What’s the appeal of a bed and breakfast?

[Anonymous]

I found it really off putting. You can’t really have sex because you’re so close to your neighbor and see them in the morning and there’s basically no amenities I don’t feel like it offers anything. It’s like being an awkward houseguest in a stranger’s home.

[Anonymous]

I agree 100 percent.

[Anonymous]

I agree. So awkward.

[Anonymous]

You either love them or you hate them. I am an introvert and prefer the anonymity of a chain hotel. I had a former boss who would seek out B&Bs when we would travel. That drove me crazy because I felt like I could not decompress.

But depending on the kind of travel you do, sometimes B&Bs are the only option (besides camping). Especially if you’re doing more adventure-type travel. Stuff like hiking the AT, bike touring, etc.

[Anonymous]

What are you, Lorelei Gilmore?

[Anonymous]

I agree. We stayed in one. Psychological claustrophobia.

[Anonymous]

It reminds people of going to their grandmothers houses for Summer.

Staying in an older house with someone else’s antiques or heirlooms and they make you one meal a day.

[Anonymous]

I like ones that feel more like an inn and less like someone's house. But yeah I totally agree.

[Anonymous]

Before I had my first child, I planned a get-away with my husband to a bed and breakfast. I actually had a book about B&Bs that I spent hours reading and daydreaming about, trying to select the most romantic. When we finally got there, I was jolted by the difference between my preconceptions and reality - and my husband was laughing at me. It really was like staying at someone’s grandmother’s house (complete with fuzzy toilet seat covers and crocheted toilet paper covers).

Perhaps an inn would have been closer to the romantic haven I envisioned, but I never was brave enough to try again. After the B&B fiasco, we stuck to chain hotels.

[Anonymous]

We don’t actively seek them out but we do consider them when looking for accommodations. Sometimes we visit places where there aren’t hotels or the hotels don’t meet our standards. If there is a nice clean B&B, we’d stay there. Our usual stays might be a night or two, anything longer might not work for us. I agree with PP, we like the “Inns” more than “someone’s house”.

[Anonymous]

I had a friend who used to tell "B&B Horror Stories" -- hilarious. One involved him getting dive-bombed by the host's parrot multiple times. Something about his hair drove the bird crazy.

We stopped staying at B&Bs when DW decided to sleep in one morning and the host refused to serve breakfast to the other 9 guests until DW arrived. I literally had to wake her up, get her dressed and rush her down to the table. And the other guests were furious at DW, not the host, because they felt DW had been rude. Never again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I found it really off putting. You can’t really have sex because you’re so close to your neighbor and see them in the morning and there’s basically no amenities I don’t feel like it offers anything. It’s like being an awkward houseguest in a stranger’s home.

I couldn't agree more. Who WANTS to stay in a strangers house?! I feel like they would be all up in your business too because they don't get many people staying at their place.

[Anonymous]

I like it because it tends to be quieter than a hotel; no drunks in the hall at 2am.

[Anonymous]

I like the ones that are in 1880-early 1900s mansions. 6-8 bedrooms. My favorites are over the top decorated and have gay hosts. I like staying in historic homes.

When we come back from sight seeing, there are drinks and apps in the parlor area, dinner is on your own, but then there is music and you can meet other guests if you'd like. They make a nice breakfast downstairs in the morning.

[Anonymous]

I assume it’s mostly the people that shop at Pottery Barn.