What to look for when researching Bed and Breakfast

Let me start by saying that I design websites for bed and breakfast providers. I have been inside many establishments, photographed them from all angles, tasted the food, experienced the difficulty of finding them if they are off the beaten track, and spent time with their owners.

Sometimes I have felt like the hotel inspector. Sometimes I have pursed my lips and said nothing, sometimes I have politely expressed my concerns. If I’ve spotted something wrong, it’s pretty sure guests will too, and they’ll be very interested in saying it on Trip Advisor or on social media.

There is a clue in that last sentence if you are looking for bed and breakfast providers. Look them up on Trip Advisor. What experiences have previous guests had?

Were the owners friendly and helpful, or did they act like they didn’t want guests in their home?

Were the rooms and facilities clean and tidy? Was the place quiet or did it face a main street and a construction site? Was breakfast fresh and generous?

Trip Advisor will tell you all this and more.

Notice how the owners respond to negative comments. Remember, unhappy guests and those who have to complain about the smallest things are the most likely to post. Did your complaints seem valid and how did the owner respond?

I always tell clients on my website that bed and breakfast clients shop with their eyes. Photos, photos, photos. Guests want to see what the place they come to is like. How the rooms look, what the showers look like, what the view from the window will be like, what the food will look like.

If those photos aren’t on a provider’s website, or are grainy and out of focus, ask yourself why that could be. If the website hasn’t been updated in years, that might tell you something.

In general, you get what you pay for. A B&B that costs £ 45 per night for 2 people will probably not be as elegant or spacious as one that charges £ 145 per night. A lower price does not have to mean that the rooms are dirty and the facilities do not work.

Look to see if the room (s) you are reserving have their own en-suite facilities or if they have shared facilities. There seems to be a growing trend in the UK to place a tub on wheels in the bedroom. If you are young and in love, you may be very happy to bathe together or have your partner watch you. But would you be so interested if two friends used the room as a double room? Or father and son sharing a room?

If you have pets, make sure dogs are welcome. When in doubt, call the owners and ask.

If you have small children, make sure the B&B is child-friendly. You don’t want to find that the property is not child friendly and ruin your vacation. Respect those who don’t accept children: they may have had a bad experience, they may have elderly owners, they may specifically have a child-free facility.

Check if breakfast is included in the price. Some properties will offer a “room only” rate. This may be what you want if you are staying just one night and starting early. Or maybe you are one of those people who just skip breakfast.

Make sure you know the size of the bed. For some couples this is not a problem, but if one or both are tall, or a bit wide, they may prefer a larger double bed: king or super king.

Check what facilities are offered in the bathroom. Some will have a bathroom with a bathtub with a shower. If you have mobility problems, you may prefer a separate shower. Be sure to read the owner’s description and if in doubt call the phone or email to check.

If you are a wheelchair user or have another disability, please re-read the description carefully and, if in doubt, contact the owner to ensure that the property meets your needs.

Most B & Bs are happy to cater for special dietary needs. Not telling the owner of your special requirements until you sit down for breakfast is embarrassing. Most homeowners will want to get your needs met and will be upset and embarrassed if they can’t; advance notice ensures that the food you need will be available when you want it.

Check the location of the B&B. You may want peace and quiet in a secluded rural location. Or maybe you want to stay somewhere that is more accessible to local sights and doesn’t involve a 10-mile drive up and down the valley to get to it every day. An online map service will usually give you a fairly accurate location and there may even be Street View so you can see where you plan to stay.