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KEY POINTS

Diverse Accommodation
Explore a wide array of lodging options, from traditional hotels to unique experiences like yurts in Mongolia or capsule hotels in Japan, catering to all preferences and budgets.
Practical Travel Tips
Gain valuable insights on location selection, budgeting, flexible cancellations, accessibility, and amenities, ensuring optimized travel experiences with ease.
Essential Travel Insurance
Discover the importance of travel insurance in mitigating financial risks, providing coverage for non-refundable expenses and additional benefits for peace of mind throughout your journey.

The number of people travelling continues to accelerate. Accommodation can book up quickly and be very expensive.

We’ve put together the following 10 travel tips to help you secure your dream accommodation in the perfect location.

Let’s jump right to the top 10 list.

① Types of Accomodation

A competitive travel industry and cultural diversity provides you with a wide range of accommodation choices. You have a chance to step out of your comfort zone and experience staying in places like a:

Castle in Scotland or France
Yurt in Mongolia or Central Asia
Treehouse in Costa Rica or Thailand
Glamping in Yosemite, Yellowstone, Kenya, or Tanzania
Capsule hotel in Japan or South Korea
Riad in Morocco
Houseboat in Amsterdam
Ice hotel in Sweden
Cave hotel in Turkey or Matera
Lighthouse in Scotland or Norway
Safari lodge in Kenya or South Africa
Recreational vehicle in just about any country

A more traditional approach typically includes choosing amongst these options:

Type	Pros	Cons
Hotels	Typically offer various amenities such as room service, housekeeping, internet, television, gym, pool, and on-site dining options. Can be centrally located for easy access to attractions and transportation. Ensures a level of comfort and security.	Can be expensive, especially in popular tourist destinations. May feel impersonal and lack cultural authenticity that can be found in other types of accommodations.
Vacation Rentals	Can feel like a home-away-from-home experience with amenities like kitchens, BBQ, backyard, and larger living areas. Can be cost-effective for families or groups. Offers a chance to live like a local and immerse in the culture of the destination.	Property management varies as will quality and cleanliness. Limited or no access to hotel-like services such as housekeeping or concierge (you may need to clean prior to departing). Can be more logistically challenging for booking, checking-in, and communicating with the host.
Bed and Breakfasts	May provide a cozy and intimate atmosphere with personalized service. Often includes homemade breakfast, including local cuisine. Provides opportunities for cultural exchange and local insights from hosts.	Limited amenities compared to hotels, such as fewer room service options or facilities. Accommodations may vary widely in quality and style. You typically sacrifice privacy and independence.
Hostels	Budget-friendly option, especially for solo travelers or those on a tight budget. Gain a sense of community through social interaction with other guests. Often offer communal kitchen facilities for self-catering.	Shared dormitory-style rooms may lack privacy, quietness / serenity, and security . Facilities and cleanliness can vary greatly between hostels. Not suitable for travelers seeking luxury or high levels of comfort.

② Location, Location, Location

Location can be critical to your travel experience. We learned this the hard way.

We were just a water taxi and city bus ride away from St. Mark’s Square in Venice. However, we wasted too much time finding our way, and getting lost, to and from the hotel.

Learning from this experience, we opted to stay just one block away from St. Mark’s Square during our next visit. While the room was basic, small, and slightly more expensive, the overall experience was significantly improved.

We recommend prioritizing accommodations that are close to major attractions, public transportation, and a variety of dining options. You may end up paying a little bit more and sacrificing amenities, but you will save time and money on transportation while exploring your destination more efficiently.

Be sure to do your research and choose a neighborhood that meets your safety and lifestyle preferences, whether you prefer a lively city center or a quieter residential area.

Consider the value of time and memories from vacations. Budget wisely for accommodations to enhance your experience, create lasting memories, while immersing yourself in a new culture.

③ Budgeting

No one enjoys budgeting, but it can be the difference between a stress-free memorable trip and one stained with forced cancellations and disappointment.

Accommodation can demand a large portion of your budget. You need to find the right balance between:

Location – Transit – Amenities – Experiences – Price

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Location – Transit – Amenities – Experiences – Price 〰️

By setting a budget, you can allocate funds wisely, allowing you to maximize your experiences. Let’s look at some ways to stretch your budget.

Accommodation Types

You can choose anything from an inexpensive hostel to a luxury 5-star hotel, and everything you can imagine in between. There is no “one size fits all”.

Consider your accessibility requirements, security, location, and amenities. Once those are satisfied, pretty much everything else is a discretionary expense.

Self-Sufficiency

Most of us look forward to not making meals during our vacation. However, you can save a lot of money by preparing some meals on your own. We find preparing our own light breakfast is budget friendly, saves time, and lets you hit the ground running in the morning.

Book Early

Consider booking well in advance to unlock potentially significant discounts. Your savings could be enhanced when booking during peak travel seasons.

Websites / App

The travel industry is very competitive, and it has leveraged technology to give you unprecedented access at your fingertips. You can quickly find and compare options from discount websites or apps.

Reduce your accommodation costs further by bundling car rentals and flights.

Flexible Travel Dates

It's remarkable how much your trip expenses can fluctuate with just a slight adjustment in your travel dates. Flexibility could hold the key to unlocking substantial savings, turning your dream trip into a tangible reality.

④ Flexible Cancellation Policies

Ideally, you want the most flexible cancellation policy available. It may not be a make-or-break issue, but it should factor into your overall plan. Here are some of the more common considerations:

Fully Refundable Bookings

Typically, this allows you to cancel for a full refund. There will usually be time limitations like a certain number of days before the check-in date.

Partially Refundable Bookings

You may be charged a cancellation fee, or a percentage of the total booking cost may be deducted against your refund.

Credits and Vouchers

Some accommodations will offer credits and vouchers instead of a direct refund of your trip costs. You bear the risk that they may expire prior to being utilized.

Cancellation Window

Many accommodations stipulate specific time periods during which cancellations are permitted. Some may require 24 hours before check-in while others need much more advanced notice.

You never know when a crisis will arise. Be sure to find a cancellation policy that aligns with your risk profile.

⑤ Accessibility

You need to consider any unique accessibility needs for you or your guests. This involves the accommodation itself and proximity to essential services, personalized assistance options, and community accessibility initiatives.

Mobility and Comfort

Mobility, convenience, and safety are paramount. Look for properties equipped with wheelchair ramps, elevators, wide doorways, grab bars in bathrooms, and step-free entrances.

Essential Services

Staying close to essential services can save time and money while providing peace of mind. Consider the proximity to medical facilities, pharmacies, and grocery stores.

Personalized Assistance

Some properties offer personalized assistance and support options. Additional services may include mobility aids, accessible transportation arrangements, and staff trained to assist guests with accessibility needs.

Community Accessibility

Research nearby attractions, restaurants, and recreational activities to ensure that you and your guests will be able to access them. Prioritize destinations known for their inclusive infrastructure and accessibility initiatives.

⑥ Amenities

The right amenities can add convenience and save you money. Look for these common options:

Fully Stocked Kitchens

Making a quick breakfast can be convenient while preparing most of your meals can be very budget friendly.

Properties with fully stocked kitchens and access to cooking facilities can help you stick to your budget while catering to dietary preferences or restrictions.

Laundry Facilities

Access to laundry facilities is important when booking extended stays or adventure travel.

It can be very convenient and cost effective to do your laundry while keeping your wardrobe fresh and packing needs to a minimum.

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Prioritize accommodations offering complimentary Wi-Fi. Access to Wi-Fi ensures connectivity for work or leisure activities, keeping you connected while away from home.

Parking

You may require a car for all or part of your trip. If so, make sure your accommodations offer parking facilities whether it is on-site or nearby.

Make sure you understand the cost to park and the “in/out” privileges.

⑦ Safety and Security

You should prioritize safety and security, even if you are familiar with your travel destination.

Safety Measures

It is essential that you consider the property’s safety features. Ideally, it will be equipped with security cameras, secure entry systems, and well-lit common areas.

Emergency Procedures

Your property should have emergency protocols for handling emergencies, including medical situations or natural disasters. There should be a clear understanding of and access to emergency services.

Location Safety

Your safety goes beyond the accommodation itself. Consider the surrounding area. Research its crime rate, emergency services available, and accessibility to transportation.

⑧ Reviews and Reputation

We recommend reading as many reviews about your property as necessary until you feel comfortable booking the accommodation.

You will likely find multiple reviews that address your key concerns, helping you make an informed decision.

You can find reviews in places like TripAdvisor, Airbnb, travel forums, and social media groups dedicated to travel. Look for insights related to:

Cleanliness and Hospitality

A well-maintained property and attentive hosts can go a long way to making it a pleasant stay. You want to see consistent feedback on the tidiness of the accommodation and the responsiveness of the hosts to guests' needs.

Proximity to Amenities

Customer reviews can offer valuable insights into the availability, convenience, and quality of local amenities.

You will likely find detailed information about convenience stores, restaurants, public transportation, medical services, and attractions nearby.

Safety and Security

We have already addressed the need for safety and security. Reviews from people that stayed onsite can provide an invaluable perspective regarding the adequacy of the security measures.

Knowing how safe and secure they felt may be just as important as knowing the technical security protocols implemented by the host.

Reputation and Reliability

You want to read feedback on the accuracy of the listing description, ease of check-in/check-out processes, and consistency in service quality.

Positive reviews increase your chances of a hassle-free and satisfying experience from booking to departure.

⑨ Personal Preference

All the points above are important, but don’t be too quick to dismiss your personal preferences. Your travel experience can be greatly enhanced if you secure a place that matches your tastes and preferences.

Prioritize your preferences and secure that cozy bed and breakfast, spacious vacation rental, or luxury of a top-tier hotel – whatever it takes to ensure an amazing and memorable journey.

⑩ Travel Insurance

Your upfront non-refundable accommodation costs can represent a substantial financial risk. Fortunately, travel insurance can mitigate this risk and provide additional benefits to you and your travel companions.

You should consider obtaining travel insurance as soon as you make your first trip deposit. You can obtain non-medical coverage including:

Trip cancellation
Trip interruption
Cancel for any reason

Many travel insurance companies also provide valuable services including:

24/7 travel services
24/7 medical services
Multilingual advisors
Concierge services
Identity theft assistance

Comprehensive travel insurance policies often including these additional benefits:

Missed connections
Trip delay
Baggage delay
Lost baggage
Accident and sickness
Pre-existing conditions
Evacuation
Repatriation
AD&D

Overall, travel insurance provides so much more than coverage of your non-refundable expenses. Knowing you will have access to emergency medical services will provide valuable peace of mind throughout your trip.