Bed and Breakfast - An Alternative to Motels and Hotels

I discovered my first bed and breakfast, Ashton Gate in Tasmania, Australia. I loved it! So did my mum. She still remembers the delicious breakfast! Since then, whenever I travel, I try to look out for bed and breakfasts to stay in.The best way to find a B&B is to check out the local B&B directory (which Frommers will normally provide). And as I've mentioned in my Top 3 Travel Guide post, check out reviews in Trip Advisor. I also like to view pictures of the B&B so that I know what to expect.

How do you know if you would enjoy staying at a bed and breakfast?

• You love meeting new people. Apart from meeting the host, usually, you would have breakfast together with other guests at the dining table. At the end of breakfast, you'll be amazed at how much you've learnt about the other guests.
• You appreciate old houses. Most B&Bs are restored old homes and lovingly furnished with antiques.

Inn at Stony Creek, Warwick, New York

• You cherish the personal touch. Each room is unique. The better B&Bs will also provide chocolates and toiletries.


Hillcrest Inn - Niagara Falls, New York


• You want to go local. The hosts are more than happy to recommend local places to visit and local restaurants for dining. We have not been dissapointed by the recommendations!

Sheldrake Point Lakeside Bistro, Finger Lakes, New York

• You don't mind walking up stairs with your luggage (or if you're lazy like us, leave your suitcases in the car and just bring up a small overnight bag).


• You relish a good cooked breakfast. When we were in New York, we really enjoyed the cooked breakfasts served in the B&Bs. (The complimentary bagel and cream cheese served in some motels pales in comparison. Some hotels don't even provide complimentary breakfast)

Breakfast Menu - Inn at Stony Creek, Warwick, New York

B&Bs are not for those who:

• Require room service.
• Want to sleep in or leave early (Most B&Bs serve breakfast between 8.30-9.00am).
• Want to party all night.
• Prefer to keep to themselves.
• Must have a television. Not all B&Bs have television and cable. So, if you're a TV die-hard fan, check first.

After one bad experience in Victoria, Canada, we try to avoid B&Bs with too many rooms. Sometimes the host may not be able to cope with too many guests. We actually missed our tour as the host could not get breakfast ready in time. Other than that, we've totally enjoyed our stays in the B&Bs and our interactions with the hosts and other guests. It is an eye-opener experience. After all, one of the best thing about travelling is to learn about other people and cultures. What better way to do so than to talk to people?