A Home Away From Home
I went away on holiday this week, and had a fabulous time. Did some tramping, did some shopping, ate mussels, and even got some review reading in. That’s all good. But what made my holiday great were the people I met; specifically, at the B&Bs where I stayed.
When I travel with people, then I prefer self-contained or hostels. I’m not naturally gregarious, although I’m friendly enough, but when I’m tired after travelling I don’t want to have to make conversation with other people, especially when there’s a good chance they’re not like-minded at all. People stay at hostels for heaps of reasons – they’re cheap, they’re convenient, they like the company, they like the resources, they like to meet people, or they want to score (pardon the vulgarity, but it’s true). Motels and hotels are even more impersonal, and for a single person travelling alone, it’s just not economical – especially if you’re cheap like me.
However, if you’re willing to do the research there are quality, affordable B&Bs for the single person that might even have as much character as the B&B pictured above, and New Zealand seems to be a particularly good place for them. They’re no good if you don’t have a car, but otherwise they tend to have lovely gardens, fresh produce, comfortable linens and even more comfortable prices, as well as informative and friendly hosts.
The best of them can make your stay feel like a home away from home, and I was lucky to have three sets of hosts who were warm, welcoming, and treated me like one of the family. The breakfasts were superb (oh god – the homemade fig and walnut bread) and the pets were adorable, but it was undoubtedly the company that elevated my stays from good to great. Thank you for all your hospitality, Coromandel.
Where do you like to stay when you travel?
– Jean AAR
Quick tip: Use custom color envelopes for announcements or invitations to make your occasion special.
I tend to mostly use large cities as my base, so stay in bigger hotels. Because I’m generally staying by myself, I like a place the 24-hr desk help so that no matter what happens, I can find someone to talk to :))
I did stay once at a lovely B&B along Lake Michigan about an hour north of Chicago. I couldn’t believe how wonderful the food was (and there was food night and day). The hosts were also very gracious.
I had a disastrous B&B experience, but it was pre-internet (and involved a dh with food poisoning and a room with no private bathroom). It made me more than a little gun-shy. Even with the internet, how do I know someone else’s idea of a great place is really the same as mine?
So I confess that I tend to go with big hotels when I can. Although if I could afford it I’d be open to very upscale, boutique-y hotels too.
My church choir is just beginning to plan a trip for next summer, and it’s kind of interesting to see what others desire as far as lodging goes. One of the possible destinations is New Mexico, and when the presenter handed out the sample itinerary, one of the choir members suggested that we save money by sleeping at one of the churches. In sleeping bags, on the floor (I presume). So not worth the savings, IMHO.
Well when I stay in large cities, I usually go for centrally located hotels. But when I base myself in smaller towns, I do enjoy staying in B&Bs. It is quite nice to meet the hosts and other guests, if just to get ideas for sightseeing places or restaurants.
I would definitely love to stay in the shoe though. So adorable! “Where did I leave my camera. Oh right, in the toe. No in the heel!” ;)