Top tips for a great holiday in some of Scotland’s best B&Bs

Published on 26/05/2012 19:19

With summer finally here, it is the perfect time for a mini- break in one of Scotland’s B&Bs. Here the experts from {http://www. scotlandsbestbandbs.co.uk|scotlandsbestbandbs.co.uk|scotlandsbestbandbs.co.uk} offer tips for choosing a place which suits your needs.

1 Location, location, location

Are you looking for a rural retreat or city vibrancy, easy access to the hills or a base for island-hopping? Select your preferred location then search for suitable accommodation. B&Bs are spread widely throughout Scotland.

2 Quality assured

Choose with confidence when you know the B&B has been independently assessed for its quality and service standards under the star grading schemes run by either VisitScotland or the AA.

3 Visit the website

Don’t be fooled by cutting edge designs. Scan the images – do they appear recent and relevant? Does the text provide enough detail for you to make an informed choice? Do they have card payment facilities and what is the cancellation policy?

4 Read the reviews

TripAdvisor and similar on-line review sites give warts-and-all reports on every aspect of a guest’s experience, from the warmth of the welcome to the food and rooms. Trust the majority of positive reviews and ignore the odd negative comment.

5 Book direct for the best deals

Gain an impression of how hospitable your prospective host is likely to be when you book by email or phone. You’ll also probably save money as accommodation providers often inflate their advertised room prices to compensate for the high commission rates charged by some on-line travel agencies.

6 Local knowledge

Pro-active B&B owners will be happy providing information on local attractions, activities, walks, transport connections and entertainment.

7 Children and pets welcome

Always confirm with the B&B that your children are welcome to stay. Even if family rooms are advertised check that there is no minimum age requirement. Pets are often permitted but there may be an additional charge and restrictions on rooms they can occupy.

8 Guests with disabilities

Many B&Bs operate in older and often listed properties. As such, access for wheelchairs or for those with mobility difficulties can be an issue.

9 Good morning!

B&Bs are renowned for the high quality of their breakfast selection, whether buffet-style or freshly cooked to order. Vegetarian, organic and healthy options are now fairly standard.

10 Stay connected

Does the prospect of a couple of days without social media give you cold sweats? If so, check that your B&B has reasonable internet access or Wi-Fi coverage, especially in the Highlands and Islands.