Bed and Breakfasts

Bed and Breakfasts, or B&Bs as they're more affectionately called, are intimate owner-operated travel accommodations usually housed in a 10-12 bedroom house and providing a room for the night inclusive of breakfast. B&Bs do not usually provide other meals. Another differentiating factor for B&Bs are the intimate environs, since they are often cottage or inn-like in ambiance and the owners usually take a personal interest in their guests and may even help them out with their travel plans by sharing local knowledge and expertise.

Hotels are known to be impersonal yet professional, motels are considered cheap but can provide last-minute accommodation - bed and breakfasts combine the benefits of cleanliness and service at an affordable price. Go for a B&B option when you want a personalized experience and when the accommodation is part of the experience, and not just a place to crash at night.

What to Look for When Choosing a Bed and Breakfast

When deciding on a B&B, keep in mind 4 factors: location, amenities, price and degree of personalization.

Location: You'd ideally want a B&B to be situated close to your travel destination or near to the city center because it might be hard to find public transport nearby. Alternatively if you're looking to "get away from it all", then an idyllic location in the countryside might be just the thing. So choose a B&B according to the location and type of holiday you want.

Amenities: While most B&Bs offer a full breakfast buffet, bed linen and comfy accommodations, some go the extra mile to offer facilities such as wi-fi, swimming pool, and sports and entertainment (as diverse as horseback riding or console gaming). So scout on the Internet to find B&Bs that offer the services you'd like to try on your trip.

Price: Most B&Bs accommodate guests for two days up to two weeks, although there are exceptions to this. Also most B&Bs typically have special deals on weekends, especially long holiday weekends. You can also get great last minute deals on B&B hotels.

Personalization: Would you prefer a cottage or home-like atmosphere where you feel part of the family, or a slightly more reserved inn-like persona with your own separate entrance? Depending on how much you want to immerse yourself in the B&B experience, there's a wide array of affordable holiday rentals for you to choose from.