What is a Bed and Breakfast?

A bed & breakfast provided in a private home has been referred to as a "homestay" in the past.

Besides private residences, there are some establishments called Bed & Breakfast Inns. The same concept of room and breakfast apply. However, the major difference is the inn has more rooms available than the usual one to four bedrooms found in a private home. Inns usually provide meals in addition to breakfast, as well as other services not provided in a private home.

These two terms are used in the industry to distinguish the difference between a stay in a private home and an inn. But remember, no two home or inns are alike. They vary within the same geographic area of the county and even more so across the United States. These differences are what attract people to stay at a B & B home or inn and why they have become so popular. Each one has it's own personality.

Generally, a B & B is not the reason for a guest to visit an area, but due to the increase in publicity of B & B's this too has changed. People read articles in a variety of publications and are attracted by the B & B and plan visit the area specifically to stay at the B & B.

In general travelers are attracted by recreational, cultural, historic sights or business in an area. Business travelers, especially women, seek out bed and breakfast accomodations as an alternative to the typical lodge, motel or hotel facility available in an area. B & B's provide the traveler with a different lodging experience as well what many consider a safer environment.

History of  Bed & Breakfasts

The bed and breakfast concept has existed in one form or another since the beginning of man. Monastaries served as a bed and breakfast for travelers.

Bed and breakfasts have been very popular with the traveling public in Europe for years. It was in England, Scotland and Ireland that the term B & B first came into use. Tourists will see a B & B sign in many windows there. The term B & B is not used in many other countries. Terms such as paradors, pensions, gasthaus, minskukus, shukukos, pousados are used to describe a bed and breakfast.

The United States also has a history of bed and breakfast dating back to the time of early settlers. As the pioneers traveled the trails and roads across this county, they sought a safe refuge in homes, inns and taverns.

During the "Great Depression" many people opened their homes to travelers to bring in some additional money for the family. The term "boarding house"  were used at this time. After the depression, this type of lodging declined and many people had the idea they were just for the low income or drifters. In the early fifties, people may remember "tourist home" being used. This too was essentially a form of bed and breakfast. Once the motels were built on the new highways, they were soon forgotten.

Because of the number of Americans traveling to Europe in recent years and rediscovering the B & B's, there has been an increase in interest in the United States.  Today, the B & B is not viewed as a low cost lodging facility but as an alternative to the typical standard chain hotel or motel room.

Who Own a Bed & Breakfast ?

It's almost impossible to describe the typical person who operates a bed and breakfast. They come from all walks of life; from professionals to laborers. Artists, craftsman, farmers, insurance agents, teachers and anyone else you can think of have opened and run successful B & B businesses. Singles, couples and families have also been involved.

Their reasons for opening a bed and breakfast? They are just as varied. Perhaps the children have grown and moved away and there are empty rooms in a large home. Some people just have more rooms than they need. Widowed or divorced people have been involved with B & B's. While they are run for a source of income, most people do not depend on them soley for their livelihood. People retired from other professions such as professionals or farmers who have a primary source of income typically operate a B & B.

All successful B & B's have one thing in common.Owners who like people!

They also like to entertain people in their homes. Many of these owners also have skills they want to use such as cooking in order to please their guests. Others may have historically significant homes they want to share with others.

Anyone seriously thinking about opening a bed and breakfast must like people and be able to deal with all types of people. This is a people business! You must also be willing to sacrifice a big part of your personal life since guests will be living with you.

If you are still interested,before you make your final decision, it is suggested  you do a lot of reading and studying.You should also attend special workshops, which are offered all around the country.