Guide: Finding the perfect accommodation for the best price

Accommodation can be both the easiest and hardest part of planning a trip. It’s easy because there are so many options on websites and apps that you can book something in minutes. The hard part is knowing what kind of accommodation you’re booking. Is it good? Is it in a good area? Are the reviews real? Which app or website offers the best price?

In this post, I’ll share my own experiences and list my routine for finding the best accommodation at a good price. We’ve booked a lot of accommodation over the years, and I have some tricks that I always use.

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My 5 personal tips and tricks

1. You usually don’t need to rush to book accommodation, even if apps use tactics like “only 2 rooms left” or “95% booked during this period.” We’ve never had a problem finding accommodation, even when we haven’t booked anything in advance. It’s always been easy to find an available room on the day we arrive in a new city. So tip number 1 is, if you want to be more flexible and spontaneous, find accommodation when you arrive.
   
2. A few months before my trip, I start browsing accommodation and bookmarking the ones that look best. By then, I’ve already researched the best areas to stay in and whether they’re close to the sights and activities we want to do. I usually look for accommodation that’s very central, or if it’s an expensive city like London or Paris, I look for accommodation a little further out, but then it’s important to be close to the metro or tram so you can quickly get into the city.
   
3. So which apps should you use? I’ve used many different apps and websites over the years, but I’ve learned that the price differences are usually not that big for a specific hotel. These days, I check three different places when I’m looking for good hotels.
   
   • The first is Booking.com because I’ve booked so much with them that I’m at their highest membership level. This gives me better deals. An extra tip for Booking is to check via the mobile app, as they often have “mobile app prices.”
     
   • The second place I check is Hotels.com. I find them to be a bit more expensive overall than Booking, but the good thing about them is that I can use a discount code and get about 10-20% off the price. How to get these discounts probably varies from country to country, but here in Sweden, I can find codes if I’m a member of one of our major grocery stores, as they have “partner offers.” There’s also a website where students get extra discounts called Mecenat. I’m not a student anymore, but they also have a website called Mecenat Alumni, and through them, I can get a discount at Hotels.com that usually works on most hotels. So my tip here is to check if you have something similar in the country you live in. There are always places where you can find discounts.
     
   • The last place I check is the hotel’s own website. Hotels earn the most if you book directly through them, so sometimes it’s worth seeing what the price looks like or if there are any packages you can buy that suit you. It’s usually not cheaper, but it can be worth checking.
     

So those are the 3 steps I use every time I look for hotels and compare prices in different places.

4. Once I have a few suggestions, it’s important to check what others think about these hotels. Sometimes I spend way too much time researching how good others think the hotel I want to book is, but it’s worth it. I always read reviews and check pictures on Tripadvisor and Google Maps. I find these to be very honest, and you get a good idea of the standard of the hotel. I aim to find hotels that have at least 4 stars on both of these websites and also check that there are at least a few hundred reviews so you know that enough people have similar opinions.
   
   • Don’t forget to leave a review yourself when you’ve finished your stay to help others 🙂

5. One last bonus tip I use is to always send a friendly message to the hotel and write down some wishes. This can be different things, but here are some examples:
   
   • Ask for a room as high up in the building as possible to avoid noise from the street.
   • Ask if you can get a room with a bathtub if that is something you prefer.
   • If you have a car, it’s always good to ask if you need to book parking or similar.
   • Ask for early check-in or late check-out.
   • Also, mention that you want to “surprise” the person you’re traveling with, and maybe they’ll leave a little surprise in the room. Always worth a try!

That’s my process and my personal tips. Feel free to ask any questions!
Otherwise, some more general tips are below:

Before you start searching for accommodation

• Determine your budget: Knowing how much you’re willing to spend per night will help you narrow down your options considerably.
• Decide on your ideal location: Consider proximity to attractions, transportation, and the overall vibe of the neighborhood (e.g., lively, quiet, family-friendly).
• Choose your travel dates: Be flexible if possible, as prices can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of year and day of the week. Weekends tend to be pricier than weekdays.
• Consider your needs and preferences: Think about what amenities are important to you (e.g., free Wi-Fi, breakfast, pool, gym, pet-friendly). Do you need a hotel with business facilities, or are you looking for a romantic getaway with a spa?
• Think about your travel style: Are you backpacking and need a basic hostel, or are you looking for a luxury hotel experience?

When searching for accommodation

• Use a metasearch engine: Sites like Kayak, Google Hotels, Skyscanner, Trivago, etc., compare prices from multiple booking sites to help you find the best deals.
• Read reviews carefully: Pay attention to both the positive and negative reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, Google Hotels, and Booking.com. Look for recurring themes in the reviews to get a good overall impression.
• Check the hotel’s website: Once you’ve found a hotel you like, visit its official website. Sometimes you can find better deals or packages by booking directly.
• Look for special offers: Many hotels offer discounts for AAA members, seniors, government employees, or members of the military.
• Consider alternative accommodations: Don’t limit yourself to traditional hotels. Explore options like vacation rentals (Airbnb), guesthouses, hostels, or even camping if it suits your trip.

Before you book accommodation

• Check the cancellation policy: Make sure you understand the cancellation policy in case your plans change.
• Look for hidden fees: Pay attention to resort fees, parking fees, and other potential extra costs.
• Contact the hotel directly: If you have any special requests (e.g., early check-in, late check-out, room with a view), contact the hotel directly to see if they can accommodate you.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding the perfect hotel for your needs and budget, and have a more enjoyable travel experience!

Use these sites to compare and book accommodation:

Booking.com
Hotels.com
Expedia.com
Kayak.com
Vrbo.com

Or search accommodation right away here:

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