Let me start by saying that I design websites for bed and breakfast providers. I have been inside many establishments, photographing them from all angles, tasting the food, experiencing the difficulty of finding them if they are off the beaten path, and spending time with their owners.
Sometimes I have felt like the inspector of the hotel. Sometimes I have pursed my lips and said nothing, sometimes I have politely expressed my concerns. If I’ve spotted something wrong, guests almost certainly will too, and they’ll be more than happy to say so on Trip Advisor or social media.
There’s a clue in that last sentence if you’re researching Bed and Breakfast providers. Look them up on Trip Advisor. What experiences have previous guests had?
Were the owners friendly and helpful, or did they act like they didn’t want guests in their home?
Were the rooms and facilities clean and tidy? Was the place quiet or was it facing a main street and a construction site? Was the breakfast generous and freshly cooked?
Trip Advisor will tell you all this and more.
Take a look at how owners respond to negative comments. Remember, unhappy guests and those who have to complain about anything are the most likely to post. Did your complaints seem valid and how did the landlord respond?
I always tell customers on my website that bed and breakfast customers buy with their eyes. Photos, photos, photos. Guests want to see what the place they come to is like. What the rooms look like, what the showers look like, what the view will be from your window, what the food looks like.
If those photos aren’t on a provider’s website, or are grainy and out of focus, ask yourself why. If the website hasn’t been updated in years, that might tell you something.
In general, you get what you pay for. A B&B that costs £45 a night for 2 people is probably not as stylish or as spacious as one that costs £145 a night. Lower prices do not necessarily mean that the rooms are dirty and the facilities are not working.
Please note whether the room(s) you are booking have their own en-suite facilities or have shared facilities. There seems to be a growing trend in the UK to put a roll-top bath in the bedroom. If you are young and in love, you may really like bathing together or that your partner is watching you. But would you be so interested if two friends use the room as a double room? Or father and son sharing a room?
If you have pets, check that dogs are welcome. When in doubt, call the owners and ask.
If you have small children, check that the B&B is suitable for children. You don’t want to find out that the property doesn’t accept children and ruin your vacation. Respect those who don’t accept children: they may have had a bad experience, they may have elderly owners, they may specifically have a child-free establishment.
Check to see if breakfast is included in the price. Some establishments will offer a “room only” rate. This may be what you want if you are only staying one night and have an early start. Or maybe you’re one of those people who just skips breakfast.
Make sure you know what size the bed is. For some couples this is not a problem, but if one or both of you are tall, or a bit wide, you may prefer a larger double bed: king or super king.
Check what facilities are offered in the bathroom. Some will have a bathroom with a shower over the bath. If you have mobility issues, you may prefer a separate walk-in shower. Be sure to read the owner’s description and if in doubt, call or email to verify.
If you are a wheelchair user, or have another disability, read the description again carefully and if in doubt, contact the owner to make sure that the establishment suits your needs.
Most B&Bs are happy to accommodate special dietary needs. Not telling the owner the special requirements of him until he sits down to breakfast leads to embarrassment. Most owners will want to cater to your needs and will feel upset and embarrassed if they can’t; advance notification ensures that the food you need will be available when you need it.
Check the location of the B&B. You may want some peace and quiet in a secluded rural location. Or you may want to stay somewhere that is more accessible to local sights and doesn’t involve a 10-mile trip up and down the valley to get there every day. An online mapping service will usually give you a fairly accurate location and there may even be Street View so you can see where you plan to stay.