(But Absolutely Should)
If you’ve ever hovered over the “Book Now” button on a B&B website and thought, “I have a question, but I don’t want to sound weird…or silly” — you are in excellent company and we love the opportunity to help people understand the B&B experience. A lot of people think that B&Bs are only for a certain type of traveler, but frankly, the modern innkeeper can help customize your experience to make any traveler feel relaxed and comfortable. Here at the Inn, we invite you to ask questions before your stay so you can have the best time possible.
Even the most seasoned travelers have quiet curiosities about staying at a bed and breakfast. B&Bs like the Andon-Reid are warm, personal, and full of character — which is exactly why people love them — but we are aware that it means there’s a little mystery around how things actually work compared to more mainstream lodging options.
So today, we’re pulling back the curtain and answering some of the questions we know people want to ask, but might not feel comfortable actually doing so.
Here are the questions guests are often too shy to ask (and others they might not have thought of asking)… plus the honest, practical answers from your Andon-Reid innkeepers.
1a. “Do I have to socialize with other guests?”
Short answer: Nope. Not unless you want to.
Longer answer:
You get to decide how social you want to be. Some guests love chatting over coffee. Others prefer a quiet morning with a book and a porch rocker. Both are perfectly normal here. The rooms at the Andon-Reid are spacious with plentiful seating areas so you can escape and there are so many different places to retreat to in the common spaces and the grounds. Our wraparound porch has 3 different seating areas, plus a stone patio with rocking chairs and adirondack chairs in the shade on the lawn.
As for breakfast, we can arrange for you to sit at a separate table with advance notice. Please just let us know and we will be happy to make that happen! Most folks assume that B&Bs are only for extroverts, but that’s so not the case!
We also offer room service breakfast (for a small additional fee) in our larger rooms (Garden Suite, Carriage House and the Magnolia Suite) if you want that extra, peaceful touch in the morning.
The Inn is designed to be relaxing and peaceful, not stressful.
1b. “Will I feel awkward if I’m traveling alone?”
Not here.
Solo travelers love B&Bs because they feel safe, cared for, and welcomed without being smothered. You can be as independent or as chatty as you like.
We’re here if you need us — and invisible if you don’t.
2a. “Is it rude if I skip breakfast?”
Not at all.
We’re not taking attendance and we want your B&B experience to be YOUR B&B experience, not OURS.
Breakfast is one of our favorite parts of the day and we love helping folks get fueled up for the day, but if you want to sleep in, head out early, or simply aren’t a breakfast person, that’s completely fine. We just ask that you give us a heads‑up in advance so we can plan our prep and grocery shopping. If you are heading out early, we can pack you a “to-go breakfast” with muffins, fruit and other goodies to get you fueled up on the go.
And of course, we can be flexible with the time of breakfast with advance notice. Many of our guests ask for an earlier breakfast so they can catch the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson City and we are always happy to accommodate those requests.
2b. “Is it rude if I don’t like the breakfast or don’t eat everything on my plate at breakfast?”
Absolutely not.
We try our best to prepare dishes that are familiar yet creative, but we know everyone has different preferences. We also know that some people like bigger portions and others prefer smaller. We are not offended in the slightest if you leave food on your plate or tell us you don’t like certain foods. If you just want scrambled eggs in the morning, that’s one of Peter’s specialties, and he will gladly whip those up for you.
And don’t worry if you can’t finish everything on the plate. We use a composting service to help deal with leftover food and we know that everyone has a different appetite in the morning.
2c. “What if I have food allergies or special requests?”
Please tell us! We can accommodate every dietary need or preference with advance notice!
We love accommodating dietary needs — it’s part of the fun of cooking for people. Vegan, gluten‑free, dairy‑free, low‑sugar, spice‑averse, spice‑obsessed… we’ve seen it all and we will take care of you.
You’re not inconveniencing us. You’re helping us make your stay better.
2d. “Do I have to dress up for breakfast?”
Only if you want to.
We’ve seen everything from cozy sweaters to hiking gear to “I woke up five minutes ago and this is what happened.” You’re here to relax and to be yourself, not to impress us.
3. “Can I bring takeout back to the inn?”
Of course.
Waynesville has fantastic restaurants, and sometimes you just want to enjoy good food in the privacy of your room or on the porch. We can point you in the direction of some great places for takeout. Also, we have paper plates and plastic silverware available below the microwave in the formal dining room. Our kitchen is generally off-limits to guests due to health codes and the fact that it doubles as our business office, but if you let us know, we can provide other items you might need if you just give us a shout.
Each room has it’s own mini-fridge as well so you have a place to store your leftovers for the remainder of your trip if you prefer.
4. “Will the innkeepers hear me through the walls or will I hear other guests?”
We get it — historic homes have a reputation and B&Bs are sometimes seen as staying in the spare room in someone else’s home. That’s not what we are all about. Us innkeepers live on property in a separate residence with our family, and we try hard to be available, yet give you your space.
The truth: our rooms are very quiet, and the layout of each is quite separated from other rooms. However, it is an old home with original flooring, and sometimes you can hear folks walking above if you are in the first-floor rooms: Garden Suite and Grand Library Suite. For the most privacy, we recommend our Carriage House Suite, which is a separate building just across our parking lot from the Main Inn. Each room also had white noise machines available next to each bed.
The walls are well insulated, plus we ask all guests to maintain quiet hours after 10 PM.
5. “Is it okay if I check in late or get back to the Inn late at night?”
Yes — with a little planning.
Just let us know ahead of time so we can arrange a smooth, stress‑free arrival. We offer innkeeper-guided check-in from 3-5 PM each day and self-check-in after. For those arriving late, we provided detailed instructions for check-in, including walking directions through the Inn, and we are always just a text or phone call away. We can be there to help in less than 5 minutes. And if you prefer self-check-in even during the 3-5 PM window, we are more than happy to offer self-check-in as well.
And there’s no curfew at all. You have 24-hour access to the house via your personalized door code, which also works for your room. If you ever have any trouble late at night, our innkeepers provide their personal phone numbers that you can call any time of night or day so you are never left without assistance.
6. “Do B&Bs have strong Wi‑Fi?”
At the Andon‑Reid? Yes. We know that this is a non-negotiable traveler expectation.
We also know many guests work remotely or stream movies in the evenings on their devices, so we keep our Wi‑Fi modern, fast, and reliable.
Historic charm doesn’t have to mean historic internet.
7. “Is it okay if I just want to relax and do nothing?”
Please do. That’s the highest and best use of our beautiful Inn.
You don’t need a packed itinerary to “earn” your stay. Sit on the porch. Read in your room or by the fireplace. Watch the mountains change color as the sun shifts during the day. Take a nap. Take two naps. Indulge in a local soda from Waynesville Soda Jerks or a hot chocolate. It’s your trip, do what you want.
Rest is a perfectly valid reason to travel.
8. Do I have to share a bathroom?
All our rooms have their own private bathrooms, and frankly, most modern B&Bs are this way. While it’s true you will find some B&Bs out there with shared bathroom situations, that’s not how it works in most places.
9. Do I have chores to do before check-out?
No way! We take care of everything! No lists of things to do before you check out at a traditional B&B. B&Bs are not the same as a vacation rental and provide a higher level of customization and service than you would expect when using big vacation rental platforms! Take it easy and relax! We got you covered!
10. Are you run by a management company?
At the Andon-Reid, we are completely independent, and your innkeepers are the owners. Brenda and Peter own the Inn and live right on property. We don’t farm out operations to distant call centers or management offices, and we aren’t influenced by far-off investment interests. This is our life, and in the B&B community, that is definitely the norm. Typically, the owners are also the Innkeepers and they’ve chosen a life of hospitality and believe in it strongly. B&Bs provide that independent, personal touch that is absent in other standard lodging options.
So…what’s the best way to get in touch to ask these questions?
We are so glad you asked!! We have so many ways to get in touch with us and learn more about the B&B experience. Our phone number is not staffed by a call center; if you call us, you will speak with either owner, Brenda or Peter, and if we don’t pick up, we pride ourselves on returning your call shortly. Please leave us a message and we will get back to you very soon! We’d so much rather you get your questions answered while you are thinking about staying in a B&B!
And B&B websites are getting better and better each year! While it’s true that back in the day most B&Bs relied on online travel agents for their digital presence, that’s not the case anymore! For most modern B&Bs, they have a website where you can book directly, get questions answered, find contact information, learn about the area, and more.
For questions about the Inn, you can call us, text us, email us, visit our website, chat with our automated digital concierge, or send us a message through Facebook or Instagram. We promise we will respond in a short amount of time!
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Stay Here
If you take one thing away from this post, let it be this:
You don’t need to know the “rules” to enjoy a B&B.
You don’t need to be social, or dressed up, or on a schedule, or always “on”.
You just need to show up, breathe a little deeper, and let the mountains do their work.
And if you ever do have a question — even a shy one — we’re always happy to answer. We would so much rather you have the experience you want, rather than the one you think we want.
For answers to some other common questions, make sure to check out our frequently asked questions page on our website and we hope that you can visit us soon!
–Your Innkeepers,
Brenda and Peter