Britain and Ireland have some of the most expensive hotel beds in the European Union and throughout the British Isles, Bed and Breakfast; often called B&Bs are a budget option where owners often take pride in the high service levels, local knowledge and personal touch that they are able to offer.

The arrangement of the Bed and Breakfast started before the 20th Century, when it was normal for travellers, usually in the country to spend the night at a private house but before the 19th Century this idea of the B&B was done on a social level, such as doctors would stay with other doctors and a nobleman would stay with a local gentleman.

There tend to be concentrations of B&Bs in the seaside towns where, historically, the working classes holidayed such as Newcastle in Ireland and Blackpool in England but they are also widespread in isolated rural areas such as the Highlands of Scotland and Connemara where there is not a year-round concentration of travellers sufficient to sustain a hotel.

In recent years some bed and breakfast businesses in the UK have struggled against budget hotel chains such as Premier Travel Inn and Travelodge. Traditionally, business travellers used B&Bs but many of these clients now tend to stay in budget hotel chains. However, in holiday areas the B&B or small hotel still prevails. Unlike the 'chain' accommodation providers these provide a more comprehensive service and breakfast is included in the price.

Staying in a hotel is more expensive than a B&B but offers a lot more to you in return; it is an establishment that provides paid lodging, usually on a short-term basis. Hotels often provide a number of additional guest services such as a restaurant, a swimming pool or childcare. Some hotels even have their own conference services and meeting rooms so that people can hold conventions and meetings wherever they are.

There are hotels and B&B's out there for everyone. Outdoors lovers can choose to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast, enjoying the scenery of the uplands, peaks, moors, lakes, coastal cliffs and marshy water lands.

City lovers have choices of stylishly modern hotels or they can opt for the more traditional ones. Cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle as well as the obvious London are all centres of modern British culture hotel bookings in these areas are on the increase.

To discover yourself why they call it Great Britain, stay at one of the comprehensive accommodation types from budget to luxury, including an impressive list of hotels, guest rooms and bed and breakfasts. Whether you're looking for business hotel booking, weekend breaks or tourist hotspots, you're sure to find the right accommodation from the extensive choice across the UK.