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by: JaneLeisteiner
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Where is your inn located?

Do you prefer a city setting, a quaint Victorian in a small-town historic district or perhaps a secluded setting in the country? Your inn might list its location as in the city, but be sure to find out if it is near the places you want to visit. If you want to be able to walk to restaurants and shops, make sure the "short walk" advertised in a brochure doesn't translate to 15 blocks. If an inn says it is a short drive from the beach, do a little "MapQuesting" to determine if short really means you'll spend a couple of hours in the car. The bottom line is that you should pick the location that best suits your needs. Two inns might be only an hour away from each other, but worlds away in terms of location. Here's an example:

Enjoy romance in the city at the Inn at Harbor Steps in downtown Seattle. This Washington bed and breakfast is close to a myriad of local attractions and within walking distance of plenty of shops and restaurants. The guest rooms are spacious and filled with amenities, many have fireplaces and some feature private patios. The inn has a fully equipped gym that includes a fitness room, lap pool and basketball court. Guests can even borrow movies, books and CDs from the innkeepers. There is a full breakfast service, beverages are available throughout the day, and cookies and afternoon tea are served. However, if you crave some time away from the big city, an hour's drive and 20-minute ferry ride takes you to Whidbey Island, secluded home to The Saratoga Inn. This seaside gem offers a variety of guestrooms, many with views of the Saratoga Passage and Cascade Mountains. For a special occasion, try the Carriage House room, a spacious retreat with a king-size sleigh bed, stone fireplace, antique clawfoot tub and private deck with a view of the water. As with the Seattle inn, guests at Saratoga are treated to full breakfasts and afternoon tea.

What types of rooms are available?

Bed and breakfasts are like people -- each is unique and special. While hotels and motels usually feature room after room, one just like the next, this is not true of inns. Each room usually is decorated individually; sometimes each room has its own theme. Bed and breakfasts in private homes and historic buildings often feature guest rooms that range from spacious master suites to a cozy room that might be tucked away in a turret. Be sure to ask about the guest rooms and the guest bathrooms. Some inns, particularly in restored, historic homes have a few guest rooms that share the same bathroom. These rooms are often less expensive and excellent choices for couples or friends traveling together. If you are planning a luxurious soak in the tub, make sure you book a room that has a tub since some rooms only have a shower. You also may find rooms that only a bed and breakfast can offer. Here's an example:

Everything about the Green Gables Inn is enchanting. The historic Pacific Grove, California, bed and breakfast is found in a meticulously restored Victorian. The views of Monterey Bay are spectacular, and several guest rooms boast stunning ocean vistas. Each of the guest rooms is unique. The Gable room includes views of the bay from the main window as well as a loft that one reaches by climbing a ladder. The Chapel room, with its unique wooden beams and window seat, is especially charming and offers a bay view from its window seat. The Carriage House rooms include jetted spa tubs, king beds and fireplaces. All guests are treated to full breakfast and afternoon snacks. The inn is a perfect location to enjoy the Monterey Bay area, providing close access to the beaches, aquarium and Cannery Row.

Is the inn appropriate for children or pets?

In several states, children by law cannot be turned away by hotels, motels or bed and breakfasts. However, not all inns are ideally suited to young guests, especially very young children who need room to run and play. Be sure to ask the innkeeper if the inn is really appropriate for children. That being said, many innkeepers love having children stay at their inns. Plenty of inns have large property for kids to explore, while others have swimming pools, play areas or even games and movies geared to the younger guests. You are sure to find a great bed and breakfast that will satisfy the whole family. Locations also can be ideal for families, and the innkeepers can let you know about local activities.

At the Blue Lantern Inn, which overlooks the harbor in Dana Point, California, there is much for the whole family to see and do. The harbor, which includes a small beach, marine center, tide pools and a replica of a historic tall ship is just around the corner and down the hill. Guests can walk to several restaurants, delis and coffee houses. Doheny Beach is two minutes away, and there are several local parks. Laguna Beach is a few miles to the north, and family-fun Meccas of Disneyland, Legoland and Knott's Berry Farm are all about a half-hour away. As for the inn, the rooms, several of which offer sea and harbor views, are spacious, and each has a fireplace and jetted spa tub. The kids will love the full breakfasts and afternoon tea as well as the teddy bears and freshly-baked cookies.

What amenities are included in the rates?

Most bed and breakfasts include some kind of breakfast service along with your room rates, whether it be a three-course feast, lavish buffet or simple continental fare. But many innkeepers provide many more amenities. You might enjoy afternoon tea and evening turn-down service. Rooms might be stocked with luxurious bath products and Egyptian cotton towels and beds topped with fluffy pillow and down comforters. Ask your innkeeper or check out the inn's website to make sure your top choice has all the amenities you want.

At the Channel Road Inn, just outside of Los Angeles, in Santa Monica, guests enjoy a variety of amenities. Fluffy robes, European bath salts and soaps, televisions with DVD players and evening chocolate turn-down service are among the special amenities that accompany convenience items such as in-room alarm clocks, ironing boards and irons and hairdryers. Some guest rooms also include a fireplace, jetted spa tub or perhaps a private patio. Guests are treated to a full breakfast, afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvres service. Freshly baked cookies, water, soda, coffee and tea are available throughout the day. Guests can borrow movies and books from the inn's library. In addition, the innkeepers stock those easily forgotten items such as a toothbrush or shaving cream at the front desk. There is a concierge service, and the innkeepers are happy to recommend activities and local restaurants. You even can borrow one of the inn bicycles.

About the Author

Jane Leisteiner has stayed at many B&Bs and loves traveling. For more info about these Southern California bed and breakfasts or Los Angeles bed and breakfast inns, visit their websites.

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