Choosing a New England Inn or B&B
Select the Perfect Lodging for Traveling in New England
New England abounds with charming inns and B&Bs. Carefully selecting one for a getaway or vacation will enhance the entire experience. Consider these important factors.
When most people think of New England lodging, they imagine quaint old inns with charming rooms, delicious breakfasts, and delightful hosts. Carefully choosing your inn or bed and breakfast can mean the difference between a memorable visit and a disappointing experience.
Inn Policies
Every inn will have its own policies. These will include check-in times, cancellations, and reservation requirements. Some inns will be booked many months or even a year in advance during peak fall foliage season, so find out when things start to fill up. Most inns will require a deposit that may or may not be refundable. Ask about their refund policy.
Other policies to ask about include whether or not children are allowed and, if so, if there are any age restrictions. Are pets allowed and are there any restrictions as to size or breed? Most inns will not allow any smoking inside and some may even ban it on the grounds. If this is important, be sure to ask. Is alcohol allowed on the premises? In public areas or in private areas? This can vary from inn to inn.
Room Amenities
Rooms can range from very luxurious suites to simple and modest. Check photos online and in brochures to determine the level of luxury at each inn. It is also perfectly acceptable to phone and ask about any specific room amenities that are important. Don’t assume that the inn will have every modern convenience one would expect to find in a hotel. Many inns strive to not be like hotels and choose to keep the technology at bay. For example, consider asking if the room has a fireplace. Coffee maker? TV? CD player? Internet service? Adjustable bed? Air conditioning? Its own thermostat? Think about what matters and ask.
Privacy at the Inn
It is important to consider how much privacy is available and whether or not that is important. For example, does the room have its own bathroom or is there one to be shared down the hall? Because many inns are in older houses, they frequently have at least a few rooms that must share a bathroom down the hallway. Some people find this perfectly acceptable and some would be horrified at the thought. Be sure to ask.
Another aspect of privacy to consider is in regard to meals. Some inns have an open breakfast time and guests eat whenever they choose. Other inns require anyone who wants to eat to dine at a particular time and all of the guests eat at the same table. And some inns require that guests sign up for a breakfast time. Ask about their meal policies.
Dining
Don’t assume that breakfast is included in the price of the room. Ask if it is included and what kind of breakfast is served. Is it a continental breakfast to eat on the run? A full breakfast? Something in-between? Will the inn accommodate any specific dietary needs?
Try to determine what other dining options are in the area. Are there good restaurants nearby or is it necessary to drive a distance for each meal? What options are available in terms of kinds of foods and prices? The innkeeper should be able to provide this information over the phone.
That Inn “Thing”
The last thing to consider is that inn “thing”. What is most important in the anticipated inn experience? The location? The view? The decorating style? Sitting on the porch swing and listening to the chickadees? Watching the water? Napping in a hammock? Going shopping in unique stores nearby? Visiting historical places? Sitting in a Jacuzzi outside and enjoying the Milky Way? Snuggling in front of a fire in the room with cocoa? Think about what kinds of inn dreams should be pursued and then look for the place where those magical moments have the best chance of taking place.
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