A bed and breakfast is the perfect type of accommodation if you are taking a short holiday and do not want to have to cater for yourself. A good B&B will offer you a friendly service, nice guest rooms and home-made food. Also, much of the time, these establishments are in off-the-beaten-track areas. This appeals to holidaymakers who wish to escape the crowds.
Usually, each bed and breakfast you stay in will have a unique character, because most of them are privately owned. Often, you get a more personal service in these establishments, compared to a big hotel chain. Generally, this is because the owner will be more involved in the day-to-day running of the business, and will want to make sure that every guest is well looked after.
Normally, the good thing about staying in a B&B, if you want to reserve your accommodation by phone, is that you can speak to the owner directly. This is far better than contacting the reservations desk of a large hotel. Talking to the owner will give you a feel for the standard of service you can expect, before you make your booking. Also, you can find out more detailed information about the facilities of their establishment. This will enable you to make a more informed choice about where you want to stay.
Nonetheless, it is still always a good idea to look online for photos and reviews about the B&B you are considering. This way, you are less likely to have any unpleasant surprises on your holiday, if the accommodation is much different to what you anticipated.
Frequently, staying in a B&B allows you to see areas of a destination that tourists who stay in bigger hotels will miss. Make sure you find out what attractions and landmarks are near to your guest house. It is useful to know the pubs, restaurants and coffee shops, and the walking and cycling routes, that are close to your accommodation. This will enable you to plan your holiday better and include any relevant items in your luggage for these pursuits, if required.
Better still, the owner of the B&B will be very knowledgeable about the local area and able to recommend the best nearby sights. Naturally, the owner will want to do this so you enjoy your time there, and come back to them again in future.
A quaint bed and breakfast has a certain charm that bigger hotels simply can not compete with. For all their impressive facilities, large hotel chains can not offer the personal touches, or the distinctive atmosphere, that make staying in a good B&B such an unforgettable experience. If you really want to get to know a destination, then booking a room in a reputable B&B will expose you to the kind of local knowledge that will make your time on holiday much more authentic.