Five things you’ll love about a Bed & Breakfast

Hood House in Hood, Virginia

Homey, cozy, romantic, charming, quaint… these are only a few adjectives that come to mind when thinking of a stay in a Bed and Breakfast.  A popular alternative to hotels, the term B&B encompasses a wide variety of guest houses and is a form of lodging which provides a very different mood and atmosphere for an over night stay.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Hood House in Hood, Virginia. The delightful Bed & Breakfast at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains serves up a welcoming form of hospitality.  My time at Hood House was enjoyable and reminded me of the pleasures of staying at a B&B.

There is a lot to love about a hotel stay but for a change of pace a Bed and Breakfast offers something hotels never can – a personal touch like no other form of accommodation.

Typically the owner is your host. With so much invested in making a go of the enterprise, guest satisfaction is priority number one. Consequently a stay in a Bed & Breakfast delivers much more than a comfy bed and morning repast.

Here are five things you’ll love about staying in a B&B

You won’t be staying in a nondescript room

Over time traveling accommodations can become rather mundane. If you’ve seen one hotel room you’ve seen them all.

Not so at a guest house.  

It’s quite refreshing staying in a non-cookie-cutter room.  B&Bs are notorious for their individual personality and style.  Rooms never look identical and often have a homey charm guests seek as a departure from the ordinary.  Sure, you may share a restroom with other guests, but the trade-off is a nice change.

Comfortable, nicely decorated rooms are part of the charm of a stay in a guest house.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers

At a guest house you have the choice to retire to your room or spend time meeting other guests.  So much of the appeal of travel is the chance to learn about other places and people.  Congregating in the living room or at breakfast is a bonus feature of a B&B.  Some of the most fascinating travel stories come from fellow travelers.

Who knows, you may even make a friend or two.

B&Bs are a wonderful place to meet fellow travelers.

You’ll establish a relationship with the owner

While there’s a lot to be said for the continuity and predictability provided by a chain hotel the experience is a bit impersonal.

The personal touch is primary at a B&B. If you have a need or question the owner is eager to please. Their business depends upon word of mouth referrals as well as the possibility you’ll return again.

Your comfort and satisfaction is the owner’s priority.

A Bed and Breakfast usually has a wonderful history

Often times a guest house is located in a historic home or location. It’s fascinating to learn the story of the home, its owners and the area.  These are often the tales of the individuals who built a town and their stories nicely complement your stay.  You may even learn something the local visitors center might not even know.

The historic Hood post office stands beside the Hood House and was also a general store.

You’ll feel at home and want to return

If done properly a guest house provides you with fond memories of your journey. Those memories make you want to return again. In fact, I have a favorite B&B in Ireland I’ve returned to five times – it’s that good.

A well run B&B makes a visitor feel like a welcomed family member.

Upon leaving Hood House Mary Hood gave me a goodbye hug and I received a handwritten thank you note in the mail. I can honestly say I’ve never had that happen at a hotel.

If you’ve considered staying in a Bed & Breakfast but you’re not sure it’s for you – give it a try.

Each one is different with its own special appeal. Some are quite luxurious offering large meals and en suite rooms, others are a little more low key.  Regardless of the style, a Bed & Breakfast is a refreshing alternative to a traditional hotel.

The morning mist at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia

If you like this please share it with your friends.  As always, Happy Travels!