The Hotel, Six Things
YOU
Luxury. Bed & Breakfast. Resort. Boutique. Minimalist. Cheap. Convenient. Etc.
You have to be honest with yourself about what you like most. From there, you can fight about what’s important with your fellow travelers.
BOOK EARLY
How early? The pickier, the earlier.
I need a clean bathroom.
Otherwise, I’ll just implode. Google has sectioned their hotel reviews into categories for people like me who could care less whether or not there’s a gym onsite, but bathroom cleanliness… yes.
All you need to do is click on a hotel’s Google listing and select reviews. Then select what best describes your group. There’s a section just below the search box that shows a green thumbs-up representing good reviews about a certain topic and red for disapproval. You can hover over each to see the percent positive and negative, and a click will filter the reviews below.
Me, myself, personally, I require 4 stars on Google. However, if you like a 3.7/3.8, see what has a red thumb. If you can live with it, as you were.
WHERE
The middle of your itinerary.
BOOKING.COM
This is my go-to because I need a deal. I also like the part where you can pay whenever you feel like it. At least for many you have up until days before you arrive for a fee. Remember to filter and not let them squeeze you and two other adults into a king-sized bed. This isn’t air-mattress Airbnb.
Oh, I love Airbnb. :)
Browse Booking.com on your phone for mobile discounts.
NOT AIRBNB
But new versions of it. Plum Guide is great for planning family & group getaways strictly centered around the accommodation. Most of the listings make the completely unknown location seem interesting. Sonder is a collection of apartment buildings turned into reception-desk-less hotels.
P.S. If you prefer hotels and are trying to avoid apartment rentals that are showing up more and more on Booking, go with Expedia.
Cover Photo: Getty Images/Unsplash
