You’ve booked your tickets, packed your bags, and set off on another exciting adventure. Only when you arrive, you’re in for a big disappointment. The hotel is miles from the beach or the city’s attractions, the rooms are small and dirty, the staff unhelpful and there’s nowhere nearby to eat.
Bad accommodation can really take the shine off your trip. So, here’s what to look for when making your choice of the best hotel:
Location, location, location
You could stay in a luxurious five-star hotel but if its 45 minutes from the main things you want to see or do then you’re going to spend an awful lot of your holiday just getting around. Look for a hotel that’s near to the main attractions.
Right in the heart of things is obviously the dream but this can be expensive, so a few minutes’ walk or a couple stops on a tram or metro is usually fine.
Hotel reviews
Reviews give you insight into what previous guests think of your chosen accommodation. Look up your hotel on Tripadvisor or do a quick google search, and you can find hundreds of reviews from other guests. Random complaints might need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but the more positive reviews there are, the better. And if a hotel has no reviews at all, unless it is brand new, it’s probably not a good sign.
You can also look and see how hotels respond to reviews to see if they are dealing with any negative comments and what steps they have put in place to resolve any issues that arose for previous guests.
Local feel
Service and friendly staff are a must, it goes without saying. But what you really want at a great hotel is some kind of local feel. We’re talking the real local inside track, away from all the other tourists. This kind of feeling is priceless and can be the difference between a good trip and a truly legendary one. This local feeling can be through the location, the restaurants and food on offer, or the activities and services the hotel provides.
Some hotels offer a range of unique local offerings such as cooking classes in a neighbouring home, bike tours through the neighbourhood or the opportunity to give back to a local charity in some way. Having a connection to the actual community while on holiday will make you feel less like a tourist and more in touch with the destination you visit.
That little extra
Ultimately, all anyone wants from accommodation is to feel welcome and comfortable. Staff and service that goes that little further always makes a big difference. It is the little touches, like a thoughtful turndown or a complimentary welcome gift, that are mega bonuses and can turn a good hotel into a great one.
Also look for hotels that have free shuttles, offer free happy hour drinks, or complimentary daily activities. These free extras can really help save money in the long run.