I’ve stayed in a few questionable places. I’ve stayed in even fewer places that made me feel like royalty. Most of the time, I land somewhere comfortably in between—and that’s exactly where I’m aiming.
I’ve heard people say, “You’re on vacation. You’re hardly going to be in your room anyway, so it doesn’t really matter where you stay.” Well, it matters to me.
I don’t need five-star luxury, turn-down service, or someone placing a chocolate on my pillow every night. I do want somewhere clean, comfortable, safe, and in a location that makes sense for what I’m there to do.
Have there been an occasion or two when my judgment was way off? Absolutely. Those are stories for another day.
After a lot of trips—and a lot of time spent researching where to stay—I’ve gotten pretty good at finding respectable places without automatically choosing the most expensive option.
These are the things I look at before I book.
1. LOCATION, LOCATION...YOU KNOW THE REST
Before I start looking at hotels or rentals, I usually have a general idea of what I want to see and do. Then I try to put myself somewhere in the middle of it all.
Transportation plays a big part in that decision. When I’m traveling in Europe or the UK, I usually rely heavily on public transportation, so being able to walk to a train station, metro stop, or the places I want to see can matter more to me than having a bigger room farther away.
In the USA, I’m usually driving, so I have a little more flexibility. Then things like parking, traffic, and how easy it is to get in and out of an area become more important.
I also research the neighborhood itself—not just how close the hotel is to the attractions. In larger cities, especially, a few blocks can make a big difference in how comfortable or convenient an area feels.
A bargain isn't much of a bargain if you don't want to walk outside after dark.
2. I READ THE REVIEWS. A LOT OF THEM.
I rely heavily on reviews. If I can help it, I rarely book somewhere with less than a four-star guest rating. The higher, the better. Just to be clear: a great rating doesn't always mean an expensive hotel.
I'm looking for consistency. If one person complains about something, I don't worry too much about it. If 27 people mention the same problem? Now you have my attention. I pay particular attention to comments about cleanliness, noise, location, beds, staff, and whether people felt comfortable staying there.
I read the recent reviews. A glowing review from six years ago isn't going to tell me much about what the place looks like today.
3. DON'T TRUST THE PRETTY PICTURES
Have you ever booked somewhere because the pictures looked wonderful, only to arrive and wonder if you somehow booked an entirely different place?
Hotel websites are very good at showing you the hotel's best side. Perfect lighting. Fluffed pillows. Carefully chosen camera angles. Not a stain, scratch, or questionable carpet pattern in sight. That's why I don't rely solely on the hotel's photos.
I look at the photos travelers post with their reviews. Those are often much more useful—and occasionally much less flattering. I want to see what the room looks like when nobody has staged it for a photo shoot. The bathroom. The hallways. The view. The neighborhood. Even the breakfast.
Sometimes the official photos and traveler photos look almost identical. Sometimes...they do not.
4. WHEN I CAN, I BOOK DIRECT
Once I've chosen a hotel, I prefer to book directly with the property.
It gives me peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong—a reservation gets messed up, dates need to change, or there's an issue with the room—I'm dealing directly with the people who can do something about it.
I may use other booking sites while I'm researching and comparing properties, but before I book, I always check the hotel's own website.
5. WHAT MATTERS MOST ON THIS TRIP
Amenities matter, but what's important can change completely depending on the trip.
Wi-Fi is extremely important to me. When my kids were little? A pool could practically determine where we stayed. Other trips might make breakfast, air conditioning, an elevator, laundry facilities, parking, a kitchen, or being within walking distance of restaurants more important.
Before you book, figure out what you need versus what would simply be nice to have. Check carefully rather than assuming.
That adorable little European hotel may have five floors and no elevator. That charming rental may not have air conditioning. The downtown hotel may have parking—but charge enough for it to practically need its own line in the vacation budget.
Price matters too, of course. I'm willing to pay a little more for the right location or something that's important on that particular trip, but I don't want to pay for amenities I'm not going to use.
Every trip is different, so my must-have list changes with it.
6. SECURITY MATTERS
This is something I pay even more attention to when I'm booking a vacation rental. If I'm staying in an apartment building, I like knowing there's another secure entrance before someone can even get to my apartment door. It's a small detail, but it gives me extra peace of mind. I look at what reviewers say about the building, the entrance, the surrounding area, and how secure they felt during their stay. If something about a property or its location makes me uncomfortable while I'm researching it, there are too many other options for me to talk myself into it.
7. PICK THE RIGHT KIND OF PLACE FOR THE TRIP
Hotel? Apartment? Vacation rental? Bed-and-breakfast? There isn't one answer that's right for every trip.
If I'm staying somewhere for one or two nights, I may just want a conveniently located hotel where I can drop my bags and go. For a longer stay, having a kitchen, washing machine, or a little more room can suddenly become very appealing.
Who I'm traveling with matters too. What works for two people may not work nearly as well for a family or a group.
I don't start every trip thinking, I need a hotel or I need a vacation rental.
I start with: What will make the most sense for this trip?
THE GOAL ISN'T LUXURY
I'm not trying to find the fanciest place in town. I'm trying to find the place that lets me enjoy the trip. I want to come back at the end of a long day, kick off my shoes, charge the camera, connect to the Wi-Fi, get a good night's sleep, and not wonder what exactly is happening on the other side of that bathroom wall.
Clean. Comfortable. Safe. Convenient.
If it happens to make me feel like royalty? Even better, but I'll happily settle for “Yep, I'd stay here again. That's usually the review I'm looking for anyway.