A private bath with a can of air freshener. TV and in room WiFi. A coffee maker, so I don't have to get showered and dressed (because I would have to, to do so) to get coffee. Maybe some snacks. Comfy pillows and extra ones. Oh...and a fan...a table fan, for "white noise". I wish I could come stay in your B&B!!!

Oh, nice! I hope you are successful. I like classic, comfortable, and simple furnishings (no romantic or too-lacey overkill) with those little pampering and elegant touches--a cozy robe and slippers, nice scented soap or toiletries, thick towels, coffee in the room for early risers (this is a must for me; I'm typically up by 5 even on vacation), a simple but fabulous breakfast. Some of my favorite B & B's have library rooms where you can browse the shelves for books and stacks of great old magazines (cooking, travel) and park yourself in a nice leather chair to read. I like attentive but unobtrusive hosts: my worst B & B experiences have been with "hovering" and chatty hosts. Oh, I also like a little fridge in the room or at least access to a kitchen fridge to keep a bottle of wine.

Definately a coffee pot with both regular and decaf coffees. Cable TV of course. Big comfy pillows and high quality sheets. Nice fluffy towels.

Gave my DS and his wife a B&B "one nite stand" gift certificate.
They both keep raving and raving, and say Please nothing else except another gift certificate.

They had a jacuzzi in the room, I ordered an iced bucket of champagne.

DS and wife said the towels were so lush, and on their way home, stopped and ordered some for their own home.

Raved over the linens. And owners said they have their own formula that they use to wash them in.

Each room, there were 8, had their own signature. I picked the largest and most requested room for them.

This one has it's own spa, with a small pool outside and hot tub. Plus a little pond that they spent the afternoon lounging by, just themselves. The dining was set so each couple dined by themselves at their reserved time. Everything fresh and homemade.
Breakfast was an interncontinental breakfast which they oohed and ahhhed over.

They came home sooooo relaxed.

A night light so I can see where I'm going on nighttime trips to the bathroom.

A shower cap. Good lamp for reading in bed, reachable from the bed. Plenty of hangers.

I do not want to bring my pet and would prefer not to stay where pets have stayed.

Maybe a small sampling of current magazines in any common area. Coffee available early; I don't want to make it in the room.

Congratulations on your new business, a B&B. Best wishes for great success.

Here's link to the one my son and his wife stayed in.

Here is a link that might be useful: bed and breakfast

Just something to consider if you can and have room... I recently vacationed with a girlfriend and we pretty much had to stay in a hotel - all the quaint b&b's were for couples. Only one had 2 twin beds and it was booked.

I've stayed in a lot of nice B&B's. I love really nicely decorated rooms with really nice towels and sheets. We also love really luxe bathrooms with deep soaking tubs.

The best owners made suggested dining and entertainment options and made reservations.

I would love to bring my very well behaved, crate-trained pets. My DH and I have had fantasies about opening a B&B and we decided we'd have at least one pet friendly room.

We've never stayed in a B&B because we've never found one that was wheelchair accessible. If we could find one, we'd stay in it because normally they are cheaper than hotels. We'd want a tv, wireless internet access, a private bath and either a fan or air conditioning. Plenty of towels, and ones large enough to wrap around you (failing that, terry cloth robes would be nice). A mini fridge with juice and water in it would be nice. We would not require a coffee maker because we don't drink coffee. Oh, we'd also want an alarm clock and a hairdryer.

Oh, just thought of more. I also would not be comfortable staying in a B&B that allowed pets. I would prefer "fragrance free" or at least as little fragrance as possible , so that means no febreeze, make sure the sheets and towels are washed in unscented laundry detergent, etc. No scented oils or other perfumey things in the room please. And it would be nice to have a choice of either foam or feather pillows.

DH and I have stayed at lots of B&Bs here in CA and in the British Isles. This is what my dream B&B would have.

I would like it to be pet friendly. Either a hot pot in the room with coffee and tea, or a place where you can go get it on your own and bring it up to your room all day. Also a breakfast buffet from 7AM, we are early risers, and is self serve so don't have to ask.

Either satellite or cable TV, wakeup-radio, air condition, bath tub in a private bath. Lots of comfy pillows, at least 2 per person. Lots of big fluffy towels. And not wild about frilly decor, simple and elegant is more my taste.

I also like attentive but unobtrusive hosts. Not chatty ones. One place had a file with restaurant menus and a list of what was going on in the area for the month in the lobby. And would make reservations.

Good luck with your B&B.
Clare

I wonder how a B&B can be cheaper than a hotel with all of the above goodies????

I want cleanliness. No amount of amenities makes up for sleeping on questionable linens etc. I want comfortable bedding but I don't want it made up with luxurious bedding that is impossible to clean properly between guests. Give me cozy bedding that I know can be washed.

I agree with Aptosca on most points except I would like a later breakfast available for those that wish to sleep in as well as for the early risers. I love my pets but I have to disagree that they belong at a bed and breakfast. It should be a getaway for adults without pets OR children.

I want non-smoking to be enforced and I don't don't want a resort feel like some of the larger ones. I prefer a more homey atmosphere. But friendly and unobtrusive like Clare said.

While I love my pets - and probably would like yours - I also would not want to stay in a pet-friendly B&B.

I would like a comfortable spot to read - NOT the bed itself - with a decent wattage light bulb in the lamp. Drives me crazy to try to read with a 40 watt bulb....

I agree that a night light bulb would be good.

Never had a buffet at a B & B, but think that sounds good also. In New Zealand, all the B & B's had in-room teapots and cookies/biscuits.

It goes without saying....private bath. Some we used in the UK were not private bath and we did not like that set-up.

NO chemical fragrances in/around the room. Very sensitive to fragrance!!

All of the above, and a fireplace is nice, too.

What redcurls said, and please NO children either
we stayed at a wonderful one a few weeks ago, all the pillows were down, as was the comforter. We had so many plush towels we couldn't have used them all; but it sure beats asking for a extra towel.

All the rooms were themed, and you could choose the one you wanted. we chose the antique one. So cozy, had a electric fireplace, comy reading chair and reading lamp.

The main lobby had several areas to sit and relax in, and a small library.

A suggestion for a great dinner place would be appreciated too, as well as a guide to local attractions. Kathy

I want non-feather pillows, and no pets in any room where I will be staying. A non smoking facility. I like the white noise of a fan but also want air conditioning. I like little touches like a fruit snack or treat and pretty or imported soaps and shampoos, not necessarily fragrant ones. Cleanliness above all, the room, the linens, the bedding. Some reading material, a tv, a clock.

Good luck.

After reading this, I realize that I could never run a B & B. There are way too many variables. How on earth could you make every person happy? I supppose you could have almost everything on hand and customize each room to each guest for every visit, but how exhausting that would be, at least to me.

Good luck with your new venture, Trisha. You're a braver woman than I.

We have stayed at B&B's in the past. We had our own wonderful bathroom. Large cast iron tub to soak in. Bubble bath liquid and other lux lotions provided by the B&B. They had spa towels. Wonderfully soft bed linens. There was a large bow window with window seat and a view of the gardens to sit and read at. Fireplace in the room and the staff started the fire for you if you wanted it. You could choose to eat with the other guests in the dinning room or have it delivered to your room for just we two. There was a small TV in our room but we only used that for watching the late night news. Other then that we were relaxing and doing other things then watching TV. No fax machines, or wifi, don't need them. We are going to B&B to get away from such things. I would not want to stay at a B&B that accepts pets. Don't want to have to listen to them barking and being a nuisance to others. Leave the pets at home. There were always cookies left on the sideboard for guests to nibble on during the day. The B&B could supply you with a picnic lunch at an additional fee if you liked.
Good luck with your new business! NancyLouise

Most of the "amenities" listed above (a/c, wi-fi, TV, etc.) are what you would find in a Hampton Inn (and the like) and you get breakfast too.

I haven't stayed in B&Bs since before-kids (18 years ago) but what I liked about them was the serenity feature. If I were to chose to stay at a B&B it would be because I want to get away from the hi-tech world we live in.... but with a little more "luxury" than a Hampton might provide (plusher towels, better bedding/pillows, extra touches, personally-appointed rooms, etc.)

A common "library/living room" (for guests-only; not the hosts) might provide internet access, a TV, regional brochures and menus to local restaurants, a guest book featuring recommendations to local attractions by previous guests, big comfortable chairs, all-day coffee/tea set-up, a bowl of whole fruit, etc. This might be the same space where breakfast is served in the morning - (perhaps an entrance to a large porch off the living room would offer additional dining space and relaxation space).

Private bath is a must.

As is a memorable breakfast featuring coffee, tea, juice, danish or muffins of some sort, mixed fresh fruit, cereals, and maybe one home-made hot dish, varying day-to-day.

I would not choose to stay at a place where pets were allowed, but wouldn't mind if the owners had pets if they were restricted to the private quarters and outdoors only.

We just came back from Gettysburg and stayed in an absolutely wonderful B & B in nearby Hanover. I have supplied their link.
I agree about no pets and no children (unless a certain age and well-behaved...see their rules). Also, NO SMOKING! This B & B charged a hefty fee plus additional night's charge if they found that you had disobeyed their rules and smoked in the residence. Works for me ;o)

Read some of their amenities (plush robes, coffee and tea available at all times, fresh-baked goodies in the afternoon, a guest fridge stocked with water and soft drinks), and take a look at their breakfast write-up. The innkeeper, Kathryn White, brough breakfast to an art form. This is what every B & B owner should aspire to, IMHO. It was one of the best times we've had and most of it was due to their absolute attention to detail.

In their well-stocked library they had a large binder with the area's restaurants, including menus. They also had flyers for local area events, such as wineries, attractions, happenings, historical places, etc. They also had 4'x6' heavy stock cards with printed directions to local venues and neighboring towns. The guests had the directions "in hand". Breakfast seatings were at two convenient times, the first one at 8:00am and the second at 9:00am. They also asked about any food allergies or dislikes (none for us LOL). All in all, a wonderful place to spend some time.

Best of luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: The Beechmont Inn

Now that sounds perfect. A true Bed and Breakfast in the traditional sense. I know where I'll be staying at least for a night if I ever am in the area. :0)

I gladly pay extra for the opportunity to bring my dogs on vacation. It is a niche market and from my vantage point, a lucrative one. I have found that other travelers who bring their dogs on vacation are careful not to abuse the privilege. The Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine is our favorite pet friendly hotel.

Kim

No pets, no kids, no smoking, no TV or WiFi, no in-room phone.

The best food; a roaring fire in the main room/library with comfy chairs & couches every evening; lots of current books and old classics; homemade pies, cakes, cookies, fresh coffee and tea from 4 PM till....for the guests to help themselves to; fine linens; private bath; reading chairs with good lighting, both in the rooms and the main room.

That's the kind we've loved and can't wait to get back to. Maybe we just get lucky, but our fellow guests have always been the most delightful conversationalists.

Private bath, plush robe and towels, crisp linens, cable TV, no kids, no pets.

Our favorite, so far, served a huge breakfast at 9am. It was communal seating (only 4 guest rooms) but they left a cute breakfast basket at the door every morning at 6 or 7am in case you wanted to skip the group meal. The basket included a breakfast menu, flowers, pastries, fruit and a carafe of coffee. You could refill your carafe in the library throughout the day.

I recommend one exclusively for KTers ...

... Caroline and Wes' place, hard by Grand Forks, ND ... didn't specify precise location: security considerations.

Small village: don't need GPS to find it. In case of difficulty - they'll tell you where to go.

Great breakfast.

Even get after you for not waking them about sunrise in order to let you in!

(I think they call it "Beardy Place").

o j

P.S. They have a friendly dog ... that can sniff things out. Didn't ask them if I could bring mine.

o j

thank you all so much for taking the time to post. I have learned alot from you guys.

Alot of you mentioned alarm clocks. We have clocks in the rooms, but not alarmed ones. So that's my next purchase.

We do have the nice sheets, pillows, cleanliness, etc.

I'm glad I mentioned bringing pets. I wanted to see how many of you would want that from a B&B.

We have two saint bernards on the premises, and a guest with a dog, would just be mayhem, even if we did have ONE pet-friendly room.

My dogs would know there's another dog here, and the other dog would know our dogs are here -- hence, barking, whining. Not fair to other guests.

Flamingo - you are so right - can't please everyone! And, if I can do this, ANYONE can. But I think it takes two people and a girl to come in once a week just to clean bathrooms.

B&B's seem to attract the nicest people of all ages. I think we found a good niche.

Our website is bythebluff.com. Please visit when you get a chance. It would be so wonderful if any of you guys want to come to NY and stay with us!

I am staying (for the second time) at a B&B in Freeport Maine this coming October. They have a beautiful sitting room with plenty of books, a roaring fireplace in another room, and you can sit in the kitchen and play board games while muching on fresh baked cookies. They have a homemade gourmet breakfast every morning and the coffee is made early for the early birds. They have 9 rooms, one having 2 twin beds and each room is done differently. The basic theme is Maine, the fluffly pillows, beautiful quilts and antiques throughout. Oh, they also have a wine and cheese or cookie hour in the late afternoon.

I prefer no kids, or pets, but they did have a friendly "Inn dog"...but he stayed outside. The tv is downstairs in the main room and that suits me fine. When I'm in my room I really want to have the peace and quite of my "nest" so I can read or journal...or look at the treasures I bought in town.

Susan

What a beautiful place. I was going to mention that the only pets on site should be the household pets of the proprietors.

All your rooms are lovely. I think my favorite is the blue one. I like the simplicity and coolness of it.

I'm so glad you have a cozy homelike B&B. These days too many large resorts are labeling themselves as such when they are nowhere near the cozy homelike atmosphere I envision when I think of a Bed and Breakfast.

wildchild -- I'm so glad you like the blue room! That room is always the last one to be booked. I started thinking "what's wrong with this room?"

But, since SOMEONE liked it the best, maybe I don't have to change it. thank you.

trisha ~ Nothing is wrong with that room. Stunning place you have there. If DH and I ever come to LI, we'll be sure to look you up. We're in Dutchess County, NY.

Have you looked into becoming a member of Select Registry? The Beechmont is a member of their group ;o)

Here is a link that might be useful: Select Registry

My gramma had a dresser just like the one in the Galway room (#2 picture). Lovely rooms.
Leslie

with so many in the area to chose from, i'd probably suggest you have a "signature" breakfast, or amenitiy to single you out...(for example, organic or local produce)