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The choice of accommodation is often the difference between a good and an EPIC trip! It’s not an exaggeration - the place you choose to stay has the power to shape your entire travel experience.
The problem, however, is choosing the perfect accommodation from a plethora of choices. Whether to stay at a luxurious hotel or cozy hideaway? Which website to use to book hotel rooms? How to ensure your lodging option is safe yet fun?
It’s overwhelming to find these answers. That’s why, in this article, we want to share some handy lodging tips that’ll help you seize the best deals while avoiding common pitfalls.
Let’s get started.
7 Lodging Tips to Book the Perfect Accommodation
Below we have discussed 7 simple lodging tips that will help both new travelers and seasoned explorers book their perfect accommodations.
1. Do Proper Research
It might sound boring, but doing proper and in-depth research is very important before booking your accommodations. You can use Google to search for “the best places to stay in…” and use websites like Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, and TripAdvisor to find some good lodging options.
We’ll recommend you make a list of all the options in Google Sheets. You can add columns with more details about the prices, availability, best deals, and some unique attributes that set the place apart. This organized approach will help you compare various choices and easily narrow down your options based on your preferences and budget.
2. Explore Various Lodging Options
While doing your research, try not to limit yourself to just hotels. There are so many more amazing alternative lodging options, such as vacation rentals, retreats, guesthouses, and even local homestays, available to offer you a unique and customized experience.
If you are someone who wants to spend an adventurous vacation, you can also look for some unconventional lodging options like treehouses, farm stays, and igloos. Or, if you prefer a rejuvenating experience during your trips, you can look for spa resorts, wellness retreats, and private cottages/villas.
3. Choose the Location Wisely
While some tourists prefer their accommodations to be near the main tourist attractions, restaurants, and shopping centers, others prefer something secluded. Both options have their pros and cons - while staying in local neighborhoods gives a more authentic experience and saves commute costs, a secluded location offers privacy and time away from the hustle and bustle.
Whichever option you prefer for your perfect vacation, just make sure you check beforehand where the place is located, how you will reach there, and how you plan on exploring the places in your itinerary. In short, you need to figure out the transportation and your commute plan while choosing your lodging options.
4. Pick a Safe Neighborhood
Many tourists tend to focus primarily on the property and its location while overlooking the importance of a safe neighborhood. However, it’s extremely important that you do proper research about different neighborhoods in the area to find reported incidents that may be of potential safety concerns.
This is especially important if you’re choosing a lodging option that is situated in a secluded area. You need to check the safety and security measures put in place to ensure the well-being of the tourists. You can also look up crime rates in a particular neighborhood, read travel advisories issued by your government, and use online forums to hear locals share their experiences.
5. Read Online Reviews
Online reviews from other tourists can help you assess the authenticity and credibility of the accommodation. You can use these reviews to judge the cleanliness, amenities, and overall condition of the place and determine whether it meets your specific requirements.
Most travel websites like TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and Expedia feature reviews and ratings from previous guests. But apart from that, you can also read articles/blogs and watch YouTube videos of travel bloggers to get a better idea about the current state of the property.
Just remember to look for recent reviews and take into account the credibility of the reviewers, as some businesses use shady practices to get fake reviews. Even some bloggers do paid promotions that aren’t always honest. It’s best to explore different websites and social media platforms to gather different perspectives and opinions.
6. Contact the Hotel Directly
While it’s a good idea to browse through various travel booking websites, you should also consider contacting the hotel or resort directly. You can talk to them and get more information about the various amenities, dining options, check-in and check-out times, parking facilities, cancellation policies, and any additional charges for some services or amenities.
In fact, some places offer special discounts to customers that make direct bookings through their official websites or phone reservations. You might have to sign up for their loyalty program, which is usually free of cost, but it will give you access to many amazing discounts and deals.
7. Check for Services & Amenities
Review the list of amenities to check if you’re getting everything you’ll need during your stay. Some basic amenities like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and parking facilities are a must. But depending on your own preferences, you can look for additional amenities. For example, if you’re someone who loves relaxing during trips, you might want to consider having a swimming pool or a spa at the property.
In most cases, these amenities would be listed on travel booking websites or the hotel’s own website. But as mentioned earlier, you can also contact the place directly to know the cost and availability of these services.
Final Words
Finding the perfect lodging can greatly enhance your travel experience. So, take your time to do proper research, find various lodging options, compare prices and reviews on various platforms, and pay special attention to the location and safety of the neighborhood.
Sounds like a lot of work? Don’t worry, we’ll help you plan your next trip. Just check out our website for more amazing and helpful travel tips.