Information specialists at the Centre County/Penn State Visitors Center often get questions about the bedand- breakfast experience so I thought it would be helpful to share a little bit about what a guest can expect, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Mid-State Bed and Breakfast Association.
“The sun is shining as we step onto the porch. Within seconds the innkeeper hands us a cool iced drink and some cheese. The view before us is dotted with cows, flowers and rolling hills of green. The owners chat with us for a bit, to get to know us; they are very personable. The relationship has started as they welcome us into their home — our home for the next two days. Quickly they help us settle in and find a place for dinner. They know their area, and are willing to find out our preferences and needs. We are here for our child’s graduation and want to make the experience special. The innkeeper is very accommodating and makes suggestions of where to celebrate. ...”
In Pennsylvania, there are more than 50 bed-and-breakfasts scattered around the center of the state. Although their locations vary from the Victorian town, the village, the farmhouse, the woodlands, and even the college town, they are drawn together by the Pennsylvania Mid-State Bed and Breakfast Association.
Mid-State is a group of individual properties, distinctive, having a beauty of their own, and together could be compared to a vase of wild flowers.
In today’s economy, bedand- breakfasts can offer the best package to fit travelers’ needs. Just like the properties themselves, the amenities vary. In some, you may wake up to the smell of freshly baked pastry, ground coffee, or bacon frying; in others, you can grab your Danish and go.
People often ask, “Do we need to bring our own sheets, pillows, towels and toiletries? Does everyone share the same bathroom? Do we have to check in by 10 p.m.? Do you lock the property at a certain time each night?”
The answers can vary, but for the most part, everything you need to enjoy your stay is provided and the innkeeper will do his or her best to accommodate any other requests you may have. Some B&Bs even pamper your pets.
Although you will find many differences between the properties, one thing remains the same; they want to serve you and make your stay memorable. Bed-and- breakfasts want to be “the better way to stay.” In order to accomplish this, Mid-State member properties are inspected by the association on a recurring basis. The owners meet regularly to share ideas of how to better serve their guests.
Mid-State represents sixteen counties throughout central Pennsylvania. Members are active in their respective communities and support their local visitors bureaus. Mid-State also has a cookbook of B&B shared recipes available at www.bedandbreakfastpa.com or at the Centre County/Penn State Visitors Center in State College.
For more information on a B&B visit, log on to www.bedandbreakfastpa.com or www.visitpennstate.org.
Tami Schuster, of Our Fair Lady Victorian B&B in Bellefonte, is a member of the Pennsylvania Mid-State Bed and Breakfast Association and writes on behalf of the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau.
