Where to stay is partially a matter of where you are going and if you have booked a specific tour. Your lodging may already be set for you if you are on a tour. However, if you have the option of finding your own accommodation, there are plenty of opportunities to have a very authentic experience.
First thing…do you want to spend time relaxing and maybe dining at your accommodation or is it primarily a place to lay your head at night between heavy daytime schedules? This decision will dictate the basic location and how much you may spend. Remember, the accommodation may be a destination on its own if you want to be such. Alternatively, you may not want to spend a lot of money on a hotel if you are just sleeping there with a full daytime and evening agenda.
Short-term Rental: The benefits of staying at a short-term rental such as Airbnb and VRBO are numerous. A home away from home, they allow you to experience a specific neighborhood at the micro level so you can find out what it’s really like to live there. If you are staying with a host, you can ask them for insider tips on where to shop to get the best deals, where to get the best authentic meals and so on. Another upside is that they may be a more economical choice than a hotel.
That said, be careful of exactly where you are booking. They may not be very close to the major sites you’d like to visit. Also, carefully review the cancellation policy, some offer no refund and some offer a refund within five days of your trip, etc. Fully review the listing and the house rules to make sure it is going to work for you.
Hotel/Motel: Alternatively, sometimes hotels/motels are the best way to visit a major city. You can get very close to the major attractions, potentially saving money on transport expenses. I like to pull up Expedia on my computer and search for stays. This will tell you where most of the hotels are located and about how much you can expect to pay. If possible, I contact the hotel directly and book a room instead of going through a website. The staff can usually make you a good deal (that is sometimes even better than internet pricing) plus you can ask specific questions about amenities and most importantly, take advantage of their cancellation policy, which is usually only a day or two ahead.
I’ve also stayed in hotels that have mini-kitchens and included breakfasts, which help you save money while offering time to relax and regroup.
Resorts: All-inclusive resorts are also great places to stay if you are going for a destination beach holiday. If the beach is where you want to go and that’s it, then a resort is for you. The idea of the resort is for you to stay at the site and enjoy what they have to offer. Many offer water sports, some offer golf, tennis or other exercise opportunities. I tend to limit my time at a resort as I’m not a big beach person and sitting in a lounge chair all day is not my best idea of a holiday. However, Mom loves the idea of sitting in the sun reading a book and getting mocktails and hors d oeuvres brought directly to her beach lounger at Happy Hour!
If this is your kind of holiday here are some tips: We book all-inclusive resorts if possible, otherwise the nickel and diming can get out of hand. Be sure to check the ratings and the reviews before booking. I book adult only resorts or resorts have an adult only area, leaving the water fights, screaming and running to the family section. Check to see what’s covered and what’s not, no one likes a surprise bill on the way out. Also, make sure that your beach destination is actually ON the beach and that the beach is actually there. Depending on where you are going, there may be lovely white sand beaches for miles or there may be rocky steps down to the water. Look at the pictures carefully before booking. Also, resorts can be quite a ways out of town/other sights. I usually ask the cab or Uber driver to stop at a convenience store to pick up some wine and snacks before we arrive so that we don’t have to constantly spend money at the resort.
Other: There are many other accommodations such as hostels, camping and even igloos. Your accommodation can be a destination on its own or can simply be a place for you to lay your head at night, be creative!
