What is a real Bed and Breakfast?

Let's spend a night together

Bed and Breakfast’ (B&B in short) is mainly meant for a stay of one or two nights. So, ‘Bed and Breakfast’ is exactly what it describes:a bed and breakfast. Most B&Bs have their unique way of offering this. So, what is a real Bed and Breakfast? This blog post is written by B&B Tilburg Gust van Dijk to explain our position as a genuine B&B. To be honest, it is not easy to give a precise definition and it requires a bit more explanation. In the light of the formal definition, a Bed & Breakfast is simply a bed for the night and breakfast to start your day.

A real Bed and Breakfast accommodates, for example, travelers for leisure or business who arrive in the late afternoon or early evening, go out for dinner to a nearby restaurant, visit cultural events, theaters, a concert or movies, and return later in the evening. After a good night’s sleep and a delightful breakfast in the morning, they continue their journey.

A Bed and Breakfast accommodates, for example, travellers for leisure or business, who arrive in the late afternoon or early evening, who go out for dinner to a nearby restaurant, visit a cultural event, visit the theatre of the film and check-in again later in the evening. After a good night’s sleep, and a fine breakfast in the morning, they are on their way again. In Tilburg there are many events and festivals which which last two or three days, and to make your acquaintance with our city this could really easily fill a mid-week or long-weekend to accommodate a two or three nights stay.

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B&B-Tilburg House front, view from the Tivoli-park

So, but to clarify the given definition a bit more, than we would like to add:

Real Bed and Breakfasts are small-scale lodging accommodations that offers as we already pointed out; an overnight stays and breakfast. Besides that they are small-scale, they are run by the owner of the property, often together with their partner.

Reception and check-in

B&B’s may not have a traditional reception desk like hotels. Instead, guests typically communicate directly with the owners/hosts to arrange check-in time or make specific requests. Check-in procedures in B&Bs are usually at fixed times, which differs from hotels that often have a 24-hour reception desk. Since the owners are often present on-site, they can accommodate individual arrival times, making the check-in process more personalized and time sensitive.

Staying in a private family house

To further clarify this definition, we would like to add that Bed and Breakfast is a often situated in private family home. The accommodation is run by the owner of the property, often together with their partner, and usually, the hosts and hostesses live in the house and will ask you to comply with their house rules.

Personal and service-oriented

Bed & Breakfasts are, therefore, personal, reflecting the personality and passion of the owners. This makes these lodgings fascinating and unique each time you visit one. That’s what makes categorizing Bed & Breakfasts difficult.

Each B&B has its own special characteristics, and that’s where their charm lies. They are small-scale, allowing for excellent service. For instance, they offer home-washed bedding and mostly homemade products for breakfast. The guest rooms are usually compact yet luxurious, providing all the comfort you desire.

B&B-Tilburg-Red-Corner-Suite-round-bed-215cm

Personal welcome

The B&B host not only gives you a warm personal welcome but also welcomes you into their house. They explain details about how to operate certain things in the accommodation. Tell about remarkable historical facts and highlight the town’s attractions. They are what we call “the local in the know” and possess detailed knowledge about their city and surroundings. When asked, they act as your ‘local guide’ and provide tips about the area.

What to visit or where to find the restaurants with your favorite taste and atmosphere. 
This is exactly what sets them apart from a hotel. We inform you about the highlights of Tilburg and its surroundings based on your personal preferences. With these tips, you get the chance to explore the city or the area like a local, discovering places you would normally overlook. This way, your stay will undoubtedly be of superior quality.

Privacy and quality time

Moreover, if you value privacy, a Bed and Breakfast is an excellent choice. Most B&B’s are discreetly tucked away and respect your privacy. They are not overcrowded tourist hubs with numerous staff members. Bed and Breakfasts are perfect for relaxation and spending quality time together. Are you looking for a special B&B for a romantic weekend getaway to unwind? Would you like to take a walk in nature or go for a bike ride to explore the surrounding countryside?

As the owners of B&B Tilburg Gust van Dijk, we act according to these general descriptions as mentioned above. Given the opportunity, we focus on your preferences to ensure you a comfortable stay and strive to make your visit a rewarding and positive experience to remember. Ultimately, as hosts, we aim to create quality time for our guests.

What are the differences between Bed and Breakfast and a Hotel?

A B&B is small-scale and much more personal. It doesn’t have a bar, but the host can offer you a coffee or a drink. There is no restaurant, and it is usually located in someone’s house. A B&B emphasizes providing a quality stay, quality time, a comfortable bed, and a delightful breakfast. Breakfast is typically served in a communal room, such as the dining room or salon.

A hotel, on the other hand, offers a wider range of services. It has a bar, and you can have lunch and dinner in the restaurant. They offer buffet breakfast and provide overnight accommodations. Hotels are more anonymous and often larger, with elevators and long corridors that require more walking. People usually stay in hotels in larger numbers, and there are staff members assigned to various tasks, from reception to room service. All amenities in hotels come with a price tag.

B&B-Tilburg kijkje in de gastensalon

Sustainable tourism

More and more travelers attach great importance to sustainable tourism and, therefore, opt for a Bed and Breakfast. B&Bs have less negative impact on the environment, people, nature, and local culture. They are often set up in existing buildings, avoiding the need for new construction. Many B&Bs have implemented decentralized sustainable measures to minimize energy consumption, such as installing solar energy systems, improving insulation, and implementing strict waste management practices. Check here our sustainable policy.

The owner does not have to take drastic measures to create an experience: a stay in a Bed & Breakfast is an experience in itself.
Thanks to their sustainable character, Bed and Breakfasts are also attractive for companies and business travellers. By the way, one in three B&B guests is a business traveller. It is pleasant to ‘come home’ to a Bed and Breakfast with their homelike character, after a long day in an anonymous meeting room or large meeting.

B&B-Tilburg Ontvangst met een kopje thee op het terras

Is there a B&B for everyone's taste?

Because there are so many different, fun bed & breakfasts, you can always find accommodation that offers just what you’re looking for. Are you in the mood for the cosiness of a village, the vastness of the countryside or the vibrant atmosphere of a big city? Would you like to relax or spend an active holiday in nature? It can all be perfectly combined with a Bed and Breakfast stay. Choose a trendy guest room in the city, with shops, restaurants, and nightlife just around the corner. Retro-nostalgia of the twenties and thirties? Book a monumental property by the sea, an ecological farm with a vineyard, or a chalet in the forest. Whatever your travel plans may be, you can find your perfect stay in a Bed and Breakfast.

What is more reliable?

Well, it is difficult to define reliability, but noticing that a B&B is more small-scale, more personal and you directly doing business with the owners, we tend to give preference to a Bed and Breakfast, above that of an intermediate booking platform or a hotel chain. But of course, there are fine operating hotels with reliable service too. That being said, talking about cleanness and hygiene, again we would rank a B&B above the scores of a hotel where underpaid staff have to do the cleaning in too little time.

What is cheaper; a B&B or a Hotel?

Cheap comes with a warning, as the Dutch saying goes: “Goed-Koop is Duur-Koop” which means cheap is, in the end, more expensive. A low price is a bad indicator if the quality is important. Having said that, everything comes with a price. Some B&B’s will outrun the bargain prices of a hotel, but in most cases, hotels with their ‘aeroplane-seating-pricing-strategy’ for their room pricing will outrun B&B room prices. Then as we already noticed, in a hotel, everything comes with a price tag. They are commercially drive and float on advertising. Even Booking’s headliner in Tilburg starts with our name: Bed and Breakfast Tilburg.

B&B-Tilburg, City Park Green Deluxe Room, Park view

How do I choose a great B&B?

Think about what you wish for? What features or qualities you want from the accommodation you would like to spend your stay? Should it be near to a place you want to visit, at walking distance of a theatre, a music venue, nightlife or the train station? In the countryside, nature, close to a wellness centre? Then compare your wishlist to what is on offer; check pictures, read the accompanying text, the facilities on offer, compare pricing to your budget. And last but not least, think ahead. You are probably not the only one, who has a special pic on a certain date for that lovely accommodation. If there is a special event, a festival or a happening, some accommodation may be booked upfront ahead of the specific date. Here the small-scale nature of B&Bs aggravates the competition. So be timely to book your favourite B&B, and we will be sure you will have a great stay.

How do I book the best Bed and Breakfast?

Even as we know, lots of B&Bs are listed on booking sites; like Booking dot com, AirBnB dot com, and even the Dutch Bed and Breakfast organisation: BedandBreakfastNederland dot nl is nowadays run by Booking dot com. Like they also own Tripadvisor. The best way though is still to check out the website of the Bed and Breakfast itself. Maybe, they are not yet as fancy and adaptive to mobile, their website contacts directly to the host. Call the telephone number for extra information, or send an email to the given email address or form, on their website. Though some B&B-websites give the possibility to check availability and to book directly online.
On top of that, check for certifications and reviews. You should think Tripadvisor is still a quite reliable indicator. The problem is since Corona has arrived, Booking dot com doesn’t show the category B&B’s on Tripadvisor anymore. So if you want to find a B&B, you need to fill-out the right name in the search window, to find the right accommodation.
Quite nifty: “Bed and Breakfast [Town to visit]”

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In summary:

  • Definition:
    A B&B is described as offering a bed for the night and breakfast in the morning.
  • Small-scale and Personal:
    B&Bs are small-scale accommodations located in private family homes. The owners or hosts typically live on-site, adding a personal touch that reflects their personality and passion.
  • Excellent Service:
    The small number of rooms allows for excellent service and attention to detail.
  • Unique Characteristics:
    Each B&B has its own special characteristics, such as special themes, interior layouts, or historical significance. These unique features contribute to the charm and individuality of each B&B.
  • Local Experience:
    B&B hosts are knowledgeable about the local area and can provide tips and recommendations to enhance the guests’ stay.
  • Privacy and Quality Time:
    B&Bs offer privacy and a more relaxed atmosphere compared to hotels, making them suitable for couples or individuals seeking a quiet stay.
  • Pricing:
    B&Bs provide an inclusive pricing structure where the room rate includes breakfast, unlike hotels where additional charges may apply for services such as breakfast, coffee, parking, and use of facilities, significantly impacting the overall cost of the stay.

By choosing a Bed and Breakfast, you not only enjoy a comfortable and unique accommodation experience but also support sustainable tourism practices.

All the more reasons why so many travellers happily choose B&B’s as their favourite form of accommodation.  So book your stay at B&B … If you want to explore Tilburg, book your stay at Bed and Breakfast Tilburg Gust van Dijk.

“Let’s Spend the Night Together” is a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and originally released by the Rolling Stones in 1967.

B&B-Tilburg Tivoli park Magnolia's in bloom