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Did you know:
Breakfast
MUST be included in the price of the room or it can't be a true Bed and
Breakfast hotel.
The History of the
Bed and Breakfast Hotel
Bed and Breakfasts Hotels
were established in Europe many years back. They were just introduced in the
U. S. in the mid to late 1960s. It is estimated that there are in excess
30,000 B&Bs at this time -- that represents a jump from only 2,000
in the late 1970s. The concept is now very mature -- average number of rooms per
property has increase dramatically, occupancy rates are up, and national, state, and regional associations
are setting standards. There are even a myriad of newsletters, travel
publications and guide books available.
The rewards of being a Bed and Breakfast include social (meeting new
people), adding income and having an enjoyable way of life. The B&B business can give
owners satisfaction as it appreciates into a sizable investment.
WHAT IS A Bed and Breakfast
There is a wide variety of B&B accommodations now available. The American
Bed and Breakfast Assoc (ABBA) classifies them by looking at the use of the entire building
establishing and its relation to the B&B activity that happens there. The
ABBA believes this is the best and most consistent approach when they
consider how insurance underwriters, legislators regulatory
organizations are monitoring and dealing with B&B issues. Differentiating between
different types of B&Bs is still one of the most important issues industry as
a whole since more legislation is being written every day to oversee the
growth. The following definitions are used by the American Bed & Breakfast Association in its dealings with all public and private organizations and
individuals (They are quoted here verbatium):
Bed and Breakfast Homestay: A private, owner-occupied residence in which the frequency and volume of B&B visitors are incident to
the primary use of the building as a private residence. One to five guest rooms are made available to transient visitors and provide supplemental income for hosts. Breakfast is the only meal served and is included in the charge for the room. A review of current B&B zoning laws indicates that the majority of B&B Homestays continue to be unregulated or allowed primarily under zoning provisions for "Customary Home Occupations," subjecting them to outdoor sign restrictions; health, fire, and building code restrictions; and restrictions on the number of employees deemed necessary to protect residential neighborhoods from encroachment by business activities.
Bed and Breakfast Inn: A commercially licensed business operated in a building that primarily provides overnight accommodations to the public even though the owner may live on the premises. Guest rooms for a B&B Inn range from a minimum of four to a maximum of 20, although some believe the range is more like 5 to 25 rooms. Breakfast is the only meal served and is included in the room charge. The business is salable to a new owner, and is subject to all local, state, and federal regulations.
Bed and Breakfast Country Inn: A commercially licensed establishment primarily known for its cuisine that is removed from planned, commercial areas and generally accessible for patronage only by automobile. Overnight accommodations are available and a full-service restaurant provides breakfast and dinner to overnight guests and/or the public. The number of guest rooms usually ranges from a minimum of four to a maximum of 20, although a number of Country Inns have more than 20 guest rooms. The business is salable to a new owner, and is subject to all local, state, and federal regulations.
Some small and historic hotels have also been recognised as Bed and Breakfast accommodations. They are
generally establishments with 20+ rooms that still offer services and privacy of
more traditional Inn type hotels and have the attention of a
"host". For example MI defines a historic hotels as "50+ years
of age and associated with significant events or persons as they
contributed to history." Many embody distinctive styles and characteristics of a type, period, or method of
architectural construction. Most being located in historical districts and all have
20+ rooms that can be rented.
And remember... Breakfast
MUST be included in the rental price of the room or it's not a
"real" Bed and Breakfast.
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