Tired of the same old stark hotel or motel room? Why not choose a B&B? The biggest reason to leave your old hotel behind is… Cha Ching – the added value. Today’s B&Bs are simply a better way to stay for travelers seeking more for their travel dollars. Take a peek at the top ten reasons bed and breakfasts and country inns make a better and a more affordable way to stay.
Reason 10: Put your nickels and dimes away. Heck, put the $5 bill for the bottle of water back in your wallet! No mini bars here! Research from BedandBreakfast.com reveals that more than 92 percent of B&Bs offer complimentary afternoon refreshments, wine and cheese/hors d’ouevres receptions or evening desserts. More than 50 percent of B&Bs offer stocked snack and beverage pantries 24-7 and we’re sure that 100% of today’s B&Bs will offer you a glass or bottle of water and tell you to put the cost toward your vacation!
Reason 9: Stay plugged in. Complimentary wi-fi & calls. Say goodbye to that $20 daily fee for wi-fi access. Nearly 90 percent of B&Bs and country inns offer complimentary wi-fi according to BedandBreakfast.com surveys. The other ten are working on getting it. Nearly 100% of today’s B&Bs offer complimentary local or long distance phone calls. When’s the last time you saw a pay phone anyway?
Reason 8: Great rates! According to the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII – (pronounced PIE) don’t you just love that a B&B organization is named after a yummy treat?) the average daily rate for B&Bs is $159 nightly. When we compared this to city hotels of like levels, the B&B rate came in lower, and that doesn’t take in to consideration all the extras.
Reason 7: When’s the last time you met the owner of the hotel? And when is the last time he or she carried your bag to your room? Pick a B&B and read their reviews. Inngoers rave about the fabulous hospitality and friendship that innkeepers offered during their stay. In fact, for many B&B travelers, the innkeeper was what made the stay special.
Reason 6: Free parking. OK, we’ll admit, not all B&Bs offer free parking, but last time BedandBreakfast.com surveyed innkeepers, 95.3% said they did. Even in the city, B&B rates for parking average around $25 vs. as high as $50/nightly in hotels.
Reason 5: Flat screens, fireplaces & whirlpool tubs: Usually reserved for the Presidential Suite in a hotel, increasingly B&Bs offer amenities including flat screen TVs, in-room fireplaces, steam or multi-jet showers and deep Jacuzzi tubs.
Reason 4: Bed is half their name: Looking for fabulous beds? Nearly 100 percent of B&Bs offer high thread count sheets, feather beds, pillow libraries and down comforters at no additional cost to guests.
Reason 3: Breakfast is the other half of their name: Take a family of four to the breakfast buffet at a resort hotel, and you’re looking at upwards of $100 to feed the whole family. Bed and breakfasts all offer breakfast – it’s their signature selling point and half their name. From five course candlelit breakfasts to lavish continentals, most innkeepers offer a breakfast to fuel you for the entire day.
Reason 2: They really will leave the light on! Arrive at 2am, and you may not see a cherry innkeeper greeting you, but you will always find a personalized welcome, no matter what time you arrive from innkeepers who genuinely care about your safe trip and will call you by name.
Reason 1: Cookies, yes! Cookie cutter? No. No two B&Bs are alike. As independently owned small lodging properties, each one offers something new and different. No big box look to B&Bs ranging from urban chic to historically preserved mansions and homes.
Six Picks for Valentine’s Day:
Looking for a cozy New England Inn? Distinctive Inns of New England allow you to choose from nine of New England’s finest inns offering fine dining, haute amenities and plenty of winter adventure and warm fires for romance.
Run of the River, Leavenworth, WA: Guest rooms here are referred to as adventure suites, as they are filled with everything you need for a romantic getaway. The “regally rustic” theme extends beyond the log-hewn beds, whirlpool tubs made of river rock and plenty of cleverly recycled wood from hooks to towel racks. Add a riverside location, tons of nearby adventure in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, complimentary snowshoes, and great restaurants in nearby Leavenworth, and you have the ideal spot for lovers who love the outdoors.
Another great choice in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is Arsenic and Old Lace. Built into the hill, just like everything else in this vertical town, choose the Treetop Suite here with top to bottom windows, and inviting whirlpool tub. Visit the funky shops together or stroll up and down the streets of Eureka Springs taking in Ozark sights and sounds.
2 Meeting Street Inn, Charleston, SC: Located in a quintessentially romantic historic neighborhood of Charleston with river views, you’ll be romanced from the moment you enter here. Take a step back in time to enjoy guest rooms with canopy beds, window seats built into the turrets, Tiffany stained glass windows and innkeepers who double as tour guides. Explore the waterfront and battery then return to enjoy the river views from the porch and rekindle the romance of the gentile south. Another equally grand choice in Charleston is The Governor’s House, within easy walking distance of the shops and restaurants in the historic downtown.
Castle in the Country, Allegan, MI: What could be more romantic than staying in the Romeo and Juliet room, complete with a balcony under which to steal a kiss? Two buildings offer classic elegance and themed rooms, each with its own romantic décor. Package options include plenty of romantic activities like sleighrides, couples massages and a taste of the bubbly. Take advantage of complimentary snowshoes and explore the inn’s private trails with a treat-filled basket for a winter picnic in the woods or roast marshmallows over the fire pit by moonlight.
Inn above Onion Creek , Kyle, TX: Each room comes equipped with a balcony and twin rockers with views of Texas Hill Country to rock the cares away together. Palatial baths including some” loos with a view” offer sunset views from the showers. Enjoy romantic dinners in rustic sophistication. Nearby Austin is only a 35 minute drive.
Marti Mayne is the B&B Editor for Wandering Educators
All photos courtesy of each respective inn.