Bed & Breakfast/Inn question
#1
Original Poster


Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,524
Bed & Breakfast/Inn question
Hope this is the right forum (travel, non FF related).
We've booked a lovely room at a lovely B&B for our anniversary.
Unless something changes (since we're going mid-week in the dead of winter to a non-ski, etc. place) it might turn out that we are the only people there.
Would that creep you out?
I first has an inkling something was up when we got an e-mail asking exactly what time we were going to arrive - well, we don't know exactly, um sometime between 3 and 6?
I then did some snooping and not only are we the only room sold (so far) for that night, they have NO rooms sold for the nights on either side of us.
It includes breakfast, so I'm wondering if that will be weird for them cooking something for just the two of us, usually those places put out a whole quiche or a pan of something.
This is not a dump (and I'd prefer not to say right now), it's highly regarded, it's just a strange time of year/mid-week thing.
Just wondering if anyone has been the only ones overnight in a place...the place has 6 bedrooms and many lovely common areas.
We've booked a lovely room at a lovely B&B for our anniversary.
Unless something changes (since we're going mid-week in the dead of winter to a non-ski, etc. place) it might turn out that we are the only people there.
Would that creep you out?
I first has an inkling something was up when we got an e-mail asking exactly what time we were going to arrive - well, we don't know exactly, um sometime between 3 and 6?
I then did some snooping and not only are we the only room sold (so far) for that night, they have NO rooms sold for the nights on either side of us.
It includes breakfast, so I'm wondering if that will be weird for them cooking something for just the two of us, usually those places put out a whole quiche or a pan of something.
This is not a dump (and I'd prefer not to say right now), it's highly regarded, it's just a strange time of year/mid-week thing.
Just wondering if anyone has been the only ones overnight in a place...the place has 6 bedrooms and many lovely common areas.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 151
Bed & Breakfast/Inn question
Wouldn't think twice about it. Had an experience where my friend and I were in the only two rooms rented in a B and B, was totally fine. They cooked what we wanted and seemed to go about their business as they would any other time. My guess is that if they are experienced B and B owners, which it sounds like from your post, will not seem at all strange for you.
#4
Original Poster


Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
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Thanks for the reality check, Doc, and the first-hand info, Distilled.
I guess I lost sight of the fact that they are a business, and one room sold is better than no rooms sold.
It might even be fun to rattle around in a beautiful old place by ourselves.
I guess I lost sight of the fact that they are a business, and one room sold is better than no rooms sold.
It might even be fun to rattle around in a beautiful old place by ourselves.
#8




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MT, USA
Programs: Ex-5C club, Skymiles Gold
Posts: 454
Bed & Breakfast/Inn question
Small places like this can really be the best during the slow season. You will get more attention from the innkeeper if you want but they will likely also leave you alone if that is your desire. Personally, we like to be able to chat and get all the local secrets they have to share. Being a slow time of year may give you more opportunity than during peak times. Relax and enjoy!
#9
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: California, USA
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Posts: 103
Bed & Breakfast/Inn question
Mrs IrishBoy and I stayed in a remote winery in the Mosel region of Germany after driving for 4 hours through a storm from Munich. GPS was essential. It was off season and we were the only guests in a 12+ room chateau .. A snack with some wine was left out for us and the owner arrived at 9 the next morning to prepare breakfast .. It was indeed strange, especially in the storm .. Great memories.
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
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Very often. I'm often in small rural B&Bs at odd times of year. If they know when you arrive, then they can run errands etc around that time.
Since the B&Bs I usually stay at cook breakfast to order, then no big deal for them to cook for 1 either. I'll usually give them an idea what time I"ll be down for breakfast as well.
Since the B&Bs I usually stay at cook breakfast to order, then no big deal for them to cook for 1 either. I'll usually give them an idea what time I"ll be down for breakfast as well.
#11

Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: EK Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 84
My gf and I have been the only guests in a B&B the week after xmas, received fantastic service & they also asked when we would be arriving, as they wanted to go shopping & didn't want to be out when we arrived.
#13




Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 20
We stayed at a small inn/roadhouse in Switzerland in the fall a couple of years ago and were the only overnight guests. Innkeeper asked us what time we desired breakfast and then at closing time he went home, leaving my wife and I for the night as the only two people in the house.
#14
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I'd be delighted to be the only person/couple there. Fantastic! As for the question about them going to trouble for you...they're running a business! I always find it amusing when we stay at small but very special/luxurious inns that people write these gushing thank yous in the guest book "...thank you SO MUCH for allowing us to stay in your lovely inn..."! It's not like you've been invited to someone's beach house in the Hamptons...it's a business.
#15
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I'd be delighted to be the only person/couple there. Fantastic! As for the question about them going to trouble for you...they're running a business! I always find it amusing when we stay at small but very special/luxurious inns that people write these gushing thank yous in the guest book "...thank you SO MUCH for allowing us to stay in your lovely inn..."! It's not like you've been invited to someone's beach house in the Hamptons...it's a business.
friends of ours ran a Brattleboro VT inn for about 5 years ... my wife and I, along with our 4-year-old son, visited them about a year into their ownership; at the time, he had a full-time sales job that required about 50% travel, which meant she was both a full-time hostess and a full-time manager overseeing three or four staff; he wisely gave up most of the travel after their daughter was born, and they sold the inn when she was about 3
they are warm, welcoming, gregarious people who really didn't have to try very hard to engage with their guests on whatever level the guests felt comfortable

