Are you in love with Bed & Breakfast inns? If not, you should be. Have you ever noticed that not all B & Bs are created equal? Every one has its own personality, its own unique charm, its locational strengths and weaknesses, and its own redeeming features. I decided to pick out some of Florida's inns and identify each by something special that it offers.

Pine Lodge of Inglis, Florida, is due west of Ocala on the Gulf coast. You may just want to relax in the gardens, the screened-in gazebo, and BBQ area. But chances are, you'll want to enjoy this nature lover's paradise. You can go hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding, golfing, canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling and fresh and saltwater fishing are some of the adventures that awaits you. In the unspoiled waters you can swim with the manatees or you can swim in one of the many nearby National State or County Parks and Preserves.

The St. Francis House of St. Augustine was built in 1791 which sounds to me like it's possibly the oldest historic inn in the nation. It has a picturesque fountain pond still fed directly from an artesian well. This B & B is large by some standards and offers at least twenty bedrooms for varied size and décor. And the most attractive thing to me about many of these rooms is the fireplaces and whirlpools. For many couples, those two features are most desirable for a cozy, romantic stay never to be forgotten. After all, what can create more ambience than a fireplace and what can create sweeter intimacy than a hot tub for two?

The hosts at Larelle House in St. Pete, are obviously proud of their wonderful food because they rave about it at length on their website. Every morning you will smell the rich aroma of gourmet coffee. Your appetizer will include just-squeezed orange juice, the freshest of fruits, a breakfast parfait or pudding and piping hot homemade breads or muffins that are uniquely wonderful. Then comes the sumptuous gourmet entrée featuring grilled breakfast meats on the side. Fresh English muffins as well as local bagels are available, along with the house's own homemade granola. The coup de grace is a fresh breakfast dessert, created just for guests. And Sunday breakfasts are super special with morning Mimosas served on the front verandah prior to exotic breakfast in the dining room. And if that ain't enough, each evening, enjoy wine & cheese in the parlor together with your hosts. Soft drinks and homemade goodies are also available in the dining room around the clock.

The most outstanding thing to me about the Thurston House, in Maitland, Florida is the location. It is an 1885 restoration resting on an 8-acre wonderland overlooking Lake Eulalia. There are amazingly lush, flowered paths and gardens throughout the property. And if you're worn and weary from the work-a-day world, it's the perfect place to ease those frazzled nerves. What guests can't believe is that this calm haven is in convenient proximity to Orlando, state parks and the beach.

The Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse is in Grayton Beach, Florida. I hate to admit that most Bed & Breakfasts are not designed or equipped for kids or pets. In fact, I would estimate that the majority of inns do not allow them. That's very understandable. Most B & Bs are quaint, with the old time thinner walls, and lots of priceless antiques that could be easily damaged by kids and pets. So I was gratified for the sake of families to find that five of the beautiful rooms at Hibiscus are kid-friendly and two are pet-friendly. These include comfortable air mattresses and sofa beds along with the nicer antique beds for parents.

Arcadia, Florida may not be famous but it was voted one of the Top 100 Small Towns in America. And that is where the Historic Parker House sits in all its Victorian splendor. One unique thing I noticed is that, unlike most inns of this type, the Parker House offers, not only gourmet breakfasts, but also lunches and dinners that are practically unequalled. The other thing that really stood out to me is that most of their rooms are priced at $99 per night. I think you'd be hard pressed to find any elegant inn that offers such reasonable prices for a night's stay. Do some comparing for yourself if you like.

What can I say about the Carriage Way Inn of St. Augustine? I didn't pick out just one feature of this gorgeous place, but I couldn't help but recognize how much notice the place gets. It was picked as one of the 125 "Best Places to Stay in Florida." Folio Weekly chose the Carriage Way as the Best B & B in St. Augustine in 2006, and there are lots of inns. Plus, a whole lot of newspapers have included articles about the place, including the Miami Herald, the Jacksonville Times, the Sarasota Herald Tribune, and the Ft. Myers News Press.

How do you judge Bed & Breakfasts? What's most valuable to you? A breathtaking property, a vast array of activities, romantic ambience, excellent food, low room prices, kid-friendly facilities, or great reviews? Make your own choice. I'm sure you won't regret it.