We've been hoping to open our house up as a writers' retreat here in Wales, rather than a b&b, so that we would provide a good, large room with a desk and all meals. Been a bit side-tracked by Life with all its vicissitudes (this year has been particularly vicissitudinous) but I still think it's a good idea, although possibly not during a credit crunch! Any Mudcatters who would like to come and stay on this basis please PM me - we're well situated on the edge of a small town with good scenery within easy reach and industrial heritage on our doorstep as well.

Returning briefly to Leeneia's points - I've stayed in b&bs all over the UK and have only once been made to feel unwelcome (that was a place near Heathrow). Mostly no, you're not expected here to spend the daytime hours at the establishment and that's the difference between a b&b and a hotel or guesthouse, but that difference is generally shown in the price you pay. As to showers - never normally had a problem with those, either, so you must have been very unlucky or chosen the bargain basement form of b&b.

Anne