In compiling this list of UK adult only hotels and B&Bs we've come across B&Bs that say they're adults only, want to be adults only, but find guests turning up with children - simply because their website and booking confirmations don't say something like: 'No under 16s, no infants'.
We've had to ask some B&Bs if they really are adults only because, even after scouring their website, it isn't clear. It's easy to see how people making a booking might not realise.
And if a B&B's website doesn't say 'adults only' it probably won't show up when people search for adults only B&Bs.
Some B&Bs that do say they're adults only don't give an age limit so it's a bit meaningless: we've found owners' definitions of 'adult' range from 5 to 25.
If your target market is people who want to stay in an adults only place, they will be reassured by a website that says what the age limit is and that children below that age will not be allowed on the premises.
1. The homepage says the B&B is adults only and gives the minimum age. For example:
"We are an adults only B&B welcoming guests aged 16 and over."
2. In addition, there's a statement on the Rooms, Booking, FAQs, T&Cs or Contact page, such as:
"Adults only: no infants, no children under 16 years."
3. Some B&Bs go further and their T&Cs make it clear that turning up having booked a child in as an adult won't wash:
"We are an adults only B&B. Infants and children under 16 will be refused entry but liability will remain for the full
cost of the booking as if cancelled."
4. Booking pages usually have dropdowns where the number of adults and children is selected. Do not have a children dropdown. Or if there must be one, make sure it shows zero and can't be changed. Or, if that's not possible, if a non-zero number of children is entered make sure the booking engine always returns no availability.
5. The webpage Title tag includes 'Adults Only'. This also helps when people search e.g. for 'Adult only B&B in Upton':
"Greenlane Lodge B&B Upton (Adults Only)"
6. Booking confirmation emails state, in bold:
"Please note: We are adults only, we do not allow infants/children under 16."
With those things in place it will be obvious to all that the B&B is adults only, what the age limit is and that booking a child in as an adult is not going to work.
Many people book via sites such as booking.com. Some B&Bs' descriptions on such sites make the age limit clear, others don't.
Though booking sites are generally not be be relied upon: they categorise hundreds of UK hotels and B&Bs as adults only
or 'minimum age 18' but studying the hotel or B&B website reveals they just simply aren't. Grrrr.
Examples of good adults only T&Cs
Some places claim to be adults only but state no age limit - a red flag that prompts us to ask. The three most bizarre replies we've had so far:
1. "I would like to inform you that our hotel is adults only, however we are quite flexible and we can accommodate children. Please be informed that we are happy to welcome them for free up to the age of 2 years old, however we do not provide any extra beds."
2. Although these T&Cs say "We regret we do not take children" an enquiry revealed "We accept children over 10".
3. And we had this from an 'adults only' lodge park: "Although we say we don’t allow children, we don’t mind if they are
under 12 months old at the time of the stay."
Needless to say none of these made it onto our website.