HOW CAN IT BE A B&B WITHOUT BREAKFAST??!!
 

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?

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.

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.

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

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!

Casandra,

:-d

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.

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. :)

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

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.

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***

"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!! :)

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*** :)

Kim,

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

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.

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*** :)

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.

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.

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."

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?

Perhaps you have. The last time I stayed in a B&B in Massachusetts -- over 10 years ago -- I had to make a zillion contacts, as Wallace is doing, just to find a place that served anything freshly cooked (eggs, etc.) in addition to basic beverages and pastries.

The B&B that Wallace chose describes their second B thus: "Continental-plus breakfast: fine coffee, a selection of teas, fresh squeezed orange juice, breads, pastries, jams, fruit, and cereal." Sounds a lot like juice & muffins to me.

I spent a lot of time picking just the right B&B. If you look at their website (and at the beautiful picture of people around a breakfast table) it is definitely more than just some supermarket muffin and OJ (that is EXACTLY why I am not staying at Casa Do Zequita)

The breakfast here is all home made and plantiful! I read every entry in the guest book - I take my B&Bs very seriously.

Anyway, I looked at MANY (MANY) B&Bs in the Boston area. Like I said originally, breakfast is hard to come by... only a small percent of the places have a big cooked breakfast like I am used to. ... And I am starting to look at it this way, I don't want to spend $200+/night just so I can have some eggs or pancakes etc. in the morning... the fresh squeezed OJ and home baked (by the hostess) scones etc. at my chosen B&B are looking very good! (and did I mention only $90/night?!)

Anonymous is correct though, don't expect "eggs benedict" in Boston!!(Well, you MIGHT be able to find it, but a 7night stay may cost the same as a buying a used car. :)) )


BTW, hope this makes sense. I am so overtired!;)

Well, I don't see any significant difference between muffins and scones, but then I didn't find any picture of people eating breakfast, either. Anyway, I hope you have a great stay. Since nobody here seems to have heard of Morrison's, be sure to come back and give us a report!

Ok, Anonymous -I have to go to bed (why can't I pull myself away?! ;) ) Anyway, you are missing my point ... the breakfast consists of all homemade baked goods (and fresh fruit, juice they squueze themselves etc. Believe me, I was very happy to find this!) - You were the one who adviced me to grab a crummy room with no breakfast because it was $95 Well, I thought you would be happy for me that I found such a better deal! (and this place comes with a cat you can adopt while you stay there :) )

If you would like to see the picture, it is here:

http://www.morrisonhousebnb.com/quotes.htm

Trust me, I am a seasoned B&B traveler and this place looks very charming!

We kind of got off topic of the thread - but the bottom line is you just won't find breakfast like you do in other places (one of my best experiences was Vancouver 4stars and $100! Brugge B&Bs have always served me well too..) Anyway, I feel very fortunate that I found this place and was able to make a reservation!

Goodnight, I'm starting to get cranky ;) :)

Yes, you are getting cranky -- I wished you well, and you came back with this!

You need to take a closer look at that picture, I don't think those people are eating breakfast. They have tiny paper plates, no coffee, and the food looks like cookies and crudites, the serving dishes cover the table they're sitting at, there is no silverware or place settings. Doesn't look like breakfast to me at all.

I advised you to take the $95 room because you said you wanted a room in Boston. You didn't say you'd be willing to go to Slummerville, excuse me, Somerville, for scones and juice. IMHO, you have thrown out the baby with the bathwater in your insistence on having your bed and your breakfast under one roof. Juice and pastry is still juice and pastry, no matter how freshly prepared they are. Have a great trip.

I just got curious and did some searching--you mention that $200/night is above your budget, but I found this 11-room inn with a fabulous-looking, candle-lit breakfast here:

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ppf/L...com/frame.aspx

You say you are picky about your B&B's, so perhaps this doesn't qualify as a "B&B" according to your standards. This place would be right up my alley, but the least expensive room is about $145. They do look nice though.

Good luck wherever you stay.

Try this link instead:

http://www.diamonddistrictinn.com/