Making Reservations: When making reservations via email be patient waiting for a reply. If you contact B&Bs off-season they may be closed or away on their own vacation. Do not assume a B&B is ignoring your email message. They may not have received it. It happens more often than you think. Re-send the message saying it is your second or third attempt. If you still do not hear back pick up the phone and call. Phoning is the easiest and quickest method of getting an instant answer. Remember it is 5 hours later in Ireland than Eastern Standard Time.
Re-confirm Reservations: Shortly before your departure confirm your reservations again. This will give both you and your host peace of mind.No-Show Guests: B&Bs are small Mom & Pop establishments with 6 rooms or less for guests. Many do not have additional staff like big hotels do. Since they have so few rooms they cannot absorb the costs of no-show guests. Guests who make reservations and do not show up really hurt the pocketbook. Hosts may have turned away many people from a room that will then go unoccupied and not paid for. They may have waited up to all hours of the night for guests who don't have the common courtesy to make a quick phone call. They may have skipped important family events to wait for no-shows. Don't be a deadbeat. Your Hosts Are People Too: B&B owners have a life of their own. If you are kind to them, generally you will be treated the same. They are in the hospitality business and are used to meeting the needs of their guests, but try not to be too demanding. Everyone has an off day and at times a host may not be as cheery as you expect. And they all have different personalities. Hosts are also dealing with other guests, their children, elderly parents, their own ailments and perhaps other jobs - in other words everything that you are and then some. Think of having continual house guests 24/7 for 9 months a year. A smile goes a long way!Check-in Time is usually between 4 - 6 pm, unless agreed on otherwise. If you have a early flight arrival you cannot count on getting into your room early (maybe in off-season). If the B&B was full the night before your arrival the present guests must have breakfast, check out and then the rooms must be cleaned before you can occupy it. All that takes time. If you absolutely must have a room on arrival for your early check-in, reserve the night before. It will mean paying for two nights but if it is that important it is a small price to pay. When doing that, you can check-in early, freshen up and have breakfast before napping or relaxing. When checking in you will get a key for your room and the front door. Reservations Expire at 6 pm! If you will be later, call your hosts and let them know when your estimated arrival time is. They are flexible if they know your plans. But they are not mind-readers. If you arrive at 10 pm in August and have not called, don't be surprised to find no room at the inn.Parking: Ask your hosts if they want you to park in a certain area. Don't hog the spaces - leave room for other guests to park their cars too.Coffee or Tea on Arrival: Don't feel slighted if you are not offered tea and snacks on arrival. Now that many B&Bs have tea and coffee facilities in their bedrooms it is becoming less common to be offered it on arrival. If you do receive the offer, consider it an extra. Directions: Get detailed directions to your B&Bs, since many are difficult to find. Print them from the website or ask your hosts. Before going out for the evening take a couple of cards from your B&B. They usually have a map on the back. This will help you find your way home after dinner or a pub crawl.Breakfast: Meal times vary from place to place, but generally breakfast runs from 8 or 8:30 to 9:30 or 10. Some B&Bs will do early breakfast but others cannot for various scheduling reasons. If you have an early departure most B&Bs will leave you cereal, bread, jam, etc. to have in the dining room or your room. Some B&Bs will ask you to fill out your breakfast request the night before and ask you what time you would like breakfast. Try to be in the dining room at the time you specify. Other B&Bs are more casual and you can eat when you want and order your breakfast in the morning. If you have special dietary needs let your hosts know in advance (at least the night before). Many B&Bs have a buffet table where you can serve yourself cereal, fruit, juice, etc. It would be impolite to raid the buffet and take food away for a picnic lunch or to have in the car. There are other guests who must eat too. Most B&B have individual tables. If there are just two of you sit at a table set for two, not four or six. If in doubt, ask.Attire: When in the public areas of the B&B it is best not to wear your negligee or only your underwear, go barefooted, etc. If your room is not ensuite and you have to cross the hall to a bathroom, cover up.Late Night Arrivals: If you check-in very late or come in after the pubs have closed, remember that other guests may already be asleep. Loud talking, laughter, door slamming and walking up the wooden stairs like elephants is not kind. The TV volume in your room should be kept low too. Just use common courtesy.A B&B is Someone's Home: If you break something, spill something, etc. let your hosts know right away. They have the supplies to deal with it and would rather clean up right away so that you are safe or so stains don't set in. It is not a Holiday Inn. Individual bottles of shampoo, bottled water, individual soaps are there for you to use. But don't take the towels, toilet paper, box of tissues, flowers or the full bottle of liquid hand soap. If something is not in your room that you need, let your hosts know. Don't use the towels to clean your shoes or the car windows. Instead ask your hosts and they will supply rags or paper towels. Washing out a few undergarments and letting them dry in the bathroom is fine. However, don't wash your whole wardrobe and hang your clothes all over the room dripping on the furniture and carpeting. That is what a launderette is for. Ask your hosts and they will tell you where you can get your clothes washed. Virtually all B&Bs in Ireland are non-smoking. Don't smoke in the room, the bathroom or out the window. Use the designated area outside.Paying: Many B&Bs will take your credit card number to make a reservation. However, most want payment in cash. It would be wise to inquire in advance. At most B&Bs you pay in the morning after breakfast when you are checking out. Some B&Bs have been stung by guests skipping out without paying. If they ask for payment on arrival don't be insulted. Unfortunately, this is becoming much more common as a result of unscrupulous people's actions.Tipping: It is not customary to tip at B&Bs. However, if you had exceptional service or your hosts made phone calls for you, made you reservations, did your laundry, or generally went out of their way to help make your stay special a tip is not out of line. At B&Bs and guesthouses with staff it is appropriate to leave something for good service. Host Gifts: For some reason people equate staying in a B&B with staying at a relative's house. They think they should take a gift as thanks. Gifts for B&B owners are really not necessary. You are paying to stay at the B&B. If you absolutely must give the host a gift make it something small and evocative of the area you live. Flowers or chocolates are also appropriate. Sending a thank you card is the proper way to thank your hosts. Also consider writing a brief review of their B&B and post it on online review websites.
FAQs
Do you tip at B and B in Ireland? ›
Irish accommodation providers, in general, have factored in all costs. You are not expected to tip excessively in Irish hotels and no tips are needed if the hotel is small and staffed directly by the owners, such as a small bed and breakfast or guest house.
What should I expect from a B&B? ›You can enjoy a delicious homemade breakfast, chat with other guests if you wish, and get to know the hosts who are local residents and know the area like the back of their hand. It is important to understand that a B&B will not have the 24-hour concierge, room service, bar, spa, gym and pool that hotels often have.
Do you ring the doorbell at a bed and breakfast? ›We've stayed in a few places with business-type doors that were obviously meant for you to walk right in. In those cases, the B&B had a registration desk similar to an inn. Otherwise, we always ring the doorbell, as many times doors are locked for security purposes.
What is the etiquette for tipping bed and breakfast? ›In general, tips should range from 10-15% of the bill total for satisfactory service. If there has been exceptional service then 15-20% would be appropriate as a token of gratitude. Lastly, timing also plays an important role in tipping etiquette when staying at a bed and breakfast.
Is it rude not to tip in Ireland? ›No, tipping isn't generally expected in Ireland, but it's a nice gesture to show appreciation for excellent service. While there's no set rule, if you've enjoyed the service in a restaurant or a taxi ride, for example, leaving a few euros can express your thanks.
Is it rude not to tip hotel housekeeping? ›“You're not required to do so, but if you do leave a note, just grab the hotel stationery and write some sort of pleasantry and leave the tip on top of that,” Swann said. “And don't just throw a wad of bills on the desk. Open them up and lay them flat, so it clearly is a tip that is meant for the hotel staff.”
What is the 30 day B&B rule? ›The 30-day rule for shares prevents investors from selling a share and repurchasing it the next day to realize a loss and take advantage of capital gains tax exemption laws. The rule requires a 30-day window between buying and selling a share to claim the exemption.
Can you eat in your room at a B&B? ›Can I eat in my Bedroom? B&B guests shouldn't eat take away meals in their rooms – often there will be lovely antique furniture and textiles, which are designed to be used for sleeping, rather than eating! Most hosts will be happy for you to use the dining room to eat, or recommend local places to eat.
What are the disadvantages of staying in a B&B? ›Can Lack Some Standard Amenities and Privacy. While some bed and breakfasts offer unique amenities not easily found elsewhere, like on-site spas, a saltwater pool, or a movie theater room, often times a bed and breakfast does not have the space for standard hotel amenities like a fitness center.
Can you come and go as you please at a bed and breakfast? ›It depends on the property, but many B&B owners are happy to accommodate guests who'd like to grab breakfast and go.
Do you have to talk to people at a bed and breakfast? ›
If you're still nervous, call the inn in the afternoon. The owner will often answer at that time of day, and you can ask questions about the general decor. 3. You have to talk to other people while you're staying at a bed and breakfast.
What does it mean when your doorbell rings in the middle of the night? ›“Phantom” ringing that happens at random times is typically due to fluctuations in the voltage sent to your chime. While small power spikes usually won't cause the chime to sound, larger ones can.
Is it rude to leave a tip on the table? ›If you have the cash, try to leave your tip on the table after using your credit card to pay the bill. Traditionally, if you're not being served your food, tips are not expected. Still, baristas and other employees at bakeries, coffee shops, and more often put out a tip jar.
What is the golden rule of tipping? ›More than a decade ago, Jonathan Gold shared his golden rule for tipping — 20% every time. At the restaurant, the coffee shop, the valet, the bar.
How do you act at a bed and breakfast? ›- Contact the Innkeeper in Advance. ...
- Arrive on Time. ...
- Respect Your Host's Personal Property. ...
- Show Up for Breakfast if You Ordered It. ...
- Let Your Host Know of an Accident. ...
- Make Pleasant Conversation With Fellow Guests. ...
- Leave a Favorable Review.
Airbnb hosts set their own rates, so there's no need to tip
Many do charge a cleaning fee, which the host also controls. In some cases, the host cleans the apartment themselves or they hire cleaners and are responsible themselves for the payment and potential tips of said cleaners.
It's normal to tip for good service in restaurants, bars and cafes in Ireland - especially in touristy or business areas. Tips are also appreciated in hotels and serviced apartments - and other places where staff may not be so well rewarded, like spas or salons.
Do you tip the owners of AB and B? ›For valet and room services, leave anywhere from $2-5 (or more, if you're feeling generous). In some cases, tips are not expected by the innkeeper. Sometimes at a smaller bed and breakfast, the owner does not expect you to leave a tip, or they will include gratuity in your bill.
Do you tip Air B and B cleaners? ›In the realm of Airbnb, tipping remains a matter of personal preference. While not obligatory, some hosts discourage tipping to maintain a fair pricing structure for cleaning services. Deciding whether to tip often hinges on factors such as the cleaning fee and the guest's satisfaction with the cleaner's work.