There are many aspects to planning the perfect getaway. Where to? For How Long? When? How to get there? Where to Stay?
Let’s jump in to the one of the main factors for almost everyone planning a trip: Budget
Determining your travel budget is arguably the most important part of your trip. How much you’re willing to spend determines the type of trip this will be. Whether you’re booking a luxury stay in a resort or aiming for the economical chain hotel next to the highway. It’s important to remember that either way you can make the best of the trip and enjoy your experiences in your destination. Both can be foundations for a great experience, but, they will be different experiences. For me, where we stay is not only connected to the budget, but the destination to which we’re traveling. Is it a smaller town on the water with limited activities? If so, we typically splurge for the resort with daily activities and amenities to enjoy. Opposingly, in a busier city where we want to experience the entire area, a smaller, more economical hotel (especially one where we can use points) may be preferred. So, how do you pick a destination?
I think many of us often have destinations we’ve been dreaming of visiting for quite some time. However, if you don’t already have a location in mind, search for low flights from your nearest airport or train tickets from your nearest station. If you’re more interested in road tripping, try looking for hotel deals in some locations you’re thinking of visiting. Sometimes you can uncover great deals this way and stay at hotels you’d never think of staying in otherwise.
The location isn’t only about how it aligns with your budget. Also consider if it aligns with how you want to travel and experience new places. Do you want a quiet, laidback vacation for rest and relaxation? If so, cheap flights to New York City won’t be helpful.
The type of trip you want to experience is also important when considering the place to stay. For instance, for a relaxing trip, I would recommend a Bed and Breakfast in Vermont or a smaller beach destination in Florida. If you’re interested in nightlife, try Miami or LA. For a more cultural feel, try Puerto Rico. It’s great because it has a completely different feel than the states but you don’t need a passport!
It’s also important to consider where you’ll sleep. A resort or rental like VRBO or AirBnB?
There are pros and cons to each and they both still have their place in the travel industry. However, Airbnb is slowly becoming undesirable for some with cleaning fees and chore lists. Hosts often have no control over these fees either. As a result, it’s important to check the “Display Total Price” toggle when searching for places to stay. The coolest house that fits your needs and has a reasonable nightly rate might be scratched from your list due to excessive taxes and fees that aren’t disclosed right away otherwise.
Whether booking a room in a hotel or a house for the week, always check the reviews!
I can’t tell you how many people I know who assume a place will be safe and clean just by the brand name of the hotel or cute decor in the rental photos. This isn’t always the case and you should use the resources of previous travelers’ experiences to your advantage.
One bad review in a 100 good ones that claims the air conditioning was broken in the middle of the night may not be enough to eliminate a destination. Although, multiple reviews confirming the hotel was only “ minutes from downtown” because you have to run back to the hotel because its on the rough side of town is important to take note. Additionally, any comments about how social the host is could mean they don’t leave you alone. Sometimes other guests aren’t always straight forward as they don’t want a bad review of themself so always read between the lines of the reviews you check as well.
Cleanliness is a major concern for me. In my experience Airbnb’s have a cleaner track record. The cleaning staff can really focus on a couple homes rather than the pressure to keep hundreds of rooms clean in a day. Although it does depend on the housekeepers and hotels so reviews are a good resource for determining this as well. Noise and privacy is another concern for many in a hotel setting. You could have guests next to you on both sides, above, and below, your room. Being surrounded, literally, by other guests who may not be looking for the same experience as you could upset your trip as well. If you plan to sleep in but neighbors have small children who are awake and ready to play at 6am, it might spell trouble. Keep all of these factors in mind when determining where to stay.
The season in which I travel has a huge impact on where I like to travel. I love a beachy destination in the summer, a small town vibe in the fall, ski resorts in the winter, and a great hiking destination in spring. However, that may change for you dependent on your location so it’s important to evaluate the weather of your destination.
All in all, the type of trip should be your driving factor in many aspects of where you go and what you do.
Happy Travels!
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