I’ve always had a fascination with everything English. From Jane Austen and The Brontes to Croquet, Branston Pickle and footie; I love them all. There are many things that the UK does very well, and B&Bs fall in this category. I recently discovered that the AA (which is akin to Triple A stateside) gives out yearly awards for outstanding B&Bs throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales similar to BnBFinders’ own ‘Guest Favorite Awards’ .
It’s the usual British panache and style that make their ‘AA’ awards something worth talking about. The awards the ‘AA’ gives out are brilliant. Awards are given for ‘Friendliest Landlady of the Year’ (remember in the UK Landlord/Landlady stand in for the unisex innkeeper we use stateside), which was won by Miss Rosemary Reeves who grows her own flowers to place around the inn, one of many special touches she is known for. There is an award for the ‘Funkiest B&B of the Year’. What exactly defines ‘funky’? The 2008 winner, the Crazy Bear boasts a check in desk situated in a former Double Decker bus, statues, zebra stripes and plants everywhere as well as a dual English and Thai restaurant on the premises.
An award is given for ‘Most Family Friendly B&B’ as well, which the ‘AA’ hopes will reiterate that B&Bs are a great place for a family trips. More traditional awards are doled out as well including Best B&B in London, and Best B&B in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
This year marks the 100th Year of the ‘AA’, and a black tie gala is being held to honor the winners. Again, I find myself enamored with something English. I love that the ‘AA’ recognizes ‘Funky’ and ‘Friendly’ as award worthy adjectives to strive for, and that B&Bs are given the black tie treatment along with chefs and other hospitality professionals. It’s very cool.
I’m wondering which B&Bs in the US would win these awards? I have some ideas, but we’d love to hear about your choices in the comments section. I personally know a few very funky, and very wonderful inns. In addition we know many family friendly B&Bs as well. Leave a comment and tell us who you think deserves an award outside the norm or who would look the best in black tie.
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Thanks for writing this, we started to run a B & B near Stratford-upon-Avon (without the double decker) last year and haven’t looked back. The stories and pictures you have of the american counterparts seem to put our local ones to shame, we look forward to seeing more in the future.
Comment by James Savin — June 9, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
James, thanks for the comment! I don’t know though, your B&B is in a gorgeous part of England. You have a great website bye the bye as well.
Comment by admin — June 9, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
Then of course there are people like us, British B&B owners in the USA, for those on this side of the Pond that enjoy the English Experience without the transatlantic crossing
Comment by Julie Pierce — June 13, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
I have to agree Julie. They just opened a real English chipper in Brooklyn a few weeks ago, so there are plenty of Anglophiles running around the US it seems.
Comment by admin — June 13, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
There certainly are a lot of lovely B&B’s in the UK, especially around Derbyshire
Comment by Edward Lewis — June 16, 2008 @ 10:09 am
Edward you’re right, it’s seem like a wonderful part of the UK. I’ve been to Sheffield, but haven’t made it out your way yet, but it looks amazing. Thanks for the comment.
Comment by admin — June 16, 2008 @ 12:58 pm