Okay, here’s my blog post about finding a bed and breakfast in Champaign-Urbana:
So, I needed to book a place to stay in Champaign-Urbana for a quick trip. I’m not a huge fan of big, impersonal hotels, so I thought, “Why not try a bed and breakfast this time?” I like the idea of a cozy, homey feel, and, you know, actual breakfast.
First, I did what everyone does – I Googled “bed and breakfast champaign urbana”. Simple enough, right? I got a bunch of listings, some looked promising, some…not so much. I’m kind of picky about aesthetics, I’ll admit it. I like things to look clean and well-maintained, not like I’m stepping back into the 1800s (unless it’s intentional and well-done, you know?).
I opened a bunch of tabs – seriously, like, a bunch. I started looking at pictures. Lots of floral wallpaper. Lots of doilies. Some places looked a little… dusty. I’m just being honest here!
My “Must-Have” List
I had a few things I was looking for:
- Private bathroom. This is non-negotiable for me. I’m not about that shared bathroom life, especially when traveling.
- Good reviews. I always check the reviews. People are usually pretty honest about their experiences, and you can often get a good sense of the place from what others say. Look for patterns, both good and bad.
- Decent Wi-Fi. Because, well, it’s the 21st century. I needed to be able to get some work done, and also, you know, stream my shows.
- A good breakfast! It’s called a “bed and breakfast”, so the breakfast part better be decent. I was hoping for something more than just a sad, shrink-wrapped muffin.
I started narrowing down my options based on my criteria. Some places were immediately out because of shared bathrooms. Others got crossed off the list because of consistently bad reviews or mentions of spotty Wi-Fi. One place had amazing reviews about the breakfast, so I kept that one on the shortlist, even though the decor was a little bit much for my taste.
I spent a good hour, maybe more, just going through websites, reading reviews, and comparing prices. It felt like a part-time job! Finally, I found a place that seemed to tick all the boxes. The photos looked great – clean, modern, but still cozy. The reviews were overwhelmingly positive, with many people raving about the friendly hosts and the delicious, homemade breakfasts. Private bathroom? Check. Good Wi-Fi? Check. And the breakfast menu online looked amazing.
I booked it! I’m feeling pretty good about my choice. I’ll let you know how it goes after my trip! I’m hoping for a relaxing stay and some seriously good pancakes.
