After almost two years of full-time travelling, I’ve learned a lot about accommodation and how it can affect the overall quality of your stay somewhere.
From moldy, damp hostels to beautiful five-star hotels, I’ve stayed in it all. Some of our accommodations have been far better than we would have expected, some much worse. So here are my tips for getting the best out of your accommodation, no matter where in the world you’re staying or for how long.
Compare, Compare, Compare
If you’re choosing to stay in a hotel and want to find the best hotel deals, then you need to do some digging. Firstly use comparison websites to discover the cheapest prices available in your destination, as well as getting an idea of location. Then, check the hotel’s own website (if they have one) to see if the price differs in any way. You can use the same tactic with hostels and apartment rentals.
Longer Stay = Greater Discount
This one probably wouldn’t apply to hotels, but if you’re planning on staying in a hostel or apartment, then you can usually negotiate a lower price for a longer stay. If, say, you’re staying in a large city which is popular for weekend breaks or two-night stays, then the owners will probably offer you a discount if you stay a week. It’s worth sending an email before you book, just to find out.
Check the Reviews
Although all reviews can be circumstantial (for example, one person’s idea of bad customer service may not be someone else’s) it’s worth checking them out before you book anywhere. We often base our bookings on reviews if several people have specified that the Wifi doesn’t work in the rooms or if there was no hot water in the showers. Little things like that can really make a big difference, especially to people like us who travel a lot and work online. Look out for common themes in the reviews, rather than specific personal experiences – if three people say that the accommodation in a great location, it’s probably safe to say that it is. Don’t been thrown-off by one bad review, but do take everything in to account and go with your gut.
This also works both ways; if you have a great stay, or notice some points about the accommodation that weren’t already mentioned, make sure to write a review and mention them. Pass it forward for other travellers. And don’t just stick to the reviews on TripAdvisor; read the reviews on the hotel comparison websites too, to get a bigger overall picture.
Don’t Always Stick to the Same Type of Accommodation
As I mentioned, we have stayed in lots of different types of accommodation these past two years, which has kept the whole travelling experience fresh. We love being able to cook our own food, so hostels and hotels don’t always work out for us and in those cases we would find an apartment. But sometimes we want the comfort and convenience of a hotel, or the sociable atmosphere of a hostel. Recognise what would make you happy in each destination and try and adjust your budget accordingly.
Snap up Last Minute or Out-of-Season Deals
If you can be flexible with your travel dates then you can often find some great last-minute or off season deals. In Thailand, for example, we found a gorgeous five star hotel with infinity pool for half the usual price, simply because it was low season and they wanted to fill the rooms.
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