Bed & Breakfast Hotels            

by Jane Onstott---
for Directory of Hotels.com

If you think “B&B” stands for Bed, Bath & Beyond (or the Better Business Bureau), you need to get out more often. Read on for a Q&A about B&Bs: where they originated, and why you might want to stay there.

What is a B&B? A bed & breakfast hotel is a lodging that provides a place to sleep and breakfast the following morning. The morning meal varies depending on the country and sometimes county where the lodging---traditionally family-run and in a private home---is located. The size of the meal also varies, ranging from a Continental breakfast of coffee or tea and pastry or biscuits to a full-on spread with bacon, eggs, scones, fruit, juice....the works. But in general city folk expect a lighter meal, while in the country, the first meal of the day is enough to stoke the engines for real work, or real play. Today in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere around the globe, older homes are often converted to stylish B&Bs strictly as a business venture. There's the bed, the breakfast, and the bath (down the hall or in one's room), but no ma and pa.

When did the concept begin? Before the advent of hotels and motels, inns served the common man who found himself on the road come nightfall. (Truth be told, they mainly served the merchant class and nobility; the common man was sleeping under a haystack.) Upon reaching their final destination, travelers usually lodged in the homes of benefactors or business associates. A cross between an inn and a friend's home, the B&B emerged as an alternative to the former in the absence of the latter. Local people began to open their homes to weary travelers and the next day, send them on their way with a good meal in their bellies.

Where were the first B&Bs? The Brits were the first to inaugurate the concept using the term Bed and Breakfast. Signs in the windows of willing hosts were shortened to read “B&B.” Hikers and birders in the Lake District needed a cozy place to sleep, likewise spa-goers in Bath. In a symbiotic relationship, working-class families earned an income while travelers got a taste of country hospitality...both literally and figuratively. A win-win situation.

Who likes a B&B? Seriously shy or introverted types might steer away from this type of accommodation, where guests often share stories over an evening glass of sherry and appetizer or break bread at a shared breakfast table. B&B hosts range from quiet to boisterous, but in general are a chatty lot who enjoy pointing out the merits of their part of the country. Because in a traditional B&B the visitors occupy an empty bedroom in the home, they may share a bathroom (or loo, in British parlance) with other lodgers and perhaps the homeowners as well. Catering to a more demanding clientele, some B&B owners today offer some or all guest rooms with private bath (called “en suite bath”), while others maintain their homes just as they've been for generations. Be aware that at some B&Bs, you're expected to be out exploring during the day, and not underfoot. If you're looking to lie about all day with your sweetie, you'll probably want to get a hotel room.

Why choose a B&B? Several factors recommend a nice B&B, not the least of which is location. The original bed & breakfasts were found in out-of-the-way towns or villages without enough trade to support an official inn. Today, B&Bs offer a chance to visit these same isolated places while enjoying the local culture. Not all bed-and-breakfasts are charming and historic, however, some are just what they advertise: a place to stay and a morning meal. The price is usually an indicator of the charm quotient, and of course the internet allows potential visitors a look at many lodgings, both inside and out, before deciding.

To find the most fabulous bed & breakfast hotels around the globe, search Directory of Hotels.com find the perfect hotel for your destination.