Bed and breakfasts offer travelers a unique and charming lodging experience. Often, set in historic homes that have been lovingly restored, these inns bring to life the elegance and warmth of bygone eras. From well-appointed parlors and halls to thoughtfully decorated guest rooms, lodging in a bed and breakfast can create lasting memories. While a stay in a bed and breakfast can be wonderful, it also has its downsides, which is where this guide comes in.
In my travels, I have had the opportunity to stay in two bed and breakfasts – a British-themed inn in the heart of St. Augustine (FL) and a Queen Anne-style Victorian home in Asheville (NC). Both were splendid stays, yet they also taught me a few valuable lessons along the way. This post provides insight based on my experience to help travelers determine if a bed and breakfast is right for them and how to select one that best aligns with their travel style and needs.
Note that this post will serve as a general guide to bed and breakfasts, rather than an actual review of the two I stayed in.
Guide to Selecting the Ideal Bed & Breakfast
When planning a New Year’s trip in 2018, I was searching for reasonably priced lodging in the heart of St. Augustine, a challenge during the holiday season. That is when I stumbled upon the Penny Farthering Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast with an ideal location. Overall, my stay was enjoyable, and it inspired me to lodge in another bed and breakfast during my 2019 trip to North Carolina. Again, on the quest for affordable lodging, I discovered the 1899 Wright Inn & Carriage House in Asheville, a charming Victorian home. My stay here was also enjoyable, but it was made even more special by an unexpected snowfall (it was only mid-November)!
Costs
It is a common misconception that bed and breakfasts cost more than standard hotels, but that is not always the case. For my trip to St. Augustine, the bed and breakfast was less expensive than many of the other centrally located hotels, while the one in Asheville was about the same price. But as with all travel expenses, whether it’s lodging, transportation, or tours, one needs to do a deep dive to see and understand what is included in the cost.
As the name suggests, bed and breakfasts offer guests a delicious, homemade breakfast. Most also include daily housekeeping and free Wi-Fi, but beyond that, amenities are limited. Both inns I stayed in provided unlimited beverages (water and soda) and snacks throughout the day, plus a lovely social hour with wine, cheeses, crackers, and sweets. One even had a mini-library filled with books and DVDs that guests could borrow during their stay.
Similar to many hotels, some bed and breakfasts offer additional services and experiences for an extra fee, such as in-room massages, bike rentals, and romantic getaway packages. They also offer on-site complimentary parking, but generally do not provide valet parking.
When it comes to parking, most bed and breakfasts can only accommodate standard-sized cars and SUVs.
A notable difference is that hotels tend to provide extra amenities and conveniences like pools, gyms, on-site vending and ice machines, and, in some cases, in-room microwaves, coffee makers, and mini-fridges. When searching for bed and breakfasts for my trips, I found only a few that included a coffee maker in the room.
One feature of bed and breakfasts that I found worth the cost is the private balconies, which have either rocking chairs or a little patio table with chairs. I absolutely loved sitting on the balconies in the mornings, sipping a hot cup of coffee, and listening to the birds chirp!
Accommodations
Rooms and bathrooms are two essential aspects that can make or break your experience at a bed and breakfast. No two rooms in a bed and breakfast are alike, and not all bathrooms are private. Yes, you read that correctly – some bathrooms are shared between several guests (just like the college dorm days)!
Guest rooms can range from simply furnished and decorated spaces to elegant and lavish suites. Most bed and breakfast websites feature a list of their rooms along with detailed descriptions of available furniture and amenities, plus information as to whether the bathroom is private or shared and if it has a tub or shower. Some descriptions will also specify the floor on which the room is located, which is important since bed and breakfasts typically do not have elevators. Based on my experience and research, most rooms are designed for two guests, but some properties offer cozy attic rooms intended for solo travelers.
Here are some additional points to keep in mind about bed and breakfasts. Given the historic nature of these homes, walls tend to be thin, and the floorboards creak. Guests need to be mindful of their noise levels to avoid bothering other guests (otherwise, you might get a few dirty looks at breakfast the next morning!). Also, depending on the property and room, storage and shelf space in the room and bathroom may be limited. If you tend to travel with a lot of clothes and toiletries, look for rooms that offer a dresser or a large armoire. Lastly, note that bed and breakfasts have a specific window for check-in and check-out as they do not have a manned 24-hour desk like hotels do.
Can families stay at a bed and breakfast? That depends on the property. Some welcome children of all ages, while others only allow older kids. Be aware that amenities such as cribs and playpens may not be available, and that not all bathrooms have a tub for bathing little ones. Additionally, many bed and breakfasts contain fragile furniture and décor, which can make them less child-friendly. The second inn I stayed in featured a carriage house behind the main house, specifically designed for families.
Breakfasts
During my second stay at a bed and breakfast, I quickly discovered that breakfast time can be an introvert’s worst nightmare! At the first bed and breakfast, guests enjoyed their breakfast at separate tables, each sitting with their respective travel party. However, on my second trip, breakfast was served family style – all guests sat together at one of two large tables. The other guests during my stay were lovely people, but as an introvert (and not much of a morning person), I didn’t exactly enjoy being sociable at 8:30 a.m. before my first cup of coffee had settled in. Definitely do your research and learn about the breakfast experience before making a reservation.
Breakfast followed a similar format at both inns. First guests would grab their coffee and juices from a service station, and then, the staff would bring the meal to the table. A key difference between the two was that at the second bed and breakfast, the meal was served as two courses: a sweet, fruity baked dish followed by a savory course. Both inns also offered vegetarian options.
While the food was delicious at both locations, I sometimes felt it was not sufficient and would soon find myself hungry again. This is a downside when compared to the hearty, all-you-can-eat continental breakfasts offered at many hotels.
One important thing to note: breakfast time itself. Unlike hotels, which typically serve breakfast over a three- to four-hour window, bed and breakfasts usually have a specific time for the meal. At the first bed and breakfast I stayed at, there was some flexibility as breakfast was served over about an hour. At the second inn, due to the communal setup, breakfast was at a fixed time. If you enjoy sleeping in while traveling, the early, structured breakfast schedules at bed and breakfasts might not be ideal for you.
Accessibility
Despite their historic nature, many bed and breakfasts across the country have been retrofitted to have an accessible room and bathroom on the first floor. However, travelers with limited mobility or difficulty carrying luggage should note that most bed and breakfasts do not have elevators. Guests are typically responsible for loading and unloading their own vehicles and carrying their bags up the stairs to their rooms. In some properties, staircases may be steep or narrow, making them trickier to navigate.
Guests Reviews
This is an important point to consider. A large part of a guest’s experience at a bed and breakfast is tied to the personality and attentiveness of the current innkeeper. When researching for a bed and breakfast, be sure to browse vetted review sites such as Tripadvisor and Trustpilot to see what past guests have said.
After reading hundreds of bed and breakfast reviews myself, I have noticed that reviews can shift dramatically from positive to negative or vice versa when there is new ownership. Because of this, it’s best not to rely solely on the overall rating. Read recent reviews to get a clearer picture of what to expect during your stay.
For your next trip, consider a bed and breakfast for a unique lodging experience that won’t break the bank. You’ll have the chance to relax in a beautifully decorated home filled with history, enjoy warm hospitality, and savor delicious, made-from-scratch breakfasts. With a bit of planning and research, finding that perfect room and breakfast style can transform an ordinary vacation into an extraordinary and memorable experience.
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