Why Business Travelers Should Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel

Friday, May 11, 2012 by Heather Tyreman

Want to know why business travelers should choose an Oregon bed and breakfast over a hotel? Lots of reasons! Of course, every bed & breakfast is different and that's the beauty of staying at a B&B. Some are more accustomed to business travel, but all are gracious and accommodating. Here are just a few reasons to consider:

Comfortable bed (and great pillows)
Home atmosphere (yes it's fine to take off your shoes & stretch out)
A place to spread out your work if you need to (dining room table in the evening with a glass of wine in your hand?)
Free Wi-Fi always (always, always free!)
Maps, local contacts, restaurant recommendations (we really do live here not just work here like the front desk clerk often does)
Cooked breakfast prepared for you when you want it (and coffee or tea too)
Peace & quiet (a big plus--sometimes with a TV in the room, sometimes not)
Especially for women traveling alone, someone who at least knows if you don't make it home at night (your mom away from mom)

Isn't it funny how many chain hotels are now offering breakfast, free Wi-Fi, etc.? Wonder where they got the idea?

Here's a recent comment in a room journal from a business traveler who spends about 75% to 80% of her time on the road calling on clients:

"After spending 4 out of 5 nights a week in "tract" hotels--what a wonderful break! The bed was spectacular (my back says THANK YOU!) and the robe so comfy. Breakfast was such a treat. I'll be back and be sure to let my fellow road warrior know about you. Bravo!! See you soon - KB

Sure you can stay at the Salem Oregon hotels or the Portland Oregon hotels, for instance, but why choose a hotel when you can stay at a bed & breakfast? Expand your radar and put us on the map. You won't be sorry. Oh, and if you need a little more convincing to think "bed and breakfast" when you travel on business, hope you enjoyed the video courtesy of the Better Way To Stay campaign.

See you at your next Oregon bed and breakfast!

Looking for where to stay in Oregon?

Friday, March 11, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

Cascade Room at the Lara House Lodge in Bend, Oregon. A favorite with the men. King sleigh bed, embossed leather chairs in the sitting area and warm sage colored walls create an inviting and serene setting. Private bath with shower. Overlooking Historical homes and Drake Park.

Are you looking for where to stay in Oregon? Do you automatically think about a chain hotel or a chain motel?

Have you ever considered staying at an Oregon bed and breakfast? Things have changed! It's no longer the spare bedroom in somebody's house now that little Johnny went off to college. And you don't have to share a bathroom with the owner either!

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership includes a diversity of inns--small and large, modest and lavish, metropolitan and rural--where do you want to stay? The beauty of bed and breakfasts is that they'll all so different. But, there's one thing that's constant among the inspected and approved inns of the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild--every last one of them is held to the Guild's quality standards.

We invite you to visit our website and learn more about our members. . .

. . .And the next time you're looking for Bend Oregon lodging, Seaside Oregon lodging, Salem Oregon hotels, or maybe just dreaming about romantic weekend getaways, start your search here with the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild website. We're sure you won't be disappointed!

The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway...the best places to park your bike!

Monday, February 14, 2011 by Debbie Lusk

Guest Blogger: Jennifer McCormick, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, via...rideoregonride.com

"

Oregon Scenic Bikeways are chosen with cyclists in mind: endearing historic downtowns, breathtaking scenery, and bicycle lanes where possible. Oregon’s first designated scenic bikeway celebrates the Willamette Valley, its people and its splendor. The 127-mile Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway (WVSB) travels through one of the most diverse agricultural regions on earth, and showcases the sites where Oregon’s history was made.

The Willamette Valley is a broad, alluvial valley bordered by the low, forested Coast Range to the west and by the mountainous Cascades to the east. The Willamette River meanders north through the valley, eventually flowing into the Columbia River at Portland, Oregon’s largest city. The Willamette Valley is home to the majority of the state’s population, most living in and near Portland, Salem, Albany/Corvallis and Eugene. The rest of the valley, and the state, is rural.

Whether you’re an experienced rider looking for a new challenge, or a family looking for a day ride, the WVSB offers unique and new experiences with each ride. Be prepared for rain, though. The valley is known for its wet climate. Bicyclists with good rainwear and a positive

attitude can ride in the valley all 12 months. About 50 inches of rain a year falls from November through April. Snow is rare, with only a few light snowfalls per year and major snowstorms only a couple times a decade. April through November brings drier weather, lots of flowers and warm days, making them the best months to ride.

Shorter Routes

If the complete ride sounds like a lot, any section of the WVSB can be used for a day ride. Of course, we have a few favorites.

Champoeg State Heritage Area to Willamette Mission State Park is a great 30-mile round trip. The route takes you through an agricultural have of crops, including miles of hops grown for brewing beer right here in Oregon.
Albany to Shedd is a very flat 42-mile round trip. The route offers scenery of the coast hills, the Willamette River and the valley pastures.
Armitage County Park to Coburg is a great 13-mile round trip ride. Coburg has a great downtown area with a picnic-perfect park and antique stores to browse.
Places to Stay

Looking to rider the WVSB at a more leisurely pace? There are many places to stay along the way that break up the ride well.

Hotels can be found in the cities and towns and along the way, including Salem/Keizer, Independence, Albany, Corvallis and Eugene.

There are also a number of spots to pitch a tent and enjoy an evening under the stars in the fresh Willamette Valley air. These campgrounds are Champoeg State Heritage Area, Willamette Mission State Park, City of Brownsville Pioneer Park and Armitage County Park.

Things to See and Do

Fruit stands spring up along the bikeway, usually opening in May and closing in October. Some of the stands are large businesses; some are set up at the edge of someone’s driveway. One fruit not well known outside of the region is the marionberry; sweet, purple, blackberry-type berries that were hybridized in Marion County, the same county that hosts much of the bikeway route. The berries ripen throughout late spring and early summer and are sold by the pound and in jams and pies. Watch for strawberries, cherries and blueberries from early- to mid-summer, followed by green beans, peaches, corn and plums. Fall brings walnuts and hazelnuts.

Many towns in the Willamette Valley have farmers markets May through October. Most markets are held on Saturdays, with a few of the larger towns hosting mid-week markets as well.

The Willamette Valley, Oregon’s leading wine region, has two-thirds of the state’s wineries and vineyards and is home to more than 200 wineries. It has been recognized as one of the

premier pinot noir-producing areas in the world.

There are unique and special stores and restaurants in many of the smaller towns, including Albany, Corvallis, Brownsville and Coburg. Stop in and say hi. You’re sure to get a warm greeting and a great story about local products."

Jennifer has a lot of good information abut bicycle touring, but we have to add a couple of comments. First, skip the Salem Oregon hotels and stay with us! The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild thinks it's high time to book your ride through the Willamette Valley. And yes...we can tell you where to stay, park your bike and enjoy our Oregon countryside, sweet downtowns and the best places to dine! Check us out at www.obbg.org!

Inns along the route: Feller House Bed and Breakfast, Independence House Bed and Breakfast, Harrison House Bed and Breakfast, The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn and C'est La Vie Inn

or for more info on inns...take a look at our Willamette Valley regional page.

Visit Salem Oregon for an unusual photo exhibit--ghostly residences!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Going to be in or near Salem, Oregon, sometime before July 31, 2010? How about a stop at the Archives Gallery in the Oregon Archives Building? Images of "ghostly houses" dating from 1859 taken by modern photojournalist Daniel Ray will be on display in the gallery as part of Oregon's 150th birthday celebration (also called Oregon's Sesquicentennial).

The gallery is open daily Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. The exhibition closes on July 31, 2010. The Oregon Archives Building is located at 800 Summer Street NE in Salem.

Brunk House near Dallas Oregon. Photo by Daniel Ray and Courtesy of The Oregonian

Here are some of the 13 historic homes on display in the exhibit:

Montieth House, in Albany.
Watson House, near Philomath.
Baker Cabin, in Carver.
Bybee-Howell House, Sauvie Island.
McLoughlin House, in Oregon City.
Brunk House, near Dallas (pictured).
Oregon State Hospital, in Salem.

As quoted by The Oregonian writer Ruth Mullen, Daniel Ray states, "Some of the Oregon homes I photographed may be gone in the next few years," Ray said in a statement. "It is still possible to visit most of these ghostly residences that were built before the Civil War."

Now, to make this a real outing, how about skipping the Salem Oregon hotels and staying at one of three Oregon Bed and Breakfast member inns near Salem. Two of these bed and breakfasts might even have "ghostly" presences of their own!

Historic photo of the Feller House Bed & Breakfast. A great alternative to Salem Oregon hotels when travelling in the Willamette Valle of Oregon

The Feller House is only 22 miles outside of Salem in a lovingly restored late-1860s farmhouse. This historic photograph (at right) gives you an idea of what it looked like in the 1860s. Owners Barb & Arnie are anxious to show you their loving restoration of this historic home. Two fine guestrooms and a wholesome breakfast await you each morning.

Think there are ghosts at the Feller House? You'll just have to decide for yourself after a night's stay!

Historic photograph of the Independence House Bed & Breakfast in Independence OR not far from Salem Oregon hotels

Another historic Oregon bed and breakfast not very far from Salem Oregon hotels is the Independence House Bed & Breakfast in Indepdence, Oregon (pictured at left). This home was built in 1895 and is both completely restored and on the National Register of Historic Places. Innkeeper Cheryl Gaston can show you how this house has been restored. Three lovely restored guestrooms await you.

Is the Independence House occupied by ghosts? Cheryl mentions clinking beer glasses in the dining room, but decide for yourself!

Hopewell Bed and Breakfast as an alternative to Salem Oregon hotels Photo by Hopewell B&B

Another Salem Oregon hotels option is the Hopewell Bed & Breakfast (pictured at right) located a bit farther out from Salem, but a great jumping off location for exploring the Willamette Valley. This farmhouse is much more "modern" (hey, built in 1927!) than the other two bed and breakfasts near Salem Oregon, but still provides charm and that great Oregon innkeeper hospitality. Give Mike or Penny a call and pay a visit to their 12-acre farm.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that Oregon Bed & Breakfasts offer some of the best lodging in Oregon and make a great alternative to Salem Oregon hotels when staying near the Oregon capital!

Good times at the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

It's always an intense but fun & rewarding experience when the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild board gets together for a meeting and the meeting this week was no exception. Since we're a small group we could forego the Salem Oregon hotels and hold our meeting at our Administrative Assistant's home in Salem Oregon.

Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild Board of Directors in Salem Oregon

Pictured back row (L to R): Wayne Bailey (Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn); Debbie Lusk (The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn); Sandy Parker (Britannia at Terwilliger Vista); Patrick Arbuckle (Forest Springs B&B @ The Historic Heiney House); Tana Phemester (Nob Hill Riverview B&B); Anne-Marie Lizet (C'est la Vie Inn). Pictured front row (L to R): Fred Wickman (Prospect Historic Hotel, Motel & Dinner House); Mary Pellegrini (Old Parkdale Inn); Heather Tyreman (Bronze Antler B&B). Not pictured: Suzanne Hansche (Blue Plum Inn); Jane Nichols (Hood River B&B); Pam Walter (Heron House B&B).

So, what'd we do? The short list:

1. Welcomed 5 new board members and one President-Elect (!)
2. Discussed our collaboration with Travel Oregon's Culinary Tourism program, National Geographic's Central Cascades Geo-Tourism Project and the Northwest Coalition of Bed & Breakfast Associations.
3. Heard a report from our board members attending the recent Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism.
4. Discussed our new OBBG website under development.
5. Had a wonderful potluck lunch including wines supplied by one of our Oregon wine country lodging members, Youngberg Hill Vineyards. Thank you, Wayne!

Our next meeting will be Monday & Tuesday, November 9-10, 2009 at the Lobenhaus Bed Breakfast and Vineyard near Carlton, Oregon. If you're an OBBG member and would like to learn more about the board and what a great time we have working for you, give a call--there are still three positions vacant!

Make a date in April 2009: Ballet and B&B pairing to support the Eugene Ballet

Sunday, April 5, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

The Eugene Ballet Company is facing a $130,000 budget shortfall and is taking their 2009 season production of Swan Lake into a "show on the road" throughout the Pacific Northwest in April 2009 to raise awareness of the arts and hopefully solve their budgetary woes.

This is a wonderful opportunity to have a quick romantic Oregon getaway with an evening showing support for dance and the arts as well as a great overnight stay at one of the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild's quality bed and breakfasts.

You can get the full story at the Ballet's website devoted to their efforts, DancersActNow.com .

Upcoming Eugene Ballet performances of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and B&B Oregon pairings:

Tillamook, OR: Sunday, April 12th at 2:30 pm. Plan a stay 36 miles north at the romantic Arch Cape Inn along the Oregon coast. (See another blog post here about this new Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild member.)

Medford, OR: Wednesday, April 22nd at 8:00 pm. Stay down the road in an historic Ashland Oregon lodging at one of many OBBG member inns. (Gee, tag on a play at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and you'll have quite the cultural getaway!)

Salem, OR: Thursday, April 23rd at 7:30 pm. Forego the Salem Oregon hotels and stay at Eagle Crest Bed & Breakfast (and here's another OBBG blog post about this lovely B&B).

Florence, OR: Friday, April 24th at 7:00 pm. Stay at the Blue Heron Inn. Remember to call since they don't have email (and here's another OBBG blog post about this unusual B&B).

Newport, OR: Saturday, April 25th at 7:00 pm. Choose from five oustanding Oregon bed and breakfasts in Newport to complete your cultural weekend.

Even if you live in one of these Oregon towns, wouldn't it be fun to put together a romantic Oregon staycation and show support for the arts? We think so!

Food Flexibility is the Norm at an Oregon Bed & Breakfast

Wednesday, February 18, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

While scanning the news headlines today I came across this in on the Oregonlive.com website (part of The Oregonian newspaper):

State rep wants calorie counts at all chain restaurants in Oregon

by jhar
Tuesday February 17, 2009

SALEM -- Fatty foods, watch out.

State Rep. Tina Kotek, D-Portland, introduced a bill today that would require chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menus and drive-thru boards throughout Oregon.

The bill mirrors an ordinance approved in Multnomah County last week. The county law goes into effect March 12, with restaurants getting until the end of the year to comply.

There's discussion a plenty about food choices. The thing about breakfasts at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member is that the breakfasts will be varied, wholesome and nutritious--and probably never the same from one B&B to another.

Are you ovo-lacto vegetarian? Vegan? Prefer no pork or beef? Lactose intolerant? Allergic to eggs? To kiwi fruit? Gluten-free? Low-calorie? Eat everything on your plate? The list goes on and on. . .

But the important thing is that when you choose to stay at a bed & breakfast when you travel--and especially an Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild member--you can let your innkeeper know (preferably in advance) about your eating preferences and we'll do our best to comply.

Most innkeepers keep a ready supply of specialty foods or know what to purchase if they need something special for a guest.

Suzanne & Jonathan, innkeepers at the Blue Plum Inn, a Portland Oregon lodging and member of the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild, pay particular attention to food needs and go out of their way to ensure every guest has an over-the-top breakfast. Their inn is one example of the quality you'll find among Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild members.

Food allergies or restrictions and/or religious dietary preferences are just a matter of course for many innkeepers.

And that's more than you'll find in fast food restaurant, or probably at any Oregon hotels that serve breakfast.

Start your Oregon vacation today by clicking on the trip planner at right, and don't forget to let the innkeeper know about your food preferences!