BED AND BREAKFAST

A 'Bed and Breakfast', which can also be referred to simply as a 'B&B', is a type of boarding house typically operating out of a large single family residence.
Guests are accommodated at night in private bedrooms and breakfast is served in the morning - either in the bedroom or, more commonly, in a dining room or the host's kitchen.
Bathrooms can be private or shared (with other guests or with the family in smaller establishments) or en-suite (where the ablutions are directly accessed from the guest's bedroom).
B&Bs may be operated either as a primary occupation or as a secondary source of income. Staff often consists of the house's owners and members of their family who live there.
Staying at a B&B can offer better access to popular locations "off the beaten path" which may not be convenient to the city centre or where the location's other lodging may be situated. B&B properties may often be located closer to locations where other larger lodging competitors may not place a guest accommodation because of market conditions.
The term "bed and breakfast" is also used to refer to a meal plan where breakfast is the only meal provided, commonly in package holidays, in a major hotel that may provide other meals to only some customers.

Contents

History

National differences

Australia

Belgium

British Isles

Cuba

Israel

New Zealand

North America

Regulations

National associations

USA

Reservations and payment

See also

References

Notes

External links

History

The B&B arrangement is a very old one. Before the 20th century, it was quite normal for country travellers to spend the night at a private house rather than an inn, and this custom persists in many parts of the world. However, prior to the 19th century, this was strictly an informal arrangement constrained by acquaintance and social rank; a doctor might stay with a doctor or pharmacist, while a nobleman would stay with the local gentry.
The abbreviation of `B&B' on roadside signs first became popular in the British Isles - typically with a detachable 'Vacancies' sign swinging below.

National differences

Australia

Despite the cultural similarities, there are far fewer^[1] B&B's in the whole continent of Australia than there are in just the South Island of New Zealand despite the resident population being more than twenty times greater.
Since 1879 the average per capita disposable income of Australians has been greater than that of New Zealanders and this has mitigated the powerful incentive to let out rooms in their homes to travellers. Another factor may be that Australia has, apart from City States such as Singapore, the greatest concentration of city dwellers anywhere on the globe and these cities are amply supplied with budget hotels and motels.

Belgium

If you are lucky enough to be taking a trip to Belgium, there are multiple types of accommodation that is available. You can go with a four or five star hotel if you want the ultimate experience with charm and class. Many of these hotels are parts of a larger hotel chain, while others are boutique in nature. If you want to experience the best accommodations, than you will have to pay the price. You should expect to pay at least sixty euro a night for these rooms.
When planning a trip to Belgium you can also choose to save a little money and make yourself feel more at home by staying at a quaint bed and breakfast. These are the best value and experience as you get to sample the local food and meet new people in the area for anywhere from 30 euro per night. Bed and breakfast accommodations often have a very relaxing, homey feel to them which is perfect for someone who is on vacation.

British Isles

The British Isles has some of the most expensive hotel beds in the European Union and in those isles, B&B's are a budget option where owners often take pride in the high service levels, local knowledge and personal touch that they are able to offer.
There tend to be concentrations of B&B's in the seaside towns where, historically, the working classes holidayed such as Newcastle in Ireland and Blackpool in England but they are also widespread in isolated rural areas such as the Highlands of Scotland and Connemara where there is not a year-round concentration of travellers sufficient to sustain an hotel.
In the British Isles, breakfast is usually cooked on demand for the guest and usually features bacon, eggs, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, etc but, increasingly, because of either a desire of owners to economise or guests to minimise their calorie intake, a continental breakfast is becoming more common.
In Ireland, most B&Bs serve a traditional Full breakfast as a point of pride.
In recent years some bed and breakfast businesses in the UK have struggled against budget hotel chains such as Premier Travel Inn and Travelodge. Traditionally, business travellers used B&B's but many of these clients now tend to stay in budget hotel chains. However, in holiday areas the B&B or small hotel still prevails. Unlike the 'chain' accommodation providers these provide a more comprehensive service and breakfast is included in the price.

Cuba

In Cuba, which opened up to tourism in the 1990s after the financial support of the Soviet Union ended, a form of B&B called ''casa particular'' ("private home") became the main form of accommodation outside the tourist resorts.

Israel

The Israeli B&B is known as a ''zimmer''. All over the country, but especially in the north of the country and the Galilee, ''zimmers'' have become a popular alternative to hotels for romantic weekends or family vacations.[1]

New Zealand

As in the USA, Bed and Breakfasts in New Zealand tend to be more expensive than Motels and often feature historic homes and lovingly furnished bedrooms at a commensurate price. The historic city of Nelson has an unusually high concentration of both of these accommodation alternatives because it was historically the place where kiwis holidayed.

North America

Many B&Bs in North America (and New Zealand) try to create a historical ambiance, with old properties turned into guesthouses decorated with antique furniture. Sometimes B&B owners will introduce upscale amenities to improve business and move "up-market." Due to the need to stay competitive with the rest of the lodging industry, larger bed and breakfast inns have expanded to offer wedding services, business conference facilities, spa services, and meeting spaces as well as many other services a large hotel might offer.

Regulations

Regulations and laws vary considerably in each national jurisdiction both in content and extent and in enforcement.
The most common regulations B&Bs must follow pertain to safety. They are usually required by local and national ordinances to have fire resistance, a sufficient fire escape plan in place, and smoke detectors in each guest room. Kitchens and equipment used to serve meals are also often required to be monitored for hygienic operation, but there are significant national and local differences.
Most B&Bs are generally compliant with their jurisdiction's laws. However, guests are mostly unfamiliar with these guidelines and may miss any violations out of ignorance or a desire not to be involved in reporting violations while on holiday.

National associations

While various local governments have regulations and inspect for health issues and fire safety code, membership in a state/provincial/national bed and breakfast association can indicate a higher standard of hospitality. Associations sometimes review their members' properties and tend to have additional standards of care.
These associations also facilitate marketing of the individual B&Bs and provide a stamp of approval that the business in question is reputable. This "stamp of approval", however, may be just an indication that membership dues have have been paid.

USA

Two for profit professional ''innkeeper'' associations that operate in the United States are the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (Professional Association of Innkeepers International) and Select Registry (Select Registry)
The Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) is a ''national'' for profit organization with members in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. PAII currently holds annual trade conferences for education of innkeepers and prospective innkeepers. Attendance to these conferences is open and well advertised to all. PAII also provides an industry study to all of its members at low cost that details operations and finance of the industry.
Select Registry is a ''national'' organization that inspects its member properties on a regular basis, beyond routine inspections that may be carried out by the local government.[2]
A third ''almost'' ad hoc organization is the Caucus of American Innkeepers (or CAIK) is a social and professional networking organization for owners of B&Bs, country inns, and similar properties.

Reservations and payment

Guests are usually expected to pay for their stay upon or before arrival and may be asked to leave in time before the next guest arrives so that their room can be properly prepared. This policy is not unlike any regular hotel accommodation; but the innkeeper, in fact, may have more discretion being the owner of the property. Innkeepers often have a good idea as to when the next guest is arriving and may be able to be more flexible than a hotel. This is all part of the personalized service Innkeepers can offer guests due to the property's smaller size.
Because most B&Bs are small, typically with room for only 2-12 guests, it is advisable for anyone wanting to stay at a particular B&B to make reservations reasonably well in advance of their travel date. Location and time of year play an important role in room availability. Consultation with a qualified travel agent or the innkeeper with this type of accommodation may be helpful. Many B&Bs increasingly belong to associations and have a web presence.
Be aware that prices and tariffs described in various books and paper travel guides are often obsolete by the time they are published - Wikitravel may contain more up to date information.

See also

★ List of types of lodging

References

★ Sakach, Deborah Edwards, ''Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns'' (American Historic Inns, Inc., 16th edition, 2004) ISBN 1-888050-16-0

★ Jan Stankus, ''How to Open and Operate a Bed & Breakfast'' (Globe Pequot Press, 7th edition 2003) ISBN 0-7627-2813-2

★ Martha Watson Murphy and Amelia Rockwell Seton, ''How to Start and Operate Your Own Bed-And-Breakfast/Down-To-Earth Advice from an Award-Winning B&B Owner'' (Owlet, 1994) ISBN 0-8050-2903-6

★ Mary Davis, ''So-You Want to Be an Innkeeper: The Definitive Guide to Operating a Successful Bed-And-Breakfast or Country Inn'' (Chronicle Books, 1996) ISBN 0-8118-1226-X

★ Susannah Craig and Park Davis, ''Complete Idiot's Guide to Running a Bed and Breakfast'' (Alpha Books, 2001) ISBN 0-02-864000-4

★ Cheryl Verstrate, ''Homestay 101 for Hosts'' (Start and Run a Successful Homestay), 1st edition,2006 ISBN 1-84685-347-8

★ Sandee Wright, Owner & Innkeeper of Timberwolf Creek, Maggie Valley NC, Founder of CAIK (Caucus of American InnKeepers)

Notes

1. Private Stay Accommodation Directory, "Australia", accessed 4 April 2007 shows 43 pages for Australia as a country and a combined total of 51 pages for various regions of the South Island of "New Zealand"

External links

★ Accommodation for independent travellers (worldwide B&B site)

★ 'dmoz' open directory project (worldwide B&B site)