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So you've decided to shun the
neon-flashing motel chains and marble-foyered monsters and
venture into the world of cozy, intimate bed and
breakfasts? After all, you've heard how much more personal
and romantic the b&b experience is, right?
Well....usually that's the gospel truth. However, there
are certain things to keep in mind and questions to ask
yourself (and prospective innkeepers) before you make your
final decision and turn over your credit card number.
The first thing to consider
is the area of the country you will be visiting. Many
towns across America offer the b&b experience but only
have a handful of options for you to consider. On the
other hand, if you visit our hometown of Fredericksburg,
Texas (population 9,000) there are literally hundreds of
b&b's, reportedly the largest number of b&b's per
capita in the nation. Unfortunately for the unwary
traveller, not all are created equal! When visiting such a
popular bed and breakfast town, the research you do
beforehand will greatly impact the quality of your stay.
These days it seems almost
everyone makes their travel decisions and arrangements
through the internet. In fact you are probably one of
those individuals or you wouldn't be reading this article.
You can always begin your search by typing in your
destination city or town and "bed and breakfast"
into your search engine to get an idea of the options
you'll have. As you begin to view the properties, you
should consider whether the b&b has the following
amenities (assuming these are important to you): private
bath, temperature control, full or continental breakfast,
off-street parking, daily housekeeping and the
ever-important factor....location.
Let's begin with location.
Proximity to the "center of action" is often a
plus for many travelers; however, it sometimes comes with
a drawback...noise. In our town, many visitors want to be
"on Main Street," and to be sure it is a boon at
the end of the day when carrying heavy shopping bags back
to your room. However, guests are sometimes surprised at
the street noise which lasts throughout the night (Main
Street is, after all, Highway 290)! Some visitors prefer
to be a few blocks off Main with a bit more privacy yet
good access to Main Street. Still others prefer a place in
the country.
Making this first decision
will cut the number of properties you consider by as much
as 2/3. A note of caution however; if location is a prime
concern of yours be very detailed in your quest. For
example, many Fredericksburg bed and breakfasts advertise
"Located on Main Street," but what they don't
tell you is they are a mile and a half from the shopping
district on the west end of town. In our town, the 100-300
blocks of East Main are considered the true shopping
district. So if proximity to shopping is your goal, you
would be better off with a cottage 3 blocks off of Main
but within the 100-300 blocks than at the property a mile
and a half from shopping that sounds so convenient.
Remember the old addage, "Buyer Beware."
Question number two could
be whether to stay at an Inn or an individual cottage.
Fredericksburg is unique in offering literally hundreds of
one-couple, individual Sunday Houses or cottages in
addition to numberous true multi-unit inns. One big
distinction here other than the obvious over-all privacy
issue is usually breakfast. In a private cottage you
almost always receive a continental breakfast, left before
you arrive. At a traditional "Inn" or bed and
breakfast, you are often served a full gourmet breakfast
at a pre-arranged time...along with other guests. So for
many guests the choice comes down to continental with
privacy or full-breakast served in a dining room. Either
option offers lots of possibilities. But with so many
different properties, there are no set rules; so check
their website or ask!
One more common pitfall is
something that sounds so basic but can really impact your
experience: decor. Word on the street in b&b circles
is that guests are increasingly looking for a
"magazine spread" when they walk in the door.
Nothing pleases me more than to open our guestbook and
read, "When we opened the door the beautiful room
just took my breath away!" Few people go to a bed and
breakfast looking for the type decor they have at
home...or worse, their granny's decor! However, many
b&b owners are under the false impression that they
can take an empty rent-house and hang out their shingle.
They may stumble upon a few unsuspecting guests...but you
don't want it to be you. Be sure and check the pictures on
the website. I would never book a room that didn't at
least show photos of the exterior of the cottage or inn
and the bed. Webmasters tell me that these are the two
photo's potential guests are most interested in. I would
be very wary of a facility that wasn't proud to show its
exterior and at least one photo of the inside of each
room. Jacuzzi tubs, hot tubs, gas fireplaces, it's all out
there for the taking...for those who do their homework.
Spend a little extra time asking the right questions and
you can have the most wonderful, relaxing getaway
experience yet.
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