When was the last time you heard of someone staying in a B&B? It’s become as uncool as it was to be seen with your mum in public when you were 13. This is a sad state of affairs though, since B&Bs are a great option and in my opinion, will ensure a better stay than the usual boring hotel every time.
As someone who does a lot of travel by myself, one of the things I really like about staying in a bed and breakfast is the fact that I can meet new friends. Because there are usually far fewer rooms in an AirBnb and more communal areas plus an intimate environment, you really can meet people from all over the place- which is great if you’re on the tourist trail since you can share advice and stories. There are few things lonelier than checking into a hotel by yourself after a long flight, eating that sad meal alone, and watching everyone else hanging out together before you go back to your room.
That doesn’t mean that B&Bs have no privacy though- in fact the opposite is true. I somehow always seem to end up at the hotels that are fully booked that weekend for a wedding or just have non-stop conferences the whole time. That means there’s always a baby crying, people are everywhere, the lobby is packed with people trying to get online, and it’s the worst of both worlds- you’re often lonely while giving up all your privacy at the same time.
Speaking of getting online in the lobby, I think it’s ridiculous when hotels don’t offer free wifi. This is something you never have to deal with at B&Bs, and they’re for sure a more inclusive option, usually including snacks, wifi, and parking. Hotels are the opposite and I’m continually surprised by how much extra I have to spend once I’ve already paid for a hotel- resort fees are especially annoying.
While there are definitely friendly people everywhere, I’ve noticed that you’re much more likely to have great customer service at a bed and breakfast compared to when you stay in a hotel. Often the front desk staff have been working all day, and they just don’t care about your problems. The opposite is true at B&Bs, and you’re often being served by the owner who will usually go out of their way to ensure that you have the best possible stay.
Since these owners are also locals, they can also give you the best advice about where to go and what to see. They usually take the time to ask where you’ve been already and find out what you like to do before they point you in the right direction, and they’re also more likely to help you get away from the tourist hotspots so you can eat where the locals are eating and hang out where they’re hanging out as well.
