Our April monthly award recognized the Top 10 Culinary Inns. These B&Bs offer over-the-top food experiences, from cooking lessons with experts to wine-pairing seminars.

Two BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection inns won a place in the top 10:

Elm Creek Manor Luxury B&B & Resort in Gainesville, TX
Farm-to-table dining, five-course gourmet dinners, cooking classes with wine tastings

Hartstone Inn & Hideaway in Camden, ME
"Chef for a day" cooking classes, European culinary tours, award-winning dining

We are thrilled to announce that the BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection™ program has reached a major milestone: It now has over 400 member inns across the U.S. and Canada! Established over three years ago, this program offers luxury, value and memorable, one-of-a-kind experiences to travelers.

Our recent survey of nearly 2,500 travelers reveals that this winter, more than one in four (28%) plan to enjoy a “splurge weekend” and stay in luxury accommodations.  Of these travelers, more than three out of four (77%) plan to stay in a luxury bed and breakfast, and nearly half (48%) say they would be willing to pay more than $100 a night extra for the high-end accommodations.

“Travelers are increasingly looking for ‘smart luxury’ accommodations providing pampered experiences along with special touches and extra perks that provide great value,” says BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection Manager Tim Wilson.  “Diamond Collection inns exemplify smart luxury and are the perfect choice for travelers who want more out of their travel experience.”

In addition to having fantastic traveler reviews on BedandBreakfast.com and offering luxurious and modern amenities and services, Diamond Collection inns participate in a comprehensive third-party annual inspection conducted by InnConcierge. “When we evaluate and pass an inn for BedandBreakfast.com’s Diamond Collection status, it has to pass a 400+ point ratings criteria, which is the most stringent of all ratings programs,” says Stephen Tallon, InnConcierge founder.  “Innkeepers across the nation have sought out the Diamond Collection program from BedandBreakfast.com because it highlights and markets the unique offerings these special bed and breakfast inns offer to their guests.”

Thank you to all of our participating Diamond Collection inns and travelers for supporting this wonderful program! Pictured is Castle in the Country in Allegan, Michigan, which has been a Diamond Collection member since 2009.

By Emily Starbuck Crone

Today, we are announcing a brand new maps feature that makes it easier for you to find properties in the exact area where you want to stay. It also makes it easy to see how many B&Bs are in any given area.

There is still a map on the city page in the right sidebar, which you can see in the image below:

Starting today, when you click on the map on a city page, it will take you to a new page with a large map like the one below. When you click on a pin, you will see the name of the inn with some quick facts, plus a link to the listing. If you drag the map to another area, it will automatically repopulate with properties in the new area. BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection properties are called out more prominently with a blue icon.

We think this change will make it even easier for you to find the perfect B&B. What do you think?

By Emily Starbuck Crone

Craving something sweet and crunchy? Bake this delicious fresh apple & cranberry crunch courtesy of Mill Rose Inn in in Half Moon Bay, CA. This BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection member is an intimate country retreat within walking distance from the ocean.

Serves:  12

Watching sunsets on the beach isn't just for the summer months! Plan a romantic fall getaway to Orange County. Casa Tropicana in San Clemente, CA is one of the newest members of the BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection. The innkeepers say that some of the most beautiful sunsets in the area take place during fall. To celebrate this beautiful time of year, Casa Tropicana is offering an “Autumn Sunset” promotion. When you book a stay Sunday through Thursday in November, you can stay for only $220 a night.

Because the inn is right on the beach, many of the rooms feature gorgeous ocean views (such as the one pictured on the right). The inn provides travelers with umbrellas, beach chairs, and towels. Enjoy a fresh in-room breakfast and soak in your room's Jacuzzi tub. Some of the rooms feature fireplaces, and one has its own kitchenette.

To book, call 800-492-1245 or email a reservation request and let them know you are interested in the "Autumn Sunset" promotion.