And the Tasmanian bed and breakfast industry was born
Tasmanians are naturally friendly, relaxed people and their bed and breakfast
hospitality became legendary. Not just for the people who ran them, of course,
but the properties themselves were - and still are - very special. Many heritage
properties have been adapted to stunning effect for accommodation use, homes in
spectacular locations have become B & Bs, and people are building new properties
especially for use as B & Bs. In those early days, facilities were diverse but
they all remained true to the B & B tradition – they offered true hospitality.
In short, they were ‘hosted’.
 Then the lines became blurred
Unfortunately, the popularity of bed and breakfasts led to operators of
self-contained accommodation jumping aboard the bed and breakfast bandwagon, by
simply adding breakfast provisions to their larder and calling their properties
B & Bs. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this type of
accommodation, if it’s what you want, but it has blurred the definition of 'bed
and breakfast', not just in Tasmania, but everywhere else as well.
Travellers who want to enjoy the hospitality which is the charm of
traditional bed and breakfast accommodation now need to research diligently more
than just the facilities on offer. My advice, if you want to experience the
personal attention which is the hallmark of B & Bs, is to read the small print
on the internet listing or brochure very carefully. Is it hosted? If not, keep
looking.
In Tasmania, hosted B & Bs are now very easy to find
Finding hosted bed and breakfast accommodation, in Tasmania anyway, is now very
simple. There is a website which covers the whole of Australia and of course
Tasmania —
Hosted
Accommodation Australia is the recognised national peak industry
organisation representing B&Bs, farm stays, guest houses, boutique hotels,
cottages and other self contained, hosted accommodation. You will find a wide
range of properties and styles, but hosting is the underlying theme.
Brenda Bourne, Webwoman proprietor of
Mole Creek
Lodge Bed and Breakfast, Mole Creek, Tasmania |
