Selecting the Bed and Breakfast Holiday, Ski and Travel
Accommodations That's Right For You!
Here's a few tips you'll want to know when traveling to a B&B...
Staying at a bed and breakfast inn offers an experience well beyond your typical travel accommodation. A night at a bed and breakfast provides you with the extra added value frequently sought by travelers as they seek a holiday or a ski lodging. If you have not yet had the pleasure of spending the night in a B&B, allow us to offer a few comments on how the guests and innkeepers might expect to interact with one another for the best possible experience. We look forward to hosting you and your family on your next trip to Colorado!
How do you choose the B&B that is right for you?
Ask the innkeeper questions before you decide. All innkeepers will gladly answer your questions by phone and send you their own brochure.
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Bed size and maximum number of guests in a room? Can you only sleep on a queen, or do you require need twins?
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Are non-smoking (or smoking) rooms available? Does the B&B have an entirely smoke free environment or are you permitted to smoke outside?
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Are reservations required in advance?
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What are the Inn Policies regarding: Cancellation, breakfast, check-in/check-out times, room payment, guest pets, whether suitable accommodations are offered for children, and minimum stay requirements? Ask for clarification of the cancellation policy. Many inns are small and rely on advance bookings to keep their rooms full. In the unfortunate event you have to cancel, what happens to your deposit? Check-in times will vary, but be thoughtful in understanding that B&Bs have limited staff. While our innkeepers do their best to prepare rooms as soon as possible, we may be working on housekeeping chores if you arrive early. And, unlike hotels, there is not a 24-hour front desk, so if you arrive late, you may have an innkeeper waiting up for you and then rising early to prepare your breakfast the next morning. If you are running outside your designated check-in time, a phone call is greatly appreciated.
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What type of breakfast is offered and what time is it served? If you have special dietary needs, make sure you advise the innkeeper in advance and be as specific as possible. Severe food allergies may require you to provide your own food, so the innkeeper can accommodate you as best as possible. What is vegetarian to one guest may not be to another. Our goal is to add to your culinary enjoyment.
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Do you have business and technology requirements? If traveling on business, you may want to inquire about technology. Many B&Bs offer wireless or high speed Internet, computer workstation, telephones, televisions, CD and DVD players, etc. If these items are of utmost importance, be sure to ask in advance.
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While private baths are more the norm than the exception in today’s B&Bs, some may have rooms with shared baths. A private bath may be attached to your room or down the hall, but exclusively for your use. If you are sharing a bath, inquire as to how many other guests share the bath and whether there is a sink or other bath facilities in the guestroom.
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Be sure to obtain a map and/or written directions from the inn. Get their exact street address and take the inn phone number with you. Maps found on general Internet sites can be helpful; but may not be accurate enough to get you to the doorstep. Many B&Bs are located in rural and residential areas, which may not be as easy to find as other types of commercial lodging.
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Some inns are open all year and others may not. Rates will vary by season or change without notice. Cancellation policies may also vary based on holidays and special events. Please consult the B&B of your choice in advance.
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Are there resident pets? Dogs and cats are not uncommon. Where are the pets in proximity to guests? Inns with pets often provide “pet-free” accommodations as an option if you make your allergies known in advance.
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Ask about parking and transportation requirements. Is off-street parking available or are you required to park on the street. Is parking usually available close to the inn on a busy weekend? If you don’t have a car, how close is public transportation or is taxicab service easily obtained?
FAQ’s-Bed and Breakfast Etiquette
Bed & Breakfasts are as delightfully different from one another as the innkeepers who own and operate them. However, each B&B offers accommodations and a very special brand of hospitality. You’ll enjoy and relish different surroundings in every B&B you visit. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, try it once and you'll realize that it’s a very pleasant alternative from the cookie cutter layout of today's motels and hotels. These differences may pose questions for B&B guests. Do you need a reservation? How much will it cost? What's for breakfast? What is appropriate behavior? Below, we’ve provided some brief and simple answers, for those who may be too shy to ask.
Reservations
It is a good idea to call in advance to be sure a room is available. Advance deposits are often required; and cancellation policies vary, so be sure to ask when you call. In addition, advise your innkeeper if children or young adults will be accompanying you. Special arrangements may be necessary. Some inns offer online bookings, but if you’re in a hurry at the last minute, it is probably best to call instead. While some have immediate reservation availability, others are based on a first-come, first-serve basis. A phone call is more apt to get the innkeepers attention rather than waiting for an email reservation. Most require some type of deposit and most B&Bs will require a credit card to hold or make an advance deposit to assure your room is held just for you.
Cost
Rates will vary with the amenities offered and the time of year. You can expect luxury accommodations in a busy resort or larger metropolitan area and perhaps a higher-end room rate. Likewise, you can expect something very simple and perhaps a bit like staying at Grandma's house for a more modest fee per night.
Breakfast
It is standard practice to include breakfast at no additional cost. It is usually offered one of three ways: Continental: rolls, muffins, or coffee cake, coffee or tea & juice; Continental Plus: extras are added to the standard Continental breakfast like cereal or fruit; Full: often includes many of the above items and one or more hot items. Some B&Bs serve you at the table, some offer breakfast buffet-style, and others may offer breakfast in bed, sometimes included in the rate or for an extra fee.
How do I act at a B&B?
Courtesy is the key. Mutual respect is the mode of operation between the innkeeper and guest, as well as between the guests themselves. Guests are usually informed either verbally or in writing (a letter posted in your guest room or elsewhere), of policies that the innkeeper asks guests to honor. Policies are established to help guests become comfortable and familiarize themselves with each B&B. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, please ask.
Pack good manners when you visit a B&B
B&B guests generally visit for a quiet retreat. Therefore, a B&B is not an appropriate place for a noisy party. You’ll find that many B&Bs also have a non-smoking policy. If you’ve arranged to check-in at a specific time, please do so, or call ahead to arrange an earlier or later arrival. When coming and going from the inn in the evening, be mindful of the fact that sounds may carry easily. If you stay at a B and B in which you share a bath, it should be left the way YOU would like to find it. Staying at a B&B is a wonderful experience and great fun. Ask a few questions and you'll soon feel at home. During your stay you’ll meet new friends, enjoy exceptional hospitality, and learn all there is to know about the local area. You’re sure to love it so much that you’ll soon become a regular B&B traveler. If you’re traveling with children, make sure your kids will be comfortable. Also remember that it’s your responsibility to watch your children. If you’re traveling on a romantic getaway, you will want to inquire about individual privacy and what clientele the inn caters to. Whatever your preference, B&Bs are a great place to stay by offering personal service, quality accommodations and beautiful surroundings.
We look forward to making your Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado
stay a pleasant one!
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