BED AND BREAKFAST REWARD PROGRAMS OFFER BETTER VALUE THAN LEADING HOTEL CHAINS
Guests earn rewards 10 times faster at Bed & Breakfasts than with leading hotel chain
American Historic Inns, the nation’s leading publisher of Bed and Breakfast guidebooks, released their findings today in a study that compared the rewards programs between leading hotel chains and Bed and Breakfasts nationwide. The results concluded that B&Bs offer ten times the value of hotels when it comes to reward programs.
10 Times Better than Marriott Rewards
We called Marriott rewards and created a scenario of what it would take to get a reward. If we stayed at Marriot Suites in a $209 room type we would generate 627 points. It takes 7500 points to get a free night at the lowest level on the 7 levels of Marriott properties. So at the rate of 627 points per night it would take us approximately11.9 nights at $209 per night resulting in an expense of $2500 to get one night free.
When it comes to value, comfort, and individuality, nothing can top a good bed and breakfast (B&B) or country inn. And if you really want to make your dollar go further, consider two things:
First, more than 1,560 Bed and Breakfasts and country inns nationwide will reward you for staying a night, by giving you a second night free. Why? Because small Bed & Breakfasts do not have large advertising budgets and by offering a second night free they receive your word of mouth advertising. Iloveins.com created a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free program, which is posted on their website (Details below.) The savings are substantial – an average of $140 savings on a two-night stay. It far surpasses hotel chains that require you to stay 10 or more nights to get one night free, or properties that offer you $25 and $50 gas coupons.
Second, when you factor in food, the cost of your vacation is further reduced because typically your bed and breakfast room rate includes breakfast as the name indicates. In addition many innkeepers also provide assorted snacks/drinks and business services, such as sending a fax or printing an important document.
The Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free reward gives you an immediate Free Night for only one night’s expense. The savings can be up to $650 depending on the B&B you choose. Conversely, American Historic Inns ran a scenario with a leading hotel chain and calculated that, on average, customers must spend $2,500 before earning a free night.
“My husband and I love the B&B rewards program. We get to travel to B&Bs we normally would not experience or extend our stay thanks to the savings,” explained Kimberly Graham.
Money and Memories Go Further with Bed and Breakfast Trips
Armed with this knowledge, here are some of the unique B&Bs and country inns where you can make your money go further (and create one-of-a-kind-memories that last a lifetime).
|
Hydrangea House Inn
|
Newport’s Historic Bellevue Avenue Cottage
Stay at this Victorian B&B in Newport, RI and share a street address with the Vanderbilt’s and Doris Duke. Hydrangea House Inn, an AAA four-diamond property on Bellevue Avenue is located in the heart of Newport’s walking district abundant with shops, galleries, restaurants and mansions. With nine elegantly appointed rooms, each room is unique with period furnishings like rare hand carved beds from China yet fully equipped with modern luxuries like dual head showers, whirlpool tubs for two and steam rooms. Guests will enjoy the inns extensive porches with Hydrangea garden views. Rooms here are $265-$475 for two nights with the FREE program and include parking.
Historic Plantation and Fine Dining
Have you always dreamed of visiting ‘Tara’ in Gone with the Wind? Then you must visit Monmouth Plantation in Natchez, Miss. This 19th century white-pillared mansion offers true Southern hospitality in elegant style. Whether it’s waking up in a four-poster bed or enjoying fine cuisine in Monmouth Plantation’s lavish dining room, this world-class property was voted top 100 in the world by Conde Nast. Rooms here are $195 to $395 for two nights with the FREE program.
|
Kirkland House Bed & Breakfast
|
Long Island Sound Summer Villa
Located in historic New London, Conn., – founded 361 years ago – the Kirkland House Bed & Breakfast resides in a restored, rambling 1896 Italianate “summer villa” on beautifully maintained grounds. With bedrooms that overlook Long Island Sound, the Kirkland House B&B is softly cooled by ocean breezes. Inside, visitors will enjoy its grand staircase, ornate fireplaces and guest rooms adorned with antiques, fine art and owners’ collectibles. Breakfast can be enjoyed on the mansion’s large summer porch, and features Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with homemade Wild Maine Blueberry Sauce or South Beach Vegetable Quiche. Rates are $100-$250 for two nights with the FREE program.
Craftsman-Style Bed and Breakfast
The only challenging part of a visit to this 1920s craftsman-style house is figuring out where the deep blue sea ends and clear skies begin. Located in the heart of the Monterey Peninsula, Inn at Seventeen Mile Drive is a two-story, three-building inn offering sea or garden views from the main house, while you will find rustic ambiance, surrounded by oak and redwood trees in the cottage and redwood chalet rooms. Relax in the spa beneath the tall trees in the gardens, which are often visited by deer and monarch butterflies, or enjoy a glass of champagne while observing Koi in the fountain ponds. Rates are $145 to $290 for two nights with the Free Night program.
|
Rivertown Inn
|
Victorian Mansion, Evening Hors d’oeuvres
Absolutely stunning: These are the only words that fairly describe the wonderful interiors of the Rivertown Inn in Stillwater, Minn. Housed in a restored three-story Victorian mansion built by lumberman John O'Brien, the Rivertown Inn features exquisite period rooms decorated to suit 19th-century poets such as Lord Byron, Browning, Tennyson and Longfellow. Many rooms have carved or poster beds and all suites have fireplaces and double whirlpool tubs. When you arrive, enjoy the complimentary nightly social hour with hors d’oeuvres and wine. In the morning, savor a three-course breakfast with items such as Mini Belgium Chocolate Pancakes with warm Chocolate and Pecan Sauce, or Egg Soufflé with Smoke Bacon, Roasted Peppers and Aged Cheddar on Arugula Pesto! $175 to $375 for two nights with the Free Night program.
Twelve Acres and an 18th Century Inn
A place where the road-weary can find a warm welcome: That’s how The Old Drovers Inn in Dover Plains, New York bills itself. It’s easy to see why: Once an 18th century inn that served ‘drovers’ driving cattle to New York City, this B&B is an elegant Colonial Revival Inn with truly magical period-decorated rooms and a famous dining room that offer local seasonal game and fresh seafood. In the Tap Room, you can enjoy traditional hot buttered rum and mulled ale that the drovers once quaffed, or enjoy The Old Drover’s Inn’s extensive bar and long list of imported and domestic wines. Why stay at a cookie-cutter hotel, when you can stay here!
Try out the Free Night program by ordering the 19th edition of “Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inn”.
