In the Past
In the US, bed and breakfast lodging has been around at least since the 18th century. Before Motel 6 left the light on for you and before Howard Johnsons directed you to “Go Happy; Go HoJo!”, there were B&Bs. As a traveler, finding a safe place to stay during a long journey was not as easy as searching, clicking and booking. In the 1800s, America offered few lodging options so enterprising individuals rented out extra space in their homes to travelers. Unfortunately, these arrangements were primarily available to professionals who had connections to other professionals along the way.
The lean times in the 1900s revived the practice to help Depression-era families earn income. Post-WWII, as our country flourished, European travel exposed our citizens to this cozy lodging option. Many returned with the romantic notion of offering the same to guests here. The 1980s and 90s saw a dramatic increase in small lodgings within a home. The traveler would reside with the hosts and be served breakfast in the morning by the owners.
In the Present
Fast forward to the present: AirBnB, VRBO and Booking.com along with the internet turned this small-scale practice into a multi-billion dollar industry! The evolution is not limited to the way a reservation is made but to the core concept itself. Most of the current platforms offer independent settings where the guests arrive and enter with a passcode, never meeting the owners. The offerings at the lodging can vary greatly from “stocked with everything” a guest might need to bare-bones supplies.
If any breakfast is offered, it is usually some yogurt or fruit with coffee to-go. The platforms do offer some options to rent a room within a home but in the US, this is the exception. Some of our guests had never even heard of a traditional B&B and were only familiar with the current business model. We love to broaden their horizons and introduce them to a real taste of the community they are visiting.
At Hoefel Haus
Hoefel Haus B&B is nearly the only full-service bed and breakfast available in Washington, MO. We take our niche status very seriously. We reside on site in our own quarters and are available to advise or problem solve. On arrival, a tour of the property and all the amenities acquaints you with this 1910 beauty. Once in your room, the workings of the Sleep-Number bed and climate control are demonstrated. This a chance to ask any questions about the best restaurants in our area or favorite attractions. Some options are:
- Wineries
- Historic sites
- Bicycle rentals
- Hiking trails
- Antique hunting
- Annual Festivals
- Paddleboard rental
- Glass blowing
- Local artist galleries
The next morning, Kurt prepares a gourmet farm-to-table breakfast before your eyes in our lovely modern kitchen. Real china, silver and cloth napkins adorn the table. Yogurt Brulee finished off with a blow torch starts the feast. (No fires, so far!) Next, try the perfected take on the southern specialty, Chicken and Waffles! If you prefer a more traditional breakfast, Kurt will find out what you like and how you like it. Any dietary restrictions are accommodated. No jumping up to get a refill of your coffee, because Peggy is standing by with the carafe ready to top you off. Afterwards, linger and savor or get on to the next adventure.
We want your stay to be that relaxing respite from the everyday; that pause away from the fast pace of modern life; that special occasion celebration. With all the details taken care of, your getaway to WashMO will be one to remember!