Bed & Breakfast (B&B)

What you can expect:

A B&B is usually somebody’s home.  The owner, or manager usually lives on the premises.  As the name indicates, you can enjoy breakfast as part of your accommodation.  Bathrooms can be en-suite or private or you may have to share amenities with other guests.  You must be prepared to share living areas with people living in the house.

Is it suitable?

A Bed & Breakfast is ideal if you are looking for a safety and comfort of a home.  It is suitable for a quick stay over.  B&B’s are reasonably priced and comfortable.

What to ask:

Find out whether the bathroom is private, en suite of whether shared with other guests.  Also enquire whether towels are supplied or if any meals other than breakfast are served.

What to expect:

This is a house which has been transformed or specially built to serve the purpose of a guesthouse.  Guests will have access to exclusive areas, e.g. living room, balcony, dining room, and outdoor areas which include a pool, garden and braai area.  Only breakfast is usually served, but at some guesthouses dinner is also served.   You can expect a private or en suite bathroom and towels.  Even though the owner or the manager lives on the property, a guesthouse ensures more privacy in home surroundings than a B & B.

Is it suitable?

A guesthouse is perfect for a short stay if you are seeking home comforts in private and luxurious surroundings.  Keep in mind that guesthouses have different degrees of formality.  Make sure whether it is child friendly, should that be one of your priorities.

What you enquire:

Most of the guesthouses supply coffee and tea facilities together with toiletries.  It would be wise to enquire whether they offer refreshment facilities (some even have a mini bar)  entertainment e.g. TV or radio or telephone facilities.
 

Boutique Hotel

This description fits a hotel which offers a service to clients who wish to enjoy a unique experience.  Basically there are two kinds:

One is a boutique hotel in a city with special ultra modern décor and furniture.  Only the best in the field of technology like plasma screen and surround sound systems together with quality works of art and small detail, are usually found.

The other kind is one which enables you to escape to fantasy surroundings in a castle or mansion.  There may be no TV but only bubble baths, candlelight baths and Egyptian cotton sheets.  The focus is mainly on unique experience.

Is it suitable?

Boutique hotels are ideally suited to people who enjoy style, luxuries and a uniquely different experience.  This is perfect for romantic breakaway or an experience where you may be pampered and spoilt.

What you enquire:

Check whether meals are served and whether room service is available.  Mostly all the rooms in a boutique hotel are uniquely decorated and it might be fun to ask to see all the rooms and then decide which one you like best.  You can usually check on the website or brochure.

Farm lodges

What to expect

A farm lodge (country house) is a guesthouse which is situated in peaceful surroundings near a forest, river or maybe even a lake.  Farm lodges usually focus more on the affluent market and should offer all the facilities that a hotel can offer, which includes meals and drinks.

Is it suitable?

Should you require luxury accommodation in relaxing surroundings, this should be your destination.  Usually sports and other recreational activities are available in spacious surroundings and this would make it an ideal option for a family.  As meals and drinks are available, farm lodges are perfect for romantic getaways or even longer stays.

What you enquire:

Some bathrooms have the option of bath/or a shower and room may have two single beds or one double bed.  State your preference.  Make sure about bar facilities or maybe a bar fridge in the room.  Some farm lodges even offer spa facilities. Check which recreational facilities are on offer e.g. boating or any other water activities, hiking routes, tennis courts, and 4x4 trails.

Lodges:

What to expect:

The surroundings and the experience are often of more importance at a lodge than the accommodation.  A lodge is usually in or near a nature or game reserve.  Guests then can make use of game drive or hiking.  The accommodation can vary from a bush or farm atmosphere to one or absolute luxury, depending on the star grading.  Meals and drinks are usually offered.  You can normally expect the same luxuries as offered at a hotel.

Is it suitable?

Lodges are usually sited in very ideal surroundings and offer nature- and animal lovers the luxury of modern amenities.

What to enquire:

Make sure whether game drives, meals and hikes are included in the price of the accommodation or whether they are extras.  Some lodges have different bathroom facilities like spa bath, outside shower or bathroom with a view on offer.  Ensure whether fans, air conditioners or mosquito nets are available as heat, mosquitoes and crawling insects are all part of the nature experience.

Check recreation facilities e.g. horse riding, swimming and spa facilities.  Television and satellite services are usually optional in this kind of accommodation.  Should you be flying to your destination enquire what transport facilities are available to the lodge and whether costs are included or extra.

Self catering

What to expect:

Self catering accommodation can include any of the following: a flat, a cottage, farmhouse, or even a houseboat.  Cooking facilities are usually included in the form of a stove, a microwave and a fridge together with cutlery.  Linen is not always supplied.  Sometimes cleaning services, laundry facilities (on the premises or in the flat itself) and a TV on request, are available.

Is it suitable?

This could be an excellent option if you have a big family and do not mind to do a bit of work yourself and wish to make use of cheaper accommodation.  Self catering accommodation can be a cheaper option if the flat price is per init and not per person.  This type of accommodation can be usually house four to six persons.  Children usually enjoy this type of surroundings as it is relaxing and private.  Self catering accommodation is ideal for long family holidays or when a group goes on holiday together.

What you enquire?

Find out what appliances are available e.g. fan, microwave, heater, linen and blankets pillows, TV and basic appliances.  Find out whether the unit has a bath or shower and how many beds there are in each room.  Certain self catering units do not supply bedding, while others are luxurious with air conditioners TV, laundry facilities and even a restaurant on the premises.  Find out whether cleaning services are available.  Check whether the tariffs for recreation are per person or unit per day.

Hotel:

What to expect:

A hotel is required to supply accommodation and meals.  You can know what to expect if you pay attention to star grading.  Only the basics are available in one star hotel while a fie star hotel should supply all the luxuries e.g. luxury toiletries, bedding and linen, heated towel rails, bathroom robes and slippers, satellite TV and DVD player, a mini bar and 24 hour room service.  A very wide variety of services and facilities are offered by hotels e.g. heated swimming pools jacuzzi’s, game rooms, sports facilities, nanny services, entertainment and laundry and porter services.  A hotel with a higher star grading will offer more luxury services than a hotel with a lower grading.

Is it suitable?

You will find a hotel to suit every taste, be it a business journey or maybe a romantic getaway.  If you want to relax and just enjoy the services offers by a hotel, this may be the option you need.

What to ask:

Find out whether the tariffs are per room or per person who is sharing.  Find out if there are special tariffs for children and out of season tariffs.  Enquire whether the room has a view and if it influences the price.  Make sure whether the room has two single beds or one double bed.  Find out if transport is available from the airport and which facilities are on offer e.g. nanny services, room services, laundry facilities, TV and satellite TV , bar fridge, personal safe and air conditioning.