What accommodation would you choose for a getaway to Rockland, Maine: bed and breakfast or hotel? Both provide lodging, but the comparison stops there. Hotels are often large and impersonal. Bed and breakfasts tend to be smaller and more intimate places to lay your head. It’s often true that where you stay is just as important as the destination you choose to visit. And, choosing the right property for you can often play a significant role in how much you enjoy your time away.
As with any decision, you should carefully consider the most important factors for you when selecting your vacation accommodations. So, let’s consider the advantages of staying at a bed and breakfast inn, like the Berry Manor Inn in Rockland Maine, versus a hotel.
Breakfast
Although many big-box hotels offer some sort of continental breakfast for their guests, breakfast at a B&B is an event. In the era of farm-to-table, bed and breakfast owners pride themselves on offering locally sourced ingredients. Be it fresh eggs from a local farm, or seasonal fruit and vegetables from the farmer’s market, you can be sure it’s wholesome and natural. If you have special dietary needs, innkeepers are adept at accommodating them. Some innkeepers offer breakfast in bed, a truly decadent experience. Others invite you to dine inside or out, weather permitting, at individual tables for two, or more social communal tables. And, if you are in a hurry, you can always ask for a “grab and go” bag. They will still have fresh fruit, home-baked muffins or scones, and yogurt or a breakfast sandwich. So, if you prefer to start your day with a sit-down meal specially prepared for you, plus a menu that changes daily, choose a bed and breakfast.
Ambiance
Most bed and breakfast inns are individually owned and operated, and often the owners live on-site in private quarters. Some may have started out as an historic home with a storied past. Others were built from scratch to serve as comfortable accommodations for the traveling public. But, unlike impersonal cookie-cutter hotels, guest rooms at a B&B are individually decorated and themed to suit the style of the building. A guest’s comfort is important to the innkeeper. Therefore, you’ll find quality mattresses and fine linens, luxurious bath amenities, spa robes, and fluffy towels. When you stay at a B&B you may find yourself in the fine furnishings of the Victorian era, a country-cottage setting, or a contemporary city brownstone with ornate details.
All-Inclusive Amenities
Most hotels offer high-speed internet access, off-street parking, and resort-like amenities—but at a price. If you’re doing a price comparison between a hotel and a B&B, be sure to take that into consideration. While you’ll find those amenities at a B&B complimentary, you may also find the innkeepers have gone above and beyond to anticipate all your needs. DVD libraries and streaming devices, hot and cold beverages, evening wine and hors d’ oeuvres are commonly found at a B&B. Some even provide chairs and towels to take to the beach, bicycles and kayaks to borrow, and evening turn-down service.
Innsider Innformation
If you’re new to an area, or even if you’ve visited multiple times, having a little “inside information” is one of the big pluses of staying at a bed and breakfast. You can ask your innkeeper for advice on where to dine, the best place to see a sunrise or sunset, or for a favorite biking or hiking trail. Many can offer help with dinner reservations, book ferry tickets, recommend a local spa, or sell discounted tickets for local adventures like whale watching and boat tours.
Peace of Mind
In order to operate, a bed and breakfast must be licensed and insured. In addition, they are inspected annually by the local health and fire authorities. Chefs must be certified in safe food handling and allergen awareness. And, especially in this day and age, high standards of personal and professional hygiene and sanitation are required of all employees. While hotels are held to the same standards, because inns generally have far fewer guests, you can choose to maintain your privacy and personal space or engage with other guests as much or as little as you like.
So, the choice is up to you for a getaway to Rockland, Maine: bed and breakfast or hotel? Come stay with us at the Berry Manor Inn, and we’ll show you warm hospitality, luxurious accommodations, delightful amenities, and all the comforts of home.
Published: December 2021