When Inn Doubt

By Marilyn Messik, Selected Hotels: Distinctive Hotels, Family Resorts, and Country Inns United Kingdom & Ireland

Editor's Note: Marilyn has long been helping travellers on both sides of the "pond" with their travel plans. Here are her suggestions on finding an ideal inn.

In the twelve years I've been helping people plan their trips, whether in the US or the UK, I've found so much depends on expectations being met (and hopefully exceeded). To ensure that happens, you have to plan ahead to decide exactly what you're looking for.

Inns and B&Bs often offer wonderful opportunities for guests to socialize over breakfast, pre-dinner drinks, or perhaps enjoying family-style dining with everyone, including the innkeepers, seated around one table. This can be a highlight of your holiday, a chance to meet and mix with interesting folk you might never normally come across and to forge lasting friendships. If, however, you're looking for peace and solitude and want to commune with nothing more than nature, each other and some great food, then make sure you go for an inn that will give you just that.

If you have special dietary requirements, don't forget to mention them when making your reservation. The same applies to pet hates or phobias - far too late, when greeted enthusiastically by an innkeeper's Great Dane or Persian kitten, to murmur you're petrified of big dogs or highly allergic to cats.

Some inns and B&Bs cater for kids, some don't; do take note and not offense at this. Telling you in advance is as much for your benefit as the innkeeper's. Few parents amongst us can relax while a boisterous toddler wreaks havoc with the antiques and throws up gourmet cuisine on the irreplaceable heirloom tablecloth.

If you're heading off to a romantic hideaway, don't forget to get explicit driving directions, including a map. Even the most devoted of couples can be reduced to acid exchanges while trying to decipher scrawled directions or a miniscule map in a dark car on a bumpy country road. And nothing is calculated to wipe passion off the agenda faster than someone yelling "If you meant hang a left, why the hell didn't you say so."

Remember, if your holiday goes perfectly, you'll share wonderful memories for years and if it's slightly less than perfect - at least you'll have some funny stories to tell.

Happy Inngoing!