If you are not used to staying in bed and breakfasts, you may not be sure what to look for as you browse various options and look for a room to book. Without previous experience to draw on, it's hard to know what kind of bed and breakfast you like and which features are most important to you. However, if you focus on checking for the following things, you should end up in a bed and breakfast rental that suits you well.

How far from your key destinations is the bed and breakfast?

Whereas hotels are almost always located in the city center or on a busy street near major amenities and attractions, bed and breakfasts tend to be off the beaten path. After all, they are rooms for rent in what is typically someone's house, and a quiet location is one of the calling cards of most bed and breakfasts. So before you book a room, check to make sure the bed and breakfast is a reasonable distance from the key places you plan to see and visit while you're there.

What is served for breakfast?

While it is typical for bed and breakfasts to serve guests a hot breakfast each morning, this is not always how things are done. Some bed and breakfasts simply provide a kitchen with ingredients and equipment to prepare breakfast on your own. Others may even send you next door to a restaurant for breakfast; the bill is just included in your booking. Double-check that the specific breakfast arrangements suit your needs and that the types of foods being served are appropriate for you. If you follow a specialized diet, such as vegan or gluten-free, you may want to call the bed and breakfast directly and see if they can accommodate you.

Will you share a bathroom?

Some bed and breakfasts are set up so that each guest room has its own accompanying bathroom. Other times, you will be sharing a bathroom with guests in other bedrooms. This really comes down to personal preference. Just make sure you're comfortable with whatever bathroom arrangement the place has.

What entertainment is available?

Some bed and breakfasts have a shared living room where you can watch TV. Others may have a library, a pond where you can fish, or even a game room. Check to see what entertainment is available to ensure it will suit your needs. Of course, if you're going to be really busy doing off-site things on your trip, this will be less important.

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what to pay attention to as you browse listings for various bed and breakfasts. The right place for you is out there!