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Selecting the Bed and Breakfast
Holiday and Travel Accommodations That's Right For
You - Proper Etiquette At a Bed and Breakfast
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| Staying at a bed and breakfast inn
offers an experience well beyond your typical travel
accommodation. A night at a bed and breakfast provides
you with the extra added value frequently sought by
travelers as they seek a holiday or beach lodging.
If you have not yet had the pleasure of spending the
night in a B&B, allow us to offer a few comments
on how the guests and innkeepers might expect to interact
with one another for the best possible experience.
We look forward to hosting you and your family on
your next in State "get-away" or trip to Alabama! |
| How do you choose the B&B that is right for you?
Ask the innkeeper questions before you decide. All
innkeepers will gladly answer your questions by phone
and send you their own brochure. |
- Are there resident pets? Dogs and cats are not
uncommon.
- Bed size? Can you only sleep on a queen, or
need twins?
- Are non-smoking (or smoking) rooms available?
Does the B and B have a smoke free environment?
- Are reservations required in advance?
- What are the Inn policies regarding: Cancellation,
breakfast, check-in/check-out times, room payment,
guest pets, minimum stay?
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| Some BBAA Members are NOT open year 'round. Rates
may vary by season or change without notice. Please
consult the B&B of your choice in advance. |
| Bed and Breakfast Etiquette |
| Bed & Breakfasts are as delightfully different
from one another as the innkeepers who own and operate
them. However, each B&B offers accommodations
and a very special brand of hospitality. You will
enjoy and relish different surroundings in every B&B
you visit. Whether you are traveling for business
or leisure, try it once and you'll realize that it
is a very pleasant alternative from the cookie cutter
layout of today's motels and hotels. These differences
may pose questions for B&B guests. Do you need
a reservation? How much will it cost? What's for breakfast?
What is appropriate behavior? We have tried to provide
some brief and simple answers, for those of you who
are too shy to ask. |
| It is a good idea to call in advance to be sure
a room is available. Advance deposits are often required;
and cancellation policies vary, so be sure to ask
when you call. In addition, advise your innkeeper
if children or young adults will be accompanying you.
Special arrangements may be necessary. |
| Rates vary. You can expect luxury accommodations
for $150+ per night in a busy resort or larger metropolitan
area. Likewise, you can expect something very simple
and perhaps a bit like staying at Grandma's house
for $100 per night. |
| It is standard practice to include breakfast at
no additional cost. It is usually offered one of three
ways: Continental: rolls, muffins, or coffee cake,
coffee or tea & juice; Continental Plus: extras
are added to the standard Continental breakfast like
cereal or fruit; Full: often includes many of the
above items and one or more hot items. Some B&Bs
serve you at the table, some offer breakfast buffet-style,
and others may offer breakfast in bed. |
| Courtesy is the key. Mutual respect is the mode
of operation between the innkeeper and guests as well
as between the guests themselves. Guests are usually
informed either verbally or in writing (a letter posted
in your guest room or elsewhere), of policies which
the innkeeper asks that guests honor. They are established
to help guests become comfortable and familiarize
themselves with how things work at each B&B. The
rule of thumb: When in doubt, please ask. |
| Pack your good manners when you visit a B&B.
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| A B&B is not an appropriate place for a noisy
party. You will find that many B&Bs have a no
smoking policy. If you have arranged to check-in at
a specific time, please do so, or call ahead to arrange
an earlier or later arrival. When coming and going
from the inn in the evening, be mindful of the fact
that sounds carry easily. If you stay at a B and B
in which you share a bath, it should be left the way
YOU would like to find it. Staying at a B&B is
a wonderful experience and great fun. Read the rules,
ask a few questions and you'll soon feel at home.
During your stay you will meet new friends, enjoy
exceptional hospitality, and learn all there is to
know about the local area. You are sure to love it
so much that you will soon become a regular B&B
traveler. |
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