The Unwritten Rules Of Bed-And-Breakfast Stays, According To B&B Owners And Experts

When you’re traveling, there’s a time and place for every type of stay. Big hotel amenities like valet service, gyms, and room service are great for business trips, and a short-term home rental might be ideal for a family reunion or girl’s weekend. But when I’m looking to truly get to know a destination, I always choose to stay at a bed-and-breakfast. Giant resorts can offer all the perks they want, and boutique hotels may tout their individualized attention, but no place exudes hospitality and charm like a bed-and-breakfast.

Often B&Bs are housed in historic homes, which means there’s a story behind every scratch in the hardwood floor or nick on the wall. And in my experience, there has always been a friendly innkeeper around to tell that story and make me feel more than right at home.

If you’re inspired to stay at a bed-and-breakfast, there are a couple of unwritten rules you’ll want to brush up on before checking in. To give you the scoop, we went directly to the source and solicited tips from some of our favorite B&B owners across the South. Beyond just simple dos and don’ts, our expert council gives advice on how to make the most of your next bed-and-breakfast stay. After enjoying a weekend of home-cooked breakfasts and thoughtful care, you’ll never want to book a standard hotel room again.  

Be mindful of other guests

Our panelists all agree that noise level is a major consideration when staying in a bed-and-breakfast. “B&Bs are often older homes and sound travels easily,” says Kyle Mijares, the innkeeper at the Friendly City Inn in Harrisonburg. The Wimsatts, owners of Lake Guntersville B&B in Alabama, agree, pointing out that B&Bs are often intimate retreats and “not the place for midnight partying.” To make sure you’re being considerate of those around you, the Grahams, who own Friendly City Inn, suggest reading house rules and policies before or at the beginning of your stay so you can be aware of quiet hours and other guidelines.

Take advantage of the “breakfast” aspect of a bed-and-breakfast

One of the best parts of a staying at a bed-and-breakfast is knowing you’ll wake up to a freshly prepared, home-cooked meal each morning. And you won’t have to jump in the car or walk more than down the hall to get it.

B&B owners tend to have a passion for cooking and feeding their guests, so the Wimsatts recommend keeping an open mind when you come down for your morning meal. “Branch out and try new dishes,” they urge. “Yes, we can make you fried eggs over easy, but why not try that on a warm croissant with parsley, melted provolone cheese, avocado, bacon, and a smear of garlic aioli?”

On the other hand, it’s important to remember that at a B&B you’ll have just one or two folks attending to your needs and not a whole staff. Let your hosts know as early as possible if you have dietary restrictions that they need to be aware of when preparing your meals, and if your B&B has a breakfast sign-up time, don’t be late!

Ask for recommendations

My favorite thing about staying in a bed-and-breakfast is having easy access to local recommendations. You can trust your host to give honest insight into the best restaurants, activities, and hidden gems you won’t find in your average travel blog or book. “We love sharing about our town and our favorite spots,” says Becca Graham. So don’t be shy to ask!

Don’t be afraid to make new friends

When staying at a B&B, you’ll likely run into other guests during breakfast and when hanging out in common spaces. Stop for a chat on the front porch or invite someone to join your game of cards by the living room fireplace. “These are great opportunities to meet new people from all over the world or someone who may live right in the same area as you,” says Tiffany Wimsatt.

Soak in the full experience

“Take time to smell the roses—literally or figuratively,” advises Graham. “A stay at an inn is a great opportunity to slow down and relax.” The Grahams recommend paying attention to the unique architectural and design elements of your B&B and learning about the history of the house to truly appreciate where you’re staying.

Leave your keys

This isn’t a "room card as a souvenir" situation! All of our B&B experts emphasized the importance of leaving your room key behind when you check out.

Make yourself at home

While you might not lounge around a hotel lobby in your PJs and slippers, that type of behavior is absolutely expected and encouraged at a bed-and-breakfast. “The B&B is our home, and when you are in it, be prepared to be taken care of as our family guests,” the Wimsatts say. “Relax and enjoy the hospitality!”

On the flipside of that, it’s courteous to treat a B&B as you would your home. That means using a napkin when you grab a freshly baked cookie from the lobby (and not leaving a trail of crumbs to your room!) and remembering to use a black not white towel when taking off your makeup.

Support your B&B owners

As small, often family-owned operations, B&Bs rely on positive reviews and word of mouth to stay in business. If you enjoy your B&B stay, consider telling a friend or leaving an online review. But be careful with your ratings, says Graham. “A 4-star review is a bad review. If you enjoyed your stay, leave a 5-star review. It’s not just a nice thing to do, but it makes a huge difference in SEO and rankings,” she says.