By Maryann Hammers
Photo Courtesy Captain Jefferds Inn
Bed-and-breakfasts (B&Bs) typically are relaxing, charming, and quaint — plus, who doesn’t love being served a hearty morning meal? Now there’s a new reason to plan your B&B getaway: free accommodations.
Free nights
B&Bs for Vets celebrates its 10th year of providing complimentary rooms to retired veterans and active duty military members Nov. 9, 10, or 11, 2017. (The dates vary from inn to inn according to the innkeeper’s choice.)
Many inns and B&Bs dedicate the whole property to free rooms for veterans; others extend the offer with discounts throughout the month.
View the complete list of participating B&Bs in the U.S. (Find offerings in Canada and the U.K.) Directly contact the inn/B&B where you’d like to stay. Proof of military service is be required.
Other offers
The B&Bs for Vets program started in 2008 when Kathleen Panek, co-owner of Gillum House B&Bin Shinnston, W.Va., opened her doors to veterans in honor of Veterans Day. The inn is near a rail trail, wineries, scenic roads, and covered bridges and has three guestrooms, includes chargers for electric cars, and is famous for fresh-roasted coffee and hearty home-cooked breakfast. Gillum House already is fully booked for Veterans Day — but during the rest of the year, anyone with a military or VA ID gets a 15-percent discount. Regular rates start at $115, so the military price starts at about $98. Book online, using the drop-down menu, and select the military discount.
McDowell-Nearing Housein Muncie, Ind., extends a 25-percent discount on regular room rates to U.S. military veterans and a 30-percent discount to active duty military members. Rooms boast handmade furniture, cable TV with DVD/VCR, and a fireplace. Each bedroom has its own bathroom. Regular rates start at $130. Call (765) 282-7912.
In southern coastal Maine, the top-rated, 16-room, pet-friendly Captain Jefferds Inn in Kennebunkport offers all its rooms free to veterans and active duty military Nov. 9 as part of the B&Bs for Vets program — plus the inn offers a 20-percent discount to veterans for the entire month of November. Call (207) 967-2311.
Want to own a B&B?
B&B consultants Scott and Marilyn Bushnell are offering a complimentary one-day innkeeping workshop Nov. 11 in McHenry, Md., for veterans and their spouses who are aspiring to become innkeepers. (Regular price is $125 to $175). Scott Bushnell is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and an Army veteran. Also, the Lake Pointe Inn in Deep Creek Lake, Md., is offering two complimentary rooms for two nights to veterans who attend the workshop. Call (410) 422-0013) or email marilyn@bbteam.com for details.