Washington Bed and Breakfast
Read more articles on Travel and Travel Planning.April 13, 2007
Posted by MarySmithCO
April 13, 2007
Posted by MarySmithCO
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When you travel to the Evergreen State, enjoy the entire Washington experience by staying at a bed and breakfast rather than a hotel chain or mom and pop motel. Washington bed and breakfast accommodations are welcoming and each one offers a unique experience. From rooms overlooking the Pacific Ocean to guest houses in the middle of the woods, the options of Washington bed and breakfast inns is almost limitless.
Choosing a Washington B&B
Chances are you’ll use the Internet to help you a little or a lot in making your B&B decision. Not only will you have to choose the location, but the rate, amenities and type of accommodation of the Washington bed & breakfasts you find will help narrow down your options.
Washington is home to very diverse landscape types. There are five basic regions of Washington, each featuring one type of terrain. If you’re looking for a specific vacation experience, whether it’s shell hunting on the coast, hiking through the mountains or taking winery tours, you’ll want a conveniently located bed and breakfast.
Location, Location, Location
The southern shoreline of Washington is dotted with dozens of B&Bs. In Ocean Shores, you’ll find Gibson’s bed & breakfast, located right on the water with a private boat dock. With two miles of private sandy beaches on the Columbia River and lovely views from your private balcony, you can watch the osprey teach their young and deer enjoy the fresh water.
In the northern coastal region, you’ll find the numerous islands of the Puget Sound each with its own distinct charm. On Fidalgo Island, the town of Anacortes, Washington bed and breakfast accommodations include Autumn Leaves B&B with romantic bedrooms including jet tubs. The Tower House Bed and Breakfast located on the San Juan Islands is a great romantic destination, with ten acres of country charm, a sunlit library and stained glass enclosed tower room.
Outdoorsmen and women will fall in love with nature when nestled in the Cascade Mountains. Just minutes from Bellingham is Squalicum Lake Cottage, a contemporary guesthouse with three rooms that overlook Squalicum Lake. A little further south is The Farm, a bed and breakfast inn located in the midst of country charm with down-home breakfast served daily. Enjoy a day on the nearby White Salmon River or windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge.
In the northeast region of the state of Washington, bed and breakfasts are much more spacious and offer an experience like none other. One such B&B, E.J. Roberts’ Mansion offers 23 guest rooms, a Parlor, Library, Dining Room, Billiard Room, Carriage House and Gardens in an exquisite 1889 home.
Head to southeast Washington and you’ll be in the heart of the state’s wine country. The Cozy Rose bed & breakfast sits on acres of family orchards and vineyards, perfect for a private picnic or a sunset wedding. This Grandview, Washington B&B is also home to two llamas to greet you. At the Fat Duck Inn, located in Walla Walla, offers daily wine tastings and gourmet dinners in addition to their location central to wine country.
Rates and Budget Considerations
Many people that have never stayed at a B&B believe that they are too expensive or require that you become best friends with the lord and lady of the house. It’s time these myths are debunked.
The rates you’ll find at Washington bed and breakfast inns are right in line with nearby impersonal hotels, some are even less expensive than the four and five star rooms in the same vicinity.
You’ll save money on at least one meal each day you stay in a B&B rather than a hotel. Not only that, but you won’t find lukewarm coffee and day-old bagels waiting for you in an unfriendly lobby – most bed and breakfasts include a full, family style breakfast with meat, eggs, gourmet coffee and fresh juice.
While hotel chains have to stick to the rates their corporate headquarters set, B&B owners can make you a deal. You are most likely able to negotiate better rates for mid-week stays but don’t hesitate to ask for their best price.
Still not convinced to make your reservation at a Washington B&B? Consider these standard accommodations and restrictions that can make your bed & breakfast stay memorable.
Accommodation Considerations
Most, but not all, B&Bs in Washington are limited to adult guests only so you won’t have little Johnny and Suzie making a ruckus in the evening or being silly at the breakfast table. If you are looking for a child-friendly B&B, make sure you ask before making your reservation.
Most host homes offer free wireless Internet access – no one time “set-up” fee or sharing a connection with a hundred other nameless guests. If this is important to you, make sure you ask about their access.
Have you ever had to look at your room key to figure out which door in the long, bland hallway is yours? You won’t have that problem when you choose bed and breakfast accommodations. Not only does each guest house offer a different experience, each room in the house is unique as well. You can’t say that about a Ramada or Holiday Inn.
When to Say N-O to a B&B
There are some situations when a bed and breakfast isn’t your best bet. Large groups, like family reunions or team building weekends, require a lot of rooms and meeting spaces. While there are some select B&Bs that can accommodate, many cannot.
If you have severe dietary needs or allergies, you may not want to step into a non-commercial kitchen. Those that are not familiar with peanut allergies, kosher cooking or diabetic requirements may not be equipped to meet your needs.
If you are a night owl with a tendency to come in late (or very early in the morning) or plan on meeting up with others to party the night away in your room, you should consider a hotel instead. If you prefer your music loud, bring a set of headphones to help keep the disturbances to a minimum.
Remember that the Washington bed and breakfast accommodations are great for the casual vacationer or business traveler but may not be for everyone. Give it a try a time or two.
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