Is there a perfect bed and breakfast? Of course -- in fact, there are hundreds, probably even thousands, of them! The trick is sorting through all the options to find the perfect one for you on your next getaway.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
- Give yourself enough time to plan. There are tens of thousands of bed and breakfasts in the U.S. alone. The less time you have to choose an inn, the more difficult it is to find a great one.
- Decide the general area you'd like to visit. If you can help it, don't get too specific right away -- there's still lots to explore and learn.
- Choose a general price range. Some inns would be perfect if you had unlimited cash. But there's almost always a wonderful inn that can fit your budget.
- Start your serious research. The Internet is the best place to do this. (See the links in 'Suggested Reading' below for some good starting points.)
- Remember not to believe absolutely everything you read on the Internet. Much of it is advertising, which doesn't make it necessarily unreliable -- but should cause you to evaulate it carefully.
- Email or talk to the innkeepers before making a reservation. If there's anything you're not clear about after visiting their web site, ask. (e.g. Do you serve a full or continental breakfast? Is the room's private bath also en suite?) Be sure you're clear about check-in and check-out times, when breakfast is served, and any other features you're interested in.
- Ask for other opinions. A great way to do this is to post a note in our Bed and Breakfasts Discussion Forum to get input from other travelers.
- Be sure to give yourself enough time to enjoy the inn. Staying at a B&B for just one night can sometimes defeat the purpose.
Tips:
- Spend time reading an inn's web site before you make a final decision. Most quality B&Bs have all the information you would want to know on their web sites. If an inn's web site is sub-par, it doesn't mean that the inn will be -- but it should cause you to be extra careful before making a reservation.
- You can never ask too many questions. Don't waste innkeepers' time, but make sure you feel comfortable spending the night in their care. Email is great for this.
- Decide early on what's more important -- the inn, or the inn's location. A great B&B in a sub-par destination might be better than vice versa, but it depends on your tastes.