B&B

So what exactly is a B&B?
A B&B or bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment offering overnight accommodation and breakfast, but no other meals. Typically, bed and breakfasts are private homes with less than 10 bedrooms available for commercial use. 


This past week of traveling, my parents and I have stayed at 2 different B&B's. The whole idea of a bed and breakfast was fairly new to me but extremely popular in the United Kingdom. In a small town, you cannot drive a mile without seeing at least 1 Bed and Breakfast sign. In fact, we often found ourselves in the middle of no where. No services (no food nor gas), no pubs, but a B&B. They are everywhere. Really makes me think about the whole concept as I read that they are usually open all year round except Christmas and New Years. That means, that these house owners/ B&B runners have guests constantly at their house. The guests have a key, they are making noise, they are asking you for wifi passwords, towels, hair dryers, etc.; and the owner has to play "hotel" and "restaurant" at their own house. To me, my house is my home and I can't imagine sharing, but I guess it is a job. And you get to meet some interesting people.


Review of my 2 B&B experiences:
1. B&B in Warwick, England- I previously wrote about it but I will re-cap again. Mama Joy called and made the reservation. She told the owner that we had 3 adults and that we would be arriving around 3 pm and staying 1 night. Upon arrival, we lugged our suitcases up this extremely narrow and winding staircase to the 2nd floor. After that experience, I started taking a smaller night bag every night and leaving my big suitcase in the car. Anyways, we walked into our 1 room for 3 adults. This room had been styled at least 20 years ago and consisted of a double bed with about 2 feet space and then a single bed for me. It had a tv, a desk, and a shower all in the room. Again, I want to clarify that this shower was just  a 4 ft. square in the corner of the room. very weird. and none of us showered that day but waited for our next hotel. The toilet for us to use was underneath the staircase in the hall leading to the third floor. This cupboard under the stairs was tiny and only enough room for a small toilet and an unusually small sink. Good thing we are not a tall family. oh wait.
2. The Badger Towers. B&B in Chiltenham, England- I am currently laying in my bed in the B&B right now. The badger theme has actually inspired me to write this because I am looking at 2 framed badger artworks, a badger plate on the wall, And a badger stuffed animal on the chair. Yikes. My room is a single on the 3rd floor. It is room #7 and I am pretty sure that all rooms contain the same amount of "Badger gear". My room was definitely the attic that has been converted into a guest room. The toilet is in a closet-converted toilet room by itself. The shower is in another converted-closet. Again, I had shower issues. This shower does not have a handle or knob to turn on the water but only a "start/stop button". I just assumed that you pushed the button to start it. Simple enough. After failing miserably this morning with turning on my shower, I resorted to my parents' shower, complete with a normal handle.


I know it may seem like my B&B experience was bad or that I am bashing them. I definitely do not mean to as I find everything to be a memory and funny story. The time here has been lovely. It is kind of cool staying at a random house as a guest. It is also just a part of the Brits' culture. The best part, especially for my parents, would be meeting the other guests at English breakfast: Bacon, eggs, mushrooms, and tomatoes. 


Well, I guess I better go to sleep in my badger room and get ready for my English breakfast tomorrow morning. My mouth is watering already.


Cheers!