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The concept of having travelers in your own home is not one of
which everyone would think favorably. But the concept of the bad
and breakfast has been around for years. Here is a description of
their history.
A Brief History of Bed and Breakfasts
by Eleanor Ames, bed and breakfast owner in Luray, VA
“The bed and breakfast concept has existed in one form or
another since the beginning of man. Monasteries served as bed and
breakfasts for travelers, and in some cases still do.
Bed and breakfasts have been very popular with the traveling public
in Europe for years. It was in England, Scotland and Ireland that
the term "B&B" first came into use. Tourists will
see B&B signs in many windows there. The term "bed and
breakfast" is not used in many other countries. Terms such
as paradors, pensions, gasthaus, minskukus, shukukos and pousados
are used to describe what Americans and English-speaking Europeans
think of as a bed and breakfast.
The United States also has a history of bed and breakfasts dating
back to the time of early settlers. As the pioneers traveled the
trails and roads across this county, they sought a safe refuge in
homes, inns and taverns. In fact, some of those historic accommodations
now serve as B&Bs.
During the Great Depression, many people opened their homes to
travelers to bring in some additional money for the family. The
term "boarding house" was used at this time. After the
Depression, this type of lodging declined and many people had the
idea they were just for low-income travelers or drifters. In the
early fifties, people may remember the term "tourist home"
being used. This too was essentially a form of bed and breakfast.
Once motels were built on the new highways, they were soon forgotten.
In large part because of the number of Americans traveling to Europe
in recent years and rediscovering B&Bs, there has been an exponential
increase in interest in the U.S. Today, the B&B is not viewed
as a low-cost lodging facility but as an attractive alternative
to the typical standard chain hotel or motel room. Today, some bed
and breakfasts offer amenities not unlike those found at the most
upscale hotels in the world.”
As you can see, the bad and breakfast has been a haven for people
of all kinds over the years. What has remained consistent is the
personable hospitality of the homeowner to the traveler. At Stoneleigh
Guest House, owner Muriel welcomes you to stay at her warm and inviting
bed and breakfast as you discover the beautiful Niagara Region.
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