Here in New England we’re proud of our inns and bed and breakfasts. But they can be a little confusing if you’re not familiar with how to choose one for you New England vacation.

Today, I’m going to give you a few tips and resources so you can select a New England inn or a New England bed and breakfast.

Tip #1:

Firstly, I’ll start with something as simple as what’s the difference between the two?

There’s no real difference in accommodation. The charm of a bed and breakfast can be every bit as good as the personality of an inn.

The difference is the prepared meals.

A bed and breakfast is just that… expect a bed and a breakfast, but you’re on your own for dinner. But in a New England inn, generally, they’re set-up to provide dinner as well on a regular basis… although it’s usually an option, and not included in the quoted price.

Usually, the listing will be very clear if dinner is offered. But assume its just bed and breakfast if nothing is mentioned.

Something additional to remember about the meals is that you’ll be eating with other guests, and have a chance to chat about the area and share experiences. This can reveal attractions and places to see and visit that otherwise you may have missed.

Tip #2:

Staying in a New England inn or bed & breakfast is very different than a hotel.

You shouldn’t expect a country inn to be like a Sheraton, with hordes of staff at your beck and call, and soundproof walls. Having a party in your room and playing loud music after 11:00pm won’t win you any brownie points with your host and other guests.

The innkeeper or host is there to provide you and other guests with a unique experience in unique surroundings, but to do that they’ll need your understanding.

Tip #3:

I’ve had mix success with taking kids to Inns or Bed and Breakfasts.

If you’ve got high energy kids or their very young this may not be the best type of accommodation for them. Many inns display a lot of artifacts the owner has collected over the years, and I’ve tended to find that kids can’t resist the look and feel of this stuff. So I’m always on edge on whether something will get broken… and be added to my bill!

Look at the listing to see if kids are welcome, or better still talk with the owner on the phone. I’ve found if the New England inn says kids are welcome then this means they are set up for them, and you should be okay with no worries - all the expensive stuff is stored away!

But if it doesn’t say anything or even gives out a bunch of restrictions on age and responsibility, then move on and check another bed and breakfast listing.

Tip #4:

Here’s a tip from a friend who owned a bed and breakfast for many years. Take the inns cancellation policy very seriously. The typical New England bed and breakfast is small, and a no show for just one room could mean a 20% drop in occupancy and income.

Assume you will be charged if you don’t show without canceling.

And finally…

Tip #5:

Price is definitely negotiable.

The main difference is that unlike a hotel where it can take awhile to get to somebody in authority to authorize an adjustment, this is not true with New England inns.

The person on the other end of a phone is usually the guy or gal who owns the bed and breakfast, and they can make the decision on the spot. All you have to do is ask in a nice way.
Just remember the innkeeper may only have a few rooms to begin with anyway, and if your haggling over the last room then don’t be offended if it’s no dice on a price reduction.

These are just a few tips for experiencing the best out of New England Inns & New England Bed and Breakfasts. I cover the subject in much more depth at my special New England Inns article here.

Look out for an article covering the minefield of choosing a vacation rental vacation home soon.

I hope you’re enjoying your summer.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacation Web Site

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