NIBBA QUALITY ASSURANCE

To assure quality of service to our visitors, the North Idaho Bed & Breakfast Association (NIBBA) has established a code of conduct, standards, and operating guidelines for its members. These have been approved by the general membership and are binding on all members, and acceptance of these provisions is a condition of membership.

NIBBA CODE OF CONDUCT

NIBBA Members shall at all times:

1. Ensure high standards of courtesy, cleanliness, and safety.
2. Provide guests with helpful information about the facilities, services, and activities in North Idaho and the surrounding area.
3. Accurately describe the facilities, amenities, and services provided by their B&B, in all promotions, advertising, brochures, or oral communication.
4. If requested, allow guests to see the accommodation before booking.
5. Define exactly what is included in all prices quoted for accommodation, meals, refreshments, services, and applicable taxes.
6. Define at time of booking:  the reservation, confirmation, deposit, cancellation, and refund policies of the B&B.
7. Be alert to the special needs of prospective visitors at the time of booking.
8. Deal promptly and courteously with all inquiries, requests, correspondence, reservations, and complaints.

NIBBA STANDARDS

Members shall comply with these minimum standards:

General:

1. Comply with applicable zoning, licensing, fire, health, and building codes.
2. Provide adequate lighting at home entrance and ensure that access is unobstructed.
3. Provide an adequate parking space for each guest room.
4. Ensure that the home is accessible to registered guests at all times.
5. Provide a comfortable sitting area for guests in addition to their bedroom(s).
6. Provide access to a telephone.
7. Have a first aid kit readily available.

Bedrooms shall provide:

  1. Comfortable quality mattresses.
  2. Adequate pillows and covers.
  3. Clean linen for new guests.  Beds made daily and a change at least every three days for long-stay    
      guests (unless guests request “No Maid Service”).
  4. Adequate drawer or closet space.
  5. At least one chair or seat per room.
  6. A reading lamp.
  7. Good ventilation with a window, and air-conditioning, and/or ceiling or portable fans.
  8. Adequate blinds, drapes, or curtains.
  9. Adequate lighting.
10. Adequate privacy and security.


Bathroom requirements:

  1. At least one full bathroom per three double guest rooms or six people, and shall include a shower and/or bath.
  2. Bathrooms shall be refreshed daily when there are guests in residence.
  3. Clean drinking glasses daily for each guest.
  4. Non-slip provision for showers and/or baths.
  5. Adequate daily supply of clean towels, face cloths, tissues, soap, and shampoo for each guest.
  6. Hair dryer provided.
  7. A mirror and wastebasket.


Breakfast provisions:

1. Rates shall include and specify either continental or full breakfast.
2. Breakfast shall be served in a comfortable dining area with adequate seating.



Frequently Asked Questions

RESERVATIONS

Q.  Do I need to leave a deposit when I make a reservation?

A.  This is generally at the discretion of the innkeeper. Most B&Bs will want some form of security at the time the reservation is made to engage in what is an agreement between the two parties; one party requests delivery of a service and the other agrees to provide it in a timely and acceptable manner at a pre-agreed price.

If an innkeeper offers credit card service (most B&Bs do accept at least one major credit card), chances are the credit information will be taken and it is appropriate to ask if a deposit or full payment will be taken out.  If the establishment does not offer credit card service, most will want a good-faith deposit.

In return for the credit card security or any form of deposit, it is normally acceptable to receive some form of confirmation number, either verbal or written.

CANCELLATIONS

Q.  What about cancellation?

A.  Sadly, circumstances in life can cause interruptions in plans for leisure.  At the time the reservation is made, it is extremely important to ask about the establishment's cancellation policies.  A typical question would cover the topic of how many days can one cancel prior to the first night of a reservation without being charged.  This could range from 24 hours to 30 days - each facility has its own policy, and there is variation here among businesses.  Cancellation policy is at the discretion of the innkeeper and the discussion below only suggests what innkeepers MAY do, and the reader is cautioned that these are only examples of what COULD happen, not what WILL happen.

Generally, much like any other lodging establishment, cancellations may result in an unfilled room.  While this room was reserved by the guest(s), it was removed from public inventory and unavailable for rental.  When a reservation is cancelled, in the pre-specified (or written in the public domain) cancellation period, merchants are allowed to charge at the very least the first night's charge for each room reserved. Some innkeepers may charge for the entire balance of the reservation, so it pays to clarify what cancellation charges will be at the time the reservation is made.

The major difference, between a B&B and a larger hotel in regard to cancellation, is that if one room is cancelled in a four-room B&B, the innkeeper would lose 25% of his or her income.  In a hotel, that would translate to cancellation of 25 per 100 rooms - which is often unlikely in the normal course of business.

Most innkeepers do their best to try to refill the rooms, and it is up to them to waive the charge.  They are, however, according to standard practice in the industry, not required to fill the room should it be cancelled, since by holding the room and keeping it available for the party reserved, the operator fulfilled the terms of the two-party contract.

A mitigating factor in determining cancellation policy is that there is so much travel insurance available at reasonable costs that can lessen the impact of charges made to a traveler for cancellation.  So, the rule of "caveat emptor" applies in making the determination of the possible charges due to cancellation. If there would be a large dollar amount, then it pays to buy insurance which protects the consumer from any adverse effect cancellation may cause.

Generally, most innkeepers try to be understanding. Nonetheless, cancellation does cause a disproportionately large amount of economic damage to a B&B, due to the small number of rooms.  For protection, the innkeeper has the legal means to recover part of the cost of those damages should he or she desire.

The complications that cancellation can cause definitely give credence to the idea that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Again, it cannot be emphasized enough that the most important point is the cancellation policy is ultimately at the discretion of the innkeeper and cannot be assumed to be the same as another B&B or a hotel.  The most important advice here is simply to ask, ask, ask!

CHILDREN

Q.  What about children?

A.  Whether or not a B&B takes children is up to the innkeeper.  If you have children (of any age) in your party, it is absolutely imperative to disclose that fact at the outset.  From the experience of both B&B operators and guests, it is wise to NEVER ASSUME the following:

1.     Children "eat and sleep for free."

2.     Children can be brought along at the last minute without informing the innkeeper.

3.     That if the term "children are welcome" does not appear in advertising, that children are welcome.

4.     Children can just "sleep in the same bed" or "bring a sleeping bag and sleep on the floor.”

A B&B, unlike a hotel or motel, is not an establishment that has unrestricted public access.  It is always completely or part of someone's home - that's the charm.  However, just like most homes, certain courtesies are appreciated and each home has its own particular customs.

It cannot be emphasized enough that each B&B is different in its appearance, style, layout, and most certainly its policies about operation.  Unless advertising unequivocally states that children are welcome in unambiguous language, it is strongly recommended that issues regarding children be resolved prior to making a reservation and most definitely by the date of arrival.

PETS

Q.  What about pets?

A.  Policies vary; check with the individual B&B.

If you have a complaint about a member’s service, tell them or us.

If you’re happy with a member’s service, tell a friend.

For more information about becoming a member, or to register a complaint about a current member:

e-mail:   info@BB-NorthIdaho.com

or call our President, Tina Hough @ 1-208-765-5200

Updated:  February 2008