Staying in an English B&B is a great way to really experience and get to know the local area. B&B owners are often very friendly and welcoming and will share their local knowledge and give you tips to make the most of your stay. However, it can also be a bit stressful if you’re a B&B novice.
Here are my top tips for making the most of your stay.
1. A B&B is not the same as a hotel
I answered the phone the other day to a potential guest who said he had seen our hotel in a newspaper article. She looked great and she wanted to stay. I told her that we were actually a B&B and not a hotel, to which she replied: same difference. It was at that moment that the alarms began to sound.
Most B&Bs in the UK are generally family homes. Some may only have one or two bedrooms. And while they all must meet strict fire and food hygiene standards and other legal requirements, they typically won’t have all the facilities you’d usually find in a hotel.
Staying in a B&B is a much more personal experience than staying in a hotel. That is why most people choose to stay in them.
2. Check out the B&B quality rating
In the UK, there are 2 main quality bodies that assess B&Bs and hotels: Visit Britain (or Visit Wales or Visit Scotland) and the AA. They all work with exactly the same criteria. The criteria have recently changed and are more vigorous than they used to be. All guest accommodations (B&Bs, hotels, restaurants with rooms, etc.) now receive stars instead of the old diamond system. B&Bs are inspected once a year and have to work hard to maintain their qualifications.
B&Bs do not have to have a quality rating. There are some very good B&Bs out there that don’t have any stars and rely on repeat business, recommendations, and listings in specialist guides to do business.
In addition to stars, your B&B may have a silver or gold award: these are awarded for levels of cleanliness, customer service, and a little more than what you normally expect.
Just because a B&B is a 5-star gold award doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right B&B for you, so…
3. Read carefully the description of your B&B
To make sure their B&B meets your vacation needs, read the descriptions carefully, and if you’re not sure, contact them for details. For example, a 4-star B&B only needs to have 50% of its rooms with en-suite or private bathrooms.
Make sure you have all the facilities you need before you book. If you don’t want to drive, make sure there’s a pub within walking distance; This is not always the case with a rural B&B. Don’t assume there will be a hair dryer, etc.
B&B guests typically go exploring during the day. Although it is a requirement of the Quality Standards that the owner of the B&B gives you access to the property at all times unless he has previously specified otherwise. If you plan to spend the day at the B&B, it’s worth checking with the B&B owner beforehand if he’s happy for you to do so.
4. Let your B&B owner know of any special requirements
B&Bs are generally small businesses, so they can’t afford to stock all kinds of tea, coffee, milk, juice. If you require something specific, such as decaf tea or skim milk, be sure to let your B&B host know in advance. Most B&B owners will be happy to get supplies for you.
If you are following a special diet, make sure your B&B host understands what this really means. While most B&B owners are excellent cooks, they may not be aware of the requirements of, say, a celiac or vegan diet.
Many people are drawn to a B&B because there are pets around. However, if you are allergic to cats or have a phobia of dogs, be sure to check with your B&B owner beforehand.
5. Know your check-in and check-out times
Unlike big hotels, B&Bs are unlikely to have a fleet of staff. Most often they are run as one woman or one man bands. So when your B&B says you have to check in after 4:00, it’s probably because they have to go shopping or go to school or walk the dogs. And the checkout time is 10.30 because they have 3 rooms to clean by themselves before the next guests arrive.
Very often if you ask for an earlier check-in or later check-out time they will say yes, but don’t take it personally if you say no!