Return to the Key West Area	Reservations: 1-866-226-9330
Key West B&B?

Key West: To B&B or Not to B&B? What's Right for You?

Key West Articles • An Insider's Look at Key West • Get the Local Scoop... ... Restaurants ... Shops ... Night Life ... Traffic ... More • Key West Bargains for the Tight-Budget Traveler • Key West Isn't a City, It's a State of Mind • Key West Walking Tour • Fast Facts... ... Best time to go ... Average weather ... Transportation ... In-season costs ... Day trips • To B&B or Not to B&B Pier House Key West Radisson Key West Holiday Inn Key West

To B&B or Not to B&B? What's Right for You? by Diane Goldberg, Contributing Writer From chintz to hot chocolate, from mountain retreat to urban oasis, where do you want to B&B? Long the mainstay of European travelers, the bed and breakfast options stateside have expanded to include hostelries with hospitality for folks from their honeymoon through their golden wedding anniversary. Who should be looking for a B&B? When you're drooling over web pages purveying Jacuzzis built for two, it is easy to assume that a bed and breakfast inn is the perfect site for a night of romance. And, you'd be right. But bed and breakfast inns have a lot to offer the business traveler. Women executives who are safety conscious will rest easy at most bed and breakfasts where the small staff and personal attention assure that you'll feel secure. Helen Price at Charlotte's Morehead Inn is justifiably proud of the "at home feeling" she provides via "Downy-scented pillowcases, complimentary soft drinks, tea, and coffee, and convenient cards placed on the pillow providing the next day's forecast and menu." "We like to know our guests," Price says. "We know if they want diet coke for breakfast or need their hometown local news on the television. We have one gentleman who says 'Hi, mom. I'm home' whenever he comes back." Most American bed and breakfasts are sited in scenic or historic areas that tend to be safe for solo rambles after work. The guests of the Morehead Inn review menus from area restaurants before going out to dinner. "We even have printed driving directions complete with 'plan a' and 'plan b' to guide guests safely to common destinations." Price adds, "We try to adapt to the needs of our guests." Diane Sheiry of the Asheville area Waverly Inn says, "We have every sort of guest you can imagine - from week-day corporate travelers to weekend romantics. We have business people who use us whenever they are in the area and a truck driver who lives less than an hour away who returns with his wife every year for their anniversary." Diane clears up a common miscomprehension about bed and breakfasts --- while the service is elite, the guests are all types of folks. The Waverly Inn and other Asheville area bed and breakfasts offer an array of weekend activities, from themed "murder weekends" where guests role play and solve a "crime," to combination packages with Flat Rock Playhouse or Biltmore Estates. What if you're "Suzy Social" and your spouse is "Harry the Hermit"? A bed and breakfast may offer the more gregarious partner a chance to mix and mingle during evening socials, relaxing in a common lounge, or rocking on the porch. The introverted part of the pair can retreat to the room and read or simply watch the view. Diane points out that, "Often during a theme weekend one spouse is eager to participate while the other one wants to relax in solitary splendor. We've arranged things so that both of them will have a great stay. No one feels forced to participate." Innkeepers are a friendly lot, and are usually happy to tell you all about their inn's services and structure. If you hate sharing a breakfast table with strangers, ask how the dining room is laid out. Alternatively, if part of the pleasure is meeting other guests, ask about inn-clusive social events. What if you want to celebrate - or re-kindle romance? Bed and breakfast rooms with their individual decor and special touches --- two-person tubs, four-poster beds, baskets of freshly baked cookies and other available goodies can spark fires. In fact, some bed and breakfasts have rooms with their own fireplaces to do just that. You can often see the rooms on the web before you book. You'll find canopy beds, amazing views and cozy retreats. What if you are a fast frequent flyer? An overnight stay before a flight might not be the best time to try a bed and breakfast. If you are checking in at 8 p.m. and you'll be out again by 9 a.m. you may do well to book a room as close to the airport as possible. If you need facilities for a large business meeting you may be better served by one of the upscale chains that caters to crowds in excess of one hundred. . . . married with children? Maybe or maybe not a B&B. Many bed and breakfasts are designed with families in mind --- you'll find suites of rooms sharing a bath or large rooms with singles tucked away in the corner. Check with the innkeeper to see if the bed and breakfast you're interested in is suited for kids. Be aware that relaxing is not a big priority for the pre-adult crowd. If you are going to bed and breakfast with your young ones choose a location with enough daytime activities to wear them out. If you are looking to be laid back in a locale that doesn't have a wealth of kid-friendly attractions, you might want to consider a chain hotel with a pool. Save the weekend at a bed and breakfast for the two of you. . . . a bicycle built for one? Whether you travel for business or pleasure you'll find the personal attention at a bed and breakfast makes you feel at home as you roam. Single tourists will usually find a lot of local information about tours and sights so that they can make the most of their time alone. Do you party hearty? If you're looking for life in the fast lane or eager to invite your 20 new best friends back to your room for one more round, you'll prefer a huge hotel with an in-house bar. However, when you meet your one and only and are ready to retire or you want a break from endless partying, a bed and breakfast might be your haven. CLICK HERE to find your Key West hotel, check availability and make on line reservations -or- Call our reservations center at 1-866-226-9330 (toll free)

Choose a Hotel by Location Beach Lovers Key West is surrounded by water, but the beaches may not be what you expect. Romantic Getaway Romance abounds in this tropical paradise. There are numerous places to stay if you're visiting Key West with that special someone. Leisure Traveler If your choice of lodging is a bed and breakfast, you're in luck. Families Although some lodging facilities prefer adults, many offer kid-friendly environments. Gay Traveler Key West is one of the most gay-friendly cities in the U.S. Get a TravelPacket for Key West and the Florida Keys Click for more Travel Information by return email at no cost or obligation. Get yours now. Search the Web w/ Sir Spider

Return to the Key West Home Page