Hotels vs b & b's

[take8easy]

We are going to be travelling to Italy soon and the hotels are quite expensive, esp in Venice. Someone suggested getting a B n G ... (deliberate typo). In fact I have never had a BnG or a BnB.

Although the thought of cheaper prices and that almost home like feeling is appealing, the lack of privacy and safety is something that has deterred me so far.

Any suggestions, tips, advice?

Thanks.

T8E

 

[MrBrown]

Cities like Venice and Rome are notorious for high hotel prices given the small space and aging state of the rooms.

I've been in Rome many times over the years and the best deal I ever got was via Hotwire. In the outskirts of town but accessible via underground.
No real reason for a central hotel since you literally spend all day outside.

Venice I stayed in a hotel in the suburbs (I'm sure there are AirBnb options these days) to save $$. But if this is a trip with an SO I see the value in paying a premium to stay close to the canals and reignite some romance.

If you'll be in Florence I'd skip staying at a hotel in the city and rather stay at Agri turismo (B$Bs in the villages). Same goes for regions such as Umbria.

Heard great things about B&Bs in the Cinque Terre region.

Italy is the best. Take your time. Enjoy it like a local. Food and coffee included.

 

[*emmanuelle]

"B&B" has come to be a stand-in for basically anything across the entire spectrum of non-hotel properties - from 100% self-contained units to a bedroom in someone else's house. If someone tells you they stayed at a great B&B, it could have been anything from a private, high-end condo to a tiny attic above a family of 6 (with ONE shared bathroom!). So essentially the level of privacy you get depends on what kind of property you book. Each type of property has its pros and cons.

I have stayed at some beautiful private "B&B"s (condos), and while I love being able to have a nice separate kitchen, dining area, bedroom etc, I miss having staff available to ask questions to or get some quick advice from. If you need help figuring out the dishwasher or wifi, it might be hours before you can get hold of the owner.

I've stayed at some family B&Bs, and while it's lovely having a big beautiful homemade breakfast and people around who can give you excellent insider advice on the area, you do miss the privacy and space of having your own self-contained unit. Also if you're allergy-prone like me, there can be a lot of allergens around - potpourri, cats, etc.

If you're in Italy, I think the best bet is to find what's called an "Aparthotel", but one that has a lobby with staff available. You get the best combination of privacy AND help when you need it.

 

[*emmanuelle]

I think everyone should do some kind of family/local B&B thing at least once in their lives!!

I once stayed on a farm in the small town of San Giovanni a Piro in Italy, and it was one of my most memorable travel experiences of all time. Eating fresh, homemade REAL Italian food, playing with the dogs, going for a tractor ride with the neighbour, impromptu guitar concerts by the host, sipping limoncello and watching the sunset from the top of the bougainvillea-draped balcony with the other guests. I made some friends for life while there and I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. These are the kind of experiences I never would have been able to have if I’d been alone in a hotel room somewhere.

A week later I was staying at the Mercure in Naples, and couldn’t get over how BORING, LONELY and NONDESCRIPT it was!!