Bed & Breakfast Ireland
Helpful Hints
The busy tourist season is upon us again and it is so wonderful to receive such positive feedback from those who have already visited here. We are blessed right now with glorious weather and there are few places more spectacular than Ireland in the sunshine. Hotels and accommodation providers are reporting high demand and record occupancy this year. But if you haven’t already secured accommodation, do not fear. There are always places, mainly Bed & Breakfasts, off the beaten path that are still available. Sometimes when I suggest Bed & Breakfast accommodation to some of my clients, I am often surprised at their reluctance to give it a try. To some it seems an uncomfortable concept; renting out a room in somebody’s house. In Ireland we are brought up in this culture and for many it is their first choice accommodation option. The following are just a few tips to keep in mind when searching for available Bed & Breakfast accommodation.
Most Bed & Breakfasts are listed with Booking.com and other similar booking sites. However many of them only make a few rooms available on these sites because of the high commission or fees charged. So it is always advisable to call the B&B directly and most times you will not only get a room but also get a better deal. Many will give a “Bed & Breakfast” rate as opposed to a “room only” rate which is better value to the guest.
While most of the larger businesses take credit cards, many of the smaller more rural B&B’s only take cash. Many only take a credit card number to secure your booking but require cash on departure. This isn’t a big issue in towns and cities where cash machines are easily accessible but in country areas it is an inconvenience if you are caught unaware. So make sure to check what payment methods are accepted when booking. Also many tourists buy travel vouchers for accommodation before arriving in Ireland. These are not advisable as they are not widely accepted and it limits your choice of accommodation options. Also always check location of accommodation and its proximity to facilities. If you really want a downtown spot, make sure that’s what you are getting! That said, many Bed & Breakfast owners are only too happy to offer transport to guests when possible.
Ireland is brimming full of wonderful accommodation options to suit any preference. But make sure to include a night or two in a Bed & Breakfast while you are here. It will give you a unique taste of the real Ireland, some home cooking and baking and definitely a lot of chat and great local advise. At Across Ireland Tours, we have an extensive list of quality accommodation. Call us today and let us start planning your dream holiday.
