Accommodations
If you're new to the B&B experience, there is certain
terminology that is used in advertising. The following list
will prove helpful as you search for the type of B&B
that is suitable for you.
One common concern that many potential guests have is
about the location of the washroom facilities. Many people
have images of being in an old house where one has to leave
the room to use a washroom. This could be possible, but
today's B&Bs are not necessarily old and washrooms are
not always outside of the room. There are three distinct
terms describing washrooms, and they indicate the location
and other features about it, they are:
SHARED: This is a washroom that will be located
outside of the guestroom and will be used by occupants of
other guestrooms.
PRIVATE: This is the most misinterpreted term.
Many readers take that to mean that the washroom is in the
room. A "private" washroom means that only the guests of a
certain room use that particular washroom, it is not shared.
However, a private bathroom is not always directly inside of
the room.
ENSUITE: This is French for "in the room." This is
a washroom that is located directly in one's room, very
private indeed.
Who would have thought washrooms could be such a long
subject? The above descriptions largely impart information
about the location of the washrooms, but the following
reveal the status about what's inside of the washroom,
namely:
FULL: This means that the washroom is a complete
one, sink, toilet, tub and shower. If taking a bath is
important to you, then a full bath is imperative.
PARTIAL: This usually means that one of the
features in a full washroom are not included. Usually, this
means that there is a shower stall and not a tub, and/or
that the sink may be located outside of the washroom.
Breakfast
Breakfast
also has a nomenclature specific to the hospitality
industry. There are two major types of breakfasts:
FULL: This is a breakfast that normally has a hot
entrée that is eaten with a fork and a knife.
CONTINENTAL: This generally means a breakfast that
does not include a course that is hot and eaten with a fork
and a knife.
There are no hard and fast rules about what constitutes
each type of breakfast mentioned above. However, the most
exciting part of staying at a B&B is that you'll get to
sample some tremendous cooking and most importantly, what is
served is almost always
homemade!
