From Boston to Los Angeles, we've tested a lot of beds and eaten a lot of breakfasts to bring you our picks for the best B&Bs in seven cities across the country

The Shellmont Inn, at 821 Piedmont Avenue, Northeast, is a beautifully maintained 1891 home with leaded and stained glass windows, antique furnishings, and carved wood. Fruit baskets and chocolate truffles in the five guest rooms and carriage house are just some of the thoughtful touches. Strengths: Walk to MARTA rail, restaurants, and Piedmont Park; near downtown and Buckhead; DVD and CD players; robes; in-room whirlpools; full breakfast; parking in garage. Weaknesses: No children under 12 except in the Carriage House; pet cat (it's not allowed in bedrooms, but allergy sufferers beware). Room to avoid: None (404-872-9290; shellmont.com; doubles, $185–$275; Carriage House, $295–$350).

The Gaslight Inn, a 1913 Craftsman-style home with eight rooms and suites and a lush walled garden, is a short walk to pedestrian-friendly Virginia-Highland's shops, galleries, and restaurants, and also near the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Piedmont Park, downtown, and Buckhead. Several rooms have whirlpools and private decks. Continental breakfasts include quiche, homemade breads, and fruit. Strengths: Complimentary beverages and snacks; DVD and CD players in suites; robes; off-street parking; children welcome. Weakness: A couple of miles from MARTA rail (404-875-1001; gaslightinn.com; doubles, $115–$215).
–Amanda Miller

Boston
In a historic town house right off the South End's main drag, Encore B&B is ideal for culture vultures: The owners, who live on the ground floor, are experts on the local arts scene (one is artistic director of a local theater company). Four contemporary guest rooms, each named for a composer or a playwright, have exposed brick, low-slung beds, streamlined furnishings, and plenty of natural light. All the rooms are spacious and comfortable, but the violet-hued Albee Room, at the tippy top, has the added bonus of a private balcony. Aside from the petite breakfast nook, there are no common areas. Strengths: Close to hip restaurants and theaters; innkeepers with vast local knowledge; comfortable rooms. Weaknesses: Two-night minimum on weekends; inflexible breakfast time; queen beds only (inconvenient for three-person families). Room to avoid: None (617-247-3425; encorebandb.com; doubles, $140–$240).