We know that there are many travelers who have never been to a B&B.  While the research shows that a whopping 70+ percent say they want to try an inn or B&B, hotels or motels come to mind first and B&Bs simply don’t cross their minds when deciding where to stay.  We know that a number of travelers also fear inns and B&Bs as doily-filled places overflowing in dolls with googley eyes and teddy bears.

Fear not.  Today’s inns and B&Bs are out to bust long held myths about doilies and teddy bears.  Doily Decision 2012 is designed to show travelers that there’s a B&B for everyone – those who are Pro Doily and those who are Doily Free.  While the selling point for inns and B&Bs is the very eclectic styles they portray, that difference in décor and character is the very thing some travelers fear.

The Wisconsin B&B Association has done a great job of busting myths with their Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.  B&B Newbies might consult their FAQs, whether they are looking for an inn or B&B in Wisconsin or Washington!  Everything from what to do with the kids to how to handle cancellations is covered here.

Looking for your own Doily Free B&B or a Doily Driven B&B?  Visit www.BetterwaytoStay.com and click on any state on the map to see a list of inns and B&Bs who’ve signed up for both parties.  In Wisconsin, for example, the Scofield House B&B  in Sturgeon Bay is happy to say they are Doily Proud, while the Pinehurst Inn in Bayfield and the Hamilton House in Whitewater are both Doily Free.

Stay tuned for more ideas on Pro and No-Doily inns.  Meanwhile, if you’re still working on answering the question “To B or Not to B&B?” click here to learn more.  Most of all, be sure to go to http://www.betterwaytostay.com/doily-campaign/ and cast your vote for Doily Proud or Doily Free or visit us on Facebook to vote there.

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

Getting sick of Presidential politics.? You ain’t seen nothing yet.  Already telemarketers are sneaking into homes at all hours of the day and night and the commericals have begun.  Dump the debates; it’s now time to take a break from Presidential politics and move on to more important issues.  The B&B industry asks all red, white and blue travelers to set aside the political ambitions of Republicans and Democrats and focus on more important issues…the destiny of the doily at today’s inns and B&Bs.

The Better Way To Stay campaign asks all loyal Americans and Canadians to choose their party – Pro Doily or No Doily in Doily Decision 2012, a ground breaking popular vote sure to guide legislation into the future.  Simply go to http://www.betterwaytostay.com/doily-campaign/ to view campaign ads from each party then cast your vote.

The Pro Doily party is setting the doily stimulus package at the forefront of their campaign, running on a platform of freedom to crochet for all. “A doily on every surface,” is the mantra of the Pro Doily party, lobbying for tax-free status for doilies among other amendments and supported by the Crochet for a Better Day Super PAC.

The No Doily party maintains doily reform is long overdue, with doily anarchy having gone on long enough at inns and B&Bs.  “Death to Doilies” is the cry of the No Doily Party promising to support capital punishment for doilies and vowing to put an end to doily excess, while eliminating doilies from every bureau in the country. This party is buoyed by the Liberate our Furniture SuperPac.

It’s time to cast your vote on the destiny of the doily.  Choose your party and vote for the future of the doily at today’s inns and B&Bs.  There’s a doily filled or doily free B&B for every true blooded nationalist.  Go to www.BetterwaytoStay.com and cast your vote in Doily Decision 2012, then find the B&B that’s perfectly decorated for your taste not to mention tips on finding or burying doilies after Doily Decision 2012 is made.

Before You Vote

Check out the videos from the No Doily and the Pro Doily parties.  Then click here to vote.

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

Today Jay Karen, President & CEO of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, joined New York City’s Ivy Terrace B&B innkeeper Vinessa Milando and others from StayNYC in testifying on behalf of the B&B industry before the New York State Assembly Committee on Housing. A hearing was held to examine the implementation of Chapter 225 of the Laws of 2010, which prohibits the illegal operation of hotels in buildings designated for permanent occupancy. The NY state law, enacted last year to protect tourists and tenants from illicit, illegal hotels operating outside the perimeter of state regulations (building, fire and housing codes), is severely impacting the legitimate innkeepers of New York, according to Karen and StayNYC proponents. Today, Karen and StayNYC members lobbied the NY State Assembly to allow exemptions to the law for legitimate B&Bs that have followed codes and offer legitimate alternatives to larger New York City hotels.

According to Karen and Milando, although they were told by local NY Assembly members that tax compliant B&Bs were “not the ones the city was after” the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement levied fines and legal fees amounting to approximately $17,000 per business on several professional and lawful B&Bs that have been in business for decades. One well-known B&B was forced to close as a result. Those appearing today before the NY State Assembly exposed the unjust nature of the law and lobbied for fairness toward small independent lodging properties and B&Bs.

B&Bs and vacation rentals share similar interests in offering alternative lodging to hotels, and are therefore on the same page when it comes to the unfair nature of the Chapter 225 law. According to Karen, “The law in question rendered nearly every variation of the vacation rental and B&B in New York City illegal, because we primarily operate in multiple dwelling buildings. So this law has B&Bs and vacation rentals on the same side. That being said, the B&B is different than the spare bedroom or individual apartment being labeled as an illegal hotel. B&Bs in particular are not party to the conflicts which were the basis for this law to be written two years ago.”

Karen went on to explain that inns and B&Bs often present an anomaly to city and town officials and zoning officers. “Over time, bed and breakfasts have demonstrated to city councils, counties and states everywhere that we deserve distinct considerations; that we are good citizens of our communities; that we practice good fire safety and security practices; that we attract the kinds of tourists who add great value to the local economy; and that we preserve historic residential properties like no other businesses in America,” said Karen. As a result, Karen contends that over the past 30 years, B&Bs have been identified as legitimate, unique businesses, and fair and proper regulations, laws and policies to support B&Bs have followed.

Karen urged the lawmakers to take a closer look at B&Bs so they will realize they are not the culprits in the improper operation of buildings designated for permanent occupancy. In an impassioned plea, Karen closed his words to the Assembly by asking for an exemption to the law and saying “We are not the ones flipping rent-controlled apartments into youth hostels. We are not commingling overnight tourists with permanent residents on the same hallway. We pay sales and occupancy taxes. We follow laws. We are secured properties. We offer the best hospitality. We preserve buildings. We attract the best tourists and travelers. We provide a means of living to true professionals. We are as legitimate as hotels.”

About PAII: The Professional Association of Innkeepers International, founded in 1988, and headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, is the innkeeping industry’s largest trade association. PAII provides education, communications, public relations, advocacy, networking, and research services to its membership and the greater industry. In addition, PAII has created and is spearheading the “Better Way To Stay”, a groundbreaking, industry-wide campaign to help travelers discover today’s inns and B&B experience. For more information, visit www.innkeeping.org.

Click here for Jay Karen’s complete testimony offered to the NY State Assembly Committee on Housing: http://www.innkeeping.org/StayNYC-Testimony

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

by Marti Mayne

To B or not to B&B? That is the question for many first-time inngoers.  Fearful of too many rules, teddy bears, dolls with bulging eyes, and being forced to make small talk with guests or the innkeepers, many B&B never-evers have been jaded by unfortunate and improper views portrayed in the media.  Let’s try to clear up some questions and offer ideas for when B&Bs actually are not the best option.

When to B&B – three reasons to choose a B&B

1. If you seek the unique. No two inns and B&Bs are the same.  There are an estimated 25,000 inns and B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada and like snowflakes no two are alike.  For those looking for unique decor and individualized attention, B&Bs are for you.  No cookie cutter, white washed designs here.  You’ll find unusual artwork, antiques, and one-of-a-kind furnishings in each room.  No two rooms at the B&B will be alike and no two B&Bs will be alike. A surprise behind each door.

2. More for your money.  Breakfast? Got it – hot, hearty and healthy each morning at 99-percent of inns and B&Bs.  Late night or afternoon snacks?  Plan on it from 75-percent of inns and B&Bs offering everything from the bottomless cookie jar to coffee and drink stations, guest pantries and more.  Some inns and B&Bs also offer afternoon tea or evening receptions with wine, hors d’oeuvres and more.  Best of all, it’s all included in the cost, so put away the nickels and dimes…or should we say $10s and $20s you’ll need for the infamous mini-bar and breakfast bill at the hotel, and enjoy plenty of extras included in the price at a B&B.

3.  Plan to plug in.  Unknown to many B&B first-timers, you’ll find complimentary wi-fi at more than 95-percent of inns and B&Bs. Surveys have shown that anywhere from 96-percent to 98-percent of inns and B&Bs offer free wi-fi to guests.  Increasingly, you’ll find guest computers and printers, iPod docking stations and TVs in every guest room at inns and B&Bs.  In fact, more than 75 percent of innkeepers recently polled by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International reported they offer TVs for guests.  A new trend we’re seeing more and more are inns and B&Bs offering guests complimentary use of iPads. Some even come equipped with customized apps offering itinerary planning and more.  Yup – all included in the cost of the stay!

When Not to B&B – three times hotels make sense

1.  Creatures of habit are advised to stay away.  For those who don’t wish a surprise behind each guest room door, choose the hotel option.  There you’ll find guest rooms which all look alike throughout the hotel and throughout the chain.  While beds might be heavenly, you will quickly grow used to the look and feel when you travel.

2.  If the mini-bar is your friend, plan to choose a hotel.  You’ll find plenty of $5 waters and $15 cans of almonds, and if you’re traveling on an unlimited corporate budget, this means that raiding the mini-bar late night for that $10 mini-bottle of Sutter Home works well on sleepless nights too.

3.  Got loud, active kids?  Choose a hotel.  The hallways are much longer for them to run and play.  There are more doors at hotels on which to knock and wake guests up, and the beds are undoubtedly much more fun to jump on.  Hotels are a virtual playground for very active children, who love to collect all the bath amenities each and every day. While some inns and B&Bs are geared toward kids – especially farm stays and ranches –  be sure to ask about the amenities for active kids at the inns and B&Bs of your choice.

For great ideas of a better way to stay, visit www.betterwaytostay.com.

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

With all this talk about Facebook’s new Timeline format, we thought it might be fun to take a trip down memory lane and look at the history of B&Bs in North America.  While the boom in today’s inns and B&B experience came in the 1990′s, the B&B tradition dates back centuries to a simpler time in travel.

For a concise look at the B&B industry’s history, we turn to B&B guru, Sandy Soule, author of the first B&B guidebook series and keeper of the title for visiting more inns and B&B than anyone else in the country. Sandy describes the history of the B&B industry below.

History of B&Bs

The tradition of extending hospitality to traveling strangers goes back to the earliest recorded history for almost all religions and cultures worldwide. Other than soldiers and religious pilgrims, travel for business or pleasure primarily started in the 1700s. Scores of “coaching” or “stagecoach” inns, common in England and the eastern United States, typically provided stabling for horses and lodging for travelers; accommodations were extremely modest (at best). The advent of the railroads provided a huge boost in travel comfort, and hundreds of hotels were constructed close to train stations to accommodate growing numbers of travelers.

As the United States and Canada  industrialized, more people had time and the discretionary income for travel; summer escapes from the sweltering cities to cooler mountain or seaside villages became popular. Wealthy families summered in private villas or luxury resorts, while the working classes headed for boarding houses.

During the Great Depression in the United States, taking in boarders to help meet expenses proliferated. Homes located on state routes (this was long before Interstate Highways) often posted signs reading Tourist Home or Guests, where travelers could typically find a room for the night for about $2, usually including breakfast.

Travel to Europe boomed after World War II; a strong U.S. dollar allowed millions of Americans to discover England’s and Ireland’s B&Bs , and equivalent accommodations on the Continent. Throughout the 1980s, the seeds for the B&B boom were planted. Interestingly, although B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada began as informal, inexpensive places to stay with shared baths and minimal amenities, they are now largely luxury accommodations with high levels of comfort, service, and luxury.

The B&B boom in the United States was influenced by several factors:

• Enjoyment of the B&B experience by millions of Americans who traveled in Europe.
• The U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 sparked a renewed interest in preserving America’s architectural heritage, and accompanying federal and state legislation provided tax credits for the preservation of historic properties. Many such buildings were on fairly busy roads, making them undesirable for private residences but ideal for conversion into bed and breakfasts; similarly, the large size of thousands of Victorian-era homes made them inappropriate for single families, but perfect for B&Bs.
• The 1980s saw a rapid growth in the numbers of B&Bs, but despite considerable media coverage, advertising was expensive, and getting listed in the many B&B guidebooks took a year or more.
• The growth of the Internet provided the biggest boost to the B&B industry, and leveled the playing field so that a bed and breakfast could afford to compete with area hotels, by listing in directories like BedandBreakfast.com, BnBFinder.com and Select Registry.com, plus participation in state-wide and allied associations, establishing a first-rate website, and offering a safe, secure online booking option.

Today’s inns and B&Bs experience

Today we estimate that there are 25,000 inns and B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada.  While growth in the numbers of new inns and B&Bs has eased with changes in the economy, innkeepers continue to update and accommodate traveler needs.  Nearly 96-percent of inns and B&Bs offer complimentary wi-fi for guests.  More than 75-percent now include TVs in rooms, and virtually 99-percent include a complimentary home cooked breakfast and/or afternoon refreshments for guests – all included in the cost of the stay. Travelers will find more places to plug in and more ways, as inns add i-Pod docking stations, computer and even i-Pads for guests use.

For centuries travelers have been discovering a better way to stay at inns and B&Bs.  Isn’t it time for your next B&B escape?

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

Michelle Higgins, Practical Traveler columnist for the New York Times, wrote an interesting story about hotel frequent stay programs this week.  Thanks to Amy at the Saratoga Arms for sharing this article with us. Entitled How to Attain Hotel Elite Status, the article outlined how frequent hotel goers who spend anywhere from 36 to 100 nights with certain brand hotels are more likely to get perks like free breakfasts, individualized concierge service, a break on the exorbitant wi-fi access or resort fees, and maybe if they’re very loyal a free bottle of water too!  She went on to say however, “But let’s face it: Unless you are practically living in hotels, you are not going to see any of those benefits”.  Hotel loyalty programs move aside.  B&Bs are the better way to stay!

Travelers, you don’t have to join a loyalty program to have elite status at any inn or B&B; you automatically get it.  Choose an inn or B&B and you’ll be treated to a scrumptious complimentary and homemade  breakfast, afternoon refreshments and plenty of individualized attention and pampering.  Add to that, fabulously comfortable beds, in-room fireplaces and deep whirlpool tubs (in some rooms) balconies and great views too.  Free wi-fi?  Count on it at more than 93-percent of inns and B&Bs , according to the Professional Association of Innkeepers International. But you want a TV?  No problem, more than 81-percent of inns and B&Bs offer TVs that are probably nicer than your typical hotel version. All these amenities come complimentary with a room which in many cases will run far less than the rates of city based hotels.

The other thing that amazes us is how hotels consistently strive to emulate the country inn model, but never make it there.  Heavenly beds?  We had those years before Westin capitalized on them, along with high thread count sheets and beautiful bed coverings too.  Free breakfast?  It’s been included with a stay at a B&B for years. After all, breakfast is the second B in our name.  Yet hospitality? This is where hotels  fall short.  When is the last time the owner of a hotel greeted you by name, made your coffee just the way you like it. If the hotel owner happened to bring you coffee, you can be assured it would be added to your bill.  Elite loyal hotel goers receive individualized concierge attention.  Heck, we have an individualized concierge at every inn and B&B. We called them innkeepers!

Hotel goers, forget the loyalty program that takes forever to qualify for and under delivers. Convert to the better way to stay and give inns and B&Bs a try.

Check out the video for more insight: Hotels Show No Love — Let an Innkeeper Welcome You on Your Next Vacation

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

Recently, Distinctive Inns of New England offered an informal question asking Facebook fans what they’d like for Valentine’s Day.  Four times more people responded they preferred a romantic getaway to flowers, chocolates or lingerie. One person  offered that all she wanted was for her husband to take the garbage out without being asked!  Clearly, women aren’t asking for much this Valentine’s day, but romantic getaways to today’s inns and B&Bs are on the top of the list for Valentine’s Day and beyond.  Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a birthday, anniversary or other reason to celebrate, women want to go to inns and B&Bs.

Ladies, here’s another in our series of ways to convince your guy to fulfill your wish to be swept away on a romantic B&B escape.

It’s not Grandma’s Attic

For some reason, guys think they’ll be buried in teddy bears, lace and doilies when they visit a B&B. Popular TV shows like Parks and Recreation perpetuate this myth depicting B&Bs with harpsichord playing innkeepers surrounded by 15 cats offering gruel for breakfast. While B&Bs vary widely in their décor – which is actually one of their selling points – increasingly innkeepers are declaring death to doilies and replacing floral wallpapers with bold contemporary colors and urban chic furnishings.  Step aside Grandma’s attic; today’s inns and B&Bs offer everything from beer on tap to wine and cheese receptions, flat screen TVs and iPod docking stations. We’re actually even seeing a move toward inns and B&Bs offering iPads to guests with their own personalized app filled with customized itineraries and fun suggestions for places to go, see, and eat.

Today’s inns and B&Bs are as varied as snowflakes.  No two are alike and that’s what makes them fascinating.  You’ll find everything from traditional and historic decor – sometimes the kind you’d see in your grandmother’s house with historic significance.  You’ll also find hip, chic and avant guard decor at inns throughout North America.

The Better Way To Stay campaign is dedicated to busting the myths, one of which is that all inns and B&Bs look like Grandma’s attic.  Be on the lookout for a fun promotion coming up in April where we’ll bury the notion that all inns and B&Bs resemble Grandma’s Attic.  We’re about to launch a campaign that will offer brief pause from the Presidential race and plenty more humor!   Be on the lookout.

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

Earlier this week we posted the first in a series of ideas on how to convince guys to choose a B&B.  We know that inns and B&Bs have a bad rap among some guys, so we’re offering some good fodder for how to convince him that he will not be buried in lace and doilies if he chooses a B&B.  No, he won’t have to eat with the preacher nor will he have to stay unplugged.  Today’s inns and B&Bs offer all the modern amenities and then some.

Here is reason #2 you can use to convince him that inns and B&Bs are the better way to stay.

No, you won’t have to go unplugged

Banish the idea that all inns and B&Bs are located on out-of-the-way farms or rural locations. While farmstays are still alive and thriving for those seeking that experience, the number one most popular amenity offered at inns and B&Bs today is complimentary wi-fi.  The 2011 Industry Study of Innkeeping Operations shows that more than 93-percent of inns and B&Bs offer wi-fi.  No matter if the B&B is rural or urban, he can count on getting a signal and staying plugged into home, the office or his favorite sports sites on your next B&B getaway.

Moreover, we’re hearing from innkeepers that iPod docking stations, guest computers and even i-Pads are being added to inns and B&Bs on a regular basis.  We’re even aware of a number of inns and B&Bs developing their own apps with customized itineraries for their guests.

If your guy is a techie and never wants to travel unplugged, have no fear, inns and B&Bs will be his refuge.  If you’re hoping he’ll leave the office behind, you’ll need to hide the phone.  Don’t worry, we won’t tell.

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

With Valentine’s Day coming, we know there’s a large percentage of the population positioning for the perfect romantic idea to celebrate the month of love.  Chocolates won’t work for those on a diet, and flowers are so last year! What she really wants is a romantic getaway, but try convincing him that an inn or B&B is the perfect way to stay.  For all those B&B nay-sayers out there, this series of five ways to convince him that B&Bs are the ideal answer to the Valentine’s Day dilemma is a must-read for you.

We in the innkeeping industry know that when it comes to men, we have a few hurdles to overcome.  While women crave B&B getaways for the distinctive décor, intimate settings and the chance to get out of the breakfast duty, men foolishly fear they’ll be buried alive in doilies and lace.  Move aside B&B myths. Ladies, here are five ways to convince the guys that inns and B&Bs are not only the perfect way to make you happy, but might actually be worth his while too.

Argument #1: You can watch the game

Throw aside the idea B&Bs have no TVs. According to the 2011 Industry Study of Innkeeping Operations by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, more than 80 percent of inns and B&Bs offer televisions in rooms and/or common areas.  Tell your guy he can watch the game from the comfort of his bed or with other guys in the living room; 8 out of 10 inns and B&Bs will have the game on and no one will mind if he yells when his team scores. Heck, speaking of scoring, tell him he’ll score points with you when he decides B&Bs are the better way to stay!

To find your better way to stay visit www.betterwaytostay.com.

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

A recent HotelMarketing.com article outlined a story about the Hotels.com survey asking travelers about their favorite in-room amenities.  Throughout the survey travelers expressed that free wi-fi  is a make-or-break amenity  weighing heavily on deciding where to stay.  According to the article, “thirty-eight percent of travelers reported that free wi-fi played a part in their decision as a “must” to stay at a specific hotel, 35 percent reported it is the simple amenity they want to see more in hotels, with 31 percent wishing it would become a standard in all hotels in 2012”.

Rather than searching for a hotel that will  no sooner offer free wi-fi than they’ll serve a great free hot breakfast, consider finding a better way to stay.  More than 93 percent of inns and B&Bs offer wi-fi to their according to the 2011 Industry Study of Operations and Finance by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International and corroborated by innkeeper surveys by BedandBreakfast.com, and more than 90 percent offer it fee-free.

In fact, wi-fi is the most popular amenity offered to guests by inns and B&Bs, followed by TVs, luxury linens, branded toiletries, robes and more.  When asked, innkeepers also told PAII that afternoon refreshments, tea and other beverages and goodies are available to B&B guests free of charge in more than one out of every two B&Bs. Review the following chart.  When was the last time your hotel sent you home with a take home gift or offered you complimentary afternoon hors d’oeuvres or snacks?

An even higher rate – virtually 97 percent of inns and B&B offer a complimentary breakfast included in the room rate.  Recently, Susan MacLaren, co-owner of the West Hill House in Warren, VT explained that “Do you serve breakfast?” is one of the most common questions she gets from younger travelers.  Banish the thought of a bed and breakfast not serving breakfast.  Breakfast is half their name and innkeepers take great pride in preparing a hearty and often gourmet start to the day for their guests.  Expect a set multi-course menu from seven out of ten B&Bs, but virtually all inns will accommodate special diets and dietary restrictions with tasty substitutes.

Travelers are seeking more bang for their buck, and they definitely want to depend on staying plugged in when they travel.  Next time you’re choosing where to stay, consider the better way to stay.  Free wi-fi, breakfast and plenty of additional treats and amenities are on the house when you choose an inn or B&B.

Visit www.BetterwaytoStay.com and click on FindA Location to find your better way to stay.

Note:  All charts included in this article may be found in the 2011 Industry Study of Operations and Finance published by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International.

BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs