Hotels Versus Bed And Breakfasts – Which One Is Right For You?

May 28, 2010

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Vancouver, you may find it hard to decide between hotels versus bed and breakfasts.

Most hotels in the Vancouver area are centrally located downtown. Many are large, impersonal and sometimes noisy. Most municipalities require that hotel rooms are fire safe, and drapes, carpets, and furnishings have fire retardant sprayed on which may not be the healthiest environment to sleep in.

Your view may be that of the parking garage and your room may be of shoebox proportions. If you’re lucky, breakfast will be included, but it may not be up to gourmet standards.

Hotels may also be limited in guest laundry facilities so if you‘re staying more than a few nights you either have to find a Laundromat or wash out your clothes in the bathroom basin and hang them up in the bathroom to dry.

Coffee and tea making amenities may not be provided and not having kitchen facilities means you have to eat out all the time. Eating out at first while you’re on vacation seems like fun, but it’s surprising how soon you long for a home cooked meal. Not to mention, constantly dining out at restaurants soon adds up and hits you in the hip pocket.

In contrast, bed and breakfasts have the owner on the premises, they’re very welcoming, much more quiet, and a home away from home. Most guests become friends and return to the same place year in and year out.

It’s easy to ask your bed and breakfast host or hostess what are the best places to see in the area, and the best places to eat. Thoughtful touches are usually provided, such as a guest laundry, coffee and tea making facilities in your room and usually a full breakfast every morning.

Dancing Firs is a high-end B&B at White Rock, B.C. Only ten minutes from the U.S.-Canada border and 30-45 minutes from downtown Vancouver and its major attractions, it features three private suites, each with a deluxe bathroom, full kitchen or kitchenette and hot tub with 180 degree Pacific Ocean views.

Awaken in the morning to the delicious aroma of a full, gourmet breakfast each and every day. Each suite contains a guest pantry, stocked with handy condiments, jams, and olive oil. You can even make your own cappuccino, courtesy of your very own cappuccino maker and organic coffee and cream. For tea drinkers, there’s a wide selection of teas, or if you prefer juice, Happy Planet juices and water.

Every suite has a guest library filled with books, magazines and videos. Other amenities include a guest laundry and outdoor barbecues. If you’d like to explore outdoors, why not stroll down the garden path to the edge of the ocean where you may spy an eagle or shorebird? Or perhaps walking along the forest path, where you may even meet a resident raccoon?

Dancing Firs is a great place to relax, recharge, refresh and rejuvenate. If you want to find out more about hotels versus bed and breakfasts, take the video tour of Dancing Firs right now and see for yourself which one you prefer.

Comments

• Take the video tour and you’ll know why!

  

• Absolutely the BEST!!!

  If you are in White Rock and are looking for a FABULOUS place to stay this is IT! You will absolutely love it. We would give it 10 STARS!!! It is first class all the way! The beds/pillows are the best. Mary is the owner and the most gracious lovely woman. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the Dancing Firs. The breakfasts are magnificent as well. Thanks Mary!!!! Gayle from Victoria, BC.

• You will think you’ve died and gone to heaven!

  My husband and I stayed here for two months in 2007 while we were looking for property in the area. We have revisited many times since then. The accommodations are beyond comfortable - they are beautiful. The property sits on a very high bluff over the ocean and the views are stunning. The owner is an artist when it comes to creating an experience that is at once healing and luxurious. An amazing place - you won't want to leave.... Trishrae, St. Albert, Alberta.