The Bed And Breakfast Experience

You’ve likely heard of a “bed and breakfast”.

But if you’re used to a standard hotel experience, you may be wondering why some travelers choose B&Bs. They appear to provide fewer amenities and services, and are often located in or near the host’s residence.

In this guide, we’ll cover why all travelers should consider trying a bed and breakfast at least once.

Whether you book a B&B through a trusted booking site or find one off the street, the 10 reasons generally hold true in B&Bs globally. If you’re brand new to bed and breakfast accommodation and want to learn what they are and how they work, read this guide.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

10 Reasons To Book A Bed And Breakfast

So, why do people choose bed and breakfasts? What exactly do they offer? The 10 reasons B&Bs appeal to all types of travelers include: the homely atmosphere, cultural immersion, homemade breakfast, supporting local family business, peace and quiet, kitchen access, romantic getaways, unique stays, personal service, and the potential to save money when traveling.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

1) Homely Atmosphere

This is easily one of the major draws of B&Bs. Of all the various types of travel lodging, bed and breakfasts may offer the homeliest atmosphere. They are often family-run, with a host living in or near the property. In addition to serving breakfast to guests, the host is typically free to chat during the stay. Some hosts offer activities, such as guided hikes and cooking classes.

2) Cultural Immersion

B&Bs allow you to experience a different culture. By staying in one, you’ll have an up-close feel of the local cuisine and customs, plus get to interact with a host in an organic, stress-free manner. For example, you may see a host doing household activities during your stay (cooking, laundry, etc.) or see their children in the common areas - all part of the B&B experience.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

3) Homemade Breakfast

B&B breakfasts are often a shared experience. Meals are typically served on a large table where guests sit together (some B&Bs serve breakfast on individual tables where groups can sit separately, as in a typical hotel). In comparison to hotels, breakfast hours in B&Bs tend to be more relaxed. For example, a host may ask when you want breakfast served, rather than assigning a time for you. But service in B&Bs is often slower (compared to hotels), so you’ll want to avoid making time-sensitive plans around breakfast time.

4) Support Local Business

B&Bs are often family-owned and operated. Staying in a bed and breakfast allows you to support a local family (particularly beneficial in destinations where hotels dominate tourism). And while hotels typically hire/recommend drivers and guides mostly based on business relationships, B&B hosts often recommend their own friends or family. For example, your host’s mother might cook your breakfast and her brother might be available to hire as your driver or guide.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

5) Peace And Quiet

Large hotel lobbies can become loud and/or busy. In contrast, bed and breakfasts typically aim to foster a relaxed, quiet atmosphere. In my experience, B&B guests are much more likely to be middle-age, retirees and/or small families. Some properties also prohibit children (to maintain a calmer ambience). Many are also popular for “staycations” (an overnight stay near home). To read about staycation B&Bs, click here.

6) Access To A Kitchen

A shared kitchen is a common B&B feature. Many bed and breakfasts were initially built to be a family home, then were later modified to host guests (this is why they often have only one kitchen in the property, rather than in each guest room). In my experience, B&B hosts typically allow guests to share the kitchen access/features. To read all about shared kitchen etiquette in B&Bs, click here. To learn how to find B&Bs that offer kitchen access, click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

7) Romantic Getaways

Some B&Bs cultivate a romantic atmosphere. These can be ideal for couples seeking undisturbed weekend getaways, but also appeal to families or solo travelers seeking relaxation. Romantic B&Bs might emphasize this appeal in their photos and description. Bed and breakfasts do not typically serve breakfast in bed, but romantic B&Bs are more likely to do so. For more on romantic B&Bs (including 5 examples), click here.

8) Unique Stays

Bed and breakfast properties vary widely. Some are themed (often based on the local culture, geography, attraction or host’s inspiration). In this type of B&B, each room may have their own theme, or there might be a uniform theme throughout. Some B&Bs are in a unique setting (such as farm stays and historic B&Bs, like Glengorm Castle on Isle of Mull, Scotland). To learn about the 13 types of bed and breakfasts (with 5 examples of each type), click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

9) More Personal Service

B&Bs will typically have fewer rooms than hotels do. Large hotels can have 100+ guest rooms, while B&Bs rarely have more than 10. B&B “employees” often live in or nearby the same property as their guests. This means, as a traveler, the tips you receive (where to eat, what to do, etc.) are from a local resident’s perspective - a very valuable resource when visiting a place with a unique cultural appeal and/or activities.

10) Potentially Save Money

B&B rooms can be quite affordable. However, simply due to the home-cooked breakfast, B&B nightly rates typically aren’t as low as the local budget hotels. Some B&Bs offer weekly or monthly discounts, business rates or packages (like breakfast, lunch, dinner + ski lessons). To learn how bed and breakfasts compare to other lodging options, read our B&Bs vs. Airbnb Comparison and B&Bs vs. Hotels Comparison.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Bed and breakfasts offer a unique lodging experience. They allow travelers to interact with local hosts in a relaxed, homely setting - often with other laid-back, like-minded travelers. 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.

Learn More About B&Bs

Introduction To Bed And Breakfasts

Get Started With Bed And Breakfasts

Specific Types Of Bed And Breakfasts

Know Before You Go

Featured

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.

10 Reasons To Experience A Bed And Breakfast [At Least Once]

The Bed And Breakfast Experience

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

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