What are B & B's really like ?
 

I have never stayed in one but have been curious? My impression is that it's like a rooming house with people clomping around on wood floors and no privacy between rooms.

Sharing bathrooms-ugh, and sitting in someone's livingroom! So many seem to on busy streets and traffic noise could be bad. What about individual air conditioners/heat? And no smoking.

What is it really like (I'm sure there are good and bad ones)? How can you tell before you committ yourself to staying there? Thanks.

Have stayed at many bed and breakfasts. We happen to enjoy them and typically you surprisingly plenty of privacy. We alwyas stay in one that has private baths. We wouldn't like to share either. These days, it seems most of them have private baths. We typically stay in area where there are activites to do surrounding the b and b. We don't stay the whole time in the b and b. You come and go as you please justa s in a hotel room. B and B's have a more homey feel with extra amenities that some basic hotels do not have. BReakfast is usually served between a certain time and you may sit and eat with another couple or so.

Hi!

I had the same impressions that you did until I stayed at my first B&B. I'm sure there are some out there like that, but each one has their own personality and atmosphere. The few I have stayed in have been wonderful. Lots of privacy, private en-suite bathrooms, and wonderful breakfasts! The owners were also very nice and helpful.

I like staying at B&B's because they are usually much more personalized. The rooms are cozy and include nice touches that make you feel like home.

As I've mentioned before, B&B's can very tremendously. If you are interested in staying in one, I would consider doing an online search first (bbonline is a good site to try) and finding b&b's that post lots of pictures of what the rooms and house look like. You can get a general feel for the atmosphere and privacy level by browsing through websites and seeing the pictures.

Good luck!
Tracy

My experience has varied. I've stayed at some B&B's that I've absolutely loved ... It really made the vacation special; and I've stayed at others that I hated. Find out as much as you can ahead of time ... Many have websites that will show pictures of the rooms and common areas. Inquire about whether you have private bath with shower (a must for me) and how big it is. Get a sense of how large the rooms are ... Is it basically a bed in a room or are there other amenities, a sitting area, access to porch or terrace (sometimes these are even private). Do they mention that they use high end linens for bedding (i.e., down comforters, etc.) I've even stayed in ones that provide bathroom with jacuzzi tub, gas fireplace, a wetbar area,CD player & TV w/VCR. Get a sense of how the place is decorated ... I don't care for ones with frilly or cute decor that make me afraid to touch or move anything; I look for a more comfortably luxurious atmosphere. Sometimes via a website you can see what the outside looks like ... These things will all give you a feel for the place. Generally, the more amenities ... The higher the price. The lower the price, the more basic the accomodations ... All relative to what prices other places in the area charge and location.

Maryann, your impressions are probably dated. Many B&Bs these days resemble small inns or hotels with a full range of entertainment and technology options. You have to do your homework, just as with hotels, to make sure you get a good one!

Many B&Bs these days are what would be called gasthauses or pensions in europe. It's a residence in which a family lives but in which they also offer rooms to guests. May be only a couple of rooms but may be as many as 6/7 - almost like an inn. But they do vary tremendously - and the nicer ones are not that inexpensive.

We like to stay at small hotels which serve wine for an hour or so in the ealy evening. These are often an opportunity to socialize with other travelers.

Seeing the above messages I must warn you..people who love B&B's tend to really really love them. (they tend not to be objective). My expereince with B&B's is that you better question what they provide you extensively. For example ask what they provide you for breakfast, I mean the actual menu. Also, have them send you a current picture of the home and neighborhood if they have one. Also, find out if the owners operate the B&B full time. A good friend of mine who used to own a B&B said there is a big difference in quality if the owners have other jobs. My advice is unless
you are staying at a large inn such as the Simpson Inn in Santa Barbara which charges an arm and a leg (but worth it)avoid B&B's.

There was a thread a while back about this. I think the title was something like "What's the big deal about B&B's" I've tried searching for it, but I can't find it. Like Hart said, the people who love B&B's would have loved some of the hovels the haters stayed in. I remember someone saying the room had Peter Frmapton posters on the wall. I laughed at that thinking the guests were put into a child-away-at-school room.

I've stayed in many B&Bs. There's rarely a noise problem...they tend to be much quieter than hotels. However, you often feel like you are staying in some stranger's house. In the morning you usually are served a really nice breakfast. However, if you're not a morning person & don't feel like socializing that early, the group breakfasts can be tough to deal with. And the other guests can make or break the experience.

I tend to avoid B&B's for the most part, although Mrs. MileKing likes them so we usually stay at them on occasion. My experience with B&B's has been that you get what you pay for. That is, in most cases the level of quality is simply not up to the standards of your traditional hotel until you get into the higher end (i.e. more expensive) B&B's.

I have to agree with hart that you really need to do your homework when it comes to choosing a B&B. Knowing general info about a B&B helps, but you need to get into the details including specifics of each and every room. Again, in my experience, it almost always pays to avoid the lower priced rooms and go with the top of the line room. I'm surprised I am saying that as I am a real "value" guy, but the variance in rooms at most B&B's is too great to simply accept the least costly room.

In this day and age, any B&B that does not offer private baths is out. Ditto for any B&B that fails to provide pictures of the exterior and interior of the property. If you are a picky eater (as I am), you will want to ask about the menu as well as serving times.

I've had some good experiences at a few B&B's such as the Black Friar Inn in Bar Harbor, ME and the Bouie House in Jackson, MS, but I still prefer a hotel.

I tend to agree with Mileking, that you get what you pay for. If a B&B is much cheaper than others in the area, I tend to be wary. This is a very rough rule of thumb for me, but I can't say that any B&B that I've paid over $125-150/night for has been bad. I do not go the B&B route when I'm trying to economize. I do think that the cheapest room in a high end place can be a good deal, if you check it out carefully--sometimes it's just because it's smaller, queen bed vs. king, or doesn't have a fireplace or other feature you don't need or want.
I also look for places that are a little larger-- 8-10 rooms rather than 2 or 3, so I have less of that invading someone's home feeling. I also prefer places that have all private baths, not just in my room, so that there aren't constantly people roaming the halls in their bathrobes.
I tend to do a lot of research for b&bs, cross referencing several soources. After all, in a larger hotel, you generally have more options if the room you have isn;t goood, or if not desk clerk is unpleasant. In a small place, both the good and bad features can be noticed more.
A directory

oops--cut myself off!

A directory I like is selectregistry.com.
It emphasizes higher end places, but not what I'd call obscenely expensive
(most rooms under $200 per night, sometimes much lower)

I agree with everyone else on their perspective views on B&Bs. If I have a few days of travel, I split the time with a B&B and a hotel, just to spice up the trip a bit. I would like to add that you cannot make a total accurate judgement based on photos alone. I have chosen several B&Bs based on photos and when I get there....I'm left wondering where in the heck they took those pictures and at what angle?? Some innkeepers are very creative in that field. You can make a pretty accurate judgement by calling and speaking with the owners whom you will be sharing time with. Some can be quite pushy. I was told once to help myself to anything in the bar only to have my hand slapped when I walked behind it to retrieve a wine glass. For the most part...they are fun and any breakfast I have participated in are very good. I have found most innkeepers are a little hurt if you don't join in. I must add I have met some very interesting and well-known people in B&Bs.....but...when it's time to move on to the hotel, I am generally ready for the change.

tcreath describes exactly my experience with band bs. I never get why people describe them as being less private, because as a rule, I've found them to be more quiet and private. And if there's a problem, or I need some advise, the owners usually are more attentive then at many of the hotels I've stayed at.

I also think that it's fun to experience the different characters of different band bs, and to meet new people. My best friend, on the other hand, is very adventurous in general, but likes knowing what she's getting before hand. I remember the Peter Frampton post too! Just shows the range of experiences one can encounter!

I've had pretty good experiences with B&B's.

Some examples of service I have received:

One night we decided to just do an in-room "picnic", bought wine, cheese, breads, fruits. So I wandered down to the kitchen to ask for a corkscrew and came back with the corkscrew, wine glasses, cutting board, knife, etc.

Over breakfast chit-chat (which I love generally, I even prefer the large tables to tables-for-two all spread out)the owner heard that we were planning to take a ferry, and offered to drive us there instead of taking the bus. They even had discounted ferry ticket we could buy.

I've never stayed at one with a shared bathroom....

I did a Boston B&B back when I was a starving financial analyst, and it was perfectly pleasant. The "lack of privacy" aspect of the stay never bothered me-- the other lodgers were nice and quiet, the managers unobtrusive-- and the wine at supper time was welcome. I didn't spend much time there, really-- I slept and showered, then it was off to explore the town.

Now, I *did* share the bath-- but that didn't bug me. I'm a fairly laid-back guy, and it takes a lot to bug me. This was a typical Boston brownstone, so navigating very tight stairwells was my only minor beef. That and the extremely small bedroom. You get what you pay for, sure, but it was of the "you have to walk out into the hall to change your mind" variety.

If you are picky about accommodations, you definitely have to do more diligent research with B&Bs. No question about that. And only you can say if you feel comfortable with the boarding house atmosphere.

Here's the link to a previous thread about the subject.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34444088

While the B&B's I have stayed at both here and abroad have been great - I can never shake off the feeling that I am in someone's house and even though I am paying for bed & breakfast I have this vague feeling like I am intruding - even though the host have been perfectly amicable and nice. Feel need to offer to help with the cleaning and cooking - obsessively tidy the room and make the bed - maybe it's just me.
Besides as other's have mentioned you have to often socialize at breakfast - am not a morning person. At hotels you could probably have brekkie anytime between 6am to 10 - often not possible at B&b.

That said the B&B's we've stayed at have had more charm and character than any hotel - so I guess it all depends on what you like.

I have stayed at several BandB's and I really enjoy them. What everyone mentioned above is true, including almost all them have private baths. One thing to remember is that BandB's could or could not include breakfast. It depends on what you are looking for. The thing that I really like is the uniqueness of the decoration, not cookie cutter like in most hotels. (I stay in hotels, too though). I like feeling as though I am in someone's home. Another thing to watch is that many of them do not have tv and or phone in the room. They want you to relax. Here are some of my favorites:

1. The Gables- Santa Rosa, CA
2. Gideon Ridge Inn- Blowing Rock, NC
3. Austin Street Retreat- Fredericksburg, TX

Thank you all for the time and trouble you put into your posts-to say nothing of all the typing.

Dan-my thinking on this subject is probably as outdated as my wardrobe-LOL! But there are New B&B's and old ones.

The main theme from all of you is do the research ahead of time.

I'm going to have to think about this some more-such as- a $150-$200 a night B&B (to get the best amenities) or the same in a hotel. I know-it's the cozy feeling of a B&B I would miss, but being anonomyous (sp) is not too bad either.

Thanks again-M.A.

I've never stayed in a B&B either and wondered about the attraction. Hubby refuses to stay in one because "they make you eat breakfast with people you don't know." I almost stayed at one in New Orleans but chose a small inn instead. After arriving I was so glad I didn't do the B&B. Websites can be incredibly deceiving. The one I was considering turned out to be in a BAD neighborhood and was within walking distance to nowhere, but you couldn't tell that from the prices and pics.

Granted I have zero experience but if you're considering a stay ask how long the owners have run the (or a) B&B. I read a news story about a local B&B bought by a couple visiting from out of state. They found out the place was closing and said they couldn't let that happen. Trouble is the 20ish couple both have other jobs, never owned a B&B, don't know the area very well, and admitted they didn't research owning a B&B before buying it! Yikes! I wish them the best, but I don't think I'll be staying there anytime soon.

I guess it's the huge variation in quality that makes it an exciting proposition. You never know what you're going to get until you actually get there...

Well, I posted this on a similar thread which has since dropped down the list, so I will repost here. I have some REAL B&B horror stories but I will simply sum it up as follows:

Personally, I'm one of those who can't stand B&Bs. We've tried them in the U.S. and Britain and have never had a good experience. Most were actually someone's home, complete with the dilapidated furnishings, while a couple of them were very posh, but had very obtrusive and controlling owners who actually monitored us to ensure that we didn't damage their pricey, renovated interiors, I suppose.

During road trips we also like to travel with a small cooler, and boy, did we get the evil eye and exchange of owner glances when we brought it in along with our luggage! I don't need to be monitored or "catered" to during my vacation, I just need peace, quiet and privacy, which I've personally never found at a B&B.

Funny, I've never set foot in one here in the U.S., but spent two weeks in England and Scotland and stayed only in B&Bs. Each one was different, some more like staying in someone's home, but most more like a boarding house. Some had private baths and some did not. The breakfasts varied, as did the amenties. But for some reason I am hesitant to try it in the U.S. I guess the Europeans have been doing it a lot longer and maybe I'm afraid the ones in the U.S. will be kind of stuffy.

Everyone certainly has their own opinion about B&Bs and it seems that you either LOVE them or HATE them.

I personally really like staying at a B&B, as long as I have my own bathroom and privacy.

I have taken my husband, who abhorred the idea of eating a communal breakfast as he felt he was forced to make small talk.

I have also taken my mother and sisters, who hated walking in late at night for fear that they would wake/disturb the owner of the B&B.

It really depends on the individual, but if you have never tried a B&B, give it a whirl and find out for yourself!

I have the same problem as Indie (above)--I always feel stifled, as if I'm intruding, when staying in a small B&B. It doesn't help that we usually like to sleep late--hey, we're on vacation!--and have gotten comments about that, or that we like an afternoon nap, which often coincides with cleaning and cooking time. We find ourselves whispering in our room at night! Larger B&B's are better, but we'e decided we like boutique hotels, b/c they strike, for us, the perfect balance between personalized service and privacy.

A friend and I stayed in Hawaii at a B&B. Five rooms. The owner corrected me for coming onto the outside lani 10 minutes too early. I felt like I was invading someones house and could not imangine staying in one with my husband and doing "couple things" . You know what I mean!! We did enjoy the breakfast and meeting the other people but always felt like I was in someones house and we were only allowed in our room and the lani where breakfast was served. Give me a small hotel anyday. Although the breakfast was great, I have the feeling the owners will begin putting some fruit and pastries in your room in a year or two. You have to really love people to be a B&B owner and this couple was in it for the money.

I've only stayed at two but had great experiences at both. One was in Scotland just east of Inverness. We decided to stop driving for the day and just happened upon this great, quiet, non-intrusive B&B. I'd say they had more than 5 rooms, breakfast was almost like a small restaurant but we were the only people there.

The 2nd was just back in Sept this year at the Simpson House. I don't think there is a single person that would mind the Simpson House (yes it's pricy) but better than any hotel I have every stayed in. I would do your homework, just the same as I do for hotels.

Has anyone every stayed at the Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport Maine? I currently have a reservation there for July but after reading some of these posts about B&Bs, I'm a little bit nervous. It looks absolutely wonderful on the website and we have a "large" corner room booked though I have no idea how large large is. Most hotel rooms aren't that big either. There are quite a few ammenities such as robes, chocolates, champagne, memory book, heated granite floors in bathroom, spa tub, down comforter, etc. so it does sound nice. This is our first time going to Maine and I want it to be nice so if anyone has any suggestions as where to stay other than Captain Lord, please let me know.

How could a Bed and Breakfast not include breakfast?

ElaineMc, I've never stayed there, but just from the looks of their website, I don't think you will be disappointed in the least.

We're going to Bar Harbor for a 4-day weekend in June and staying in a B&B. You just have to pick & chose. I think you picked well. ((b))