D&D's B&B, Montreal, Quebec presents a most informative
Frequently Asked Questions forum.

If this is your first visit to Montreal,
or to a bed and breakfast, we encourage you to read the following.

You are welcome guests in our home, and we want your visit to be perfect in every way. For your security and that of other guests, please note that unregistered visitors are not allowed in our home .

FAQ's

Less-is-more Luggage Lessons

Would you wrap a 50-pound ball-and-chain around your ankle before leaving for vacation or a weekend getaway? Of course not! Yet when we see the huge suitcases many people take for a short getaway, it's hard to see the difference. Over-packing is particularly inconvenient and unnecessary when you're visiting B&Bs.

Here's why:

Lots of steps: Your typical century-old Victorian mansion has six or more steps to get to the front door, and at least two full flights of stairs to get to second- and third-floor guest rooms. Although many B&Bs have wheelchair accessible guest rooms, elevators are a rarity.

Limited closet space In the 19th century and earlier, most people had very few clothes - just their everyday work clothes and a Sunday suit or dress. The oversize closets of today's homes were very rare. Where closets existed, innkeepers have typically transformed them into bathrooms, since indoor plumbing was even scarcer than closets. While innkeepers do their best to provide you with adequate storage space, limitations exist.

Limited staff: Although innkeepers will be delighted to help you with your bags whenever possible, B&Bs do not have bellhops or other staff on call for carrying luggage.

Lots of amenities: Nearly every innkeeper will be delighted to provide you with a hair dryer and iron (plus an ironing board), so remove those items from your suitcase. Lovely toiletries at most inns (shampoo, lotions, etc.) can also lighten your load. D&D's B&B also provides bathrobes in your room for use while you stay with us.

Lots of books: Although good books are a key ingredient of a great vacation, you don't need to pack a library. Most innkeepers will be happy to trust you to return their own favorites, while others offer an informal exchange program - take a book, leave a book.

Be a ruthless packer. Take only neutral-colored slacks, shorts, and/or skirts (black & khaki are best), so that all your tops match all the bottoms. We are partial to no-iron microfiber fabrics, which weigh little and fold up into nothing. Since you can usually wear the bottoms for several days, you'll only need two or three for a week-long trip. Three pairs of shoes is the maximum and two pairs is better - a pair of walking shoes, and another that's a little dressier. Always take a bathing suit. Roll it into a ball, stick it in a corner of your suitcase, and you'll never have to miss the fun.. Do bring an empty, lightweight daypack for hiking. You can always fill it with the treats you've purchased.

To recap, here are our "Ming the Merciless" packing rules:

Rule 1: If you can't carry it yourself, you don't need to take it.

Rule 2: If at all possible, limit yourself to a carry-on size rolling suitcase, and if absolutely necessary, a small duffle bag for shoes. If it doesn't fit, you don't need it.

Rule 3: If you must take an oversize bag, and plan to get someone else to carry it for you, go back and read Rules 1 & 2 again.

A bed and breakfast experience can offer the finest features of a quality hotel, with the added pleasure of making instant friends in a strange city.

Other interesting tidbits about a B&B

A B&B differs from a hotel in that the innkeeper usually owns the property and resides there. There are usually fewer than six guest rooms and they can provide very personal attention. There is no hard rule for this. Some 20-room inns offer breakfast and advertise themselves as a B&B even if the owner is nowhere in evidence. In an urban environment, this can be less than desirable.

Innkeepers themselves usually have a few rules out of respect for other guests and for the home itself. Cooking and unregistered guests are usually not allowed. Smoking, pets and children are always something that must be confirmed in advance. Avoid embarrassing yourself and your innkeeper by keeping these considerations in mind.

In a city property, parking is often not available on site, (D&D's B&B does have onsite parking, but it is limited and on a first come first served bases. There is plenty of street parking also available) but public transit makes it easy to get around. Guests have their own key and can come and go at any hour. Check-in time must be confirmed in advance, so the innkeeper can be there to meet you. Not all B&Bs accept all or any credit cards. Deposit and cancellation policies are generally less forgiving than hotels (as a late cancellation may mean a significant loss to the small innkeeper. See our Cancellation Policy )

A B&B may indeed cost less than a hotel, especially when you consider that fewer taxes are applied, there is no charge for local phone calls, breakfast is included, snacks are usually free and you don't tip the bellman. Despite this, a bed and breakfast should not be selected as a cheaper alternative to a hotel. This is to belittle the love and attention the innkeeper lavishes on the property and on their guests.

In the words of one of our colleagues, to distinquish the difference between a hotel and a bed and breakfast: "When was the last time you hugged the hotel clerk as you checked out?"

What about children?
Urban B&Bs are often child-free zones. Is that because B&B owners don't like children? This is seldom the situation. In fact, it is most bed and breakfast Guests who prefer an adult environment. Indeed, it is for the assurance of this environment that most B&B guests have selected a B&B, rather than a hotel. Most families are more comfortable at a hotel/motel/resort with pool, etc., for their children. As a result, many B&Bs are not generally set up to accommodate children safely, and many of the better ones are furnished (and catered) with adult tastes in mind. D&D's B&B welcomes children of age 15 and up.

Why a minimum stay of two or more days?
There are two reasons why B&Bs often do not accept one-night visitors. We would like to think that, first and foremost, it is because the innkeepers are in this profession because they enjoy getting to know people from all over the world. This is not often possible when a guest checks in at 10 p.m., has breakfast at 9 a.m. and checks out. There is no "satisfaction" for the innkeeper. The second reason is economics: With few rooms to let, it maximizes occupancy if the visits are longer; accepting a one-night Saturday visit, for example, might prevent the another guest from staying from Thursday to Monday. [D&D's B&B has a 2-night midweek - weekend minimum stay during June - October.]

What about tipping?
That's another advantage to B&Bs over hotels. Innkeepers will always go out of their way to ensure you have every comfort and service within their power, and never expect gratuities.[If you choose to express your gratitude at D&D's B&B, it will be passed directly to the cleaning staff.]

Tips or service charges are not usually added to restaurant bills in Canada. As well, salary levels in many restaurants are based on the assumption that staff will receive a significant proportion of their income in tips.

If you are satisfied with the service received, a tip of 15 percent is the usual amount given. Following the introduction of the federal goods and services tax (GST), many Canadians have begun to tip on the pretax amount.

Some restaurants will place a mandatory service charge on a bill for a large party. Your waiter or waitress should explain this to you before you order. Barbers, hairdressers and taxi drivers are also usually tipped at 15 percent. Bellhops, doormen, redcaps (porters) and similar staff at hotels, airports and railway stations are generally paid C$1 per item of luggage carried.

Specific Check-in times: Most B&B's have limited or no extra staff on hand other than the hosts themselves. The hosts have many other things to be done during their day and have errands to run. This is the reason that your arrival time is so extremely important. Being late by an hour or two, from the time you have specified can make a big difference in a B&B hosts schedule. Please be considerate and make every effort to be on time. If there is a delay in your day, please notify your B&B hosts as soon as you have a chance.

Late check-ins: Even though B&B hosts try to accommodate your wishes and whims, we also do need our "beauty sleep". B&B hosts must rise early to start their day, and some have jobs outside of the B&B. Therefore, if you can arrange for an earlier arrival time, please make every effort to do so. If a late check in is absolutely necessary, we will make every effort to accommodate this and arrangements can be made. It could be a "lock box" on the B&B door that gives you access to a key or just simply and key under the door mat! Please notify your host as soon as possible if a late check in is required