This may seem like an odd question, but location can be everything depending on what you intend to do during your stay. Do you want to get away from it all at a secluded respite where televisions, wireless internet and Starbucks are nowhere to be found? Or do you need a more urban setting, complete with technology and nearby access to great restaurants and nightlife? If you have a specific itinerary in mind, talk with your innkeeper and ask how far the inn is from the attractions you wish to visit. Also, don't forget to ask about parking. Some inns, just like most hotels and motels, charge a parking fee, and a few inns do not have parking at all, especially in urban settings. Here's an example of two distinctly different locations in the same general area: The Pacific Northwest.

Enjoy romance in the city at the Inn at Harbor Steps in downtown Seattle. This Washington bed and breakfast is close to a myriad of local attractions and within walking distance of plenty of shops and restaurants. The guest rooms are spacious and filled with amenities, many have fireplaces and some feature private patios. The inn has a fully equipped gym that includes a fitness room, lap pool and basketball court. Guests can even borrow movies, books and CDs from the innkeepers. There is a full breakfast service, beverages are available throughout the day, and cookies and afternoon tea are served. However, if you crave some time away from the big city, an hour's drive and 20-minute ferry ride takes you to Whidbey Island, secluded home to The Saratoga Inn. This seaside gem offers a variety of guestrooms, many with views of the Saratoga Passage and Cascade Mountains. For a special occasion, try the Carriage House room, a spacious retreat with a king-size sleigh bed, stone fireplace, antique clawfoot tub and private deck with a view of the water. As with the Seattle inn, guests at Saratoga are treated to full breakfasts and afternoon tea.

What kinds of rooms are available?

There's nothing cookie cutter about a bed and breakfast. Innkeepers take a lot of pride in creating a special experience for their guests. Each room usually has been decorated individually, and some innkeepers even have a theme for each room. Unlike hotels, where the rooms are generally the same size and style, room sizes often range from sweet, cozy retreats to large spacious rooms with all the trimmings. Some rooms have private baths with whirlpool tubs, and some rooms might share a bath. Be sure to make a list of what you want and ask your innkeeper what is available. Here are some example rooms:

Everything about the Green Gables Inn is enchanting. The historic Pacific Grove, California, bed and breakfast is found in a meticulously restored Victorian. The views of Monterey Bay are spectacular, and several guest rooms boast stunning ocean vistas. Each of the guest rooms is unique. The Gable room includes views of the bay from the main window as well as a loft that one reaches by climbing a ladder. The Chapel room, with its unique wooden beams and window seat, is especially charming and offers a bay view from its window seat. The Carriage House rooms include jetted spa tubs, king beds and fireplaces. All guests are treated to full breakfast and afternoon snacks. The inn is a perfect location to enjoy the Monterey Bay area, providing close access to the beaches, aquarium and Cannery Row.

Is the inn appropriate for children or pets?

Because many inns are historic and often filled with antiques and delicate knickknacks, it is not always the best place to bring the kids. Most bed and breakfasts accept children, and many innkeepers love welcoming children into their inns. Be sure to ask your innkeeper if the inn is an appropriate place for children, and ask which rooms are best for families. Also, make sure there will be plenty to do at the inn you choose. Is the inn close to parks or other attractions? Does the inn have a swimming pool or plenty of outdoor areas where kids can explore and enjoy? Bed and breakfasts can be fun for the whole family, but it is important to choose an inn that meets all of your needs. As for pets, a few inns do allow cats or dogs, but obviously you'll want to ask first. Some innkeepers set aside specific rooms for guests with pets, so if you want to vacation with Fido or Fluffy, be sure to find a pet-friendly inn. The locations near an inn may also be perfect for the family. Here's an example:

For example, at the Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point, California, children will appreciate not only the close access to the beach, but also the teddy bears found throughout the inn and in each guest room. The innkeepers also serve kid-friendly items such as cereal, toast and fresh fruit during breakfast, as well as freshly baked cookies throughout the day. The inn is just a short drive from Laguna Beach, and about a half-hour from Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Legoland.

What amenities are included in the rates?

Most bed and breakfasts include some kind of breakfast service along with your room rates, whether it be a three-course feast, lavish buffet or simple continental fare. But many innkeepers provide many more amenities. You might enjoy afternoon tea and evening turn-down service. Rooms might be stocked with luxurious bath products and Egyptian cotton towels and beds topped with fluffy pillow and down comforters. Ask your innkeeper or check out the inn's website to make sure your top choice has all the amenities you want.

Just a few miles from the center of Los Angeles, the Channel Road Inn offers travelers a great location to enjoy all the area's fun attractions. The inn is just blocks from the beach in sunny Santa Monica, which has a variety of shops, restaurants and nightlife. The inn is decorated in a romantic style, and several guest rooms include a fireplace or jetted spa tub. The innkeepers pamper their guests with rooms stocked with amenities, such as fluffy robes and European bath products. There are DVD players in each room, and guests can borrow a movie from the inn's library, which also includes a variety of books. There is a full breakfast service, as well as afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvres. Coffee, tea, water and soda, as well as home-baked cookies are available throughout the day. The inn has a concierge service, and the staff is happy to make restaurant recommendations or describe local attractions.