Heroic B&B Friendliness: 2001
Bed and breakfast hosts and hostesses are notorious for confounding travelers with inexplicable friendliness. Share tales of B&B hosts who went above and beyond the call of touristic duty to give you a great trip. Here's what you thought in 2001
Rome: Marco the hero
We read the comments here about Marco´s Italian B&B in
Rome (www.italianbandb.com) but, unfortunately, we weren´t able to book
the room with enough advance notice. But we had a tough time finding a decent
(and cheap enough) place so we showed up at Marco´s doorstep anyway. He was very
friendly but could not accomodate us in his B&B because he was booked, so
he very nicely ended up pointing us to a friendly place down the street.
.... but here´s the "heroic" part. A week later we were locked out of our
new place and absolutely could not figure out a way to get in. We tried
knocking and ringing the buzzer, yelling, and we tried calling the police
(but they didn´t understand us so they never showed up ... I´m glad we weren´t
in danger!) Anyway, then, in desperation, we went to Marco´s place and rang
his buzzer at 3:30 AM ... We pleaded for help and he came to our rescue,
eventually getting us back into our apartment. Thank you, Marco!
Joe Vazquez <email>
Houston, TX USA 12/15/01
Heatherfield House and Dunedin
Just returned from 8 days in Scotland. Found both Heatherfield House (Oban)
and Dunedin Guest House (Edinburgh) listed in Rick's guides and on SmoothHound.
I can't say enough about these places — wonderful accommodations, great
food and fantastic people. John and Rosie Coleman were delightful hosts
and Heatherfield House is wonderful. Marsella runs Dunedin like a palace,
and is warm, engaging and truly caring. Both hosts gave us great tips on
sights, directions and places to eat. I would go back in a minute. Just
a small example: my daughter had a problem with her eyeglasses (broke the
little nose-pad) — Marsella sent her to an optician down the street who
fixed the problem at no charge.
Carole <email>
Bernards, NJ USA 11/28/01
France — September 2001
France: Caunes-Minervois — The B & B was L'Ancienne Boulangerie. Excellent
place to stay in small village near Carcassonne area. 2 nights not long
enough for a visit. Terry & Lois Link extremely helpful with sightseeing,
places to eat, etc. Made reservations via e-mail AncienneBoulangerie@compuserve.com
France — Loire Valley — Amboise — Le Vieux Manor www.le-vieux-manoir.com.
Stayed 5 nights and would have stayed longer. Not only help with sightseeing,
but help with trying the different Frence restaurants. What a treat!
Betty J. Runion <email>
Brevard, NC USA 11/03/01
Sept 10, Italy with NO reservations!!
When we arrived in Venice with no reservations, we checked at Albergo Guerrato
for a room. Giorgio thought this to be quite humorous! However, he got on
the phone to his friend Sandro, who met us at the San Marcuolo vaporetto
stop. He took us to his bed and breakfast "Trinita'" near the Ponte Delle
Guglie.(B &B is at Calle dell'Olio 1333/c phone 041 2759342 or 348 4114788).
It was a simple apartment down a quiet alley, very clean and quiet.$65 for
a large room with a double bed and breakfast.He also was wonderfully kind
to let us use his internet on Sept.12th. Sandro was very helpful about Venice
and greatly added to our stay.
Also, in Rome we had the pleasure of meeting Corey at the Pensione Navona, who made room for us when many Americans were already stuck in Rome. He also let us catch CNN on the tv in his other hotel. It was great to encounter such nice people during trying times on our dream trip!
We also stayed at the Hotel Enza in Florence- where they were most helpful
with directions, and even loaned us a guide book.
Tony and Ginny Stellitano <email>
Deltona, FL USA 10/28/01
Heroic B&B's
Rothenberg, Germany. 10/12/01 "Angels of Hospitality" www.haus-karin.de
Arrived in Rothenberg not knowing where we would stay and a bit tired of being looked at like an annoying tourists, when out of nowhere this energetic German woman smiling asked do you need a place to stay? She was delivering three ladies to the train station to catch their train. They chimed in their recommmendations. Karin Weijs and her husband proved to be the most congenial host and hostess we stayed with in Germany. 40DM per person a night.
Her aim is to please. Listen to all her recommendations and your stay
in Rothenburg will be delightful. Breakfast is marvelous. When we decided
to leave she and her husband went out of their way to help us make the
right connections to make our plane home. They where the absolute highlight
of our Germany trip. Hans and Karin Weijs 91 541 Rothenburg / Tauber Hans
Sachs Str. 26 Tel/ Fax: 09861/3962
Beth Lorenz <email>
Dr, USA 10/15/01
Ardconnel House, Inverness, Scotland
Another thank you for support on the 11th of September goes out to Isabel
and Richard Cowe for helping us contact family with their computer when
we could not get through the congested telephone lines. On top of them being
great hosts, they run a first rate B&B within easy walking distance of the
heart of Inverness, Scotland. They can be reached at Ardconnel House, 21 Ardconnel St., Inverness, Scotland IV2 3EU,
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1463 240 455, Email: racowe @ lineone.net
Kathy & Bob Heacock <email>
Heath, OH USA 10/10/01
Kerouac and Chaplin B&B, Rome
(www.romanhostels.com) Of all the places my sister and I stayed in six weeks
in Spain, Italy, and France, these were our favorites. Both are owned and
run by Rene and Emma and are conveniently located near Termini and on Via
Cavour, and the rates are very reasonable. I made reservations easily via
email (info@romanhostels.com). We like the places so much we stayed almost
a week longer than we had planned, and the owners were very helpful in accommodating
us, finding room for us even after we changed our plans at the last minute.
They serve a substantial breakfast every morning and excellent coffee, which
we missed for the rest of our trip. The rooms are large, the beds comfortable,
and the shared bathrooms are clean. The owner speaks perfect English, Italian,
and several other languages. They are welcoming and extrememly helpful,
and gave us directions, advice, guide books, and even reserved museum tickets
for us. We were completely comfortable staying there, and were very sorry
to leave. We highly recommend both bed and breakfasts.
Elizabeth Campbell <email>
Seattle, WA USA 09/28/01
Ustaria Posta, Pedraces, Italy (Dolomites)
Within hours after the Sept. 11 tragedy, I received an e-mail message titled "Solidarity" from this small, family-run hotel in the Dolomites. The Tavella
family wanted to express their sympathy and solidarity with their American
friends. We had stayed there for 3 nights the previous week, but I don't
think they really see many Americans — -the village is way off the tourist
path. But even before this kind gesture, I would have recommended this place,
on the basis of their friendliness and wonderful food. The rooms are small
and the hotel is right on the main street, but the village itself, the scenery,
and the Tavella family make up for that. The dinners are so abundant we
started calling it the "Dolomites challenge" just to get through the 4-course
meal. I found it very heart-warming that people in this beautiful but isolated
place, far from the cares of the world, would understand our pain and take
the time and trouble to say so.
Lura Smith
Seattle, WA USA 09/27/01
Dublin B&B hosts go above and beyond
My husband and I planned a three night stay at the Avoca House B&B in Dublin,
based on the recommendations of BL from Vancouver posted here on May 1,
2001. We were staying with Jack and Audrey when the terrorist attacks happened
here. While other hotels were throwing out guests, Jack and Audrey made
every attempt to accommodate us longer than we had planned. They let use
their Internet connection and phone to contact loved ones at home. On Friday,
Ireland's National Day of Mourning, everything was closed including pubs
and restaurants. Jack and Audrey cooked meals for us that we had bought
at the local grocery store.
Besides their kindness, the location of the B&B has a lot to offer. Within easy walking distance are: a launderette, excellent pub grub at Fagan's Pub (where Bill, Hilary, and Chelsea Clinton paid a visit). Italian and Indian restaurants, a Catholic church, botanical gardens, a park, bus service to Dublin and to the airport, banks, ATMs, a grocery store, and a pharmacy. (we got to know the neighborhood well!)
Jack and Audrey went above and beyond the call of duty in taking care
of us during our extra, unplanned week in Dublin. We are truly indebted
to them. Also, we were treated extremely well by a strangers on the street
and members of the Our Lady of Dolours church. The Irish people were very
kind, generous, and supportive during a very difficult week.
Yvonne Dailey <email>
Acton, MA USA 09/21/01
Gimmelwald!
Ollie and Maries! You saved us over and
over. We weren't even staying there and as we walked by in the pouring rain
in tee shirts and shorts, they were nice enough to give us fleece and rain
jackets!
Addie <email>
Eugene, OR USA 09/15/01
B & B friendliness
I want to highly recommend the Turret Guest House in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Jackie and Ian are wonderful and have a ton of tourist information, a lending
library, wonderful rooms and a great breakfast. This morning, my laundry
(which was supposed to be delivered) was lost and they called every guest
house in the area to find it. It was found within the hour, thanks to their
efforts. Please check it out — it's a quick bus ride into town and lovely
neighborhood. Jackie and Ian have really made my trip!
Jennifer Diedrich <email>
Columbus, OH USA 09/15/01
Recently while in Killarney, my husband and I stayed at the Muckross
Lodge B&B hosted by "Bernie" O'Sullivan and her husband. The accommodations
were great and Bernie's breakfasts were wonderful. Bernie also suggested
that my husband take a day off from driving and she made all arrangements
for us to take a tour bus on the Ring of Kerry. It was a great suggestion
and allowed my husband a day of rest and to see many wonderful sites that
he would have missed had he been driving.
Dianne DeVore ;
Roswell, GA USA 09/10/01
We recently followed Rick's suggestion to stay at the Le Moulin du
Fief Gentil in Blere, France, near Amboise. It was excellent. Owners Roger
and Ann had maps for many types of daytrips, many guidebooks and B&B listings
for other areas, etc. They recommended various local wines for our preferences.
I asked for a top restaurant in which to celebrate my birthday, and they
responded with reservations and a surprise bottle of champagne, which we
shared with them outside before we left. The meal they sent us to was absolutely
delicious. They are always researching local restaurants. When we left,
they bent over backwards in getting reservations at our next stop with maps
and details on how to get there. The rooms were delightful, and the place
looked like it was just out of "A Year in Provence." We can't recommend
it enough.
arnold boelke
Apple Valley, MN USA 08/24/01
Aberconwy
House in Betws-y-coed, N. Wales, is a wonderful headquarters for visiting
Snowdonia and N. Wales. Kevin and Dianne Jones are outstanding hosts, cook
breakfasts to order, make box lunches to order, give good advice on sightseeing,
and so many other thoughtful things. Kevin went out to the store the night
we arrived because we asked for porridge for breakfast and Dianne said she
was out of oats. He provided a small electric heater for my elderly mother's
room when I mentioned that she was cold natured. The view of the mountains
from our rooms was spectacular. The rooms are large and very comfortable.
You can contact them at aberconwy@betws-y-coed.co.uk
Bonnie Knauss
Liberty, MO USA 07/29/01
We stayed at Dunsford Guest House in Keswick for 5 nites in July 2001.
The hosts are Pat and Peter Richards. They are friendly, helpfuland accommodating.
Peter lent us maps of the Lake District for our hill climbing activities,
and gave us good advice. The breakfast was terrific, the room was spacious,
spotless and pleasant. The B & B location was on a quiet street, yet very
close to the shops and restaurants in the village. If we return to Keswick,
we'd definitely stay again at Dunsford Guest house! Howard Simkover & Louise
Klein, Ottawa, Canada
Howard Simkover
Ottawa, Canada 07/15/01
If you are planning a trip to County Antrim, No. Ireland, consider staying
at Valley View B&B, in Bushmills (tel. 028-20741608). Mrs. McFall and
her mother-in-law have thought of absolutely eveyrthing. Homemade bread,
jam and tea upon arrival and a welcome chat in their parlor, healthy breakfast
options including fruit, yogurt, and oatmeal (you can still get the fry
if you want to), an ENTIRELY HANDICAP ACCESIBLE first floor complete with
wheelchair-friendly shower and rails, and they accept ITB vouchers — unlike
some other places in the North. Staying in Bushmills has its own set of
advantages, most notably a central location for exploring both Derry (one
and one-half hours west), the Causeway Coast, and the Glens of Antrim.
They have a good library, too. I can't recommend this place enough! Check
it out!
Amy T.
Powell, OH USA 06/29/01
After an all night flight and a 2 hour bus ride fron Heathrow to Bath,
we were more than pleasantly surprised by the gracious welcome , helpful
service at Prior House B&B at 3 Marlborough Lane. Keith and Lynn couldn't
have been more helpful and friendly. When my phone card wouldn't work
, he allowed me to make a call from the family phone, He leant us maps
for our first days driving in England and gave us valuable driving tips.(He's
a retired asistant police chief.) Breakfast was family style which really
encourage us to get to know the other guests and our hosts.A bookcase
full of books in our room and a safe for valuables was also much appreciated.
We even told them about the Scrumpy Cider we tracked down from Rick's
book.Prior House was the measure we used to guage all the other B&B's
we used in the UK. Some were as good but few were better.Contact them
at keith@shearnsfreeserve.co.uk
Carolyn Zucker
Encinitas, CA USA 06/24/01
My daughter and I just returned from Ireland. Unfortunately on our first day, we were involved in a car accident (no one hurt and we were covered by CWI). This resulted in our being unable to get to our first B&B. The people in Lislarkin, Liscannor, Co. Clare were fantastic. Not only did they help with the car, but they recommended a great B&B called Cliff View Lodge (065-7081783). The owner is Marie Dowling and she and her family were wonderfully accommodating and helpful. Her husband Thomas helped us with our car and was dubbed "Sir Galahad" for the duration of our stay. If you are going to be in this part of Ireland they will make you very welcome.
Mount Eagle Lodge in Ventry (Dingle Peninsula) was great and has wonderful owners who will really try to make your stay pleasant (Eric and Eleanor Prestage @ 066-9159754).
In Kilkenny we stayed at Newlands Country House...this is a luxury B&B
and is well worth the additional expense. Owner Aileen Kennedy is a welcoming
and friendly hostess (newlands@indigo.ie).
G. Connors
Sarasota, Fl USA 06/21/01
Having never before stayed in a B&B, I really had no idea what to expect
from the Kerouac B&B in Rome (www.romanhostels.com). I could not have
been more pleasantly surprised, and from the minute I arrived the owners
did everything possible to make me feel at home. Not only did they come
look for me while I was wandering in the streets lost with all of my luggage,
but they provided maps, guides, brochures and any information they could
give to make my stay easier. The Kerouac boasted the most comfortable
beds and the biggest breakfast of my month-long stay in Italy. The Kerouac
has very friendly owners (who can speak almost any language you do!),
very clean rooms, a central location and very reasonable rates, and I
would recommend it to anyone.
Lauren
Philadelphia, PA USA 06/20/01
Stayed with the Mosers in Rothenburg last October. Thoroughly recommend
your recommendations, delightful couple, just like grandma and grandpa.
I bought a honey dispenser and Frau Moser broke it trying to show me how
to operate it (it was faulty obviously). She went back to the shop herself
and got it replaced. Lovely experience at their zimmer overlooking the
dopplebrucke and walls. We'll be booking there again when we go back.
Martin & Liz Whenmouth
USA 05/11/01
Unable to find a reasonable room in Positano, we booked a night at the
Pensione Pellegrino in Praiano, 10 minutes south. Extremely friendly owner
Luigi served us a bottle of wine and soft drinks at no charge upon arrival,
and was most helpful in every way. This included driving us to Positano
and returning to pick us up later that evening. Excellent view of the
Med, delightful breakfast, all at a moderate price. I can highly recommend.
www.pensione-pellegrino.it
John Beard
Alpharetta, GA USA 05/09/01
Without question, the best place we stayed on our Ireland/Scotland trip
this early April was the Tigh Tasgaidh B&B in Dornie, Scotland. It's a
lovely home in the shadow of Eileen Donan Castle, gracefully furnished
with antiques and decorated with portraits of the owner's ancestors. The
lady of the house, Louise Gordon-Canning, is a delightful hostess, and
her two lovely sheepdogs made us feel warmly welcomed. Upon learning that
we had a ferry to catch in the morning, Louise cheerfully offered to serve
breakfast very early — and what a breakfast it was! After ten days of
frantic travel, we desperately needed comfort, quiet, and a good night's
rest...and we found it at Tigh Tasgaidh. I cannot recommend it highly
enough. See http://www.milford.co.uk/scotland/accom/h-a-1828.html
Carol
Dallas, TX USA 04/17/01
I just spent 3 great nights in Prague at the Pension Tyle and have to
mention how wonderful it was! Information can be found at www.bedandbreadfast.cz.
The owners went out of their way to welcome us and provide things we really
appreciated. We didn't arrive until 8PM and hadn't had time to find an
ATM, but he had a money exchange and provided underground tickets for
the next morning, which he added to our bill. He walked us to the local
restaurant that evening and to the bus stop the next morning. For four
women traveling to a city we had never been to before, this outstanding
treatment was truly appreciated!
vickie
Gainesville, GA USA 04/08/01
We recently booked three nights at Brock's Guest House in Bath, England. We both arrived ill and it was soon apparent that we had better get back to the States pronto. Marion and Geoffrey were both very understanding and helpful and got us underway at 0'dark thirty the next morning. Although we did not expect a refund for the nights we had not used I received a nice E-mail from Marion saying she had been able to rent the rooms and was sending us a refund for the nights we were unable to use. Once again Rick's recommendations have proven right on.
Before our illness we spent the night in Bruges, Belgium at the Hansa
Hotel. They gave us an upgrade and the whole organization was splendid.
It was the highlight of our trip. Thanks Rick.
Dick & Peggy Nolan
USA 03/02/01
I always have "adventures" when I travel and during my trip to England/Wales in August 2000 I was "rescued" on several occasions by Stuart and Jan Burke at the Baskerville Arms B&B Hotel in Clyro, Herefordshire (Tel 01497 820670; Fax 01497821609; web site: www.arms.baskerville.com).
Just before I drove into the village on a Thursday, someone ran me off the road and the tire on my rental car was damaged. I made it to the hotel and Stuart put on the spare, called a local garage, and gave me directions to get there the next day.
On Saturday morning as I loaded my car to leave, the computer-chipped key broke off in the trunk lock. Again, Jan and Stuart made calls and we discovered that Hertz was going to strand me without a car until Monday. I couldn't get to the horse-riding farm I'd already paid for and, because of the Brecon Jazz Festival, the hotel was fully booked. My heroes came thru again and gave me their son's bedroom at no charge, gave me a ride into Hay-on-Wye so I could shop, and called a local taxi driver they knew who charged me less than normal for a ride to the farm so I could enjoy the "horsey" part of my holiday.
I stopped by their establishment on the way back to London to thank them and mail some packages to the States. When I discovered the post office couldn't take my packages, Jan mailed them for me later and only charged me for the postage. These wonderful people should get a medal!
This hotel is in the "Border Country" near Brecon Becons Park and although
it only has a "two stars" rating, I would recommend it highly. The rooms
are large and clean, Jan is a great cook, and the restaurant and bar are
always filled with friendly locals. Clyro is a tiny village that was the
church "home" to the late Victorian-age diarist Rev. Francis Kilvert,
and is a quiet place to stop over or use as a base to visit the attractions
in the Brecon area. If you go, tell them the crazy lady from Illinois
sent you!
Kathy
Swansea, IL USA 02/11/01
While on our first trip to Great Britain, my wife and I, otherwise smart people, broke one of Rick's travel rules: We brought a borrowed copy of a three-year-old guide book! Sure enough, the B&B where we had hoped to stay near Hadrian's Wall was no longer operating.
Fortunately this cloud had a silver lining. The helpful people at the Hexham TI recommended Gibbs Hill Farm B&B, actually a working sheep farm, located just down the road from Houseteads Fort. Run by the hospitable Valerie Gibbs, the B&B was both charming and affordable.
Valerie herself was extremely helpful and knowledgable. While very much respecting your privacy, Valerie is more than willing to fill you in on all the local gossip and goings-on should you show an interest.
That night we ate a hearty and tasty dinner at the Mile Castle Pub, then, deeply breathing in the fresh country air, we fell soundly asleep in a comfortable bed. Following an early-morning stroll through the wildflowers with the sheep (watch where you step), we had a delicious full English breakfast prepared with the freshest of free-range eggs! Although we were there for only one night, our stay at Gibbs Hill Farm was wonderfully restorative.
Although we didn't get a chance to see it all, the property is quite
extensive, and has a trout pond and a stoneage archeological site! (Tel/Fax
01434 344030)
Jamie
Alameda, CA USA 01/21/01
My family and I (2 adults and 2 kids) stayed in London during the last week of September 2000. We were refered to Colleen and David of the Stuart Rd. B&B in London by a London bed & breakfast search service.
They are superb people and wonderful hosts who rapidly exceeded all our skeptical expectations. This was the first time ever at a B&B and were not quite sure what to expect. They always made it a point to make us feel totally welcome in their home. We needed only to mention something that was significant or might enhance our family's experience in their home and they would graciously exert the effort to make it happen.
Their home is in the suburbs of London (Acton Town). However, we found it very easy to go into the center of town by riding the Picaddilly line. Additionally, you might appreciate the serenity that their not-so-distant location from downtown London offers, especially after a long and noisy day in the center of town. They offered to pick us up at Acton Town underground station when we first arrived in London (the closest underground station to their home). This was really nice of them. Try getting that at Motel 6 here in America!
If we should ever find ourselves in London again, we shall make it a
point to always seek accomodations with Colleen and David first. By the
way, their son is also a really nice guy. My daughters really liked him
:) and he's got some interesting Barry White stories!
Luis, Dorinda, Katrina, Raquel
Oakland, ca USA 01/17/01
Just returned from a 10-day holiday trip to Germany and Austria with my wife and two adult daughters. All reservations were made by e-mail. Three hosts during the trip deserve kudos.
First, in Rothenburg, Hotel Silbernekanne: Spacious two-bedroom apartment for 190 dm per night. Great food, including vegetarian, in restaurant. Great location. Harold "Harry" Schurl was a friendly host who interrupted his Christmas party at another guesthouse to accommodate our late arrival. (info@silbernekanne.de)
Second, we made a return trip to Rick's recommended Gutshof zum Schluxen in Unter Pinswang, Austria (a five-minute drive across the border from Fussen). Beautiful, quiet, rural location. Walking path over the mountain to Neuchwanstein. Host Herman Weidinger even took my two daughters with his family to see the Ludwig musical. Best food of the trip in Schluxen's restaurant. We'll return on our next trip. (http://www.schluxen.com, schluxen@eunet.at)
Third, Silvia Rettenbacher at the Hotel Trumer Stube in Salzburg is
the consummate hostess. Arranges dinner reservations, tickets for concerts,
etc. Speaks fluent English. Location within walking distance of everything
in Salzburg. Reasonable rates. Can't imagine a better place to stay in
Salzburg. (http://members.eunet.at/hotel.trumer-stube.sbg/, e-mail hotel.trumer-stube.sbg@eunet.at)
Hugh Ingram
Grand Canyon, AZ USA 01/14/01
I highly recommend the Millfield Guesthouse in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Liz Broomfield is an exceptional hostess. I liked this place so much that
I stayed there twice. You will not be disappointed!
Heather M.
Seattle, WA USA 01/11/01
We found a wonderful B&B in Fourges, very near Giverny in Normandy, through Gites de France. With a pond, and flowers covering both ground and walls, it is the perfect warmup for Giverny. A little French would be helpful, but I think Rick's fax page would do the trick. M.& Mme. Stekelorum are very friendly and helpful. Although they don't speak much English, they are used to English-speaking guests.
They welcomed us with a drink, and suggested a local supermarket if
we did not want to eat at the expensive restaurant at an old mill; the
table in the garden was set for us when we returned from the store. Great
breakfast in the garden, also indoor breakfast room filled with antiques
in their 200-yr.-old house. Gave us tips for cycling, walking and driving.
(34 Rue du Moulin, 27630 Fourges, tel. 2- 32-52-12-51; fax 2-32-52-13-12.
Double bed, WC & breakfast @ 250F 9/99.)
Jinny D.
St. Louis, MO USA 01/01/01