Find b&bs where you are going

Compare cheap hotels

Bed & Breakfast, "so British", according to the French

Representing a British tradition, the Bed & Breakfast concept is not limited to Queen Elizabeth’s kingdom. Indeed, B&Bs can be found in most Western countries. At the beginning, they consisted of an overnight stay + breakfast, hence the origin of the name. This basic model was gradually applied more particularly to boutique hotels, small hotels, rural lodgings, in short, authentic establishments. They are often run by the owners themselves and generally only have about four or five guest rooms. It is a convivial and cost-effective alternative to a traditional hotel. The French equivalent to a B&B is a “chambre d’hôte”. However, other alternatives, including mountain chalets, Moroccan riads, villas equipped with a pool, and even small castles may claim to be B&Bs. However, this usually means they lose their main advantage: the price. Bed & Breakfasts have often been the cost-effective solution for travellers wandering the UK. Today, there are many establishments that claim to be Bed & Breakfasts but which take advantage of this to charge rates in relation to the charm of the surrounding area.

There are some websites which attempt to list B&Bs which respect the original model, where the hosts greet you with enthusiasm and generosity. One such site is www.bedbreak.com, which is a good platform for finding charming spots at reasonable prices. Another site which offers suggestions for around the world is www.bedandbreakfast.com.