How To Choose A Bed & Breakfast Inn
Submitted by Dan & Nancy Ward, Innkeepers at Inn on Main Street, Weaverville, North Carolina

Choosing the right bed and breakfast can be daunting, especially in places like Asheville, Key West, Cape May and Santa Barbara, where dozens of gorgeous inns are available.

Though almost all innkeepers are trustworthy (after all, they're inviting strangers into their homes), there are always stories of those who don't deliver what they promise. Does that ocean view require the use of binoculars? Is that continental breakfast really Tang and Twinkies?

There are no guarantees, but there are ways to help make sure you inn is a good fit:

  • Always book with a bed and breakfast that belongs to local or state accrediting organizations. These inns are inspected, must show proof of health, fire and building code compliance, and must answer to their peers, if a pattern of complaints arises. In North Carolina, the state association maintains a web site at http://www.ncbbi.org. Visit the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association web site. For links to other state associations, try Other State Associations. Inns rated by AAA or Mobil also meet strict criteria and are inspected regularly.

  • Ask your friends for recommendations. Your stay will be affected largely by the personality and customer service provided by your hosts, and that is a difficult quality to quantify. How others have interacted with your innkeepers is your best guide. But relax: Innkeepers are rarely curmudgeons, and new innkeepers with no track record usually are eager to please.

  • Figure out your priorities before you begin your search. Ask yourself what your price range is, what decor you prefer, what size bed your require, what amenities you want. Bear in mind that you will pay more for downtown locations and extras like whirlpools or fireplaces. On the other hand, queen beds or larger, fine linens, plush towels and gourmet breakfasts have become the norm among accredited inns.

  • Check out the web site. Almost every inn is online now, and most have photos of their rooms. Do a search for the city you're visiting plus bed and breakfast. Don't forget to search neighboring towns as well.

  • If you require a special diet or are a picky eater, ask up front whether the innkeeper can accommodate your needs. Most will make allowances for special diets, but few will offer an alternate menu.

  • Finally, go with your gut. Talk to a few innkeepers before you book and get a feel for their personality and openness. They want you stay to a good fit as well.
Return to What Is A Bed and Breakfast Inn???





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