I highly recommend trying to book your accommodations before leaving for your trip, unless you are planning an adventurous road trip with close friends or family. Why? Because if not you'll find yourself taking time out of your trip to read reviews on places, you'll end up spending more money, and when you're tired and have overeaten you'll just want to crash.
There are lots of options for accommodations, and when trying to decide whats best, I try to keep a couple of things in mind. Location, safety, cleanliness, amenities, price. ALWAYS read reviews to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into! Even expensive places can have horrible reviews (and bed bugs).
RESORTS //
For the fancy folks! Resorts are ideal for a nice relaxing vacation. Usually, there are a lot of things included with your stay; meals, drinks, activities, transportation to airports, etc. Luxurious, romantic and usually on the pricey end. Great for honeymooners or those who don't enjoy planning all the details! Sometimes it's nice to be pampered and not have to worry about anything.
HOTELS //
While being the most common and widespread, they are great for just about anyone. If you want additional things such as wifi, room service, or multiple rooms things can start to add up. Don't forget about parking fees in larger cities which sometimes can be up to $40 a night. Always look into booking using Priceline, Hotwire, or the Hotel Tonight app for discounts.
MOTELS //
Great for motorists traveling. Usually located close to the highways and cheaper than hotels. Assuming you pull over, rest for the night and get up early to hit the road again. Great for when you don't know when and where you will want to pull over. You can find cheap motels almost anywhere on the fly.
AIRBNB //
The new way of traveling. Often more affordable than staying in a hotel. Other times it's more about having somewhere that feels like home with a full kitchen and living quarters. Ideal for 4-6 people or families traveling together. There are many options from sharing a room, having a private room, or having the entire place to yourself. Most hosts require a minimum two-night stay. It's nice to be able to check reviews from past travelers and see what they liked and disliked. Hosts often have great recommendations for transportation, restaurants, and things to do.
BED & BREAKFASTS //
Usually a smaller, more charming option. Personally, I think you get more value at a B&B than a hotel. I find that most hosts running B&B's enjoy it and provide a great, personable experience. I love that breakfast is included in the fee which saves on average $5-15 per person. Be sure you know what time they are serving the meal so you don't miss out. In Europe you often have a shared bath unless there is an option to upgrade to a room with a private bath for an additional fee (which I'm a fan of). B&B's are an excellent option for couples or families.
CAMPING //
For the adventurous people who love being submerged in their surroundings. Some of the best places to go camping are at the National Parks, but campgrounds can be found throughout the country. Nowadays there are useful resources to help you find them. Just pack up your tent and gear or stock the RV full of supplies (by that I mean s'mores). Try using Hipcamp to help plan your next trip! In 2010, I spent four months traveling across the U.S. in a 28-foot long camper. We traveled to 28 states and camped everywhere from the beaches in Key West to the Grand Canyon. It was one of the most memorable trips of my life!
HOSTELS //
Are great for the budget-friendly travelers. Hostels usually offer a single bed, often a bunk bed in a dorm and share common spaces like bathrooms, lounges, and kitchens. Hostels are a nice place to meet other travelers. Rooms are often c0-ed, single-sex and some areas have private rooms. I'm my opinion they are ideal for travelers just looking for a place to stay for the night. I've never stayed at one because I usually like to leave my bags for the day while I'm out. I'd recommend always looking at reviews to make sure things are safe and clean.
Which is your preferred way of traveling? XxASH
