Bed and Breakfast lodging vs hotel

[Kitaman]

I've mainly been a hotel or a resort type traveler, I have never used a B&B. Heading to RI for Fire Water 2025 and all hotels are booked. Only availible vacancies are with Bed and Breakfast type spots. Some options are close to the event. For one night I'm really considering, but have never tried.

Is it like sharing a house with strangers?

Anyone here experience using B&B?

 

[HCCForever]

I used a B&B in Nantucket a few years ago. I loved it but the wife not so much. We had a nice room and our own bathroom, and the place was close to the ferry and most everything else.

There was a resident cook who cooked meals every day and we did have to sit with strangers while eating breakfast and lunch. Food was great. I don't believe we were served dinner. I enjoyed sitting with strangers as we discussed our day, but my wife is a bit of a PITA when it comes to meeting new people.

So, your experience probably depends on how willing and comfortable you are to meeting new people. I would do it again.

 

[NJHusky]

I did it once. Felt like I was staying with an aunt I didn’t know. Hosts were friendly but it felt forced. Wouldn’t be my first choice but for 1 night you can mange.

 

[tomtom80]

I’ve done it multiple times, enjoyed it and food was always great. Only requirement is to make sure you have a private bathroom

 

[Greg]

I've mainly been a hotel or a resort type traveler, I have never used a B&B. Heading to RI for Fire Water 2025 and all hotels are booked. Only availible vacancies are with Bed and Breakfast type spots. Some options are close to the event. For one night I'm really considering, but have never tried.

Is it like sharing a house with strangers?

Anyone here experience using B&B?

In R I I love staying at The Villa in Westerly. Especially if you bring your partner. For B And B I look at The Select Registry for options. Some of the best places in the country.

 

[GlastonTim]

I prefer VRBO and Airbnb to hotels and B+B’s. Is that an option?

 

[Deepster]

I would say it really depends on how comfortable you are potentially sharing a bathroom with others, eating meals with strangers and having less privacy than you'd like. It also depends on the building itself. Can you hear everything going on outside your room?

I don't think it's a black and white answer. I agree with the recc above for a VRBO.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I've mainly been a hotel or a resort type traveler, I have never used a B&B. Heading to RI for Fire Water 2025 and all hotels are booked. Only availible vacancies are with Bed and Breakfast type spots. Some options are close to the event. For one night I'm really considering, but have never tried.

Is it like sharing a house with strangers?

Anyone here experience using B&B?

I've done it dozens of times. Mostly in Ireland or Scotland, but sometimes in the U.S. including Cape Cod. It's just a small boutique hotel where the owners make you breakfast and there's a communal living and dining room area. Your room is no different than any hotel, except maybe a bit more homey and less generic.

 

[cullaville]

Have stayed at many B&Bs. Our first question is always is there a private bathroom/shower.

For breakfast most have tables for two or communal tables if you want to have breakfast with others. There was only one B&B we stayed at in Asheville that had a set time for breakfast and everyone ate at the same table. It was actually interesting as people talked about the area and things they had done.

I actually prefer the bed and breakfasts but do read the reviews. Most B&B websites have descriptions and pictures of the available rooms.

I also find that the B&B people can be very useful recommending restaurants, places to go etc.

Since it is only for one night I would give it a try and see if you like the idea of a B&B - you might want to do this on longer trips.

 

[Excalibur]

I have never stayed at a B&B that had a shared bathroom, ever. Some are more like inns, some are like using a bedroom in someone's house. Online reviews should let you know which is which.

 

[jibsey]

If you never stayed at a B&B there’s an Everbody Loves Raymond episode on them that you should watch. “The Getaway”, season 3 episode 21.

 

[superjohn]

I've mainly been a hotel or a resort type traveler, I have never used a B&B. Heading to RI for Fire Water 2025 and all hotels are booked. Only availible vacancies are with Bed and Breakfast type spots. Some options are close to the event. For one night I'm really considering, but have never tried.

Is it like sharing a house with strangers?

Anyone here experience using B&B?

Fine for one night but I don't like them.

I would get an Airbnb.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Man Air BNB used to be great. Then it turned into a whole money making venture for people who cynically flipped old houses (displacing potential homeowners in the process) just for the purposes of placing a bunch of TJMaxx clearance crap around and charge you cleaning fees while demanding you clean the place. All without any of the benefits of a hotel.

For last-ish minute hotels I’ve found good success with Hotel Tonight.

 

[alphasigko]

I use Airbnb regularly and find them affordable, clean and generally at a convenient location. Over time, the 2nd "b" (for breakfast) has disappeared, but that gives me the opportunity to find a local breakfast place to discover.

 

[boog204]

Have stayed at a few over the years. There's one in Brewster that was just phenomenal. I greatly prefer hotels, though, especially if it's just a one-house B&B. I've stayed at a couple of places that had "out" buildings, so it felt like a small hotel with a centralized dining area.

Food was always great, hosts were always super friendly, but it always felt like I was staying at a distant relative's house that I did not know.

 

[superjohn]

Man Air BNB used to be great. Then it turned into a whole money making venture for people who cynically flipped old houses (displacing potential homeowners in the process) just for the purposes of placing a bunch of TJMaxx clearance crap around and charge you cleaning fees while demanding you clean the place. All without any of the benefits of a hotel.

For last-ish minute hotels I’ve found good success with Hotel Tonight.

Airbnb always had cleaning fees and I've never once had anyone demand I clean the place.

It's not nearly as good as it was when it started just like Uber and the other disruptors but it's still cheaper, more convenient and makes more sense than a hotel in many cases and I'm a big fan of hotels.

I miss Frontdesk, that was the best.

 

[Samoo]

Airbnb always had cleaning fees and I've never once had anyone demand I clean the place.

It's not nearly as good as it was when it started just like Uber and the other disruptors but it's still cheaper, more convenient and makes more sense than a hotel in many cases and I'm a big fan of hotels.

I miss Frontdesk, that was the best.

Vrbo is similar to Airbnb, a little less corporate.

 

[fatlucy]

I've mainly been a hotel or a resort type traveler, I have never used a B&B. Heading to RI for Fire Water 2025 and all hotels are booked. Only availible vacancies are with Bed and Breakfast type spots. Some options are close to the event. For one night I'm really considering, but have never tried.

Is it like sharing a house with strangers?

Anyone here experience using B&B?

I stay in Airbnbs 5-10 times a year. They’re typically less expensive than hotels, are clean, have a kitchen and living room. Most are well furnished and very comfortable. I have 4 trips booked now for airbnbs. Most importantly they’re very private. I dont like people, their noise, attitudes and germs.

 

[BullDawg]

Stayed in several Bed and breakfasts in a variety of states. While I prefer hotels, if you have a decent B&B, and your own bathroom (like others have said) it’s fine.

 

[CL82]

I enjoy B&Bs. The vibe is usually friendly and informal. And your hosts are usually great sources for information about the surrounding area. Hotels are fine and are definitely preferable for business travel. Vrbo/airbnb are OK but I find that they come with less access to concierge type services, even if that's just info about the area or trying to get a reservation somewhere.

As has been stated above, the devil is in the details for all three. Look into the online reputation and reviews before making your decision.

 

[beerfan]

Or just don't go, save yourself the trip, Fire Water is the most overrated event I have ever seen.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Airbnb always had cleaning fees and I've never once had anyone demand I clean the place.

Congrats

Setting aside your anecdote, it’s now a common thing.

It's not nearly as good as it was when it started just like Uber and the other disruptors but it's still cheaper, more convenient and makes more sense than a hotel in many cases and I'm a big fan of hotels.

I miss Frontdesk, that was the best.

I weigh options between hotels and air bnb whenever I travel out of habit, and have not seen an air bnb be more practical than a hotel since the pandemic (which is really what kicked off the craze). Sure, if you’re trying to stay in the woods or on some remote beach where there aren’t hotels, it’s basically the only option. But otherwise, air bnb just hasn’t been worth it for a while for me

 

[superjohn]

Congrats

Setting aside your anecdote, it’s now a common thing.

I weigh options between hotels and air bnb whenever I travel out of habit, and have not seen an air bnb be more practical than a hotel since the pandemic (which is really what kicked off the craze). Sure, if you’re trying to stay in the woods or on some remote beach where there aren’t hotels, it’s basically the only option. But otherwise, air bnb just hasn’t been worth it for a while for me

Lolz, you're doing something wrong. I've stayed in well over a dozen all in cities in the past few years and it almost always makes more sense than staying in a hotel. I've looked at hundreds and never once seen them demand you clean the place.

Does anyone else know what he's talking about saying they demand you to clean the place?

 

[Rocktheworld]

Lolz, you're doing something wrong. I've stayed in well over a dozen all in cities in the past few years and it almost always makes more sense than staying in a hotel. I've looked at hundreds and never once seen them demand you clean the place.

Does anyone else know what he's talking about saying they demand you to clean the place?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/1azzmlb/hosts_expecting_us_to_clean_entire_apartment/

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/vkmhwa/cleaning_fees_chore_lists_no_thanks/

This isn’t even including widespread requests for guests to strip the bed, take out the garbage, do dishes etc.

Not sure what cities you’re staying in but in the large cities I’ve tried, the cleaning fees put the cost well above hotels

 

[superjohn]

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/1azzmlb/hosts_expecting_us_to_clean_entire_apartment/

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/vkmhwa/cleaning_fees_chore_lists_no_thanks/

This isn’t even including widespread requests for guests to strip the bed, take out the garbage, do dishes etc.

Not sure what cities you’re staying in but in the large cities I’ve tried, the cleaning fees put the cost well above hotels

That's weird.

I've always paid a sizeable cleaning fee since airbnb started. Your total jumps once you request a stay because the cleaning fee is included.

I've only ever seen normal house/apartment requests like no smoking or no making a lot of noise after 11 pm.

How on earth would they even demand you do cleaning? Nobody is coming in to check on you during your stay and everything is paid for before your stay.