How to Choose the Best Place to Stay on Your Vacation
One of the most important decisions we make when we travel somewhere is where to stay. If you have never traveled abroad, are traveling alone, or simply want to be extra safe, make sure your hotel or accommodations meet the following criteria:
- Is located near public transportation
- Includes breakfast or has facilities so that you can cook breakfast for yourself
- Is located near shops and restaurants
- Have 24-hour concierge
Once you have ventured out and figured out how to navigate in a foreign place, you can break all these rules. However, I think they are good rules. Staying at a hotel near public transportation gives you a way into and out of your location on your own terms, and it also acts as a memorable landmark should you get lost.
Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but it can also carry you through all kinds of mishaps that may happen during the day until you find dinner. I like knowing I will have had at least one meal each day.
Staying near shops and restaurants allows you to mingle with the locals and give you access to purchase anything you may have forgotten.
Below are some of the places I like to use when traveling. To be honest, I have never stayed at a hostel or couch-surfed anywhere, but other world travelers seem to like them. You may have specific hotel brands you prefer, and it all depends on your preference and your budget.
Barcelo Hotels
I love this hotel brand, and I have not had a bad experience with them yet. They kept track of the fact that I stayed there and welcomed me like an old friend a year later, and I never signed up for any type of loyalty card. Barcelo hotels’ brand properties tend to be in the right location with easy access to public transportation and local attractions.
Best Western
People are often surprised when I say I like to stay at Best Western. They are not the top of the line, but they are always well located. They meet my criteria for being near public transportation, near other shops and restaurants, having the option for breakfast included, and having a 24-hour concierge. I traveled solo across Canada by train, and all my stops were Best Westerns. All were close to the train station, near other public transportation, allowing me to easily leave, explore, and return during my multiple stops across Canada. I always felt safe, and the rooms were comfortable.
Whenever anyone asks me where to stay in Paris, I recommend the Timhotel Invalides Eiffel. This was formerly Best Western but has since been sold. The rooms are clean and very small, but it is a mere 5-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower and close to other museums and attractions. Some rooms view the Eiffel Tower, breakfast is included, and near a Metro with tons of shops and restaurants just right outside the door. However, if you are looking for luxury, look elsewhere.
In Europe, the Best Westerns will often have a different name other than Best Western. But if you shop online on the Best Western website, you will come upon some well-situated and lovely accommodations, and I found this to be the case in Rome, Venice, and again in Florence.
Apartmentsapart.com, Airbnb, Parisstay, VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owners)
These websites let you search for apartments, flats, houses, and even houseboats to rent for your accommodations. I find they are very nice when traveling with several people or with a family. They allow you the room to spread out and live like a family. You won’t have to meet in each other’s rooms or the hotel lobby. You can meet each other in the living room or the kitchen, share breakfast, or chat about your day. I would highly recommend checking out such accommodations for some portion of your trip.
It can be a little nerve-wracking waiting for owners to get back to you, but it will be well worth it once you and the hosts are comfortable with the arrangements.
Some accommodations are arranged through a company. Such was the case with an apartment we rented in Brussels through VRBO. In Amsterdam, we rented a lovely flat on a beautiful lake from a young man who used it as his summer home. Through Airbnb, I dealt directly with the owner via the website.
Check out all the reviews before you rent from any of these sites. Check out, especially any negative reviews. A colleague at work rented through Airbnb in Boston and was very disappointed. The home was fine, but it was not clean enough for her standards. Again, look carefully at the reviews to make sure you will be happy with your choice. Remember, most homeowners are savvy enough to take pictures that make the space looks its best. Only through the reviews can you find out about the convenience of the location, the actual condition of the home, and the eccentricities of the owner.
Paris Perfect
ParisPerfect.com is a site for renting private homes for vacation use, similar to Airbnb and the rest. However, the site specializes in offering centrally located luxury Paris apartment rentals. If you are traveling with at least one other person or have the funds to treat yourself to this form of luxury, by all means, go for it. After all, you may only be in Paris once.
Hostels
I personally have never slept in a hostel, mainly because I have a negative image of small rooms, shared showers, and common spaces overrun by college-age students. I was surprised to be told by older friends that there are all levels of a hostel to suit every need. So, if you are so inclined, check out hostels.com and elderhostel.com for a hostel to suit your needs and your budget. Hostels have a long history of accommodating world travelers. Check out Hostels International for hostels worldwide.
Couchsurfing International Inc.
Like hostels, Couchsurfing is a hospitality exchange and social networking website. The website provides a platform for members to “surf” on couches by staying as a guest at a host’s home, host travelers, or joining an event. Registration is free of charge, but an annual “verification” payment of $25 is encouraged. Members are asked to provide information and photos of themselves and the accommodation they offer. Members looking for accommodation can search for hosts using several parameters such as age, location, and gender.
Homestays are consensual between the host and guest, and the duration, nature, and terms of the guest’s stay are worked out in advance. No monetary exchange occurs, except sometimes for compensation of incurred expenses (e.g., food). It is common for guests to seek non-monetary means to show their appreciation, such as bringing a gift, cooking a meal, or teaching a skill.
Couchsurfing provides groups where members may seek travel partners or advice. Members organize camping trips, bar crawls, meetings, and sporting events.
If you are a solo traveler and want to connect with the locals or other travelers, Couchsurfing can meet that need. Be diligent in your research and check out others’ reviews and comments on the host.
This brings me to my next topic: how to travel safely, whether traveling alone or with others. There are certain common-sense approaches to traveling that will keep you safe and bring you back home in one piece.
Happy Travels