The 13 Types Of Bed And Breakfasts [With Examples]

Bed And Breakfasts
Written By Taz Zaidi

The 13 Types Of B&Bs

Bed and breakfasts offer a few standard features (like a cozy atmosphere and homemade breakfast), but come in various styles. Luckily, there are B&Bs that fit the tastes and budgets of every type of traveler.

In this guide, we’ll cover the 13 types of B&Bs (with examples).

These are: boutique, luxury, budget, urban, rural, waterfront, mountain, farm stay, themed, romantic, cultural and historic, staycation and eco-friendly. Some B&Bs are a hybrid. For example, boutique B&Bs can be themed, waterfront B&Bs can be romantic, and rural B&Bs are often eco-friendly.

*Agoda.com is one of the best places to find and book a bed and breakfast. To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

The 13 Types Of Bed And Breakfasts

In my experience staying in bed and breakfasts in many countries, and in my research for this guide, I decided on 13 categories of B&Bs you’ll find while traveling. I’ve included 5 examples of each type. Bed and breakfasts are one of my favorite accommodation choices - especially when visiting destinations with a unique local culture. For our complete guide to bed and breakfasts, click here. For the 10 reasons travelers should experience a B&B at least once, click here.

*To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

1) Boutique Bed And Breakfasts

These are what most people imagine B&Bs to be.

Merriam-Webster defines “boutique” as a “small company that offers highly specialized services or products”. In the case of B&Bs, this means the host focuses on serving their guests (homemade breakfast, afternoon tea, etc.). Boutique B&Bs are often family-run (few or no employees) with few guests at a time.

Such factors typically create an intimate atmosphere where the host’s service can be tailored or catered to particular guests (in contrast, hotels that have many guests can feel hurried and less personal). Boutique B&Bs may provide few or many amenities. For our B&Bs vs. Hotels amenities comparison, click here.

Boutique B&B Examples:

2) Luxury Bed And Breakfasts

Luxury B&Bs focus on providing comfort to guests.

5-star luxury hotels often have large facilities (gym, pool, etc.), but luxury B&B properties are typically too small for these. For example, many hotels have 100+ guest rooms, while B&Bs rarely even have 10. Rather than large facilities, luxury B&Bs put more focus on finer details and services (silk sheets, robes, elaborate breakfast, private cottages, etc.).

Luxury B&Bs may include these luxury amenities in their nightly rate, or offer them as an add-on or part of a package. Stays are usually short (2-3 nights) and are often weekend getaways. Luxury B&B rooms can cost as much as local 4 or 5-star hotel rooms. For example, many bed and breakfasts in the Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard areas can rival 5-star hotels in regards to amenities, facilities and layout.

Luxury B&B Examples:

3) Budget Bed And Breakfasts

Budget bed and breakfasts aim to save you money.

While B&Bs typically are not considered “cheap” or “budget accommodation”, some properties do offer low nightly rates. To do so, these B&Bs might offer fewer amenities, “lesser” service and forego “extras” (such as not hiring staff or not having guest kitchen).

Additionally, budget B&Bs could serve smaller, less elaborate breakfasts or offer dorm bed options (room shared with other guests) in lower-priced rooms. For our B&Bs vs. Hotels price comparison, click here.

Budget B&B Examples:

4) Urban Bed And Breakfasts

Urban B&Bs are located in cities and large towns.

Hotels often aim to maintain a higher guest volume, while B&Bs usually focus more on service and often operate in homes or small commercial spaces. This is why maintaining a B&B in a city can be expensive for hosts. Urban B&Bs are often located on the fringes of a city or in the suburbs around the perimeter.

Urban B&Bs can offer a homely environment and often make a great base if you’ll be in a city for longer than a few nights (it can feel like a blend between an apartment and hotel). Some urban B&Bs also offer weekly and/or monthly rates to attract longer stays.

Urban B&B Examples:

5) Rural Bed And Breakfasts

Conversely, rural B&Bs are away from the city.

Also referred to as “country inns”, these B&Bs can be ideal for travelers seeking to connect with nature or local culture. “Rural” settings may include beaches, forests, deserts and more. Some rural B&Bs also offer access to hiking trails and/or water activities.

Some rural B&Bs are difficult to access if you lack private transportation (but they typically provide on-site parking). Some are tucked in the mountainside or only accessible via worn coastal roads. In more remote regions that receive few tourists, a rural B&B could be the only lodging option available in the area.

Rural B&B Examples:

*To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

6) Waterfront Bed And Breakfasts

Waterfront B&Bs are located very close to water.

This includes any sizable body of water (lakes, rivers, ocean, etc.). Waterfront B&Bs may offer views from the property and/or easy foot access to a shore. They may also offer equipment rentals for water sports or activities (surfboards, snorkels, kayaks, etc.).

In my experience, nightly rates for waterfront B&B rooms are typically higher than “average” B&B rooms (especially if the property is located nearby the water). Nighly rates can rival the local 4-star hotels if the property’s views and service are superb.

Waterfront B&B Examples:

7) Mountain Bed And Breakfasts

These B&Bs are located on or beside a mountain.

Sometimes also called “huts” or “cabins”, mountain B&Bs can be ideal for nature lovers. They’re often located by ski slopes or hiking trails, which results in a communal atmosphere where guests chat about plans and experiences, and can relax and recover before they continue (hiking, driving, etc.) the following day.

Some mountain B&Bs lead activities (like waterfall treks, snowboard lessons, etc.). Mountain B&Bs can be seasonal - particularly if located in a region prone to bouts of extreme weather. Some B&Bs located on hiking trails (like the Appalachian Trail) serve daily meals and are integral to hikers’ schedules/plans.

Mountain B&B Examples:

8) Farm Stay Bed And Breakfasts

Farm stay B&Bs allow guests to enjoy farm life.

Their experience could include animal interactions (horses, pigs, etc.), learning about certain crops, or simply staying on a ranch property (for the peaceful atmosphere it provides). Read a listing to learn if the host allows guests to interact with animals or crops.

Farm stays appeal to various types of travelers - from adventurous solo travelers and couples seeking new experiences, to families treating children to a day of animal petting. Since many farm stay B&Bs harvest their own food and are remotely-located, lunch and dinner is often served. To read about how lunch and dinner work in a bed and breakfast, click here.

Farm Stay B&B Examples:

9) Themed Bed And Breakfasts

Themed B&Bs aim to be unique/memorable.

Property themes may be based on the local culture, geography or history, or simply the host’s inspiration. Rooms may be individually themed, or there could be a single uniform theme throughout the property (or a combination of the two). For example, the decor of a room could be inspired by a local tourist attraction.

Some themed B&Bs aim to attract a certain type of traveler, and themes may be seasonal. For example, a host may decorate their property for the Christmas season and may also host some Christmas activities. Aspects of the room theme may include furniture or room layout (bed frames, bathroom, balcony, etc.).

Themed B&B Examples:

10) Romantic Bed And Breakfasts

B&B properties can be ideal for romantic getaways.

While “romantic” is subjective, some hosts try hard to foster a romantic atmosphere on their property. They may do this by providing more privacy/space - such as leaving couples to enjoy breakfast in privacy (B&B breakfasts often include guest groups sharing spaces).

Some romantic B&Bs create a “honeymoon feel”, which may offer fully private lodging, like cottages. While B&Bs typically do not serve breakfast in bed, romantic B&Bs are likelier to provide this option. Of course, the location a bed and breakfast can also affect how romantic the property feels in general.

Romantic B&B Examples:

*To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

11) Cultural/Historic Bed And Breakfasts

Culture and history tend to be quite intertwined.

Cultural/historic B&Bs are best for those seeking to experience the uniqueness of an area and/or stay in the home of a host with family ties to the area. This type of B&B is often located in historic old towns, because modern hotels can disrupt the aesthetic of such areas (which often makes B&Bs an ideal fit).

By turning a generationally-owned property into a bed and breakfast, local families are able to earn an income while treating guests to unique experiences. Depending on their local relevance, cultural B&Bs can also operate as standalone attractions that offer property tours for guests and non-guests alike.

Cultural/Historic B&B Examples:

12) Staycation Bed And Breakfasts

A staycation is an overnight stay near your home.

There’s no specific feature that makes a B&B fall into the “staycation B&B” category, but there are features that make some B&Bs more ideal than others, like being near enough to a city that residents can arrive within a few hours, but far enough away that the property’s atmosphere still feels like a getaway.

Another feature that can make a bed and breakfast ideal for a staycation is a host who fosters a setting where guests can comfortably re-charge from their daily routine. This can include relaxation spaces or services (such as guided hikes or tours). This type of B&B may prohibit children as guests.

Staycation B&B Examples:

13) Eco-Friendly Bed And Breakfasts

Eco-friendly B&Bs aim to operate sustainably.

These B&Bs may employ methods like composting, efficient energy usage or subsistence farming. Some allow guests to volunteer, as a way to develop skills in sustainability, permaculture, etc. Their breakfasts are often made of locally-sourced ingredients, which can add to the homely atmosphere of a property.

Eco-friendly B&Bs usually aren’t luxurious and tend to attract guests who share certain values, resulting in a communal spirit. For example, B&Bs promoting a plant-based lifestyle may grow or serve vegetarian food. Eco-friendly B&Bs can be urban or rural (such as the Belle Vue Kona on Hawaii’s big island).

Eco-Friendly B&B Examples:

*To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Every traveler can enjoy a bed and breakfast stay, no matter their tastes or budget. To get a feel for which category (or categories) a B&B falls into, browse its description, photos and reviews on Agoda.com. To learn more about bed and breakfasts, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

How To Find A Bed And Breakfast

Agoda.com provides bed and breakfasts for couples, solo travelers, groups and families. For today’s deals on B&Bs in your destination, click here. For a step-by-step guide showing you exactly how to find your ideal B&B, follow our B&B Booking Guide.

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Taz Zaidi [Author]
Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

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Taz Zaidi
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