983,123,520 visitors served.

| A Bed and Breakfast, which can also be referred to simply as a B&B or BB, used to be considered almost exclusively as a type of boarding house typically operating out of a single family residence, condominium, or townhome. A Bed and Breakfast typically are homeowner run operations, and can include historical or multi-owner commercial properties with one bedroom to rent upwards of twenty or more rooms that more closely resemble the traditional definition of an "Inn." One thing most of the properties have in common is a focus on customer service, individually decorated rooms, and a home-cooked style breakfast.

Generally, across all of the different properties, regardless of size, 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 in the larger properties tend to be compltely private, though in some properties they may be shared (with other guests or with the family in smaller establishments) or en-suite (where the washing facilities are directly accessed from the guest's bedroom).

B&Bs may be operated either as a secondary source of income or a primary occupation, oftentimes even during just peak tourist season. Staff often consists of the house's owners and members of their family who live there in the case of one to four bedroom rental operations. Often properties with more than four or five rooms hire professional management or even local chefs to prepare the meals.

Staying at a B&B can offer better access to popular locations "off the beaten path" which may not be convenient to the city center or from hotels. 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.

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

In Belgium bed and breakfasts generally offer better value than hotels, and provide the opportunity to sample the local food and meet new people. Bed and breakfast accommodations often have a very relaxing, homey feel to them.

Britain and Ireland

Britain and Ireland have some of the most expensive hotel beds in the European Union and throughout the British Isles, B&Bs 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&Bs 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.

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&Bs 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. Recently B&B and Inn owners have been launching upscale amenities to improve business and move "up-market." It is not uncommon now to find free wireless internet access, free parking, spa services, or nightly wine and cheese hours. 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, 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 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.

Booking a B&B or Inn has gotten much easier with advent of the Internet. Many properties offer fully bookable online reservations from their website. In addition, websites like BedandBreakfast.comand BBOnline offer online reservations for a vast number of properties.

Because most B&Bs are small, typically with 2-20 rooms, 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

External links

• dmoz open directory project (worldwide B&B site)

BedandBreakfast.com Bishop-Andrews Hotel Boarding house Breakfast in Bed (disambiguation) Hale House-Patterson Hotel

Marietta, Pennsylvania Myrtles Plantation The Bed And Breakfast Star WBBG