WHAT IS A BED AND BREAKFAST?
A bed and breakfast is generally known as a private home where a guest is provided a place to stay for the night. In some cases, the bathroom provided for the guest is shared with the family or another guest — although the majority of guests now expect (or demand) a private bathroom (usually en suite, or “in the room”). Breakfast is usually included with the price of the room. A bed and breakfast provided in a private home is sometimes referred to as a homestay. In addition to converted private residences, some establishments are considered bed and breakfast inns. The same concepts of “room and breakfast” apply. The major difference is that an inn has more rooms available than the usual one to four found in a private home. Inns often provide meals in addition to breakfast, as well as other services not always provided in a private home. These two terms are used in the industry to distinguish the difference between a stay in a private home and an inn. But remember, no two homes or inns
Just what exactly is a B&B anyway? What about a country inn? No easy answer to this one… But I can shed some light on the matter. It seems that every bed and breakfast owner, travel writer, industry association, or government regulator has a different definition of the term “Bed and Breakfast”. But over the years some general guidelines have come to have some value. The biggest differences you will find is between how these lodgings are defined in different countries. I’m going to stick with United States perceptions since this service is based mostly on North American Properties and is targeted at supporting travelers based in the US. Again this is another reason why guests should always have some personal communication with the Innkeepers before makeing a reservation. National Definitions & Distinctions (according to the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, PAII) The following definitions attempt to codify what is presently being used in the field. They are only ap
If you are planning a trip or vacation and do not wish to stay in a large hotel or motel, consider visiting a bed and breakfast, also called a B&B. These small inns are found all over the world, and are often a pleasant change from the impersonal feeling of a giant hotel. Bed and breakfasts are usually focused on caring for the guests, and often are in scenic locations or historic buildings. A typical bed and breakfast will have less than 15 rooms, as the attention to the individual guest is an important part of the experience. Many bed and breakfasts offer themed rooms, which may be decorated in different styles or built around different ideas. At the Jabberwock Inn in Monterey, California, each of the rooms is named after a nonsense word from the works of Lewis Carroll, and the accommodation as a whole features an Alice-in-Wonderland theme. The Summer Nites Bed and Breakfast in New Jersey features rooms themed after mid-20th century trends and stars, including the “60’s Room” and the
At the most basic level, a bed and breakfast is place — often found in a renovated home, mansion or small hotel — to spend the night and enjoy a full breakfast (included in the price of the room) in the morning. But every bed and breakfast is different, and there’s no single accepted definition. Innkeepers, travelers, B&B associations, lawmakers and others all tend to have different ideas. Even the breakfast part is not 100 percent certain. Some B&Bs offer only a continental breakfast, and some inns which would otherwise be considered a bed and breakfast offer no morning meal at all. The Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) has developed a series of definitions to help travelers understand the differences between B&Bs, but please remember that no one is obliged to use these definitions when describing accommodations.
A home away from home.A French-style bed and breakfast: for one or several nights, you’ll be warmly welcomed into a converted private residence (farmhouse, country cottage, château, etc.) with a maximum of 5 guestrooms. • Always included in the price of an overnight stay is a hearty breakfast, the perfect opportunity to discover local specialities. Depending on the particular guesthouse and the culinary inspiration of your host, you’ll enjoy home-made jams and pastries, fresh farmhouse bread, local cheeses and dairy products, and regional charcuterie. Begin your day with a friendly French breakfast. • A table d’hôte meal (possibility of half or full-board) will allow you to share, depending on the guesthouse, a family or gourmet meal. The table d’hôte is only available to persons staying at the guesthouse (it is not a restaurant). At the time of booking, you should therefore mention if you intend to take advantage of this option.
