Colorado B&B 101: Innsightful Etiquette

July 21, 3:56 PMDenver B&B ExaminerSallie Clark

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BBIC Member Inns offer "expected" lodging

by Sallie Clark, Innkeeper at Holden House 1902 Bed & Breakfast, Colorado Springs, CO and Marketing Chair of Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado

Well-known housekeeper Mrs. Hudson may not have operated a bed and breakfast, but she did help solve a few mysteries for Sherlock Holmes. With that in mind, we have some “elementary” points that can help travelers take the mystery of B&B travel. Here, I’ll provide some visitor tips to finding the perfect Rocky Mountain stay.

Selecting the right bed and breakfast for your summer vacation, winter ski trip, fall foliage getaway or spring break can be as easy as 1-2-3. Staying at a Colorado bed and breakfast inn offers an experience well beyond your typical travel accommodations. A night at a B&B provides the added value frequently sought by travelers as they seek their special holiday, romantic interlude, family outing or business obligation with personalized service, modern conveniences and exceptional hospitality.

For some, the thought of staying at a B&B can be a bit daunting, especially if you’ve never taken the plunge into the world of one-on-one hospitality. Whether you're a seasoned B&B traveler or first time guest, when you stay at a Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado (BBIC) member inn, you'll have the pleasure of enjoying quality accommodations and a delicious breakfast included. Here are a few insider tips on what questions to ask in order to create the best possible experience.

How do you choose the B&B that's right for you?
Ask the innkeeper a few questions before you decide. All innkeepers will gladly answer your questions by phone or email and send you their own brochure or e-brochure with details.  Visit their website to gain additional information.  Some B&Bs provide high tech review with virtual tours, photos of each room and guest reviews.

Are there resident pets?
Resident dogs and cats are not uncommon at many B&Bs and innkeepers usually inform you in advance. If you’re traveling with a pet, let the innkeeper know. Some B&Bs offer kennels and horse motels as a side benefit and some do not. If you have pet allergies, make that known as many inns with pets also offer pet-free accommodation choices.

Bed size: Can you only sleep on a queen, king or need twins? How many people are in your party and what accommodations do you need? Are you traveling with couples, single or with kids? Even if innkeepers can’t accommodate your specific needs, ask for a recommendation to other local properties. Innkeepers pride themselves on a team attitude and love to refer to other quality B&B properties to suit individual needs.

Smoking Restrictions: Are non-smoking (or smoking) rooms available? Does the B&B have a complete smoke-free environment or is smoking allowed outside?

Inn Policies: Cancellation, breakfast, check-in/check-out times, room payment, guest pets, children, minimum stay requirement?  Make sure that you know these items ahead of time. If cancellation policies are a concern, consider taking out trip insurance for a reasonable fee to cover all your vacation costs in case of an emergency which would include your lodging.

Rates: Will vary by season and change without notice. Most are open all year, but you'll also find B&Bs open only during their "high season" which depending on the location, can be different times of the year. Ski areas have a “mud season” and may close during late spring, many Colorado inns see summer or fall as high season. It depends greatly on the location, so consult the B&B of your choice in advance.

Bed and Breakfast Etiquette, the perfect match - Bed & Breakfasts are as delightfully different from one another as the innkeepers who own and operate them. Each B&B offers accommodations and a very special brand of hospitality. You'll enjoy and relish unique surroundings in every B&B you visit. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, once you try it, you'll realize that it's a pleasant alternative from the cookie-cutter motel or hotel.

Relevant questions make a difference - With that in mind, you may have questions about bed and breakfast travel. Do you need a reservation? How much will it cost? What's for breakfast and what is the seating arrangement? What time is check-in/out? If you’ll be arriving outside of the standard check in time, inform your innkeeper and call if you’re arriving late to assure there is an innkeeper present to greet you on arrival.

We've provided some brief and simple answers to common questions, for those of you who may be too shy to ask.

Reservations: Are reservations required in advance or does the B&B take walk-ins? If you’re considering a last minute reservation, call ahead because innkeepers are frequently out shopping for fresh groceries or doing errands during the day. It’s also a good idea to call ahead because B&Bs have a limited number of rooms and can fill up quickly. Advance deposits are often required; and because of the small size of B&Bs and the limited number of guest rooms, cancellation policies can sometimes be more stringent than a typical hotel. Most B&Bs take credit cards, but a few still prefer cash-ask. Rates and deposit policies vary, so be sure to inquire. In addition, advise your innkeeper if children or young adults will accompany you because special arrangements may be necessary. It’s important to mention if you need multiple beds in one room, as many B&Bs are limited to double occupancy and others will have accommodations suitable to your individual needs. Many inns now offer online reservations with some being real time and others not. If you make a reservation online, you may risk another guest booking by phone first and lose that room availability. If you’re traveling on short notice, it’s sometimes best to call rather than reserve through the internet. It also allows you the opportunity to talk directly with your host, assuring the B&B is the right one for you. Ask for a written confirmation or email to confirm your dates and receive directions to the B&B. Since typically B&Bs are located in quiet rural and residential areas, they’re not as easy to find as a Holiday Inn.

Cost: Rates will vary but you’ll always find an excellent value. You’ll find modest to luxury accommodations, depending on the property. Many inns provide added specials and can book packages including ski passes, bike or raft trips, spa services and more. Check individual B&B websites and subscribe to the Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado “Colorado Inn-Spirations” newsletter for monthly updates on Colorado B&B packages and specials. Today, more and more B&Bs cater to business travelers with modern internet accessibility, TV’s and computer workstations and offer special rates to single business travelers staying mid-week. Don’t hesitate to ask.

Breakfast: It's standard practice and a great value at BBIC member inns to include breakfast at no additional charge. It's usually offered in different ways: Continental: rolls, muffins, or coffee cake, coffee or tea & juice; Continental Plus: extras are added to the standard Continental breakfast like cereal, yogurt or fruit; Full: often includes many of the above items and one or more hot entrée items. Some B&Bs serve at the table with other guests in one or two sittings, some have a single sit-down “family-style” meal, some offer breakfast buffet-style during a window of time, and others may offer breakfast in your room for an additional fee. For those needing to make an early day, many offer brown bag or self serve continental. If you have specific food dislikes or allergies, let your innkeeper know well in advance. Most can offer alternatives or allow you to bring your own food if necessary. Understand that innkeepers have to cater to many different guest needs, so also try and be respectful and as easy to accommodate as possible.

How do you act at a B&B? Mutual respect for privacy and basic courtesy is the mode of operation between the innkeeper and guests, as well as between the guests themselves. Guests are usually informed either verbally or in writing (a letter or folder posted in your guest room or elsewhere), of policies which the innkeeper asks guests to honor. They are established simply to help guests become comfortable and familiarize themselves with how things work at each B&B. The rule of thumb: When in doubt, ask your host.

Housekeeping: The majority of B&Bs provide daily maid service which includes making beds, cleaning the bath and bedroom area and changing towels and sheets. Many Colorado B&Bs are going green with recycling and environmentally conscious cleaning efforts, so don’t hesitate to ask if you want to know how they comply. While smaller B&Bs may not have staff, many have employees who appreciate a gratuity when the service warrants an thank you tip.

Pack a smile and good manners when you visit a B&B. Since guests are usually there to enjoy a quiet getaway, B&Bs are not appropriate places for a noisy party. Some B&Bs offer televisions, stereo and jetted tubs. Be mindful of loud noises which might disturb other guests in the later evening hours. You'll find that many B&Bs have a no-smoking and no candle burning policy for safety reasons. If you have arranged to check-in at a specific time, please do your best to arrive during those hours, or call ahead to arrange an earlier or later arrival. When coming and going from the inn in the evening, be mindful of other guests to preserve the peace and quiet of the inn. If you stay at a B&B in which you share a bath, it should be left the way you would want to find it. If you’ve booked a wedding at a B&B, you may be required to rent the entire inn. Ask your innkeeper about specific policies regarding wedding parties including necessary insurance and catering needs. Remember that there may be other “non-wedding” guests also present. It’s also important to know that the B&B is the innkeeper’s home, so be respectful of furnishings and surroundings and treat it like you would your own home, with care.

High value of B&B stays vs. typical lodging properties:

• Complimentary breakfast
• Complimentary WiFi (many B&Bs)
• On-site Concierge for restaurant, activities, personal service, travel advice
• Complimentary refreshments, cookies, afternoon tea, wine social at many B&Bs
• Private baths and modern conveniences are the norm
• Complimentary parking
• Variety of properties from upscale to modest
• Individually decorated guest room-suites

It’s elementary my dear Watson, that the “case of the mysterious bed and breakfast stay” has been solved, because B&Bs offer a wonderful and unique experience and great traveler fun. Check out individual member inn websites or in our Colorado state B&B guide and ask a few questions to feel right at home. During your stay you'll meet new friends, enjoy exceptional hospitality, and learn all there is to know about the local area.

And, when you stay at a BBIC member inn, you’ll know that each property is “inspected and approved” for membership prior to joining the association to assure that your stay provides clean and comfortable accommodations, a complimentary breakfast, an on-site innkeeper and safe and secure surroundings. You're sure to love it so much that you'll become a regular B&B traveler. For additional information, visit www.InnsofColorado.org Here you can order a free 2009 Colorado bed and breakfast guide, complete with state map, scenic byway information, an amenity grid, individual listings of member inns with color photo, rates, contact information and amenity icons, and you can browse the pages to learn more about the annual Colorado bed and breakfast conference, becoming a member, access affiliate members, get aspiring innkeeper information, subscribe to and read past issues of Colorado Inn-spirations newsletter and more. The Colorado bed and breakfast experience awaits you…

For additional general Colorado Travel Information, visit www.Colorado.com