Wanted to warn people about the Eagles Nest B&B on south Whidbey near Langley. The man who runs this place with his wife is a very stern and unpleasant individual. You'd think the house was a czar's palace the way he runs it. Think because you're paying almost $200 a night you'd be treated like a welcome guest? Forget it! He sternly dictates what exact spot you can park in in the lot (and if you pull into the "wrong" one even though they are not marked he comes flying out and yells at you). He goes into a fit if your shoes so much as touch a centimeter of his carpets. He polices the hot tub and checks people over for "lotions" before you try and use it. And at breakfast he hogs all conversation standing there like Mussolini over the one big table and controlling, controlling. A real control freak and he sure did ruin our vacation. So be forwarned about the Eagle's Nest near Langley!

Sounds awful- thanks so much for the warning. We once experienced a madman motel owner who was also a control freak. I have a fear of B and B's- either the owners or the patrons can be quite odd- hard to escape especially if you must eat breakfast together.

Dan, I urge you to write a letter of complaint to the:
Langley Bed & Breakfast Association
P. O. Box 259
Langley, WA . 98260

Also, a letter to the Better Business Bureau covering that area would be beneficial. You can find that by using the www.google.com Internet Search Engine.

It's important for all us 'consumers' to complain effectively and to the right people.

Thank you for your post.

This is why my husband dislikes B&Bs--especially those with communal breakfast tables.I'm sorry this crazy ruined your vacation.

Dan--do you know if these are new owners or have been there a while? The reason I ask is because that B & B is listed in some (usually)very trustworthy "great places to stay" type books,just wondering. My dear hubb and I are LONG overdue for a romance weekend with no kids and are looking forward to trying out the "Chauntecleer House" near Langley,supposed to be wonderful, not quite a B & B as you get the whole cottage to yourself , the innkeeper leaves breakfast goodies in the cottage kitchen. Thanks for the warning--there ARE many wonderful B & B's in the world -don't let this one spoil them for you!

Please post this view on the following message board - It is a resource for people looking for B 7 B acommodation.

http://forums.bedandbreakfast.com/~bnbboard-usa/

My husband and I spent 2 nights at a lovely B&B in Christianburg, Virginia (forget the name of the B&B, unfortunately). We arrived somewhat late on a Friday night after hitting lots of traffic, and so were exhausted. The hosts spent about 45 minutes holding us hostage, in an effort to drop as many names as they could. We finally were able to tear ourselves away after my husband actually feel asleep in the middle of a sentence. They asked if we would be coming down for breakfast in the morning, and I said we would.

The next morning, we were so tired, we slept through our alarm. I awoke to banging on the door. The host was yelling "Are you coming down to breakfast?" I yelled back "No!" "Why?" was the reply. "Because we're tired!" He later said that if we weren't coming to breakfast, he wanted to know in advance because he had cooked for us (in addition to 3 other couples--so he wasn't cooking especially for us). He was really angry! Idiot. We'd already paid for the B&B, so breakfast was ours to eat or not.

That night, we asked for a restaurant recommendation. They gave us one, and warned us that it would be very busy, but just mention that we're staying at this B&B, and we would get a table right away. Then they wouldn't shut up. We stood there for 35 minutes saying "We have to go now". We should have just walked away. Anyway, when we got to the restaurant, we mentioned the B&B and our hosts, and the manager looked at us, and said that we had to have a reservation. When I told him our hosts had assured us that we would get a table, he said "I wished they'd stop doing that!"

Both the stories told her in detail remind me of our own worse experience in a bed and breakfast which was on the Oregon coast at a place named Sea Quest.
The male owner was unpleasant. glum and gruff but the female was beyond that even into down right rude to us and others we witness her interacting with.
Why do some people even go into the bed and breakfast business? It's a business people and you're supposed to supply a pleasant experience for your high paying guests.

Does anyone ever have a GOOd b and b experience? Now I am freaked out. I have made reservations for 2 b-and-bs in Kauai, Hawaii. One was recommended in several guide books, both looked very reputabe from websites. We like people. We want to experience the "Aloha spirit." The generous breakfasts seem like a deal. I spoke on the phone to each owner and they seemed nice. We will mostly be out and about daily snorkeling, seing the sights, hiking, etc. I don't really like hotels - so cold, impersonal. And in our budget, ugh they are a little icky! I am used to the nicer things.... I think a b and b will be fun and romantic! Am I off my rocker?

Seal Cove Inn on the coast near Half Moon Bay. We have stayed there several times and the owner, Karen Brown and staff are so gracious and we felt like royalty with our treatment BUT I am reluctant to go anywhere not personally endorsed.

Take heart, OClocal, and others, My husband and I {and numerous friends and relatives} frequently stay at b&bs, and our experiences with them have been overwhelmingly positive. I can name a few I wouldn't return to - grumpy or overly chatty hosts, a bit noisy,etc., but no horror stories. We like the fact that each experience is different, a bit of an adventure, and ,in general,we've found them to be much more comfortable than generic hotels {which we do have horror stories about!}. We enjoy the generally warmness and helpfulness of the hosts, and meeting new people. Of course, lodging preference is such a personal matter, and does require careful research to avoid being stuck at a dud. Just wanted you to know that, even there are indeed duds out there,lots of us have had fabulous experiences at b&bs!