Whether it’s for a business trip, vacation, or just a weekend away from home, choosing the right accommodation is one of the most important parts of planning any getaway. The good news is that there are more choices than ever before. But that can also make things more difficult when it comes to finding a place to stay that fits your needs and budget.
The first step is deciding what your priorities are for your trip. Do you want to be close to the city centre, do you need to have parking, or are amenities such as a swimming pool and fitness center important to you? Once you know what is important to you, start looking for hotels that have those features. You can use sites that aggregate vacation deals as a starting point, but it’s always a good idea to go directly to the hotel’s website. This can avoid commission fees that might be passed on to you and will often ensure you get the lowest price available.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, look for reviews. While the odd poor or terrible review should be taken into account (it’s hard to please everyone), it’s more important to pay attention to patterns in reviews. If a large percentage of people are complaining about the same thing, such as slow Wi-Fi or a noisy location, it’s likely worth avoiding that hotel.
If you’re travelling on a business trip, check whether the hotel offers meeting rooms or has an event space for corporate functions. Many hotels have partnerships with local restaurants, so you can have meals delivered to your room. This can be a convenient option when you’re on a tight schedule or just want to relax in your room and not leave the hotel.
For a more leisurely getaway, consider staying in a boutique hotel, which is a type of luxury or design-driven hotel. These are generally located in urban areas and may be small in size. They can be more expensive than a traditional hotel, but they will usually offer unique or luxurious features that you won’t find elsewhere. Some hotels even have loyalty programs, where you can earn points for every stay that can be redeemed for free future stays.
Hostels are another type of sociable accommodation that’s popular with travelers, especially for backpackers and young adults. They can be either mixed or same-sex, and guests share common facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens. They can be very cheap or more expensive than a hotel, depending on the quality of the facility and the number of beds. Many of these types of accommodations have become more flexible in recent years thanks to the popularity of services like Airbnb, and now you can even rent entire homes or apartments for your stay.