Bed and Breakfasts stays remain favourable worldwide
Posted on Thursday 12 April 2012
in India, United States of America, Rome, Amsterdam, Santa Monica
As travellers are following recent trends toward more personal and unique holiday trips, bed and breakfasts are in the spotlight as alternative options to large resorts or chain hotels. Many individuals in tourism are advertising these B&Bs as a way to have a personalised holiday complete with hearty meals, unique amenities and the opportunity to stay in a comfortable, affordable place.
The industry is working hard worldwide to debunk rumours or myths that suggest staying in a B&B is a poor choice. These facilities are not hostels and no longer serve the purpose of being a temporary house, as they are now just as private and exclusive as many upscale hotels. They can be located in rural regions of the world or be right in the heart of a vibrant city.
Most travellers that stay in bed and breakfasts are between the ages of 35 and 65, according to a survey conducted by BedAndBreakfast.com. They tend to choose accommodations fairly close to their own hometown, though some with larger budgets will try B&B in more exotic or far away locales. Some of the most favourable destinations include Rome, Amsterdam, and Napa Valley in California.
India is another interesting destination that many Aussies and other tourists tend to check out when it comes to B&Bs. In 2010, there were more than 2,000 of these accommodations registered through the country's Ministry of Tourism and more continue to open on a regular basis.
"Tourism is a global concept and is growing at a good rate, especially in India," Charlotte Chopra, owner of Charlotte's B&B in New Delhi, said in a statement. "Owing to the shortage of rooms and the increasing costs of accommodation, B&Bs are doing well. There was an initial wariness about unknown people staying at our homes but that eventually wore off. It is a homely environment that helps put both us and the tourists at ease."
Many bed and breakfasts are enhancing their services to showcase the new and fresh amenities that some of these accommodations can offer travellers. In the U.S., for instance, a B&B website recently held a contest to find some of the best meals served at these inns throughout the country, reports USA Today. Going above and beyond traditional eggs and toast, some establishments are making the morning breakfast experience as memorable and satisfying as possible.
Winner of the competition was The Lyttleton Inn in Massachusetts. Different than other Boston hotels in the area, this small home from the 1800s has been renovated to accommodate guests in stylish, personalised rooms. The breakfast that received first place is bittersweet chocolate waffles with a fresh mint cream. Runner-up for the contests was a B&B called Gracehill, located in the state of Tennessee. Owners created pumpkin pancakes with ginger syrup and homemade whipped cream that has many travellers booking rooms just for a bite.
The promotion hoped to gain more support for the nation's B&B industry by showing potential guests the possibilities and delights of staying in one of these places on holiday.
If Aussie travellers want to get a local feel of their new destination, staying at a bed and breakfast can be an ideal way to experience personality and intimacy with one-of-a-kind accommodations. The inns and converted homes often are priced the same as other hotels and resorts and still provide the same customer service and amenities that other options provided in the locale.
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