Phila Airport Parking Vacations

Guests are coming, and you want to make their stay truly special, so take a cue from those seasoned hospitality experts — innkeepers. Here is a quartet of ideas that will transform your home into a bed and breakfast.

The first step is to create a cozy guest room. At Casa Laguna Inn & Spa in Laguna Beach, California, guests enjoy a room with plenty of amenities, from the fluffy robes to the luxuriously made beds to the CD and DVD players. Your house might not be quite as opulent, but you can still top the bed with soft linens, fluffy comforters and plenty of good pillows. A basket of toiletries is a thoughtful touch, offering easily forgotten items such as toothpaste or hair spray. You can even include a selection of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs. A bouquet of fresh flowers will make your guests feel especially welcome.

The guest bath is another important spot to consider. Guests at Beazley House, a Napa inn with plenty of amenities, enjoy baths stocked with luxurious Turkish towels and specialty bath products, as well as practical items such as a hair dryer. While you don’t have to spend a fortune, keep your guest bath stocked with fresh shampoo, conditioner and maybe some bath salts or bubbles. Adding some interesting wall art or perhaps an antique glass for a toothbrush holder are other easy options that make a big impact.

Now that you have dealt with the “bed” portion of the equation, it’s time to create the perfect breakfast. You don’t have to be a gourmet cook to create a great breakfast. Simply setting a beautiful table will make the morning meal a special occasion. At the Fairthorne B&B, a charming Cape May, New Jersey inn, the staff sets the breakfast table with lovely tablecloths and fine china. You can even light some candles to really make the meal special. Following Fairthorne’s lead you could serve a breakfast beginning with home-baked muffins or coffee cake, followed by an entre. You could also add a fresh fruit course. If your guests are light eaters, set out a small buffet with fresh fruit, toasting breads and don’t forget gourmet coffee and selection of good teas.

If you really want to impress your guests, consider the opulent addition of an afternoon tea. At the Captain’s House Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts, inn guests are treated to a cream tea either in the dining room or on the patio. The special afternoon teas at this Cape Cod inn include a selection of gourmet teas, as well as freshly baked scones, cookies and cakes. For your in-home tea, consider using china and offering several kinds of loose teas. If time is a consideration, purchase some goodies from a local bakery. Other easy options include offering some freshly baked cookies with iced tea or lemonade or perhaps some wine and snacks in the early evenings.

For more ideas on how to transform your home into a bed & breakfast-style retreat, visit iLoveInns.com. You’ll find listings for 19,000 boutique hotels, country inns and B&Bs, as well as informative travel articles and even hundreds of innkeeper-tested recipes. If you are searching for a great, easy gift idea, iLoveInns offers printable gift certificates, which can be used at the inns in this article, as well as thousands more.

Even the best luxurious five-star hotels and resorts can occasionally get an infestation of bed bugs. This is sometimes unavoidable because many hundreds, or even thousands of travelers and tourists can be staying at a hotel or resort at any given time. These little blood drinking critters can easily hitch a ride on unsuspecting travelers or hide in their luggage. Hotel and resort managers are very aware of this problem and do their best to prevent this from happening.

What do these blood sucking pests look like?

Bed bugs are tiny, flat, wingless bugs. Their size can vary from a head of a pin to approximately one-quarter of an inch in length when fully grown. They’re oval shaped and look similar to small watermelon seeds. Their color varies from translucent yellow to dark reddish brown. If they have just dined on a traveler’s blood their color may look dark brown or black.

How easy are they to detect?

Most travelers are not aware of bed bugs until they see the red bite marks on their bodies and start scratching their itchy wounds. Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to find if the infestation is light. Their eggs are very tiny and about the size of a grain of rice which are even harder to observe. To make matters worse they tend to be nocturnal so they are waking up and looking for a blood breakfast when most vacationers are going to sleep.

When you check into your room it is advisable to roll the bed sheets, blankets and comforters all the way down to see if you can find any bed bugs. A tell tale sign that they are there are dark fecal spots or drops of dried blood on the bed linen, pillowcases, or in the seams around the mattress or box springs. You may also find what appear to be shells of bed bugs which are in fact the skins that they shed as they mature. If you find any signs of their presence, call down to the front desk and ask for another room. You may be able to get a discount on your room rate for the upsetting experience and inconvenience.

However, bedbugs do not reflect on the cleanliness of hotels or resorts. These insects do not eat crumbs or dirt, or anything we may associate with unsanitary hotel room conditions. They only feed on blood. In terms of a vacationer’s health, current research indicates that these insects do not appear to spread disease even though they can harbor well over twenty-five different pathogens.

Not everyone gets bitten by bed bugs. Sometimes, if there are two travelers asleep in the same bed, only one may get bitten. However, bed bugs don’t discriminate. Given a chance they will gladly drink anyone’s blood. Bed bugs are attracted by the heat of our bodies and the carbon dioxide that we exhale when we breathe. They also release chemicals that attract each other. These night crawlers move quickly and are excellent climbers. They can easily tag along in a traveler’s luggage or on their clothing.

What can you do to avoid these pests when you travel on vacation?

Unfortunately, apart from checking the linen, mattress, box springs, bed frames, behind the headboard, all upholstered furniture, and along the baseboards in your room, that’s about all you can do.

Bed bugs are a universal problem and can be found in motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, hotels, resorts, pod hotels, hospitals, airplanes, trains, buses, cabs, cruise ships, etc. These tiny blood suckers can be located near any readily available source of blood, like tired travelers. Bed bugs can also hitch a ride home with you, turning your home sweet home into a living hell.

What can you do to get rid of pesky bed bugs?

You should leave the job to a professional pest control company as these pests are very difficult to get rid of. It’s expensive and can take time treating an infestation of bed bugs which usually involves using steam and pesticides. This process may have to be repeated a number of times before the very hot steam and pesticides kill all of them. Keep in mind that the insects must come into direct contact with the hot steam and pesticides for these tactics to be totally effective.

As far as your house is concerned, prevention is easier and far less costly than a cure. In your home, you do not have to throw your mattress and box springs out. You can cover your mattress and box springs with zippered plastic coverings that will prevent bedbugs from hiding in the cracks and crevices of your mattress. There also are zippered plastic protectors that are just as effective in protecting your pillows. This will prevent any bedbugs that are inside from getting out. And at the same time it will prevent any new infestations from getting in, thus eliminating the mattress and box springs as a problem. However, this is only one part of the bed bug solution. You will still need to use steam and pesticides to fumigate any room of the home where they could be hiding.

There is a new and exciting revolutionary product that looks very promising for monitoring and eliminating bed bugs. It is called the NightWatch Bedbug Trap designed by Bio Sensory, Inc.. This small, easy to use product has a kairomone, carbon dioxide, and heat lure that traps and kills bed bugs. Under a monitored field test this product captured and killed over a thousand bed bugs. The company’s website is Biosensory.com.

Special packages, seasonal discounts and free amenities are just a few of the reasons to spend your vacation at one of the cozy inns listed in the book, “Bed and Breakfasts and Country Inns,” published by American Historic Inns, Inc. Incredibly, these inns are participants in the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free program, which makes your vacation even more enticing. Here are a few examples from Florida of the savings that can be had. (For more details on participating inns, visit the iLoveInns.com site).

Ride a complimentary bicycle down the historic streets of Saint Augustine when you stay at the St. Francis Inn. The beach and other local attractions are a short ride away. Amenities include a full complimentary breakfast, fireplaces and pools. In addition, many of the rooms have kitchenettes for home-cooked meals. The Cottage suite is perfect for sharing the cost of a room with friends. Free admission to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum is included in your stay. The rates range from $109-$229 per night.

The facilities at Center Court-Tropical Inn & Cottages in Key West are geared toward group fun. Several of the cottages are capable of housing up to ten people and many have a private pool as well as barbecue grills and hammocks. With the sea virtually next door, the owners ensure your enjoyment by providing beach towels and a bag for day trips on the ocean. Complimentary weekend happy hours will keep your party rolling and this is all available for only $130-$265 per night.

Step through the columned doors of the Coombs House Inn in Appalachicola. Here, a day at the beach is a no-brainer with beach chairs, umbrellas, bikes and even a tandem bicycle ready for use. The rooms are stocked with massage whirlpools, mini refrigerators and access to the veranda. Guests are well fed with full breakfasts in the morning and wine, cheese and snacks on weekend nights. The rates at this Florida bed and breakfast start low at $89 and cap at $229 per night.

The affordable Allison House Inn in Quincy is a not-so-guilty pleasure. Rest up on lavender-misted pillows for a day of treasure hunting at the local antique shops. The English-style bed and breakfast resides in historic “Coca-Cola Town” not far from Tallahassee. Give into the temptation of fresh muffins and bread in the morning and homemade Biscotti and sherry all day. At $95-$140 per night, if you can’t spare the carbohydrates, you probably can spare the money.

The main house at the Magnolia Plantation Cottages and Gardens is a restored French Second Empire Victorian, surrounded with glossy Magnolia trees. The bathrooms feature claw foot tubs and fireplaces are standard while the private historic cottages are available with Jacuzzis. Stroll through the gardens, reflecting pond and pass the time in the charming gazebo. Enjoy the evening cocktail hour as well as a complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea. The year round rates of $115-$330 per night are valid seven days a week. This is a charming facility that you won’t want to pass up.

If you are still undecided, you can browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns on iLoveInns.com that specialize in other events and locations that may interest you. Many of the properties described above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook, “Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns” which includes a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate. ILoveInns.com also offers printable gifts certificates, a perfect solution to help celebrate any occasion.

Let’s face it, planning a wedding isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. It’s a lot of work to make your special day memorable. But there is a way to enjoy the romance and wonder of the event without dealing with all the stress. Let an innkeeper plan and prepare your wedding.

Every year, hundreds of couples marry at historic inns and quaint bed and breakfasts. Innkeepers are experts as creating romantic ambiance, dealing with guests and coordinating events. Getting married at the inn is not only romantic, but convenient. You can prepare for your special day in one of the guest rooms, get married, enjoy a posh reception and even spend your wedding night at the inn. Innkeepers can do it all – plan the ceremony, find caterers and florists, direct guests and even house them, if necessary. They do all the work, and you have all the fun.

At the Holladay House in Orange, Virginia, innkeepers Sam and Sharon Elswick are happy to help couples plan a wondrous, intimate wedding for up to 30 guests. They also often host rehearsal dinners, receptions and bridal showers. These experienced innkeepers even offer an all-inclusive elopement package for couples who really want to keep it simple. Sam and Sharon can help you plan all the details from catering to finding an officiant to even procuring a harpist or other musicians.

The Holladay House is full historic charm. Decorated with antiques and beautifully restored to its original 19th-century glory, the Federal-style Virginia inn is warm and inviting. Your guests will marvel at the original fireplaces and architectural details.

There are six guest rooms, each with individual decor, fine linens and several house beautiful antique beds. Some rooms include double whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, so you can pick a favorite for your honeymoon night. Specialty hypoallergenic bath products, CD players, alarm clocks and televisions with DVD players are among the other amenities. There’s plenty of room for your bridal party, and inn guests enjoy not only the comfortable accommodations, but a full, homemade breakfast in the morning. So you and your friends and family can just relax and enjoy the whole event.

In the end, a wedding is meant to be a happy, romantic event. So let your helpful innkeeper take on all the pesky planning details and enjoy your special day.

Even the best of luxurious five-star hotels and resorts can on occasion get an infestation of bed bugs. This can be sometimes be unavoidable as hundreds and even thousands of travelers and tourists can be staying at a hotel or resort at any given time. These tiny blood drinking critters can easily hitch a ride on unsuspecting travelers or hide in their luggage. Hotel and resort managers alike are very aware of this possible problem and do their best to prevent this from happening.

What do these blood thirsty pests look like?

Bedbugs are very tiny, flat, wingless bugs. Their size can vary from a head of a pin to about one-quarter of an inch in length when fully mature. They have an oval shape and look like small watermelon seeds. Their color can vary from a translucent yellow to a dark reddish brown. If they have just dined on a traveler’s blood they may appear dark brown or black in color.

How easy are they to find?

Travelers are usually not aware of bedbugs until they observe or feel the red bite marks on their bodies and start scratching their itchy wounds. Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to find if the infestation is light. Their eggs are very tiny, about the size of grains of rice which are even harder to see. And to make matters worse they tend to be nocturnal so they’re waking up and looking for a blood breakfast when most vacationers are sleeping.

When checking into your room it is advisable to roll the bed sheets, blankets and comforters all the way down to see if you can find any bed bugs. A tell tale sign that they’re there are dark fecal spots or drops of dried blood on the linen, pillowcases, or in the seams around the mattress and box springs. You may also find what seem to be shells of bed bugs which are in fact the skins that they shed when maturing. If you find any sign of their presence, call down to the front desk staff and ask for another room. You may be able to get a good discount on your room for the upsetting experience and inconvenience.

However, bedbugs do not reflect on the cleanliness of hotels or resorts. These insects do not eat crumbs or dirt, or anything we may associate with unsanitary hotel room conditions. They only feed on blood. In terms of a vacationer’s health, current research indicates that these insects do not appear to spread disease even though they can harbor well over twenty-five different pathogens.

Not everybody gets bitten by bed bugs. Sometimes, if there are two travelers sleeping in the same bed, only one may get bitten. However, bed bugs do not discriminate. Given a chance they will gladly dine on anyone’s blood. Bed bugs are attracted to the heat of our bodies and the carbon dioxide that we exhale when we breathe. They also release chemicals to attract and find each other. These night crawlers move fast and are excellent climbers. They can quietly tag along in a traveler’s luggage or on their clothes.

What can you do to avoid these pests when you travel on vacation?

Unfortunately, apart from checking the linen, mattress, box springs, bed frames, behind the headboard, all upholstered furniture, and along the baseboards in your room, that’s about all you can do.

Bed bugs are a universal problem and can be found in motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, hotels, pod hotels, resorts, hospitals, airplanes, trains, buses, cabs, cruise ships, etc. These little blood suckers can be found near any readily available source of blood, like tired travelers. Bed bugs can even hitch a ride home with you, turning your home sweet home into a living hell.

What can you do to exterminate bed bugs?

You should leave the job to a professional pest control company as these pests are very difficult to get rid of. It’s expensive and can take time treating an infestation of bed bugs which usually involves using steam and pesticides. This process may have to be repeated a number of times before the very hot steam and pesticides kill all of them. Keep in mind that the insects must come into direct contact with the hot steam and pesticides for these tactics to be totally effective.

As far as your house is concerned, prevention is easier and far less costly than a cure. In your home, you do not have to throw your mattress and box springs out. You can cover your mattress and box springs with zippered plastic coverings that will prevent bedbugs from hiding in the cracks and crevices of your mattress. There also are zippered plastic protectors that are just as effective in protecting your pillows. This will prevent any bedbugs that are inside from getting out. And at the same time it will prevent any new infestations from getting in, thus eliminating the mattress and box springs as a problem. However, this is only one part of the bed bug solution. You will still need to use steam and pesticides to fumigate any room of the home where they could be hiding.

There is a new and exciting revolutionary product that looks very promising for monitoring and eliminating bed bugs. It is called the NightWatch Bedbug Trap designed by Bio Sensory, Inc.. This small, easy to use product has a kairomone, carbon dioxide, and heat lure that traps and kills bed bugs. Under a monitored field test this product captured and killed over a thousand bed bugs. The company’s website is Biosensory.com.