B&B, GUESTHOUSE, AND APARTMENT FAQ'S

Is there a specific cutoff time for check-ins?

Each B&B or other accommodation option will have a set time for check-in. If it is not listed on your voucher, you may ask us to verify, or you can call ahead on your own prior to your arrival.

In some countries, where tourism is more geared toward beaches and activities in the sun, you might notice that check-in times at B&Bs or similar accommodations may be later than in countries where this is not as crucial to the country`s tourism economy. There is no one hard and fast rule even by country, but we have taken the time to study a handful of B&B options in many European countries and we can give you a rough estimate of what to expect. Remember to find out your B&B`s check-in times in advance of arrival, either through TripMasters or by calling the property directly, and call ahead to the owners of the property if you feel like you will be later than 30 minutes before the check-in cutoff. If you fail to call ahead, you may lose your reservation and need to find alternate accommodations, at an additional cost.

- Republic of Ireland: 3-4 to 6 p.m.
- United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland): 2-3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Some places are open as late as 10 p.m.)
- The Nordic Countries: 3 p.m. to 6-8 p.m. (Typically 6 p.m. in Denmark, 7 p.m. in Sweden and Finland, and typically 8 p.m. in Norway.)
- Germany and the Benelux: 3-4 p.m. to 6-7 p.m. (Some B&Bs start check-in at 2 p.m. in Germany. Many allow check-in until midnight -- and do not always have staff on-hand during check-in.)
- Switzerland and Austria: 2-3 p.m. to 6-7 p.m. (Some properties allow check-in as late as 8. Call ahead if you are arriving at 6 or after.)
- France: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Some have shorter check-in hours, and others allow check-in as late as 11 p.m.)
- The Iberian Peninsula: 3 p.m. to 7-8 p.m. (Self check-ins are common depending on the region of Spain or Portugal. Call ahead to establish a plan for check-in.)
- Italy and Malta: 2-3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Some allow check-in until 9 or later. Call if arriving after 6:30 just to be safe.)
- Croatia and Slovenia: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Some allow check-in until midnight.)
- Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary: 2-3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Many B&Bs offer check-in as late as midnight in some regions, especially in summer.)
- Poland: 2-3 p.m. to 6-7 p.m. (It is recommended to call ahead if you are arriving after 6.)
- Greece and Cyprus: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Some allow check-in until midnight.)

Will someone be on-site to check me in?

No, not always. In many countries, B&Bs stop staffing the `front desk` area (if there is a physical one) at 3 p.m., which is also the same time many B&Bs start the check-in process. Your B&B should provide you with check-in details in advance of your arrival. However, if you have not received them within a week of your arrival, reach out to us or directly to the B&B and make check-in arrangements for when you do arrive. If anything, the instructions from the B&B should let you know what to expect. If you are staying in an apartment or efficiency rental, you may have to pick up the keys from another location or another person who isn`t the landlord. Make sure you know where you`re going and who you need to speak to (if anyone) before you go on your trip, so you are prepared.

Note: For travelers booking self-drive packages and not relying on other modes of transport between cities, make sure you know what your driving times are and account for delays such as traffic, weather, and road closings; those things can add up if you are not prepared, and can cause you to be late. To avoid jeopardizing your reservation, make sure to call ahead if you feel like you are going to miss the check-in cutoff -- and make sure to make that call far enough in advance of the cutoff, so you do not inconvenience the property owners too much when you do arrive. Calling ahead is very important!

Do B&Bs always include breakfast?

In some countries B&Bs include breakfast, and in some countries they don`t. For example:

- In the British Isles, you will usually find a large cooked breakfast included as part of your stay. Depending on where you are, it can be referred to as an `English breakfast`, an `Irish breakfast`, or a `fry-up` or `fry`.
- In the German-speaking countries, many Privatzimmern and Gästezimmern (their equivalent of the B&B) will offer a good-sized breakfast inclusive in the price. Pensionen may offer breakfast, but some may not.
- In Francophone countries, B&Bs are called chambres d`hôte and do include breakfast.
- In Scandinavia, B&Bs are also known by names such as rom (in Norwegian), hus rum (in Swedish), and værelser (in Danish). Nearly all B&Bs in Scandinavia offer a large breakfast, and many places will even offer plastic wrap or aluminum foil for guests to make a sandwich for lunch. This is a popular option for budget-conscious travelers, who end up getting two meals included in their room price.
- On the Iberian Peninsula, there are a number of private accommodation options, which include pensiones, camas, casas particulares, and in Portugal, quartos. Breakfast tends not to be included at these properties, but if you are curious, all it takes is to inquire about this during the booking process.
- In Italy, B&B-like setups can be found in properties called alberghi and pensioni. If you want to rent a room short-term in someone`s house, those are called camere libere (free -- as in unoccupied -- rooms) or affitta camere (rooms for rent). Typically if you have a kitchenette or kitchen in your living area, breakfast may not be offered, but many times it is. If you are staying in pensioni or alberghi, you will find that breakfast is included more often than it isn`t.
- In Greece and Cyprus, the popular B&B equivalent is called a domatia. Breakfast at the vast majority of these properties is not included.
- The Adriatic countries of Croatia and Slovenia offer private accommodations called sobe, which tend not to offer breakfast. Staying at a privately-owned tourism farm (turisticne kmetije) in the countryside may include breakfast, but don`t count on it without confirming first.
- In the former Czechoslovakia, penzions tend to offer breakfast more often than not, but as a rule it isn`t guaranteed. Apartment rentals are less likely to offer breakfast.
- Many B&Bs (Zimmer) in Poland offer breakfast included in the price. The places that do not offer this inclusive in the price tend to offer shared kitchens where guests are welcome to cook and self-cater their own meals.

Keep in mind that if you select apartment housing, popular in many countries across Europe, it may be up to you to self-cater and breakfast may very well not be included. It`s always important to establish whether or not breakfast is included in your stay before arriving if this is important to you.

Is there parking available on-site?

It is very important that you figure out the parking situation at your accommodation option before arriving in Europe. We recommend that you ask about this during the booking process with TripMasters. The short answer is that it depends on the property, and in many parts of Europe, simply being a guest does not entitle you to free parking. Many times, when parking is offered, it is an extra expense with a set fee per night. With that said, in many cases (but not all) there are parking options, which can consist from anything to parking lots to underground car parks, also all offered for a fee.

What are sleeping arrangements like?

If you have trouble with mobility or accessibility for whatever reason, B&Bs and similar accommodations may not be the best options for you. Sometimes the room you will be staying in might be located up a few flights of stairs, perhaps as many as three or four. Now this isn`t a continent-wide rule, and in many European nations you will find lists of accommodation options that are suitable for disabled people or people with limited mobility; you should access this list from the tourism standards board of the country in question you will be visiting.

Since many of these are private residences, and many are older buildings, expect situations which may be cozier than you are used to. Rooms can be small compared to U.S. hotels or even U.S. B&Bs, and if you are expecting a king-size bed, it would be best to make sure this is all confirmed beforehand, because that may not even be an option offered in smaller properties. Floors may creak and walls may be thin. They add to the coziness and overall experience, but it is important to be aware that, while welcoming, you most likely will not get a `chain hotel` experience -- the hope is that you will get an experience that is even better.

Do rooms share bathrooms or will there be private bathrooms?

It depends on the property. If you have an `en suite` bathroom, that means the bathroom is connected to your room. Most often these bathrooms are private and only for your use, but sometimes they can be connected to the room next door and you may have to share. It is important to address this possible distinction during the booking process. If you have selected a property with a `private bathroom`, keep in mind that this does not always guarantee that it is an en suite. You may have the private bathroom all to yourself, but it is possible that it will be across the hall or down the hall from your room.

Is Wi-Fi available?

It depends on the country and the property, but the trend is that these accommodation options are moving toward more connectivity for its guests. You`ll find that most properties in the British Isles, Germany, and the Benelux, among other locations, will offer Wi-Fi as an amenity. In other areas of Europe, Wi-Fi availability in B&Bs can range from widespread, like in France, to hit-or-miss, like in Greece and Cyprus. If this is an important factor in your accommodation selection, make sure you establish that the property has Wi-Fi during the booking process.

Is room service available in B&Bs?

In many B&Bs, limited `room service` is available as the owners wish to keep competitive with other accommodation options. This, of course, is completely at their own discretion and such `service` will be far more limited than you will find in a hotel. While some B&Bs offer maid service during one`s stay, many do not, and instead clean your room after you leave. If you require something routine such as extra towels, or small toiletries, B&B owners will be accommodating. You may get more customized service in farm homestays, which you can find from France all the way to Eastern Europe -- it is a subset of the local tourism industry called agritourism.

Can I stay at a B&B or similar accommodation option for just one night?

Many B&Bs offer stays of one night, but it`s safe to say that the majority require stays of at least two nights. This can be for a number of reasons, perhaps first and foremost that many B&Bs are located in high-tourism areas and just like in many touristed areas of the U.S., accommodations require stays of what would be the equivalent of `a weekend`.