Trisha, one major thing I have always wanted in a B&B or hotel room is an ELECTRIC BLANKET - the air conditioning freezes me during the summer, and I can never get enough heat from the register in the winter. I think the blanket should be offered in every room!

That's a great idea. thank you. I wish more of you guys would post some things you would like to see in a B&B... thanks

Gave my DS and DIL an overnite stay at local B&B.
They had different rooms with different themes.
One I picked had an extra large hot tub????? It 's the one with those jets. Anyway it was large enough for two :o)

I paid extra to have iced down champagne in their room when they arrive.

Has a sitting area outside, which had a small pool with hot tub as well.

Their dinner has to be preordered, when you make reservations. You select the meat to go with the rest of their planned menu. $75 for two.

Gourmet breakfast the next day.
Just this year they have added a small spa, which is extra.

Justing adding what little I know.

I've never been to one, so I'm no help.
Leslie

I remember these from some of our visits to a B and B:

In our room - turn down service with a tray of chocolates, cookies, mints

A comforter wrapped in it's own fresh linens- at least you think it's been changed after the last guest.

A fireplace, a view, comfortable furnishings, private bath, an alarm clock/radio.

In the public area - a reading area with a selection of books, magazines and information about the locale.

And most importantly - friendly proprietors who are attentive but not obsequious.

Extreme cleanliness, neatness, and freshness in the rooms and the draperies, linens, upholstery, rugs, floors.

When our friends came to visit us they stayed in a Bed and Breakfast.

I went in to pick them up for lunch. The front room of the house had a Baby Grand Player Piano playing softly. There was a smell of Cinnamon in the air. It had such a comfy feeling. There were Fresh Flowers in the little snack area with a couple of Bistro Tables. Little Package of healthy snacks and a coffee/tea bar. There were 3 couples there that visited so, I didn't go into their rooms, but they said it was gorgeous antiques with lace curtains. The owners lived upstairs.

The only B&B I stayed in was at a Dude Ranch. Very rustic, but we had a fireplace. The shower was made with rock boulders. The room had a saddle rack with a saddle and rope on it. LOL! Took some great pictures on that and no one will ever see them. LOL! Nude with a Sombrero on and a Cigar in my mouth. But, see that's the kind of things you don't forget. And some people want let you. LOL! Well if they didn't want naked people on their saddle they shouldn't have left the Champagne on ice!

Gayle

We've stayed in several and I really enjoyed one in Gulfport, Ms. that had a balcony w/ chairs overlooking the Gulf. The ones we've stayed at in Jefferson, Tx are enjoyable b/c of the historical aspects that go along w/ them. I love the bathtubs w/ the bubble bath and those big claw feet. I also enjoyed the ones w/ the big front porches and swings. Not to mention the wonderful breakfasts!

I want so much to stay at a B&B but we cannot find one that offers KING-sized beds. Eric is a little over 6 feet tall and doesn't fit well on a smaller bed unless we sleep in separate beds. That kind of defeats the purpose of splurging on a romantic night at a B&B, LOL!

The suggestion to add an electric blanket is one that B&B owners can do. Adding pools, spas, and/or fireplaces isn't exactly as "doable."

Do the B&Bs in your area offer some little "guest amenities," such as cotton swabs; cotton balls; a couple of bandages; travel-sized items such as a tube of toothpaste, bottle of mouthwash, shampoo?

Ya, I agree, Lindsey - some of you are not answering her question. Trisha wants to know what can be added, as a low-cost amenity - nothing that requires a building permit!

I think "themed" rooms are nice. If you are by the Seashore, the rooms should be decorated in Shells or Nautical Theme.

I think lotions, q-tips, sewing fix it samplers w/buttons, band aids, sun screen, insect repellent, candles, stationary, pens, lotion, sun screen, shampoo, conditioner, disposable razors, Tums, packaged aspirin/Tylenol, toothbrush & toothpaste, Lysol Spray, Kleenex,iron, hot plate for tea kettle, coffee pot, iron, hair dryer,TV w/cable, WiFi hookup, Information Packets of the Area, Maps, Pet Lodging, Scenic view, Security, Ice, small Refrigerator in room, Microwave, wet sink, at least 2 burners and toaster oven. Patio or Deck with a view or at least some ambiance. Freebee/Discount tickets to a local event.

If there is a fireplace, provide a few logs. Continental Breakfast would be very nice.

Gayle

I'm not much help because I've never stayed in one, but my suggestion would be to go to Google and type in Bed and Breakfast sites and see what kind of things they offer. I know I have looked at a site that has breakfast recipes served at Bed and Breakfasts.

the only problem we had was when our room was over the kitchen area and when they got up to fix breakfast we heard everything....the husband was a loud talker (and very grumpy) and with the pots and pans banging around and their radio on we didn't get to have a bit of sleep after 5 am.............not what we'd planned on for a restful stay. In another one the bathroom in our room was so tiny (I'm sure it had been added for the B&B purpose) but you almost had to back into the room to "take your seat"

Diane

I took the original question at face value - add any and all comments. Obviously not every operator can make over their facility. However many of the B and B's that I am familiar with have had to do some construction just to make code and some have remodeled individual rooms to offer additional features at an increased cost for that room.

I am willing to drive further and pay more and perhaps even stay longer for a B and B that has those extras. A B and B that doesn't have physical amenities that sets it apart will have to compete by featuring all those other little touches that add comfort, ambience and individuality to someone's visit.

Marygail's suggestion to check our web sites was a good idea too.

I agree with the electric blanket...or just an extra blanket in the closet! A small frig in the room would be wonderful...we are always taking a small cooler with us. I would like to see a really nice bubble/body bath in the bathroom. And WONDERFUL towels! The last one we stayed at had a great coffee bar, lots of flavors and all the flavored creamers, and also hot water and a basketful of different flavored teas. I loved the theme rooms......and leave the doors open when they are not in use! (the last one did that, and we were told to go ahead and stick our heads in and peek at them)

I've stayed in a B&B only once, mainly because we don't like having to eat breakfast with strangers. But here are a few things that I think could be added or changed to make me more inclined to stay at a B&B:

Two pillows on each side of the bed. (Real bed pillows, not tiny square ones or bolsters.)
Enough counter space in the bathroom to put my toiletries bag.
A hairdryer (and say on the web site if there's one).
A place to put your suitcase, purse, and coat.
A place to put all the decorative pillows that all B&Bs seem to have piled on the bed.

Options for what to have for breakfast.
Flexible breakfast times.
Option of continental breakfast at reduced cost.
Option of eating breakfast in your room or other area, separate from other guests.

An up to date web site, with current photos. Full disclosure on the web site regarding things like proximity to railroad tracks, fire stations, and other noise sources. Also full disclosure on cell phone reception.

No children or barking dogs.

Private entrance, so you don't have to walk through the house. (I realize that's not possible in most B&Bs.)

I really can't thank you guys enough. I always know, whenever I need an answer or an opinion on something, even though I haven't been posting in awhile, go the The Kitchen Table.
So, ladies you came through for me AGAIN.

The best I can do is offer you guys 25% off, if you come and stay in our B&B. We are at the a** end of Long Island, NY. Surrounded by water. If you drove any futher, you would be in the water.

We are 200 steps from the Long Island Sound (salt water. I know the rates are a little high, but we just opened last year (hubby built the house), and we are lower than most of the B&B's out here.

There are 28 B&B's. It's a real summer town. Shopping, restaurants, live music, beaches, etc.

If you would like to see our b&b, go to bythebluff.com. But that offer stands. Who knows, maybe one of you want to take a ride out to Long Island. It's called Wine Country. Loaded with winneries.

But thanks again, gals.

Trisha---what a wonderful website and a wonderful place you have there!! Beautiful!

Thanks so much bearcat. My hubby and I have been through alot, you just couldn't imagine. All I can say is that God is Good.

I would love to come stay there! Beautiful.

Oh my gosh! I have bookmarked your web page with the hopes of maybe visiting you sometime. I'm staying at a B&B in Freeport Maine (my second time staying there) in October. The Kendall Tavern Inn has things that I love. A fresh made wonderful breakfast made every morning, and a very nice afternoon tea/cocktail gathering in the afternoon. I room with a fireplace and lots of great books, comfy chairs, and soft music; board games to be played in the kitchen with fresh made cookies and milk, a quiet music room to just hang out in. Of course you can spend time in your comfortable and pretty room. From the minute you walk in you feel like you are special. The rooms are perfect, from one that has 2 twin beds (perfect for 2 girlfriends) and each one has homemade quilts, wonderful antiques, and of course is clean, smelling fresh and just waiting for you.

I could go on and on but I've written enough. I would so love to visit you and your husband. Keep up the good work and I wish you the very best of luck. Tell your husband he sure did a beautiful job on the house! What a beauty!!

~Susan

Trishia - your place is gorgeous. Just looking at the pictures makes you feel good. This is a place I'd like to check out. I'm sharing the info with my sister too.

Thanks.

I have stayed at several B&B's and love them. Someone mentioned eating with strangers. I have found besides the normal good morning, where are you from and the weather - most people are busy reading the paper or just talking amongst themselves. I stayed at 1 in Napa Valley that had a little wine and cheese hour before you would go out to dinner. She also discussed the breakfast menu with you to see that it would be satisfactory. Another one we stayed at, that for some reason just sticks in my mind is upon check-out they gave you homebaked cookies for the ride home.

I have to go check your B&B out, as we are thinking of visiting LI Wineries in the future. Thanks

Trisha - that is stunning. I have bookmarked it and hopefully will be a guest someday. I can really find something charming or memorable in all my stays at B&B's. I stayed at a couple in Providence RI and although there was nothing outstanding about them, it just feels more at home than most hotels/motels. It doesn't look like anything needs to be added to your place. Good luck with it.

Oh, my, what a lovely place you have! I wish you all the best. I can't offer anything that would add to what you already offer - it sounds perfect.

We spent 5 nights in a charming B&B nestled in the Arizona mountains and loved it. It wasn't rustic, but it certainly wasn't anything like yours - no TV, no spas, etc., but the food was wonderful, the conversations useful or just plain interesting, the books plentiful, the atmosphere friendly and cozy. Our hosts were friendly (and good cooks!), helpful, and unobtrusive. I'm sure you're that kind of hosts. Anybody who isn't delighted with the amenities you are offering shouldn't be traveling.

Sherry