There’s nothing as wonderful as the charm and personal service of a great B & B or small boutique hotel. By the same token, there’s nothing quite as bad as a shoddy one.
Given that there so many bed and breakfasts out there, pure probability tells us that some of them surely must be sub-par. And if you’re a frequent traveler, you know that to be true from experience.
But just what defines a bad B & B? Here we explore 5 tell tale signs and help you learn how to avoid them.
- It’s Not Clean
First and foremost, any place you lay your head should be impeccably clean. Just because the building that houses your hotel is a Victorian mansion doesn’t mean it should be any less clean than a high-end corporate hotel.
Cobwebs, dust and stains are not part of the charm no matter how you look at it. We all love history in a hotel, but that shouldn’t include the evidence of past guests or years of bad maintenance. When you first enter the room, do a cursory inspection to make sure the condition is up to your standards. You won’t enjoy your stay if you’re concerned with your health and safety.
- The Food is Mediocre
Food and drink are an important part of the Bed and Breakfast experience – it’s right there in the name. Given that you chose to stay in a place that serves a home-cooked breakfast, you probably expect the food to be of a high quality. You certainly don’t expect boring fare churned out in the style of a cafeteria.
A good B & B offers cuisine that’s a cut above your standard hotel continental breakfast. The best ones serve memorable meals that clearly show that great thought, effort and ingredients have gone into your food. Because you’re on vacation, you should also look for places that serve dishes with local inspiration – the flavors and ingredients should reflect where you are. Sorry, but bland scrambled eggs and toast just don’t cut it.
- Surly Service
Why is it that people seem to be willing to put up with less than stellar service at independent hotels? Just because there’s not a corporate manager ruling over reception doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be excellent. Whether the person checking you in is the elderly man who owns the place or a college-aged seasonal employee, you should always be greeted with warm hospitality.
In fact, your welcome and service should be even more personal than it would be at a large hotel chain. The mark of a great B & B is the juxtaposition of modern accommodations and old-fashioned service. Anything less and you might as well stay at the featureless motel up the road.
- It’s a Time Machine
It’s lovely to stay in a place that, in some ways, makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time. Many of the best bed and breakfasts are housed in gorgeous old homes that have a rich history. That sense of the home’s past is a big part of what makes it special. But there are certain aspects of your accommodations that should not harken back to another era. You might love antiques, but you also adore the internet.
Look for lodging that offers both history and modern convenience together. There’s no reason why your historical hotel should not also have complimentary wifi, a modern television with cable or a secure safe. You shouldn’t have to pay for these features either – most people now consider them to be basic necessities. Old-world charm does not include eating through your phone’s monthly data plan in one weekend.
- There’s Nothing Special
This one is hard to put your finger on, but it matters just as much as the others. When you stay in an independent hotel, it’s probably because you’re looking for something unique – otherwise you’d just have booked a room at the Holiday Inn. That’s why you should pass up places that don’t seem to offer guests a distinctive experience. If the décor is nondescript, the food unremarkable and the general impression lackluster, what’s the point?
Instead, find a place that has its own character and gives you something special to be excited about. Maybe they have a fancy cocktail hour, a gorgeous library or a sparkling pool. Whatever it is, it should be something that’s unique to their hotel and will make your stay even more fun and memorable.
The next time you’re planning a trip and looking for a truly special place to stay, keep these 5 warning signs in mind. Chances are you don’t get too much time to travel, so you really want to get the most out of every part of your vacation.
While bad accommodations can easily ruin a trip, the right bed and breakfast can turn a simple weekend away to an enchanted and unforgettable experience.
Jay Deratany is a human rights activist, attorney, screenwriter, movie producer and hotelier. He also recently restored and reopened The Kirby Hotel on of the best of Saugatuck MI hotels in the heart of Michigan’s beautiful Art Coast. Jay was inspired to revamp the old house after shooting an independent film there and seeing its amazing potential. To learn more, visit The Kirby Hotel or connect with Jay on Google+.
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