When it comes time to pick a B&B for that (romantic/family visit/sightseeing adventure/all of the above), there are several things that come immediately to mind and which are used as selection criteria.

The first is undoubtedly location (is the darn thing anywhere near where I want to be? Places I want to see?). Second, and almost simultaneously comes price. (I’m going to pay how much for that? Wouldn’t it be better to simply stay at a 5 star Hotel?) Then finally comes “general ambiance” (“it looks nice or quaint or “picturesque”). Oh, yes, almost forgot – does it have Wi-Fi? (Again you are going to a B&B to get away from it all, no? So why Wi-Fi?)

These last two criteria are what one finds when going to the B&B website – never fails. (These comments are limited to B&Bs that have a website. If it doesn’t have a website, how will you find it? Maybe your fifth cousin twice removed stayed there before 1992 – no Internet then.) The site shows many pictures of the charming rooms, possibly the bathroom and usually the breakfast area. AND of course mentions they have Wi-Fi

BUT, there are several other things that should be kept in mind, or at least be aware of, before you actually show up at the B&B:

1-   SOAP! Most B&Bs have switched to the soap that comes out in liquid form for dispensers on the shower stall wall. Ever try scrubbing with it when you don’t have a washcloth? To solve this situation either follow the advice from Douglas Adams  (“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and always travel with a towel, or more practical – bring a bar of soap.

2-   SHOWER CAPS? Most B&Bs don’t provide them (used to be standard equipment at all motels back in the 60’s – maybe they used them all up?). There are three alternatives available to solve this situation. 1- shower while trying to keep water from hair (a real trick when the shower stall measures 3 feet by 3 feet!); 2- Shower and let the water fall where it will (brings up the question of an available hairdryer –Did you bring one?); or 3- Bring your own shower cap.

3-   SHAMPOO AND CREAM RINSE? Most B&Bs don’t provide them either. Either bring your own or use the liquid soap as a shampoo (probably what it was originally intended for?).

4-   HAIR DRYER Puzzles! Though they may be available you may find the following challenges: 1- You have to hold down the “on button” at all times or it automatically, shuts down (annoying and at times hard to maneuver). 2- If you would like to sit down to blow-dry you hair, you cannot move the hair dyer form the bathroom because it is attached to the wall. The bathroom may be too small to bring in a chair (if there is a chair you could fit in the bathroom) or the mirror is too high (if you tried to sit down). 3- The hair- dryer might be found in a drawer in the bathroom or bedroom but there is no “regular” outlet in the bathroom. In the room, there are no available outlets by the desk/night table or dresser where there might be a mirror. (Bring an extension cord and of course an adapter.) 4- There might not be a hair-dyer.  If you are not one of the lucky ones that does not need to depend on a blow dryer, put on a hat and either claim, with a straight face and without batting an eye, that you have “hat hair” or “this is the latest hair style in Hollywood”.

5-   LIFT or ELEVATOR accessibility – Many B&Bs (particularly in Europe) are located in multi-story houses built circa 1745, but completely revamped and modernized. (That’s part of their “charm” and “quaintness”.) However, in the renovations, did they include a lift or elevator to get you to your room – which is of course located on the fourth floor? Usually the answer is no, and you have to carry your suitcases each of which weigh 40 pounds up three or four flights of stairs. It’s a great upper body workout climbing those stairs with them! Saves having to go to the Gym the next day. The solution is to either ask for a lower floor room ahead of time in the comments section usually provided on the website. Barring that, bring a small overnight bag for the items you will need that night (including the soap and/or towel and shower cap) and leave the big suitcases downstairs (in the suitcase closet/room- failing that behind the front desk or in the front room. That will usually solve the storage problem as the staff becomes creative). They may get lonely, but they’ll survive.

6-   PARKING – Many of the B&Bs are located in central city locations (so they can be near all the places you are planning to visit). Most of these do not have available parking (guess you schlepped the 40 pound suitcases from the bus station or came by cab?). The options are to try to park on the street – which of course has a four-hour limit or is only available on alternate Tuesdays – or find a public parking lot – which unfailingly will be at least 4 blocks away, and there will either be a force five hurricane or a blizzard with white–out conditions when you need to leave or get the car. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this situation (unless you are travelling by cab), but at least ask ahead of time so you can be prepared.

7-   ARE THERE RESTAURANTS THAT ARE WALKING DISTNACE OR NEARBY? The location is beautiful and not too far from the city/town center (that’s why you chose the place, right?), but there may not be restaurants, supermarkets/convenience stores, etc. nearby. They will probably be near the place where you parked the car in the hurricane or blizzard. Always carry a few snacks with you – cereal bars and nuts are easy to transport.

8-   A PLUG FOR THE SINK – if you do some light washing using Woolite or other detergents, it might be challenging if there is no way to hold the water in the sink long enough to soak your clothing. Bring along one of those little rubber things that are used for opening jars and bottles – they usually have some ad for a product or company you would never use printed on them. That’s how they can be identified as jar/bottle openers.  Put that on top of the drain and fill the sink with water. Water pressure will keep the “plug” in place.

Most B&B owners are very friendly and want to cater to the needs of the guests. They live off referrals. But the above-mentioned concerns are rarely top of their mind, so make them top of yours. Keep in mind that solving these situations may require that you bring an extra suitcase for the soap, hairdryer, shampoo and cream rinse, extension cord, adapter snacks and sink plug. Unfortunately, that can’t be helped.