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Dan-my thinking on this subject is probably as outdated as my wardrobe-LOL!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))