Five Quirky B&Bs for Unusual Summer Stays

Stay in a luxury treehouse in Oregon this summer.Instead of the usual summer vacation, why not try something different this year? Bed and breakfasts are the definition of unique. Of the estimated 17,000 inns in the U.S., no two inns are exactly the same. From Victorian, Queen Anne and Italianate architecture to rustic and urban styles, B&Bs come in all shapes and sizes. 

Not only will you enjoy wallet-friendly amenities like free Wi-Fi, guest pantries stocked with complimentary snacks and breakfast included in your rate, but also a one-of-a-kind travel experience. 

Prepare yourself for a summer of surprises with these five BnBFinder inns:  

Click to read more ...

BnBFinder Inns Offer Colorful New Ways to Follow the Foliage

AUTUMN ADVENTURES TURN A NEW LEAF

Why take a drive to view the fall foliage when you can soar above it? Or would you prefer viewing the autumn colors by trotting down winding paths on horseback? Bed and breakfasts are offering unique ways of enjoying the time of year when the deep greens of summer are replaced by brilliant reds, golds, oranges and yellows in a stunning canopy of color. This trip will be one for the photo books.

“Crisp, cool evening air or apples and pumpkins reaching ripeness are certainly signs of fall,” says Mary White, founder of BnBFinder.com. “But nothing announces the arrival of the season like the foliage. It’s a stunning visual spectacle and should not be missed.” 

BnBFinder inns are bringing the season’s colors into full view for travelers looking for something a little out of the ordinary.  Here are a few highlights:

The View From Above. The Mayhurst Inn (www.BnBFinder.com/MayhurstInn) in Orange, VA, will arrange a fly over the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoan Valley in a Biplane. Package includes two nights accommodations, a full breakfast each morning, and champagne and strawberries in the room along with a post-dinner dessert.

Up, Up and Away! The HideAway Country Inn (www.BnBFinder.com/HideAwayCountry) in Bucyrus, Ohio, also offers guests a view of the foliage from above but this time during a hot air balloon ride over the heart of Ohio’s farm country. A complimentary bottle of champagne is included in this package.

Click to read more ...

To B or not to B? Advice for B&B first-timers

by Marti Mayne with travel expert Eileen Ogintz 

Where should we go? 

With so many options the decision can send enlightened travelers either into a quandary or an adventure. From resorts and hotels to campgrounds and hostels, travelers have a myriad of accommodations options. Value is the buzz word in travel today, and when it comes to finding plenty of value, a B&B or country inn makes a lot of sense for some, but not all travelers. 

The Avon Chambers at Manor on Golden Pond. Photo provided by Manor on Golden Pond, Holderness, NHWhen to B&B? 

“If you thought B&Bs weren’t for you, think again,” says syndicated travel columnist Eileen Ogintz.  

Of course you’ll find everything you need to celebrate romance at inns and B&Bs from king and queen beds with luxurious linens to deep double whirlpool tubs, double showers and ensuite fireplaces.  

But they can also be a terrific place to visit with kids. Some inn owners welcome children with special dress up corners, children’s books and more. And they are a lot more homey than staying in a big hotel.  

You’ll get a lot of bang for your vacation dollar too since  homemade multi-course breakfasts, afternoon refreshments and evening innkeepers’ receptions at many inns are part of the deal. The extras  can add up to more than $100 in value over the course of your stay. Add in fee-free wi-fi, parking, bottled water, DVDs and movies, and much more, and savings add up. “You won’t find those annoying resort fees,” said Ogintz.

Click to read more ...

Celebrate National "Date Your Mate Month" with a Distinctive Inns Getaway in May

a guest blog by Marti Mayne

Thoughout May, Distinctive Inns of New England, a collection of luxury New England Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns, is offering the perfect reason to celebrate love with Date Your Mate Packages.  

From cocktails to roses, bubbly and massages, and breakfast in bed, Innkeepers across New England are ready to help you celebrate romance and rekindle the excitement of your dating years. 

Click to read more ...

Sweet Inn-dulgence: Valentine's Day B&B Romance Packages

Finding a Valentine’s getaway just got easier. Travelers can now explore a selection of romance packages and specials available at North America inns by visiting Select Registry’s new website, http://www.selectregistry.com/valentines. Browse by inn location, package type, or amenities - such as a spa or culinary experience. 

Select Registry B&Bs offer luxurious drive-to escapes in scenic locales across the United States and Canada. Rendezvous without the costs or romance-busters of air travel, rental cars and hasty breakfasts. Romantic ambiance, one-of-a-kind amenities and delicious breakfasts are all part of the package.

For couples seeking a one-of-a-kind retreat this Valentine’s Day and beyond, here are a few of the romance packages available: 

Honor Mansion - Healdsburg, California

Escape to a romantic three-night retreat in the heart of California’s renowned Sonoma Wine Country. Honor Mansion’s Valentine’s Day Package pampers with candle-lit rose petal turndown upon arrival (or at another time upon request); handcrafted chocolates; local sparkling wine with keepsake flutes; and a romantic movie to enjoy in-room with popcorn and as a take-home gift. Guests choose from thirteen spacious guestrooms, private cottages and luxurious suites, all spread over four landscaped acres. Amenities include romantic sleigh and canopy beds, hand-carved fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, iPod radios, and private terraces with outdoor spa tub for two. This package is offered complimentary with any three-night stay, starting any time, Feb. 10 – 15, 2011. 

Click to read more ...

Winvian: Haute of this world hospitality

a guest article by B&B expert, Marti Mayne

My husband and I drove right by the driveway on our way to Winvian to celebrate our anniversary. The unassuming sign marked the entrance, but we were having so much fun driving on the country roads in Litchfield Hills, CT, we missed it. We quickly turned around, and found a closed gate. We announced our arrival, the gates slowly opened, and from there on in, we were whisked into a weekend of whimsy at one of the most spectacular B&B resorts in the world. Located between Boston and New York, Winvian is part playground for the rich and famous and part culinary camp for the adventurous, offering a blueblood basecamp with a touch of traditional blended with swank fancy. Bottom line, it sets the bar a little higher for the next perfect getaway.  Topping Winvian will be a fun adventure. Click here for more and be sure to click the link to Part II for to read all about Winvian.

How to avoid those outrageous hotel add-on fees

Look for complimentary homemade pie at Rockland Maine’s Berry Manor Inn 24-7-365. Photo by Jumping Rocks. a guest blog by B&B expert, Marti Mayne

Mark Orwoll, trusted travel journalist, recently published a story about the exorbitant $12 hotel minibar fee for a can of nuts (which also resulted in a $12 stomach ache). This confirmed my contention that B&Bs are simply the better way to stay. In his story about the world’s most outrageous hotel fees, Orwoll unveils how hotels stand to gain $12.5 billion in add-on fees that you simply do not find at a bed and breakfast. I know I beat my “B&Bs are more affordable” drum over and over, but Orwoll’s insight into the ever-increasing hotel add-on fees proves my contention.

Read on and you may never stay at a hotel again.

Waterfront Waysides: Cool off on these hot New England B&B porches

The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina offers not only a porch, but plenty of chairs for viewing the boats in the harbor. Photo by Marti Mayne.New England is experiencing record breaking heat. Heck, the whole country is! You’re not only really ready to cool off, you’re also ready for a break. Now is the perfect time to consider a quick B&B getaway in New England. Imagine rocking your cares away on the porch of a welcoming B&B, cool drink in hand. Whether it’s in Boston or along the Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island or Connecticut coasts, here are a few recommendations for hot B&Bs in cool places, just a hop, skip and jump from Boston. Each one offers a fabulous balcony or porch poised to catch cool sea breezes and scenic views.

Read more….