Traveling is one of the purest things we can experience. It’s the best way to jolt ourselves out of our routine lifestyle and introduce a sense of excitement and something new. But your travel experience can easily go south if you’re not all too careful with it. Especially with your accommodation setup.
Booking the wrong hotel or bed and breakfast can ruin your whole trip, or even worse, put you at risk. There are many aspects to keep in mind and factor in when deciding, so here are some tips to help you out.
The Location Can Make Or Break Your Experience
Whatever the event or occasion is, location can make or break your experience. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor venue for an event or the best resort and accommodation for your vacation, it’s important to factor in the location. Your purpose matters as well since if you’re traveling for leisure, you want to look for accommodation that’s nearby travel routes to get to sightseeing spots easily. If you’re on a business trip, then being closer to your location of the business is best. Ignoring where your accommodation is located can spell trouble for you, especially if it means difficulty in getting anywhere else.
Try Out Condominium or Apartment Rentals
Short-term condominiums and apartment rentals are normally very comfortable and convenient (much like a hotel) but minus the expensive price. Being that they’re a residential unit, they’re highly cozy and homely. There are many unique and cost-effective rentals, often found through Airbnb and similar marketplaces. Condo or apartment rentals are perfect if you’re not staying for too long, but would rather have a very seamless experience without frills or hassles.
Don’t Overlook Your Food Options
You will need to eat during your stay, or you might even be traveling for food! Dining options are another factor you need to consider when choosing accommodation. Some hotels or bed and breakfasts offer free meals, but often at a limited capacity- while some don’t entirely. Make sure you check the fine print whether breakfast or any meals are complimentary. And if you find one that you like but doesn’t have a free meal, make sure to also know what alternatives are available.
Luxury Versus Practicality
Your expenses matter and the best travel accommodation isn’t always the most expensive; it’s often the ones with the most customer ratings and reviews. Needless to say, they’re not the only important factors, but they can play a significant role. It’s wiser to go for what you need over what you want. A romantic travel getaway needs luxurious accommodation so look for ones with considerably high ratings, while a business trip might need something a bit more practical and listings that have a mid to high rating will suffice.
Family-Friendly Isn’t For Everyone
Here’s the thing with family-friendly locations: they can be boring. They might not allow alcohol on the premises, and depending on your purpose, that might ruin the experience. Don’t make the mistake of assuming- always check beforehand! Alternatively, if you’re traveling with a family, it’s best to see which accommodations are family-friendly. It would help if they have discounted meals for children, whether they have babysitting facilities, or even playgrounds to give your kids something to do while you rest.
Be Wary Of Hidden or Extra Fees
You might be enamored by the drastically low prices you see in online listings, but don’t be fooled. Guarantee its price by combing through the listing, and then contacting them to verify whether the price indicated is the real price. Many facilities would often have extra fees, and it’s better if you clear it out early. And it’s also smart to ask for other fees that might be charged on top of your room fee, like internet connection, shuttle fees, and other similar stuff.
Check Online Reviews First
This list wouldn’t be complete without this advice: make sure to check their online reviews first. You’ll be saving yourself a lot of hassle and confusion by making sure other people have a good experience. It’s relatively safe to go by customer reviews, as they are paying customers who are sharing their personal experience with that business. The amazingly low prices might come at the cost of quality, so make sure about what they offer by reading the reviews first.
Different people look for different things, and that includes what makes an accommodation good. But with the general tips provided here, you can find the one that suits you the most. Don’t be lax when it comes to finding the best hotel or accommodation- it’s one of the most important parts of your trip.