| Millions of British people will have experienced bed and | | | | hotels are able to cut prices for advance bookings by |
| breakfast accommodation at some point in their lives | | | | around 50% and guests able to book well in advance |
| and most will know that the stereotypical days of strict | | | | can often enjoy even greater savings. |
| landladies, nylon sheets and clunky plumbing are over. | | | | Those travelling in small groups, especially with children, |
| Thankfully, the dated establishments and mediocre | | | | can take advantage of the family rooms often |
| service of the good old 'B&B' have been | | | | available in custom-built budget hotels. Again, the Bed |
| refurbished with a more attractive, competitive | | | | & Breakfast has struggled to compete, as many |
| approach. | | | | B&Bs are traditional houses, where space for |
| Bed & Breakfasts and guest houses originally | | | | extra beds in a room is generally not an option. Budget |
| proliferated in places where the working classes took | | | | hotels often incorporate sofa beds and are paid for by |
| their holidays, largely British seaside resorts, although | | | | room, allowing a family to stay for the same price as a |
| they also became firm favourites with business | | | | couple. |
| travellers, and many are still going strong. However, | | | | Furthermore, in 2007 revised regulations were |
| changes in the hotel market over recent years have | | | | introduced, demanding stringent new standards. Many |
| sounded what many see as the death knell for | | | | B&Bs could no longer advertise in their local |
| countless Bed & Breakfast establishments | | | | accommodation publications if they were unable to |
| throughout the country. | | | | meet these. |
| Although Britain's B&B's continually strive to offer | | | | For many guests, in particular the business traveller, |
| value for money, they are rarely able to compete with | | | | swift check-in and check-out are important. With UK |
| the relative newcomers to the market - the UK hotel | | | | hotel chains, securing special offer rates by paying |
| chains. With the advent of these chains came the | | | | online in advance makes for a speedy check-in, plus |
| beginning of a new era. Holiday-makers and business | | | | no need to check-out. Taking this concept a stage |
| travellers alike were suddenly offered fresh choices. | | | | further, one chain has already introduced self-check-in |
| En suite became the affordable norm, rather than a | | | | at five of its hotels across the UK. However, guests |
| facility only for those with bigger budgets, pushing the | | | | opting for Bed & Breakfast establishments need |
| shared bathrooms of many a Bed & Breakfast | | | | to read the small-print about checking in and out. |
| into the shade. | | | | As B&Bs are often run alongside the owners' |
| In a bid to win over former guests of B&Bs whilst | | | | domestic arrangements, many are unable to allow |
| also tempting those accustomed to staying in more | | | | check-in before late afternoon and then require |
| up-market hotels, the UK hotel chains began a huge | | | | check-out mid-morning. Again, because of their |
| campaign to cut prices whilst still delivering high levels | | | | corporate domestic teams, the UK hotel chains are |
| of service. Two chains in particular, currently | | | | able to offer a broader timescale and guests are |
| accounting for around 60% of the budget hotel market | | | | generally welcomed early/mid afternoon and not |
| between them, are engaged in fierce competition to be | | | | required to check out until midday. |
| the market leader. In 2008 one of these chains | | | | There can be no doubt that the arrival of budget |
| opened, on average, a new hotel every nine days, | | | | hotels has dealt a hefty blow to the Bed & |
| bringing its total to over 350, whilst its rival trumped it, | | | | Breakfast trade. In spite of the current economic |
| claiming more than 530, including several in high-profile | | | | climate, one particular budget chain is continuing to push |
| locations. | | | | forward with its development programme, opening a |
| Price is the key factor in the budget hotel chain | | | | further 36 hotels this year alone. |
| market. Whilst the Bed & Breakfast can offer a | | | | With new hotels arriving in such firm favourites as |
| warm welcome, local knowledge and a double room | | | | Blackpool, Scarborough and Bournemouth, the humble |
| for around 50 GB pounds per night, it has struggled in | | | | seaside Bed & Breakfast is finding it even harder |
| the price war of recent years, unable to compete on a | | | | to compete. Yet the British B&B will always have |
| regular basis with the UK hotel chains' special offers | | | | it followers, resisting the temptation of the budget hotel |
| and advance booking tariffs. Their growing corporate | | | | in favour of the Full English and chatty check-out, |
| power means that, although average room prices | | | | happy to ignore any strange noises from the taps. |
| match those of Bed & Breakfasts, the budget | | | | |