First Timer's Guide to Bed and Breakfast Etiquette

Unlike a big hotel, staying at bed and breakfast is much more personal affair characterized by a unique warmth and home-like ambiance. It is like a home away from home and gives you ample opportunity to mingle both with the inn owner as well as other fellow travelers. With the unique experience, the responsibility of any staying traveler increases in terms of how he conducts himself. For all newbies and veterans as well, we provide some etiquette tips on staying at any Gatwick Airport B&B.

• Remember to read the fine print of a list of rules and regulations of the inn. For instance, they have an incoming times post which you need to get the extra key to get yourself inside. This would make the stay pleasant both for you and the owner. Initially, the owner may not say a word to you for not adhering to the rule, but gradually coldness would shroud, making things unpleasant for all.

• Often a B&B is a private residence. Thus, it’s always important to knock before entering even though you may have a warm relationship with the owner. It is not like a hotel where you can just walk in. That would look too rude.

• Unlike a hotel where you can call anytime, it’s best to call at a decent and appropriate time. You should never call at breakfast time during which any guest house owner might be terribly busy. Simultaneously, we must never call in the middle of the night or at other inappropriate time which may cause inconvenience to the proprietor.

• The breakfasts are a special affair at any B&B. In case you had planned to eat breakfast at a different destination, or you have some specific breakfast demands; everything must be ironed out the night before. The food, as well as the cook's effort, must never go to waste. Always remember to appreciate the chef’s efforts and compliment him for the tasty spread. Everybody likes to be appreciated for their work.

• Never ever treat your host as a servant or take him for a dumb person. The person is providing you services in the true sense. Giving respect will earn you respect as well. With it, maybe he would go a little extra mile for you like giving you some extras or being extra helpful to you to even give you some discounts. It is true that good behavior can earn you something that money cannot buy.