what? "bed and bath"? "bed and another bed"?), it will indeed become a classical misnomer. I'm 100% certain that Wallace and Gromit (presumably just Wallace) were not the only one(s) surprised to find "no breakfast" noted.

kimamom

That's odd. All of the B&B's we have stayed at have offered wonderful, hot home-cooked breakfasts. It's one of the reasons I like them and the first thing I check out is the breakfast menus. Keep looking for a true B&B that will serve you a good breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day my son keeps telling me! ***kim***

Wallace_and_Gromit

"That's odd. All of the B&B's we have stayed at have offered wonderful, hot home-cooked breakfasts. It's one of the reasons I like them and the first thing I check out is the breakfast menus"

I thought I was the only one!

"The quality of the braakfast is a big deal -- that's what makes people go to one of these instead of another one."

So true!

Anyway, I DID find a really nice place that I am happy with. Actually, I was all set to book with "A B&B In Cambridge" because their home and breakfast (and afternoon tea) looked awesome... but at $125 a night that shares a bathroom w/ 2 other rooms, I couldn't fit it into my budget.

I just made a reservation at Morrison House B&B (Baking is listed as a hobby of the Inn Keepers!!) It looks beautiful - AND a single/private bath is only $90 (TOTAL) per night!!

kimamom

Most innkeepers are skilled in the culinary arts. My husband's aunt owns a B&B on Orcas Island and she has received many awards for her breakfast dishes. Got voted most friendliest innkeeper, also! (Nothing like a cranky host, LOL!) ***kim***

Wallace_and_Gromit

Kim,

Maybe I will go there on my next trip! - Orcas Island, isn't that off of Seattle?

ozziebound

If you are considering Cambridge, look into The Cambridge House. It is right on Mass Ave I believe. It is exquisite, you'll love. A bit pricey though, if that matters.

kimamom

I've never been to the San Juan Islands, either. www.kangaroohouse.com is the website for the B&B. We were considering the Rosario Resort, but I've heard not too favorable things on this board about that place.

We hope to visit the islands this summer when we stay in Seattle. ***kim***

hugglynn

Being in the food service industry, I could see where a large metropolitan area such as Boston might be highly regulated by a county or municipal health department and has such stringent guidelines that it is cost-prohibitive for the B&B's in the area to meet the regulations and offer the breakfast. In our own state, in the Pittsburgh area (Allegheny County), the ACHD is very, very strict...more so than the inspecting done in areas outside of the county that are overseen by the Pa. Department of Agriculture. They really hold all food service businesses (schools, restaurants, hospitals) to a high standard.

So, if that is the case, the last thing these B&B's want on their heads is a case of food poisoning in a facility not approved for serving meals.

Anonymous

I don't think there's much chance of food poisoning at places serving juice and muffins. They could, however, be shut down if the city caught them serving food without a restaurant license. As we've seen, smaller cities like Cambridge and Somerville have less-burdensome regs than the city of Boston. (County government does nothing around here except run jails.)

As businesspersons, the B&B operators can make money without offering food, and the space that would be used as a dining room could even be an extra bedroom.

Wallace_and_Gromit

My question wasn't should they serve breakfast etc. ... I was asking how they could still call themselves a B&B if no breakfast is served.

I think Cassandras comment was the best:

"There are many other categories that apply to small establishments that offer bed but not board to transients, including small inns, hostels, guestrooms, apartments, short-term rooms to let, etc. If "B&B" comes to be applicable to a category where the second "B" doesn't refer to food (what? "bed and bath"? "bed and another bed"?), it will indeed become a classical misnomer."

hugglynn

Anonymous--juice and muffins aren't my idea of breakfast at a B&B. You can pick that up anywhere, or pack it yourself, for that matter. Maybe I've just been to some very generous B&B's, though?