When it’s time to plan a trip, one of the main questions is: what kind of accommodation should I book? Well, the answer will depend on many factors, such as the budget, the destination, the number of people travelling together, the kind of trip and so on.
Here are some tips and advice to choose the right accommodation for your next travel.
How long will you stay?
If you are planning to spend long time in your destination, we suggest you consider staying in an apartment. In fact, apartments tend to have kitchens, washing machines and almost everything you might need for a long stay. You can use the well-known Airbnb to make research by filters (price/night, type of house or room, position, facilities, etc.). Also, you might get discounts for longer stays.
On the other hand, if you are going to stay for a short period of time then you may consider also hotels or hostels, looking for good deals on big platforms like Booking.com or Hostelworld.
How many people are you going to travel with?
If you are travelling with a large group and want to stay in the same accommodation, then depending on the kind of trip you are after you may want to get a private dorm room in a hostel or stay in an apartment. In facts, hotels aren’t great for big groups, as you may end up having to pay for multiple rooms and having no shared areas where to stay together (like dining and Tv room or kitchen).
Do you need to cook?
If you are travelling on a budget, such as when backpacking, or if you plan to stay for a long time at the destination, eating out everyday can be very expensive. In this case, choosing an accommodation with cooking facilities – like apartments or hostels – is the best solution to save money.
Do you want to be centrally based?
If your plan is to visit a city and to spend a lot of time exploring, then you should opt for a centrally located accommodation. Hostels are often based in great locations and more affordable than hotels in the same area. With a bit of luck, you may also find apartments in good locations and at a good price. If you prefer to stay further out and save money, before booking an accommodation check how close it is to public transports, such as a subway or tram stops.
What time will you arrive and depart?
If you are planning to arrive late in the night (let’s say after 10 pm), then accommodations with 24h reception – such as hotels or hostels – are the right choice. Airbnb hosts aren’t big fans of late check-ins and may also charge a lot extra if you plan to arrive late. The same works with early departures: many flat owners don’t apply self check-out and want to inspect the apartment before you leave.
Will you be driving?
If you rent a car, it’s worth either getting an accommodation that provides parking facilities or searching online which parking possibilities are available in the area. If the destination has good public transport connections, we discourage you to rent a car since you may end up spending a lot of money in parking, fuel and time in traffic.
Final considerations.
Some other things to consider when it comes to booking an accommodation for your trip includes:
- Verify that the accommodation has good reviews.
- Be sure that the final costs match your budget and that they include everything you took into account (such us cleaning fee or late check-in): it’s better not to have any surprises!
- If you need any special assistance, such as a lift or wheelchair ramp, contact the accommodation to ask if they have such facilities.
- Be aware of check-in and check-out times and possible extra fees.
If you are thinking to visit the Canary Islands, check out all the Travel Experiences that we can arrange for you in Gran Canaria!