The Two Most Common Misconceptions About Bed and Breakfasts

Last night, I had a phone call from a very polite gentleman looking for a room later this month … just for himself, one night. I could tell from our conversation that he did not realize he had just called a bed and breakfast. He immediately apologized for having done so. I asked him if he had ever thought about staying in a B&B (i.e., could I bring him over to our side). He was not ready to on this trip, especially, he explained, since he did not have time to enjoy breakfast, the room, or the historic building. He was polite enough to bookmark our website, www.oldbridgeinn.com, for future reference, and we ended the phone call.

I have many, many first time bed-and-breakfast-goers frequent my inn, and I am always excited and honored that they have chosen us to test the waters, so to speak. I am excited that the newcomers to our industry are being open minded enough to at least try one out. Most B&B-goers are excited about the house (often historic), excited about breakfast, excited about all the things to see and do, and lastly, excited about the pretty room they are going to sleep in.

The most common misconception about a bed and breakfast is that there are only shared bathrooms. This is totally false! Most all urban bed and breakfasts have rooms with private baths – some with whirlpools.

Here at the Old Bridge Inn, we have 5 guest rooms, all with private baths. One of our guest rooms is in the Carriage House, and we get a lot of first-timers that reserve the Carriage House Suite, as they know they will be the only ones in that building. This goes along with the second biggest misconception about bed and breakfasts: those who are afraid to stay at one think that they will not have any privacy at a B & B. This, also, is totally and utterly false.

For example, we bought this house just to have a bed and breakfast. We have our own space to hang out, and are out of the guests’ way intentionally, as we do not want to be sitting out front by the guest exit, watching folks come and go, as that could make them feel like they had no privacy. We tell our guests when they check in that we are available to them if they need anything, but they must either call or knock on our door. They are given the phone number again and shown the door. We, the innkeepers, also have our own private entrance away from the guest area.

The second part of the privacy issue is this: they don’t build houses like they used to. Our walls are very thick, and cannot be heard through, unless one is screaming, of course. Our 1836-built house is as sound as they come, and it has a lot of very interesting history to it. The man who moved his new bride here in 1897 is a descendant of John Hancock, who signed our country’s Declaration of Independence.

Bed and Breakfasts often are on the cutting edge of guest amenities, such as cable TV (a TV in every room), Wireless internet (Wi-Fi), the finest soaps and shampoos, gourmet breakfasts, and a quiet, secure place to stay (i.e., no one checking in after midnight who will be staying over your room, or other guests jumping up and down all night.)

So, if you have ever considered staying at a bed and breakfast but were afraid to, please consider all the reasons listed above and at least give one a try. Bed and Breakfasts are as varied in decor and history as are our personalities as innkeepers, but we all have one main ingredient in common: HOSPITALITY.

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Linda Williams, Innkeeper
Old Bridge Inn Bed and Breakfast
131 W. Chestnut St.
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
www.oldbridgeinn.com
(812) 284-3580