Traveling is one of the best decisions you will ever make. Once you’ve decided to take the plunge, accommodation is one of the most important things to figure out. You don’t want to be stranded with no where to sleep. With so many different options for accommodation out there, how do you choose?

Types of Accommodation

First we’ll talk about the type of accommodations out there, because there are a lot. Knowing which one’s you’re okay with and which ones you can eliminate will help you determine where to start your accommodation search.

Camping

If you like the outdoors, want to try something new, are up for an adventure, or just can’t afford other options, then camping might be for you. There are plenty of safe camping areas (some with a fee), a lot with bathrooms and showers. In the US, all National Forests are open for free camping, as well as Bureau of land Management areas, however these do not always have amenities.

Friend/Family house

If the opportunity is there and open, this is my favorite place to stay. There is nothing better than getting to connect with loved ones. It’s a free option, but not a free ride. They are doing you a great favor, so make sure to be gracious and send a thank you note or postcard when you leave.

House sitting

House sitting can be a great way to not only save on travel accommodation, but possibly also make some money while doing so. The downside to this one is that you usually need to have some references or connections before you are hired, but there are sites you can sign up for if you want to put yourself out there.

Home Exchange

A home exchange can be very exciting, and is exactly what it sounds like. It’s when you switch houses with another person in a different city or country for the same time. The exchange is typically for a house similar in sleeping arrangements to your own. Homeexchange.com is a great site to look at to get started.

Home stay

A homestay is a great way to get to know the local culture. It is sort of like renting a room or home except for that often times the family who owns it is also still there. This is a really popular accommodation style in Southeast Asia.

Work away

Sites like workaway.com allow users to connect with people who are willing to open up a room in their house for free, in exchange for a certain amount a work. This can be all kinds of things including yardwork, babysitting, art projects etc… You just search for work that interests you and connect with a person that has an open space available in your time frame.

Condo

The great thing about a condo or large apartment complex is that they usually have the same comfort, convenience and amenities as a hotel but for a lesser price. It’s also great because they are often a little bit more ‘homey’ and even might have kitchens that you can use.  This is a great option for families and solo travelers alike. It’s an accommodation that I would recommend if you’re staying for more than a few nights.

Hotel

Hotels are probably the most common type of accommodation, and are typically seen as more comfortable with better amenities. A lot of times hotels are more expensive than other options, however that isn’t always the case. If you are going to book a hotel, make sure that you check a few different sites, as rates can vary greatly. Booking.com is a good place to get started when looking at hotels. I often find the best rate and then call the hotel directly to see if they will match it, sometimes you get better points that way. But if they aren’t willing to than booking through a third party site is just fine.

Hostel

For budget travelers, hostels are going to be your best bet. You can find hostels with all different kinds of room combinations such as 30 bunk beds of mixed sex to a private room. The more people in a room, the cheaper it will be. Most of the time bathrooms are shared. Although they are not great for privacy, they usually have other amenities that are attractive to some travelers such as guide maps, game rooms, bars, breakfast, and kitchens. They are typically very safe and are a good option to interact with people and meet fellow travelers. Hostels come in all different types (party hostels, quiet hostels, kid-friendly), so make sure to pick the one that’s right for your situation.

Bed & Breakfast

B&B’s are like a hotel without some of the amenities, but with breakfast. They are often cheaper than hotels, but more expensive than some of the budget options.

Guest House/Room

A guest house can come in many different forms, it could be a room in a house, a whole house, a garage apartment, bed & breakfast etc.. If you’re going to be somewhere for an extended period than it’s a good option. You can go through rental companies or sites like Craigslist, but I like Air B&B.

Time Share

Typically these rentals are a week long and in a highly vacationed area. They can be good for groups and are similar to long term hotels suites with a kitchen. They are also usually something you do year after year and have a stake in.

Sleeper train or bus

These can be options if you have a long way to go and are okay with getting a mediocre nights sleep to save on day time fun. I wouldn’t do this for more than a night at a time because most don’t have showers and the restrooms are not the greatest. They can be a very affordable option though.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a free way to stay across the world, but may not be the most comfortable. You connect with a host who offers you their couch for the night (or nights). Sometimes they might have a different sleeping option for you too. A big part of couch surfing is cultural exchange and getting to know other people.

Factors to Consider

Once you know the type of accommodation your looking for, or when you’ve narrowed it down to a couple, you can start to filter out locations based on the criteria you want. Here are a couple of things you should think about when looking at booking.

Price

You may only have a certain amount of money to spend on accommodations for your trip, so make sure that the per night rate is something that you are going to be able to afford. This might be the easiest way to start eliminating.

Location

This can make or break your entire trip. Think about the commute time to your activities, think about the noise level in popular areas

Ratings & Reviews

Although price may be a big factor, ratings and reviews are equally as important. Even a really cheap Super 8 Motel can have more than 2 stars. Look at the ratings, and read the reviews on why people gave a place that rating. This will often give you insight into whether or not that place is going to work for you. For example, maybe someone rated a place 1 star, but it was because they hated to location in regards to the airport. Maybe that reason is something you don’t care about at all because what you want to see is right next door. On the flip side, maybe they gave it a poor rating because of a cockroach infestation. That is something you are probably not okay with.

Food

Food is something that you can’t live without. You may be the type of person who doesn’t mind going out to hunt for food every meal, but you may also be the type that likes to have the option of room service. Free breakfast is a perk that many different places offer that can help you save on expenses. If you like to cook your own meals or have food allergies, staying somewhere that has a kitchen and is close to a grocery store might be a necessity.

Family Friendly

If you are traveling with little ones, than you want to make sure that the place you choose is okay with hosting kids and that there is enough room for everyone. If you aren’t traveling with a crib, but have a baby and need one, make sure that the place you choose is able to provide one. There are also places that offer babysitting, discounted kids meals, and have playgrounds and/or pools. This could also be a way to eliminate a certain place. If you are looking for an adult only get away, staying at a place that caters to families and kids may not be the pace for you.

Amenities

Any easy way to filter through options is by deciding which amenities are necessary for you. WiFi, breakfast, fitness center, shuttle, parking and pet allowance are just a few of the options you will have. You can find these amenities in many different types of accommodations, you just have decide which amenities matter to you. Note: air conditioning and heat can be amenities in some parts of the world!

Your Fellow Travelers

If you are traveling with other people, you’ll want to make sure that they are comfortable with the type of accommodation you are thinking about.

Downtime

You should think about the different activities that you’re going to be doing, and figure out how much time you are actually going to be staying in your room. If you’re going to be gone all day and only need a place to lay your head at night, then you probably don’t need something as luxurious. But, if you like to spend time in your room, or lay by the pool that the place offers, then something a little more comfortable might be desired.

Arrival Time

If you happen to be arriving to your destination after 8pm local time or before noon local time, then you should make sure that wherever you are thinking about staying can accommodate a late/early check in, because not all places can.

Elevators

Elevators can be a big factor in choosing location if you or someone in your party needs it. Those with disabilities, families with strollers, elderly who can’t walk stairs well will have a very hard time in a location that doesn’t have elevator access.

Extra Fees

Unfortunately, sometimes the room rate quoted is not the whole picture. Make sure to check out the different fees you might encounter such as internet, cleaning fees, booking fees, gratuities, and extra ‘resort’ or ‘travel’ tax.

Once you’ve thought about these things, you should be left with a few properties to choose from. From there you can choose based on price, aesthetic appeal, location, or just whichever one speaks to you. I hope this helps you find the perfect stay for your trip.