Grazing in the Grass

Grazing in the Grass
One member of our Deer Family

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

To be a B&B or not, that is the question!

Recent reviews of Fairview Manor lead me to believe that there are some guests who are not quite sure what a Bed & Breakfast actually is. The vast majority of Bed & Breakfasts are homes that have the owners/innkeepers living on the site. Whether they live in the main house or another house on the property. The concept started long ago with the Boarding House. Where the owner needed the extra income and rented out rooms and provided meals for those renting rooms.  Admittedly, I was in the dark about Bed & Breakfasts until I started traveling to Ireland and the United Kingdom, many, many years ago and found the Bed & Breakfasts to be a great alternative to hotels. I liked the informality and appreciated the hosts helping with my travel plans. This is what I try to do here.

Rarely are homes built to be just a Bed & Breakfast, they are existing homes that have been converted to individual rooms (most with ensuite bathrooms). Depending on the size of the house, the rooms can be quite spacious or small. There are some Bed & Breakfasts that do have a shared bathroom, but those Bed & Breakfasts note that in the description of the rooms.  When Fairview Manor went from a residence (1983) to a Bed & Breakfast, there were only three bathrooms for five bedrooms. In the conversion to a Bed & Breakfast, two additional bathrooms were added. Fairview Manor has been a Bed and Breakfast for 35 plus years. We enjoy what we do!

Since the Innkeepers live on site (many counties/states in the USA require this) they are available to assist the guests 24/7. We know the area and can offer suggestions, etc. We also try to make sure our guests are comfortable and enjoy the area, but we aren't mind readers. If there is a problem, it is best to address it immediately and not let it fester. Please don't presume that we don't care, because we do care, but, we can't help if you don't tell us. What might be good for one isn't necessarily good for another. 

The Bed & Breakfast industry has changed over the years. You will find well stocked amenities in the bathroom (unless I forgot to double check, but you can always ask for it), hair dryers and fluffy towels. Innkeepers go out of their way to make sure your dietary restrictions are adhered to.

I continue to travel and stay at Bed & Breakfast Inns. I enjoy meeting the Innkeepers, other guests and seeing how their Bed & Breakfast compares to mine. I am always looking for new ideas and love it when my guests offer their compliments and suggestions. 

So if you want to stay at a Bed & Breakfast, I say welcome to our home! 

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