We all have different standards when it comes to finding the right travel accommodation. In the olden days, your choices would be a luxury hotel that will eat up a good chunk of your budget, or a hostel with questionable reputation and cleanliness. Thankfully, as many people are now traveling for leisure, the options for great places to stay in have increased.
Your accommodation choices can be a hotel that has all the comforts of home, privacy and then some. Hostels have become the new kind of place to stay in for budget travelers of all ages, and is a great place to meet fellow travelers. Inns and bed & breakfast are great choices for places that are a little more out of the way and offer a more relaxing atmosphere. Options for homestay, Couchsurfing and homeswap are also becoming popular.
Here are some tips that can help you find the right place to stay.
1. Determine your budget
How much you want and can afford to spend is the key to finding the right place to stay. Having a budget helps narrow down the places you will be looking at and makes picking your choices easier.
2. How long will you stay?
Since most hotels, inns and hostels charge their guests on a per night basis, the number of days you will stay there will affect your choice. More days would mean higher charge, so you would want to pick the place that doesn’t have high per day rates. Check also if these places offer discounts when you are staying for a certain number of nights, as there are places who will give a hefty discount if you stay for three or more days.
3. What do you need?
Considering the amenities offered and your needs from a hotel, inn or hostel is important. Would you want a hotel that offers spa treatments, or do you want a place just to sleep in? Many backpackers are happy with a bed, clean bathroom and somewhere safe to stash their things when they’re out. Others will want room service and complimentary full breakfast. Nowadays, having free Wi-Fi or Internet service is a must. By knowing what you will be needing from the hotel (when you’re not out exploring, that is), you can make better choices.
4. Number of people
The number of people in your party will also be a factor to consider. Solo travelers won’t have much trouble, since they only have themselves to think of and are be flexible in their needs. Group travelers will have to weigh in everybody else’s needs and budget in order to find the right place. You can ask hotels if they offer group rates and discounts. Most hostels offer dorm rooms of at least four or more beds (sometimes going up to ten or twelve). If you party can fit into one dorm, ask the hostel if you can rent it as a whole.
5. When will you go?
It’s a standard practice for hotels, inns and hostels to change their prices depending on the season. Off-peak days tend to be cheaper, while on-season rates are higher. You can save money by patiently scouring the Internet for cheap last minute holidays, or booking months ahead of your trip, especially if you’re booking during off-season as your rates will be based on the current dates. If you’re booking ahead, ask for any discounts or hotel policy on cancellations.
Good to remember:
In some cases, you may want to look into places that are not within your budget range. Sometimes, especially during the off season, they offer huge discounts particularly if you are staying for a certain number of days.
- Newly opened hotels also offer discounts as a sort of advertisement to attract clients. Since they’re building their reputation, you can be guaranteed great accommodation and service at a good price.
- Use online sources to find a place to stay. You can look into a hotel’s website, or you can check out online travel communities that often have reviews of various hotels, inns, hotels and other accommodation.
- Ask people you know who have been to where you are going for recommendations.
Having a good place to stay in during your trip helps make it a lot memorable and fun. With a bit of patience and perseverance, you can find a place to stay in that is right for you.
[fblike style=”standard” float=”left” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”] [twitter style=”horizontal” float=”left”] [google_plusone size=”standard” float=”left” annotation=”none” language=”English (US)”]