| So you've decided to shun the neon-flashing motel | | | | what they don't tell you is they are a mile and a half |
| chains and marble-foyered monsters and venture into | | | | from the shopping district on the west end of town. In |
| the world of cozy, intimate bed and breakfasts? After | | | | our town, the 100-300 blocks of East Main are |
| all, you've heard how much more personal and | | | | considered the true shopping district. So if proximity to |
| romantic the b&b experience is, right? Well....usually | | | | shopping is your goal, you would be better off with a |
| that's the gospel truth. However, there are certain | | | | cottage 3 blocks off of Main but within the 100-300 |
| things to keep in mind and questions to ask yourself | | | | blocks than at the property a mile and a half from |
| (and prospective innkeepers) before you make your | | | | shopping that sounds so convenient. Remember the |
| final decision and turn over your credit card | | | | old addage, "Buyer Beware."Question number two |
| number.The first thing to consider is the area of the | | | | could be whether to stay at an Inn or an individual |
| country you will be visiting. Many towns across | | | | cottage. Fredericksburg is unique in offering literally |
| America offer the b&b experience but only have a | | | | hundreds of one-couple, individual Sunday Houses or |
| handful of options for you to consider. On the other | | | | cottages in addition to numberous true multi-unit inns. |
| hand, if you visit our hometown of Fredericksburg, | | | | One big distinction here other than the obvious over-all |
| Texas (population 9,000) there are literally hundreds of | | | | privacy issue is usually breakfast. In a private cottage |
| b&b's, reportedly the largest number of b&b's per | | | | you almost always receive a continental breakfast, left |
| capita in the nation. Unfortunately for the unwary | | | | before you arrive. At a traditional "Inn" or bed and |
| traveller, not all are created equal! When visiting such a | | | | breakfast, you are often served a full gourmet |
| popular bed and breakfast town, the research you do | | | | breakfast at a pre-arranged time...along with other |
| beforehand will greatly impact the quality of your | | | | guests. So for many guests the choice comes down |
| stay.These days it seems almost everyone makes | | | | to continental with privacy or full-breakast served in a |
| their travel decisions and arrangements through the | | | | dining room. Either option offers lots of possibilities. But |
| internet. In fact you are probably one of those | | | | with so many different properties, there are no set |
| individuals or you wouldn't be reading this article. You | | | | rules; so check their website or ask!One more |
| can always begin your search by typing in your | | | | common pitfall is something that sounds so basic but |
| destination city or town and "bed and breakfast" into | | | | can really impact your experience: decor. Word on the |
| your search engine to get an idea of the options you'll | | | | street in b&b circles is that guests are increasingly |
| have. As you begin to view the properties, you should | | | | looking for a "magazine spread" when they walk in the |
| consider whether the b&b has the following amenities | | | | door. Nothing pleases me more than to open our |
| (assuming these are important to you): private bath, | | | | guestbook and read, "When we opened the door the |
| temperature control, full or continental breakfast, | | | | beautiful room just took my breath away!" Few people |
| off-street parking, daily housekeeping and the | | | | go to a bed and breakfast looking for the type decor |
| ever-important factor....location.Let's begin with location. | | | | they have at home...or worse, their granny's decor! |
| Proximity to the "center of action" is often a plus for | | | | However, many b&b owners are under the false |
| many travelers; however, it sometimes comes with a | | | | impression that they can take an empty rent-house |
| drawback...noise. In our town, many visitors want to be | | | | and hang out their shingle. They may stumble upon a |
| "on Main Street," and to be sure it is a boon at the end | | | | few unsuspecting guests...but you don't want it to be |
| of the day when carrying heavy shopping bags back | | | | you. Be sure and check the pictures on the website. I |
| to your room. However, guests are sometimes | | | | would never book a room that didn't at least show |
| surprised at the street noise which lasts throughout the | | | | photos of the exterior of the cottage or inn and the |
| night (Main Street is, after all, Highway 290)! Some | | | | bed. Webmasters tell me that these are the two |
| visitors prefer to be a few blocks off Main with a bit | | | | photo's potential guests are most interested in. I would |
| more privacy yet good access to Main Street. Still | | | | be very wary of a facility that wasn't proud to show |
| others prefer a place in the country.Making this first | | | | its exterior and at least one photo of the inside of |
| decision will cut the number of properties you consider | | | | each room. Jacuzzi tubs, hot tubs, gas fireplaces, it's all |
| by as much as 2/3. A note of caution however; if | | | | out there for the taking...for those who do their |
| location is a prime concern of yours be very detailed in | | | | homework. Spend a little extra time asking the right |
| your quest. For example, many Fredericksburg bed | | | | questions and you can have the most wonderful, |
| and breakfasts advertise "Located on Main Street," but | | | | relaxing getaway experience yet. |