Rome: bed and breakfast or hotel?

To answer this question you should know exactly what is the meaning of bed and breakfast in Rome, and in general in Italy - since you are supposed to know what to expect from a Hotel.

This type of accommodation is very much different from country to country: if in the United Kingdom (the homeland of bed and breakfasts) this type of accommodation has a long tradition and there are several bed and breakfast associations, a rating system, and a quality control, in Italy things are a bit different. The first bed and breakfast opened in Rome in 1997, so less than 9 years ago, and since then thousands of B&Bs opened all over Italy. At the beginning it was a solution to answer the quest for accommodation of the pilgrims coming for the Jubilee (year 2000).

The state rules concerning the bed and breakfast standards and policies are demanded to the regions, and in each region things work differently. The result is that nowadays we still don't have a general rating system and a quality control. If bed and breakfasts are checked by the official tourist boards at the very beginning (when they open), no other control is done afterwards.

In this situation the control effort is demanded to the private companies which promotes bed and breakfasts, and serious companies check constantly the service quality and the overall standard offered. In good bed and breakfast you find extremely high quality standards at a relatively cheap price. Usually they are very well located and rooms are comparable to 3 stars hotel rooms (sometimes even better!).

Anyway if you are looking for a bed and breakfast in Rome don't think about finding a house or a cottage, but a big apartment well organized with 3 to 6 rooms for guests, many times with en-suite bathrooms (to be sure ask for it!) and a breakfast hall. If you are concerned about breakfast, don't think about the English one: we have strict rules in the Lazio region about the food manipulation. That's why if a bed and breakfast sticks to the rules you won't find hand made cakes, pizza, fresh croissants: everything you are going to get has to be singularly packed.

Explain exactly and clearly your needs and you will surely spend a nice and relaxing holiday!

He is the founder of Italia Lodging, a portal promoting small charming accommodation in Italy.
Website http://www.italialodging.com
He writes about Italy and his articles are good suggetions and tips on how to find a good accommodation in Italy

How to Choose a Bed and Breakfast

How to Choose a Bed and Breakfast

 by: Tammy Jordan Sikes

So you've decided to shun the neon-flashing motel chains and marble-foyered monsters and venture into the world of cozy, intimate bed and breakfasts? After all, you've heard how much more personal and romantic the b&b experience is, right? Well....usually that's the gospel truth. However, there are certain things to keep in mind and questions to ask yourself (and prospective innkeepers) before you make your final decision and turn over your credit card number.

The first thing to consider is the area of the country you will be visiting. Many towns across America offer the b&b experience but only have a handful of options for you to consider. On the other hand, if you visit our hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas (population 9,000) there are literally hundreds of b&b's, reportedly the largest number of b&b's per capita in the nation. Unfortunately for the unwary traveller, not all are created equal! When visiting such a popular bed and breakfast town, the research you do beforehand will greatly impact the quality of your stay.

These days it seems almost everyone makes their travel decisions and arrangements through the internet. In fact you are probably one of those individuals or you wouldn't be reading this article. You can always begin your search by typing in your destination city or town and "bed and breakfast" into your search engine to get an idea of the options you'll have. As you begin to view the properties, you should consider whether the b&b has the following amenities (assuming these are important to you): private bath, temperature control, full or continental breakfast, off-street parking, daily housekeeping and the ever-important factor....location.

Let's begin with location. Proximity to the "center of action" is often a plus for many travelers; however, it sometimes comes with a drawback...noise. In our town, many visitors want to be "on Main Street," and to be sure it is a boon at the end of the day when carrying heavy shopping bags back to your room. However, guests are sometimes surprised at the street noise which lasts throughout the night (Main Street is, after all, Highway 290)! Some visitors prefer to be a few blocks off Main with a bit more privacy yet good access to Main Street. Still others prefer a place in the country.

Making this first decision will cut the number of properties you consider by as much as 2/3. A note of caution however; if location is a prime concern of yours be very detailed in your quest. For example, many Fredericksburg bed and breakfasts advertise "Located on Main Street," but what they don't tell you is they are a mile and a half from the shopping district on the west end of town. In our town, the 100-300 blocks of East Main are considered the true shopping district. So if proximity to shopping is your goal, you would be better off with a cottage 3 blocks off of Main but within the 100-300 blocks than at the property a mile and a half from shopping that sounds so convenient. Remember the old addage, "Buyer Beware."

Question number two could be whether to stay at an Inn or an individual cottage. Fredericksburg is unique in offering literally hundreds of one-couple, individual Sunday Houses or cottages in addition to numberous true multi-unit inns. One big distinction here other than the obvious over-all privacy issue is usually breakfast. In a private cottage you almost always receive a continental breakfast, left before you arrive. At a traditional "Inn" or bed and breakfast, you are often served a full gourmet breakfast at a pre-arranged time...along with other guests. So for many guests the choice comes down to continental with privacy or full-breakast served in a dining room. Either option offers lots of possibilities. But with so many different properties, there are no set rules; so check their website or ask!

One more common pitfall is something that sounds so basic but can really impact your experience: decor. Word on the street in b&b circles is that guests are increasingly looking for a "magazine spread" when they walk in the door. Nothing pleases me more than to open our guestbook and read, "When we opened the door the beautiful room just took my breath away!" Few people go to a bed and breakfast looking for the type decor they have at home...or worse, their granny's decor! However, many b&b owners are under the false impression that they can take an empty rent-house and hang out their shingle. They may stumble upon a few unsuspecting guests...but you don't want it to be you. Be sure and check the pictures on the website. I would never book a room that didn't at least show photos of the exterior of the cottage or inn and the bed. Webmasters tell me that these are the two photo's potential guests are most interested in. I would be very wary of a facility that wasn't proud to show its exterior and at least one photo of the inside of each room. Jacuzzi tubs, hot tubs, gas fireplaces, it's all out there for the taking...for those who do their homework. Spend a little extra time asking the right questions and you can have the most wonderful, relaxing getaway experience yet.

Tammy Jordan Sikes is a former trial attorney-turned bed and breakfast owner with several b&b's in Fredericksburg, Texas in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. See www.absolutecharm.com and www.inn-on-the-creek.com tammy@tearosequilts.com

Business Travelers Turn to Bed and Breakfasts for their Internet Savvy and Extra Value

Business Travelers Turn to Bed and Breakfasts for their Internet Savvy and Extra Value Lisa Kolb

Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) are Plugged In People expect a B&B to radiate charm and coziness. Travelers seek them out for their distinctive character, along with the personalized attention thrown in. But high-tech savvy?

You bet! Despite their down-home demeanor, the typical B&B is exceptionally attuned to the benefits of the Internet. The B&B industry is closely linked up via the World Wide Web. Searchable B&B directories make it convenient for tourists to locate exactly what they require in faraway destinations, and book it with confidence.

Travelers can find even the most "tucked away" inn online, before they leave home. Almost all B&Bs have a Web site. These abundantly illustrated sites provide detailed information about: rates and policies, local tourist attractions and surrounding vistas, photographs of the inn (including each room), as well as contact information (with directions and maps).

About 20% of the bookings we receive are made online, using our availability software. But 85% to 90% of our business comes from the Internet, either by a direct email or by phone call.

Business travelers have different needs than tourists do A person traveling on business isnt there to take pleasure in a romantic getaway, golf vacation, or local sightseeing. They want business accommodations with the comforts of home and modern conveniences like Internet access. According to a recent study by Travelocity, the amenity that road-weary business travelers value the most is comfortable bedding - a concern that B&Bs take very seriously.

The B&B industry is promoting business-traveler friendly practices. Nowadays, most inns are eager to serve up the additional services business people require.

Top ten essentials for business travel 1. Flexible cancellation policy 2. Acceptance of all major credit cards 3. Special midweek rates for business travelers 4. In-room telephone/data port with fax machine availability
5. Well-lit, in-room table or desk with appropriate seating 6. Well-lit private bathroom with hair dryer. 7. Flexibility on late check-ins. 8. Early and/or healthy breakfast options; private table if preferred
9. In-room television.
10.Real-time online reservations or availability calendars

Courtesy of http://www.BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online B&B reservation network, listing over 27,000 B&Bs and inns

B&Bs deliver the extras prized by business people on the road
B&Bs cater to business travelers by providing them needed services. These are the kinds of extras and fees that can really jack up the cost of a hotel bill. Yet B&B owners include them for free, or for a nominal charge. That makes a B&B stay a relative bargain.

Free business services and benefits - Breakfast - always included - Local and toll free calls - free, no charge for long distance calls made on a calling card - Convenient Internet access to send and receive email - Ability to send and receive faxes - Concierge services like reservations or local resource recommendations
- Parking
- No need to tip the owner for every little assistance provided

Providing the comforts of home and the office The B&B I operate is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, next to Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains. Its a romantic Victorian property, thats in demand year round - http://www.lennoxhouse.com. Tourists come from all over to see the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Garden of the Gods, and the Olympic Training Center.

As spectacular as such attractions are, business people seldom have time to enjoy them. Theyre focused on the job at hand and want to get done and back home ASAP.

But because of my background in banking software, I used to travel two out of four weeks each month on business. So I totally understand what business travelers require in accommodations. And Ive made sure theyre all included in my inn. We want business people to keep coming back to Lennox House whenever Colorado Springs is on their route.

The extra services and friendliness travelers can expect from their B&B hosts provides a homey note. Between that and the availability of necessary online access, businesses travelers can "tend to business" with minimal hassles. And get back home.
Lisa Kolb, 2004

--Lisa Kolb combines innkeeping and Web development at Lennox House, http://www.lennoxhouse.com in Colorado Springs, CO, at the base of the Rocky Mts. Acorn Internet Services, http://www.acorn-is.com
serves the hospitality industry. (877)226-7699