Essential Tips for Choosing a Good Bed and Breakfast

Enjoy a spirited experience at the Lizzie Borden B&B in Fall River, Massachusetts. This is the site of the gruesome ax murders that took place in 1892.

Traditionally speaking, bed and breakfast-styled accommodations offered basic amenities at affordable costs. They'd mostly be run by families, letting out the extra rooms in their home to guests, as a means to earn money and enjoy the company of travelers from distant places.

They've become more stylized with the passage of time to cater to the challenges of modern tourism. Now, you'll find these B&Bs have sprung up almost everywhere; some catering to budget travelers, whereas others serving high-end luxury seekers. What were once homely inns, have now become chic boutique hotels.

You'll find some unique B&Bs set up in heritage structures, with most retaining their old-world charm. So, how do you go about choosing the one that's best for you? Well, it won't be much of a hassle after you've gone through these handy tips.

In the traditional sense, B&Bs were just a bunch of spare rooms in a family's house which were let out to guests. Many of these, even today, do not have en-suite facilities. In case you can't conceive the idea of sharing a bathroom with strangers, do clear up this aspect before you book.

This generosity is hard to find in most hotels, and in the rare event that you do, keeping a pet at the hotel ferociously escalates the cost. Pet-friendly B&Bs are a dream come true for animal lovers, so if you are one yourself, it'll be easy to find the perfect accommodation.

Yes, you read that right. There are quite a few B&Bs that aren't too keen on having young guests below the age of 12 on their property. So, if you plan to travel with young kids, take extra caution with your research.

These include Wi-Fi, televisions, hair dryers, and even room service. Swimming pools, gyms, and coffee shops may also be beyond a mention. There could be some establishments that do not allow smoking on their premises. If you simply can't live without modern comforts such as these, ensure that the place of your choice provides them.

Most B&Bs are set up in heritage structures, and may not have modernized central heating or cooling. This may especially be true of inns in remote, rural areas. Therefore, it would be prudent to make inquiries about the same beforehand.

Remember that most B&Bs are houses, so you may not find the detached professionalism of hotels in here. Leaving or entering the establishment at odd hours may not be acceptable to the owner.

If the inn is set up in a heritage structure, chances are that it may not provide such facilities. However, there are a lot of B&Bs that are sprucing up their infrastructure in order to welcome more and more people.

Laugh as you want to, but this is a valid question. Some establishments actually have a separate charge for breakfast meals. This is because certain visitors may not wish to adhere to the traditional B&B services. And while you're at it, also inquire if they have a service that provides other meals during the day as well.

Certain B&Bs are seeped in tradition, with several houses or towns having a rich history. Ask if they also include a tour of the estate grounds (if applicable) or the town.

Again, do not expect the swift percentile calculations of the bigger hotels here. Most homegrown B&Bs may not even have a website (especially in rural Europe), so it is better to clarify all doubts related to monetary transactions. Also, do not assume that they will necessarily accept credit cards.

Bed and breakfasts are typically suited for those who appreciate local art and history, mingling with the community, and wish for homely hospitality on their holiday. If you think you're one such person, reserve a room at a cozy B&B on your next holiday.