One of the key moments in a successful vacation is choosing where to stay. It is almost more important than the destination itself and can have a decisive influence on the quality of the trip. A hotel with poor service, a hostel far from the center or an apartment with poor hygiene conditions can ruin everything.
In recent years, with the increase in the number of tourists, the number of local accommodations has also multiplied, with supply keeping pace with demand. However, the quality is not always exponential. Booking a stay therefore requires some advance work and a sensible, responsible and intelligent attitude. To help you with this search, which isn't always easy, we've put together a set of simple, easy-to-follow tips and advice on how best to choose your vacation accommodation.
1 - ANALYZE THE SITE EVALUATIONS
Word of mouth is still the best way to evaluate a service or product, but if you can't get feedback from an acquaintance, you can always turn to the reviews scattered around the internet. Whether on local accommodation platforms or on Google itself, you can find reviews from former guests of practically any accommodation. Admittedly, some may be unfair, so you should read, analyze and compare as many comments as possible. Try to take into account only those that seem reasonable and appropriate, thus allowing you to form an opinion on each of the accommodations you are considering for your vacation.
2 - ASSESS YOUR REAL NEEDS
There are a large number of local accommodations on the market, of the most varied types and offering various extras. However, only consider those that meet your real needs. For example, an apartment with a fireplace may be a spectacular choice, but if you're traveling in the summer, what's the point? So, before you start looking for the right accommodation, make a list of what you really need. This list will help you make an initial selection of places, making your task and final decision easier.
3 - STUDY THE LOCATION
The geographical location of a local accommodation is fundamental to the success of a vacation. Before making your decision, always analyze where the place is, how far it is from the city center and what infrastructures are nearby. For example, imagine you're not planning to rent a car and you're going to book accommodation on the outskirts of the city. Not exactly a wise choice, as it will limit your mobility. It's true that the further away from the center you go, the cheaper the space will be, but the way you move around is also extremely important. So evaluate both situations and make sure you take this detail into consideration.
4 - TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CURRENT PANDEMIC SITUATION
The current coronavirus pandemic has significantly changed our lifestyle habits, including the way we travel and spend our vacations. It's true that the situation is reasonably better, especially since the start of the vaccination process, but it's still essential to take into account the current public health contingencies. And this should also influence your decision when booking your vacation accommodation. Local accommodation is always a great way to ensure greater privacy and social distancing from other guests, but there are more details to consider. For example, make sure you choose a place with the Clean & Safe seal, which guarantees that it complies with all the standards recommended by the Directorate-General for Health; try to avoid areas of the city that are very touristy, i.e. densely populated; and find out how the accommodation complies with all hygiene standards.
5 - TRY TO BOOK DIRECTLY WITH THE ACCOMMODATION
There are dozens of platforms for booking your vacation accommodation on the internet and these are great ways to research, compare and analyze the market. However, when it comes to booking, if you can do it directly with the accommodation itself, you'll probably get better conditions. That's because you'll be eliminating possible intermediary fees, thus getting a better price. This is a cheaper option and probably more advantageous for both parties. Admittedly, this isn't always the case, but always check if it's a real possibility before opting for the platform.
