Use the phrase “B&B” and many people think of a bedroom in someone’s private home where you share a bathroom with strangers and wake up to a store-bought croissant and orange juice.

If that’s your vision of a B&B (short for Bed and Breakfast) then you haven’t been to one lately.

Today’s B&Bs are the preferred alternative to hotels for the savvy traveler seeking personal service and comfort. Both business professionals and tourists alike enjoy the amenities that a B&B can offer, including a private bath and luxurious accommodations.

Lisa Watkins, vice president of marketing for the Washington Bed &Breakfast Guild, as well as co-owner with her husband, Bob, of the River Rock inn at Arlington, is no stranger to the misconception that B&Bs are just a rented room in grandma’s boarding house.

“There are still people that think that way and I’m sure that might be true in some places,” Watkins said.

But you won’t find anything like that among the members of the Washington Bed &Breakfast Guild, she said. Standards for the member inns in this state are extremely high. Guild inspections are said to be even more rigorous than those from the AAA of Washington’s lodging guide.

“All of our inns are inspected and approved by an outside contractor,” Watkins said. “It’s an independent inspector that flies in from Texas more than once a year.”

He’s also an advisor to the innkeepers and mentors them on keeping their establishments above expected standards.

What to expect from B&Bs

So what can you expect from a modern B&B? In a word, service. Guild B&Bs come in many different shapes and sizes but they all offer outstanding personal service and many extras you would expect to pay for in a hotel.

All of the members provide a full breakfast with your stay but it’s also common to include beverages and snacks such as fresh baked cookies or other treats.

“The homemade food is important to people,” Watkins said. “And every B&B is going to ask if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. That is not something you’re likely to get in a hotel.”

The type of people that use a B&B varies by location and sometimes by the size of the establishment.

For example, in addition to tourists, Everett’s Gaylord House often hosts professionals who are in Snohomish County for business reasons.

They also get the families of patients from nearby Providence hospital and sometimes visiting medical professionals.

The River Rock Inn in Arlington is eagerly sought out by those wanting a nature-packed getaway near to the mountains and Puget Sound. It’s especially popular with honeymoon and anniversary couples, as well as business groups who gather in the “great room” with its sone fireplace.

In Skagit County, the award-winning Wild Iris B&B in LaConner “gets a lot of corporate business,” said Steve Farnell, owner of the inn. “We have a conference room here and we do business retreats.”

Of course, Farnell’s B&B is also very popular with tourists on the springtime tulip trail. Many B&Bs have noticed a slight increase in the number local guests since gas prices started to rise. It’s a trend they hope will continue as Western Washington residents find out about the hidden luxuries available at these small inns.

River Rock Inn, Arlington

For example, Watkins’ River Rock Inn has large themed suites with private baths and tubs for two.

Guests can enjoy a beautiful forest setting as they soak in a hot tub. There are trails to wander, fish to feed and plenty of wildlife to watch.

Indoors, guests can sit by a spectacular stone fireplace as they await a multi-course meal made from local and organic ingredients. Arrangements can also be made for spa services. The River Rock Inn also is a coveted wedding venue.

Country Cedar Inn, Granite Falls

Another woodland retreat is Troy and Michelle Halter’s Country Cedar Inn at Granite Falls, built in a tranquil, private, wooded setting in the Cascade Mountain foothills.

The Halters can help guests to arrange for kayak rentals and advise on other outdoor activities. The four themed guest rooms offer private baths, individual VCRs, CD players and fresh cookies.

Gaylord House, Everett

Craig and Kay Zimmel’s Gaylord House in Everett is a stunning Craftsman-style home built in 1910. Near to Providence Hospital’s Pacific campus, it is also handy for downtown Everett and close to the Everett Boeing plant and Future of Flight tours. All of the Zimmels’ rooms offer private baths and either a VCR or DVD player. Some offer whirlpool tubs and fireplaces.

Gaylord House lets guests select their own breakfast time and encourages those requiring extended stays for work or pleasure to ask about special rates.

Wild Iris Inn, LaConner

Just north of Snohomish County in La Conner, the Wild Iris Inn features 16 comfortably furnished guest rooms., featuring fireplaces, private baths, jetted tubs and intimate in-room tables for two.

All of this is just steps from the spectacular shopping and art galleries of downtown La Conner, one of the Puget Sound area’s most popular tourist towns. Those are just a few of many stunning local B&Bs available in and near the Snohomish County area.

The Washington Bed &Breakfast Guild Web site offers an overview of member B&Bs in the state, along with contact information and links to the individual B&B’s Web sites.

You can contact the Guild at www.wbbg.com or call 800-647-2918 for more information.