B&B Etiquette

How do you get the most out of your B&B Experience?

Do your research. Some B&B's are luxury inns, some are rustic, some cater to different interests such as hiking, bicycling, wine tours, art retreats, romantic get-aways, family destinations, pet friendly, etc. Not all B&Bs have TVs in the guest rooms and while many have WIFi, not all do. Know what you prefer and find the B&B that looks like it will meet your needs. There are many Internet resources to help in your research, such as http://www.cabbi.com/ and http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/. The more research you do, the better your chances of having a terrific time.

Your innkeepers know the town, local vendors, restaurants, wineries, etc. Utilize their knowledge and contacts. You might just visit some places and have some adventures you wouldn't have had otherwise.

Respect your innkeepers and their property. While the B&B is a business it is also  someone's home and you are a guest in it.

The best time to call a B&B is between 12 pm and 7 pm. Usually it is the innkeepers who make breakfast, so in the morning they are very busy making/serving breakfast and helping guests plan their day. Also, there is not a 24-hour registration desk. The innkeepers need a bit of time at the end of the day to relax and get a good night's sleep. Please don't call in the middle of the night! Most now have on-line reservations that those of you who are night-owls can use.

When making your reservation, be sure to state if you have any physical disabilities, dietary restrictions, allergies, etc. With advance notice innkeepers can be prepared, ensuring you have a wonderful stay at the inn.

Be aware of check-in/check-out times and arrive and depart accordingly. Early check-ins and late check-outs are difficult because B&Bs don't have a large staff like a hotel so they have to clean the rooms, do grocery shopping, etc. in approximately 4 hours. If you would like to check in early, call in advance to see if it is possible, but please do not just drop by.

Be aware of cancellation policies. Unlike most hotels that let you cancel without penalty up to 24 hours prior to the reservations, B&Bs are small family businesses and can't afford to be that generous, so they generally have at the very least a 7-day cancellation policy.

If you do not plan to have breakfast in the morning, please let the innkeeper know the day before. They need to know how many people to plan for so they don't waste making food for people who aren't coming to breakfast.

If a door has a "Private" sign on it, that is what it means. Please do not enter the innkeepers' private quarters unless invited.

Respect your fellow guests: keep noise to a minimum and please refrain from using your cell phone in the dining room and public areas.

If the B&B has a housekeeper who cleans your room, it is appropriate to leave a tip.

Part of staying at a B&B is the opportunity to meet your fellow guests. Take advantage of breakfast and wine hours, teas, etc. to introduce yourself to others and compare notes on tourist attractions, restaurants, etc. I have met guests who met at a B&B and became life-long friends!

And lastly, to ensure a successful B&B experience: SMILE, RELAX, DISCONNECT, AND LEAVE YOUR CARES AT HOME!

Idyllwild, CA

Strawberry Creek Inn

Wow! When I arrived in Idyllwild last February there was 49" of snow on the ground! Fortunately, there had been enough time since the last snow for the roads to be cleared. This was something like the 4th highest amount of snow to fall from Christmas through February in Idyllwild's history. It was a beautiful sight, but I am pretty sure the locals were ready for it to melt, which it did quite a lot of during my week there. By the time I left you could see the roofs again and patches of grass were begininng to show.

My assignment was at the Strawberry Creek Inn, http://www.strawberrycreekinn.com/ . This is a lovely property just outside of the main town area so it is quiet and yet close to everything. The inn has 9 rooms in the B&B plus a vacation cottage next to the B&B property. There are decks, gardens and even a hammock to relax in. All rooms have TVs and most of the rooms have fireplaces. A full breakfast is served at 9 am each day. The vacation cottage is separate from the B&B; however, for an extra fee the cottage guests may join the B&B guests for breakfast.

By the way, the eggs you get at breakfast are definitely fresh because the owners, Ian and Scott, raise their own chickens. Let me tell you that feeding chickens and putting them in the coop at night is a new experience for me. When the guys first told me about the chickens I told them I was a city girl and the only thing I knew how to do with chickens was cook them! Anyway, I have learned. Of course, watching me try to take care of the chickens has also provided the guests with a great deal of entertainment!

I'd say that one of the best things about the inn is that the "common area" where all the guests can relax and get to know one another is very spacious and welcoming, much larger than in many B&Bs. There is a large living room area that has a wood buring fireplace, comfortable couches and chairs and even a rocking chair. Also there is a bookshelf that is full of games to play.

There is a private area just outside the living room that is a small library with 2 comfortable chairs to sit and read in. For those who are musically inclined, there is even a piano. The common area also has lots of windows so there is wonderful natural light to enjoy as well.

For those of you who would like to bring children and pets, the inn is not the best place as it does not allow pets and while children are welcome, there can only be 2 people to a guest room regardless of age. So, to accommodate families and/or those traveling with pets, the guys also own the Strawberry Creek Bunkhouse on the other side of town. This is a charming place reminiscent of the days of knotty pine motels. The rooms are all knotty pine, have a north woods decor, kitchenettes and a deck at the back of each room with view that looks out to the San Jacinto State Park. There are also two cottages available. While a full breakfast is not included, a tray with coffee and scones is delivered to your room each morning.

Cottage at Strawberry Bunkhouse

The town of Idyllwild is in the San Bernadino mountains. It is a quaint town with lots of galleries and small shops. The San Jacinto State Park and the San Jacinto National Forest surround the town so there are lots of hiking trails. Many generations of families from Southern CA have been coming to Idyllwild for summer vacation every year. It is a short drive from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. In fact, for those of you in the Los Angelese, San Bernadino and San Diego area, Idyllwild provides a great opportunity to take a long weekend if you are trying to be more budget minded and don't think you can do a lengthy long-distance vacation this year.

I had lunch one day at The Bread Basket restaurant. This is a small restaurant with a European style. They bake fresh pastries and breads everyday. I had a Chardonnay Chicken Sandwich with soup. The chicken sandwich was made with sour cream instead of mayonaise and had cranberries in it. Very good!

Regretfully, there are no quilt shops in Idyllwild. However, there is an active quilting guild that holds a quilt show each year.

Besides quilt shops, I always look for tea shops and there I was lucky. A new shop has opened in Idyllwild called Idyllwild Tea Company . There is a comfy setee and chairs in a small area for guests to sit, enjoy there tea and chat with one another. If the manager, Carol Klika, isn't busy at the counter, she sits and chats with you too. There is a nice selection of teapots for sale and an abundant selection of teas. I had a Chai tea with chocolate in it. Yummmmmm!

I hope you find time to visit Idyllwild and enjoy the hospitality that Ian and Rodney and their staff provide at the Strawberry Creek Inn and Strawberry Bunkhouse.

Have fun!
Thayes