How To Stay at a Bed and Breakfast

Staying at a bed and breakfast establishment is the ultimate combination of an exclusive hotel and staying with a friend.  Bed and breakfast places are not all luxurious, but they are comfortable and well-equipped and have an exclusive feel due to the relatively small size. The service is warm and friendly, and new guests often turn into regular visitors. Most people who run a bed and breakfast establishment love people, are truly hospitable, and enjoy getting to know their guests; they work hard provide guests with every comfort. The hosts are also knowledgeable about their home towns, and can give you great information on little-known attractions, great shopping, restaurants, and the like.

When you stay at a bed and breakfast, you can expect to be greeted cordially by your host or hostess, and perhaps welcomed with a drink or a snack.  You will be shown to your room and told about the amenities. Your room may have a private bathroom, or you may share with another room. Some have garden tubs or whirlpool tubs, where you can soak your travel weariness away.

Many bed and breakfast homes have themes, with rooms decorated according to certain eras, or military persuasions such as the Civil War or the Revolutionary War. All of the rooms are quite comfortable, with not only the usual bed, dressers, and night tables you would expect to find at a good hotel, but also extras like beautiful lamps, unique artwork, and hand-quilted coverlets. Some have TVs in each room; others have television available in a lounge area only.

Many bed and breakfast establishments offer a cocktail hour where you can meet and mingle with your fellow guests if you desire. This is optional; it's more likely you'll choose to relax in private in your beautifully appointed room.

Some bed and breakfasts offer dinner to their guests, but this is often a separate charge from the basic room charges. Usually reservations for dinner must be made in advance, so that the hostess can be prepared. Those facilities that do provide dinner frequently offer local specialties, such as seafood in New England, or trout in the Smoky Mountains.  It is well worth taking advantage of the opportunity to sample these delicious meals.

After your meal, you can relax in the lounge and talk to your hosts and fellow travelers, or retire to your comfortable room. The next morning will bring a delightful breakfast; again, this is often made up of local favorites, or breakfast may include some of the specialties of the house. You will be refreshed and ready to continue your vacation.