If you’re planning your next trip abroad, you’re probably faced with a range of different options to choose from. Which countries do you want to travel to the most? How much are you willing to pay for your flights and accommodation? What kind of activities do you want to do whilst you are there? How hot would you like it to be? There are several things to take into consideration to make sure that your holiday is everything that you’d hoped for and more. The accommodation that you stay in plays a huge part in your holiday experience, so choosing wisely is simply a must. We’ve put together some of the best accommodation options to choose from to help you weigh up which is the best choice for you.
#1. Staying in a Hotel:
Perhaps the most common option for holiday accommodation is staying in a hotel. Most package holidays will come with your hotel room included, and there are often several hotels to choose from in popular touristic areas, with all price ranges and budgets catered for. Whether you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful self-catering stay or want a five-star suite with all the facilities that you need for a luxury stay, you’re sure to find something that suits you. Before booking a hotel, make sure that you read traveller reviews and do your research to ensure that it’s everything it’s advertised to be. TripAdvisor can be a great resource for finding out more about hotels before you make a booking, with traveller reviews to read and behind-the-scenes traveller photos to look at alongside the professional ones. This will help you get a better idea of what to expect.
#2. Villa Rentals:
One of the big downsides to staying in a hotel is that it’s really not a home from home. Even with a self-catering option, you will be confined to a relatively small hotel room for the duration of your stay and may be restricted to hotel restaurant opening times when it comes to breakfast and dinner, for example. And, don’t forget about the shared pool area and the rush to get the best sun loungers every morning. To avoid this, more and more travellers are considering staying in a rented villa instead.
Renting a villa means that you will benefit from your own personal space with enough room to accommodate everybody. Large groups of people can all stay together in the same home and there’s plenty of room for your children to play and enjoy their stay. You can enjoy your own private pool area rather than having to share with others and many villas in Santorini and other luxury destinations offer further amenities such as hot tubs, beauty services and restaurant catering. BlueVillas specialise in providing luxury villas with the services of a top star hotel so this would be a good starting point when deciding which options would be best for you.
#3. AirBnB:
Renting rooms or entire houses from locals in the area is becoming more and more of a popular option for travellers all around the world. Staying in somebody else’s home can be a much cheaper accommodation option for somebody who is travelling on their own, or you can rent the entire property to accommodate a family or large group. Apps such as AirBnb are becoming increasingly popular for finding cheaper, alternative home from home accommodation ideas or you may be able to arrange a stay on social media, with several Facebook groups for travellers popping up.
#4. Hostels:
If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful stay with the option to meet other people, staying in a hostel could be the perfect option for you. Hostels are most commonly aimed at younger travellers who are enjoying a stay on their own or as part of a small group, although you can get private rooms which are more suitable for families. If you don’t mind sharing a room with strangers, staying in a hostel can be one of the cheapest options for a delightful stay. Many also offer common areas and a bar where you can socialise with fellow travellers, arrange days out and activities, and make new friends for life.
#5. Holiday Resorts:
Last but not least, if you want a truly relaxing holiday with everything that you need at your doorstep, it may be worth looking into a resort. Many resorts offer a wide range of amenities on-site including supermarkets, restaurants, and beauty salons, allowing you to spend as much time as you like relaxing around the pool without having to venture too far for anything that you need. Most resorts will also be able to arrange transport to and from popular tourist attractions and activities, so you can be picked up and dropped off at your leisure. For travellers who want a laid-back, relaxing holiday where everything is taken care of for you, this is the perfect option.
These are some of the best options to consider when choosing accommodation for your next holiday. Which is the most suitable for you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.