We all have questions we’re afraid to ask.
If you’ve never stayed at a bed and breakfast before, you’ve probably got several.
During the past year, we’ve been asking our guests over breakfast, “What’s the one question you had before coming to the Phineas Swann, but were afraid to ask?”
A lot of bed and breakfast questions came up repeatedly. So operating on the assumption that there’s no such thing as a stupid question, here’s the Top 10 Questions About Bed and Breakfasts You Were Too Afraid To Ask:
# 10: Are there TVs? A lot of guests were worried they’d be stuck in their rooms on a cold Vermont night staring at a fireplace, or worse, old pictures of people from the 1700s. Yes, we do have TVs. We have digital cable and DVD players in every room. We provide our guests with a library of more than 500 movies to chose from. We know you’re not going to spend your entire vacation in your room watching movies. You’re going to explore Vermont. But it’s good to know if you want to curl up in bed together and watch a RomCom after a busy day, you can.
#9: Who was Phineas Swann? A lot of guests leave here thinking we just made up the name. But he was a real person. We’ve got a great deal about him in our History section, but the short answer was he was one of the founders of our town. He also had 13 children. Hence our focus on romance here at the Phineas.
#8: Does it smell/look/feel like grandma’s house there? Nope. We may be an 1880’s Victorian, but we drive like a Tesla. We’ve got WiFi, hard internet connections, free phones, an awesome outdoor hot tub, jetted tubs and programmable gas-log fireplaces. One thing we do have in common: We bake some awesome chocolate-chip cookies.
#7: I guess I don’t get any privacy, right? You get as much as you want. Every room and suite is private. Our River House suites are perfect for recluses. If you want to interact with the owners or guests, it’s great fun. If you’re seeking a private romantic weekend for just the two of you, you can have that too. It’s your call. A lot of people at night think Lynne and I are hiding from them. We’re actually respecting our guests’ privacy!
#6 Aren’t B&Bs more expensive? Nope. If you compare our rates with hotels, and then add in the cost of breakfast and other things we provide free that hotels charge your for (sodas, WiFi, snacks, water, parking) you’ll find we’re actually a significantly better value.
#5 Bed and Breakfasts are for old people, right? That’s a very common one, and it couldn’t be more wrong. In 2014, the average age of our guest was 39.
#4 I supposed there’s nothing to do in northern Vermont. Just take a gander at our activities page. Dogsledding, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, biking, touring breweries, shopping, oh gosh, we’re running out of room to continue!
#3 What if I don’t like the breakfast they prepare?/They can’t accommodate my dietary needs. This is a common concern. We always ask guests when reserving a room about dietary allergies or needs. To date, we’ve prepared special meals for the gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, diabetic, lactose-intolerant, and more. Whatever we have on the menu – be it blackberry-stuffed French toast, apple waffles, spinach frittata or blueberry pancakes – if it’s not your things, we’re always happy to whip up some farm-fresh eggs to order for you.
#2 – Do I have to eat with strangers? Some people love meeting new people. Others want to dine by themselves and stare lovingly in their partner’s eyes as they enjoy our blackberry stuffed French Toast. We’re somewhat unique in that we offer you a choice. With our large dining room, you can sit by yourself and watch the birds put on a show in our garden, or sit with someone else and learn who else has been lucky enough to discover the Phineas Swann.
#1 – Do I have to share a bathroom with everyone else? This was the most common bed and breakfast question people had before their first stay. The answer, of course, is no. Everyone at the Phineas Swann gets a private bath. All but one (the Blue Room) is en-suite. So you don’t have to worry about taking a shower while someone else is shaving at the same time – unless they’re your significant other!