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A bed and breakfast, referred to also as a B&B or BB and spelled sometimes as bed-and-breakfast, used to be considered almost exclusively as a type of boarding house typically operating out of a single family residence, condominium, or townhome. In some countries many of this type of accommodation are known as Guesthouses (or 'Guest Houses'), these can be identical to B&B's but tend, generally, to be larger and often have more separated facilities from those of the owner family, this varies though even within the same town or city. Bed and breakfasts typically are homeowner-run operations, and can include historical or multi-owner commercial properties with one bedroom to rent upwards of twenty rooms that more closely resemble the traditional definition of an "inn". One thing most of the properties have in common is a focus on customer service, individually decorated rooms, and a home-cooked-style breakfast.

Contents 1 Overview 2 History 3 National differences 3.1 Australia 3.2 Belgium 3.3 Britain and Ireland 3.4 Cuba 3.5 Israel 3.6 New Zealand 3.7 North America 4 Regulations 5 National associations 5.1 USA 6 Reservations and payment 7 See also 8 References 9 Notes 10 External links

Generally, across all of the different properties, regardless of size, guests are accommodated at night in private bedrooms and breakfast is served in the morning - either in the bedroom or, more commonly, in a dining room or the host's kitchen. Bathrooms in the larger properties tend to be compltely private, though in some properties they may be shared (with other guests or with the family in smaller establishments) or en-suite (where the washing facilities are directly accessed from the guest's bedroom).

B&Bs and guesthouses may be operated either as a secondary source of income or a primary occupation, often even during just peak tourist season. Staff often consists of the house's owners and members of their family who live there in the case of one to four bedroom rental operations. Often properties with more than four or five rooms hire professional management or even local chefs to prepare the meals.

Staying at a B&B can offer better access to popular locations "off the beaten path" which may not be convenient to the city center or from hotels. B&B properties may often be located closer to locations where other larger lodging competitors may not place a guest accommodation because of market conditions.

The term "bed and breakfast" is also used to refer to a meal plan where breakfast is the only meal provided, commonly in package holidays, in a major hotel that may provide other meals to only some customers.

The B&B arrangement is a very old one. Before the 20th century, it was quite normal for country travellers to spend the night at a private house rather than an inn, and this custom persists in many parts of the world. However, prior to the 19th century, this was strictly an informal arrangement constrained by acquaintance and social rank; a doctor might stay with a doctor or pharmacist, while a nobleman would stay with the local gentry.

The abbreviation of "B&B" on roadside signs first became popular in the British Isles - typically with a detachable "Vacancies" sign swinging below.

Despite the cultural similarities, there are far fewer^[1] B&B's in the whole continent of Australia than there are in just the South Island of New Zealand despite the resident population being more than twenty times greater.

Since 1879 the average per capita disposable income of Australians has been greater than that of New Zealanders and this has mitigated the powerful incentive to let out rooms in their homes to travellers. Another factor may be that Australia has, apart from City States such as Singapore, the greatest concentration of city dwellers anywhere on the globe and these cities are amply supplied with budget hotels and motels.

In Belgium bed and breakfasts generally offer better value than hotels, and provide the opportunity to sample the local food and meet new people. Bed and breakfast accommodations often have a very relaxing, homey feel to them.

Britain and Ireland have some of the most expensive hotel beds in the European Union^{[citation needed]} and throughout the British Isles, B&Bs, and frequently, guesthouses, are a budget option where owners often take pride in the high service levels, local knowledge and personal touch that they are able to offer.

There tend to be concentrations of B&Bs in the seaside towns where, historically, the working classes holidayed such as Newcastle in Ireland and Blackpool in England, in isolated rural areas such as the Highlands of Scotland and Connemara where there is not a year-round concentration of travellers sufficient to sustain an hotel, and are present in most towns and cities in numbers dependent upon factors such as the level of tourism, York in England and Edinburgh in Scotland, for example, both have several hundred establishments known as either B&B's or guesthouses.

Breakfast is usually cooked on demand for the guest and usually features bacon, eggs, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, etc but, increasingly, because of either a desire of owners to economise or guests to minimise their calorie intake, a continental breakfast is becoming more common. In Scotland and Ireland, most B&Bs serve a traditional Full breakfast as a point of pride.

In recent years some bed and breakfast businesses in the UK have struggled against budget hotel chains such as Premier Travel Inn and Travelodge. Traditionally, business travellers used B&Bs but many of these clients now tend to stay in budget hotel chains. However, in holiday areas the B&B and guesthouse still prevails. Unlike the 'chain' accommodation providers these provide a more comprehensive service and breakfast is included in the price.

In Cuba, which opened up to tourism in the 1990s after the financial support of the Soviet Union ended, a form of B&B called casa particular ("private home") became the main form of accommodation outside the tourist resorts.

The Israeli B&B is known as a zimmer. All over the country, but especially in the north of the country and the Galilee, zimmers have become a popular alternative to hotels for romantic weekends or family vacations.[1]

As in the USA, Bed and Breakfasts in New Zealand tend to be more expensive than Motels and often feature historic homes and lovingly furnished bedrooms at a commensurate price. The historic city of Nelson has an unusually high concentration of both of these accommodation alternatives because it was historically the place where kiwis holidayed.

Many B&Bs in North America (and New Zealand) try to create a historical ambiance, with old properties turned into guesthouses decorated with antique furniture. Recently B&B and Inn owners have been launching upscale amenities to improve business and move "up-market." It is not uncommon now to find free wireless internet access, free parking, spa services, or nightly wine and cheese hours. Due to the need to stay competitive with the rest of the lodging industry, larger bed and breakfast inns have expanded to offer wedding services, business conference facilities, and meeting spaces as well as many other services a large hotel might offer.

Regulations and laws vary considerably in each national jurisdiction both in content and extent and in enforcement.

The most common regulations B&Bs must follow pertain to safety. They are usually required by local and national ordinances to have fire resistance, a sufficient fire escape plan in place, and smoke detectors in each guest room. Kitchens and equipment used to serve meals are also often required to be monitored for hygienic operation, but there are significant national and local differences.

Most B&Bs are generally compliant with their jurisdiction's laws. However, guests are mostly unfamiliar with these guidelines and may miss any violations out of ignorance or a desire not to be involved in reporting violations while on holiday.

While various local governments have regulations and inspect for health issues and fire safety code, membership in a state/provincial/national bed and breakfast association can indicate a higher standard of hospitality. Associations sometimes review their members' properties and tend to have additional standards of care.

These associations also facilitate marketing of the individual B&Bs and provide a stamp of approval that the business in question is reputable. This "stamp of approval", however, may be just an indication that membership dues have been paid.

Two for profit professional innkeeper associations that operate in the United States are the Professional Association of Innkeepers International and Select Registry.

The Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) is a national for profit organization with members in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. PAII currently holds annual trade conferences for education of innkeepers and prospective innkeepers. Attendance to these conferences is open and well advertised to all. PAII also provides an industry study to all of its members at low cost that details operations and finance of the industry.

Select Registry is a national organization that inspects its member properties on a regular basis, beyond routine inspections that may be carried out by the local government.[2]

A third almost ad hoc organization is the Caucus of American Innkeepers (or CAIK) is a social and professional networking organization for owners of B&Bs, country inns, and similar properties.

Guests are usually expected to pay for their stay upon or before arrival and may be asked to leave in time before the next guest arrives so that their room can be properly prepared. This is different from many regular hotel accommodation where the guest pays for the room upon leaving.

Because most B&Bs are small, typically with 2-20 rooms, it is advisable for anyone wanting to stay at a particular B&B to make reservations reasonably well in advance of their travel date. Location and time of year play an important role in room availability. Consultation with a qualified travel agent or the innkeeper with this type of accommodation may be helpful. Many B&Bs increasingly belong to associations and have a web presence.

Be aware that prices and tariffs described in various books and paper travel guides are often obsolete by the time they are published - Wikitravel may contain more up to date information.

• List of types of lodging

• Sakach, Deborah Edwards, Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns (American Historic Inns, Inc., 16th edition, 2004) ISBN 1-888050-16-0
• Jan Stankus, How to Open and Operate a Bed & Breakfast (Globe Pequot Press, 7th edition 2003) ISBN 0-7627-2813-2
• Martha Watson Murphy and Amelia Rockwell Seton, How to Start and Operate Your Own Bed-And-Breakfast/Down-To-Earth Advice from an Award-Winning B&B Owner (Owlet, 1994) ISBN 0-8050-2903-6
• Mary Davis, So-You Want to Be an Innkeeper: The Definitive Guide to Operating a Successful Bed-And-Breakfast or Country Inn (Chronicle Books, 1996) ISBN 0-8118-1226-X
• Susannah Craig and Park Davis, Complete Idiot's Guide to Running a Bed and Breakfast (Alpha Books, 2001) ISBN 0-02-864000-4
• Cheryl Verstrate, Homestay 101 for Hosts (Start and Run a Successful Homestay), 1st edition,2006 ISBN 1-84685-347-8
• Sandee Wright, Owner & Innkeeper of Timberwolf Creek, Maggie Valley NC, Founder of CAIK (Caucus of American InnKeepers)