Anyone ever stay at a Bed and Breakfast?

[Jesda]

I'm considering a bike trip across the state this fall.



The trail is littered with small towns along the Missouri River, and lodging is typically through small B&Bs. It seems a bit odd to me, sharing a bathroom and staying in a stranger's house. Anyone ever stayed at one? Seems like I'd have to be polite instead of putting my balls on every surface and watching p0rn at obnoxiously loud volumes.

Its also expensive, $100-$180 a night.

[szh]

I have stayed at B&B places, and they can be quite nice ... usually, the folks who run these places enjoy having the company (not always, but usually). Particularly interesting at the breakfast table for conversation. Well worth the experience, but not for every trip - sometimes you just want/need the freedom to come in late at night, etc. Many are extra tiny places, so you should arrange everything well in advance.

And, yes, you usually have to be a bit more polite than you might at an impersonal hotel. Basically, you are staying at the owner's home (in most of the smaller cases) and they will have expectations for quiet. As I understand it, a few will also have "No Alcohol on premises" policies, so call ahead and check.

Basically, none of these are real limitations if you understand/know them ahead of time and don't get carried away arguing or rejecting them with the owners.

Sometimes, you can find some very interesting places to stay at. I stayed at one place where the owners had done up every room - I think they had like 6 or 8 rooms - in a different theme from a Victorian era. Very nice touch. A nice couple too - the guy was a retired tech exec and made an excellent breakfast when I came down. I had come in late (called ahead of time) at about 11pm from a flight (the owners wife waited up for me) and I told them I would be down a bit late for breakfast too. So, I pretty much had the breakfast room to myself at about 9:30!

Z

[HashiriyaS14]

B&B's range enormously.

I've been at some that are borderline resorts and others that are literally like staying at a relative's house.


If you can, get one with a full-time paid innkeeper who's not the owner, because they'll be a little more tolerant and often don't actually live on-site.

Some are great, some are crap. Do it 4-5 times and then decide whether you like them or not.

[Eikon]

My wife and I stayed at a B&B in Camden Maine on our honeymoon ten years ago. It was fantastic! The owners did a nice job balancing the home atmosphere with the hotel idea. We didn't even know there were other people staying there until breakfast when another couple came down to eat. The breakfast rocked my world! She made these awesome buckwheat pancakes with your choice of cut fruit or choc. chips in the cakes, plus sausage, bacon, eggs, crabcakes, or anything else you could ask for. It was amazing! Plus sitting out on the back deck of the house on the ocean and having this amazing breakfast... something you could never duplicate.

The great thing about the B&B is that it kept with the scenery. It was this beautiful classic new england fishing villiage filled with old whitewashed fences and victorian homes. It would have been completely ruined by a hotel... Having an ugly modern hotel would have destroyed the whole scene.

So, would I stay at a B&B again.. yes. But only in situations where the B&B fits the atmosphere of the place you are staying. No sense finding a B&B in Chicago.. there are tons of hotels, might as well stay there. But if you're in a old town that has a great atmosphere, stay at a B&B and let that atmosphere set the tone for your stay.

[Encryptshun]

^Yes, ^^Yes and ^^^Yes.

I've stayed at B&Bs from Minneapolis to Sonoma -- the vary greatly in style (which is why I prefer them over hotels). Every one I've stayed at had a private bathroom, but not necessarily one that's en suite. The one in Sonoma tried to convert me to Scientology. It made for a very enjoyable rainy afternoon in between winery visits.

[breadbox]

I like them. Me and the lady prefer them to hotels on vacation. Try to find reviews.

[DevilMB3017]

I've stayed at them before, and its my typically preferred stay when traveling with the girlfriend.

You don't get that "unclean" feeling sometimes you get in a hotel, and it's not just a bed/TV/desk type situation. Not to mention you have your breakfast taken care of, and a local person to ask questions to that isn't a dumb kid in a suit pretending to be concierge. I also must say that I've only stayed at ones with bathrooms in each room.

There is a group of B&Bs called the Select Registry. (http://www.selectregistry.com/) They are a group of high quality B&Bs that work together. Highly recommend you look through them.

Don't forget that B&Bs are often owned by an individual, if you're traveling in an off peak time and they have no bookings, you can haggle a lot!

[Bubba1]

I have stayed at B&B places, and they can be quite nice ... usually, the folks who run these places enjoy having the company (not always, but usually). Particularly interesting at the breakfast table for conversation. Well worth the experience, but not for every trip - sometimes you just want/need the freedom to come in late at night, etc. Many are extra tiny places, so you should arrange everything well in advance.

And, yes, you usually have to be a bit more polite than you might at an impersonal hotel. Basically, you are staying at the owner's home (in most of the smaller cases) and they will have expectations for quiet. As I understand it, a few will also have "No Alcohol on premises" policies, so call ahead and check.

Basically, none of these are real limitations if you understand/know them ahead of time and don't get carried away arguing or rejecting them with the owners.

Sometimes, you can find some very interesting places to stay at. I stayed at one place where the owners had done up every room - I think they had like 6 or 8 rooms - in a different theme from a Victorian era. Very nice touch. A nice couple too - the guy was a retired tech exec and made an excellent breakfast when I came down. I had come in late (called ahead of time) at about 11pm from a flight (the owners wife waited up for me) and I told them I would be down a bit late for breakfast too. So, I pretty much had the breakfast room to myself at about 9:30!

Z

Agree with Z. I've stayed at a couple but only during pleasure trips. As a guy used to $59 Best Westerns or equivalents on your many driving trips, I don't think you'd like B&B's as they tend not to be for folks in a any kinda rush. More charm, more expensive, friendly conversations with strangers, but it's like staying in someones house, you gotta be more polite.

[93coupe]

My family used to own a B&B on the eastern shore called the Anchorage. I stayed there a lot as a kid. I liked it a lot for the homey feel and eating with strangers.

[nissangirl74]

I've never stayed in one but I'd like to at some point. I agree with Seth, the stay should fit the occasion. I don't think a bike trip across the state is it. Just my $.02.

[Jesda]

Maybe I'll take the fiance and make it a romantic getaway.