Traveling can be expensive. From the seat class you choose to fly to the hotel you stay in, your costs can quickly add up. Fortunately, with the right strategy, you can minimize your spending while still enjoying comfortable accommodations.
When choosing a hotel you need to decide what your priorities are. Some travellers are only concerned with the basics such as a bed, shower and toilet, while others want to have the comforts of home. The good news is that even budget hotels can offer many modern conveniences.
Another important consideration is where you want to be in a city. Depending on your itinerary, you might want to be close to popular attractions or within walking distance of public transport stations. If you aren’t sure where you want to be, consider using the map view on booking websites. This will allow you to move the pin or marker to a part of town that matches your requirements and then only display hotels that fit that criteria.
Many travelers also care about the meals that are served in the hotel. Whether it’s free breakfast or a buffet with a wide selection, this is an area where you can find a lot of variation between hotels. But don’t assume that all hotels have a restaurant, especially in less developed countries or in more modest neighbourhoods.
Some hotels also charge hidden fees which can be quite significant. These may include airport shuttle costs, staff gratuities and Internet connection. It’s worth checking the terms and conditions carefully and asking ahead of time what is included in the room rate.
A good way to save money on food is to cook your own meals. If you have a kitchen in your room, this can be a great option. If not, you should be able to find restaurants in the vicinity that are very reasonably priced.
One final tip is to read hotel reviews carefully. You need to remember that most of these are written by people who work for or own the hotels in which they’re writing. As a result, they tend to be skewed and are often already a couple of years old by the time you see them online.
There are a lot of different types of hotel, all designed to suit different traveller needs. Hotels range from small “mom-and-pop” joints with just a few rooms to massive resorts. Hostels can vary in size, atmosphere and age range too, from quiet places for digital nomads to noisy party hostels. Airbnb and other rental services are growing in popularity too, providing the opportunity to rent apartments with full-sized kitchens and everything else you’ll need for a longer stay. This type of accommodation is a great choice for families.