If you’re planning a city break, one of the most important things to do is choose the right accommodation. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time in your room, so you want to make sure it’s comfortable and suits your needs. However, with so many options out there, how do you choose the best? Here are a few tips to consider:
Decide on the type
From hotels in downtown Cleveland to apartments in uptown New York, there are plenty of options when it comes to city accommodation. There are hotels and apartments, of course, but you might also want to consider renting a house, or even staying in a B&B. Each option has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to decide what’s most important to you before making a decision. Hotels, for example, often have plenty of amenities, whilst an apartment may have more privacy.
Decide on a budget
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing city accommodation is your budget. There’s no point in looking at luxury hotels if you can’t afford them. On the other hand, you don’t want a cheap room if it’s going to be dirty and uncomfortable when you could have spent just a little more for a much better room. Know your budget and stick to it and look for the best deals. Often, you can get a discount if you book at the right time or you have a certain number in your party.
The importance of location
Where you stay will have a big impact on your city break experience. If you want to be in the heart of the action, choose accommodation that’s centrally located. Alternatively, if you prefer a quieter area, there are plenty of options further out from the main tourist hot spots. Just remember to check local transport links from your hotel to ensure you can get to where you want to go without having to drive, and ensure the area is safe to walk to and from at night.
The importance of amenities
Think about your needs and look for accommodation that ticks those boxes. Are you looking for a hotel with all the bells and whistles, or something more basic? Do you need a room with a kitchen so you can self-cater, or is a buffet breakfast important to you? If you’re travelling with kids you may need a creche or high-chairs, or if you’re into fitness you may be looking for a gym or swimming pool. Check to see what each hotel offers and make your decision with these things in mind.
Read hotel reviews
When you’re reading reviews, be wary of any that seem fake. These could be from the hotel itself trying to boost its rating, or from someone who’s had a satisfactory experience but likes to nit-pick and exaggerate. It’s also worth taking note of any common complaints. If there are a lot of negative reviews about the same aspect of the hotel, the reviews are probably real. If, however, the reviews all seem excessively positive, it might be too good to be true. Here are five red flags to look out for when reading reviews
– Unnatural language (suggests an AI or troll wrote the review)
– Lack of detail (difficult to judge anything from one-worded reviews)
– All positive or all negative reviews (unless the hotel is extremely fortunate or unfortunate, there should be a mix of ratings to look at)
– Bias (people are more likely to complain than to compliment, so the number of negative reviews may be artificially inflated)
– No recent reviews (this either means the hotel has closed or is deleting recent reviews to hide them)
Ask around for recommendations
Finally, if you’re struggling to decide on accommodation, ask your friends and family for their recommendations. They may have stayed in a great hotel that you didn’t even know about, or they may have had a bad experience at a place you were considering, which could save you a lot of hassle.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that choosing the right city accommodation can make or break your trip. With so many options out there, it can be tricky to know where to start, but by following these tips, you’ll be sure to find the perfect place to stay for your needs.