No traveler is alike. If you are a traveler looking for the best accommodation solution for your budget and preferences, look no further. Depending on what your starting point is and what type of traveler you are, there are a few options you’ll have at your disposal. In this article, we are going to dissect what those options are, and what makes each a choice worth considering.
There are two key factors at play when deciding where to stay: your priorities and the type of travel you plan to do. To choose the right accommodation define upfront what your focus is when traveling – work, fun, or both. This will dictate your travel priorities regarding location, services, and facilities.
To help you find the most suitable accommodation type for upcoming trips, stay tuned to find out more about how to choose a place that matches your needs.
1. Make your priorities clear when planning a trip
The first question that you should be asking yourself before embarking on a trip is: What am I looking for in accommodation? Ask yourself this:
- What is the type of travel you are preparing for?
- How much does a location matter?
- Is 5km+ distance from the city center a dealbreaker?
- What are your connectivity needs and how important internet connectivity is to you?
- Do you need special accommodation facilities?
- What is your budget limit?
- What is your limit for social interaction while traveling? Do you mind staying in crowded places?
The answers to these questions will be your focal points when making decisions and help you better understand what it is that you need regarding the type of travel you intend to do.
2. Focus on the type of travel you are about to do
Choosing a place to stay if you are both working and traveling versus traveling just for leisure and recreation will require different preparation. Someone traveling for business will likely have different needs than a backpacker two embarks on a new journey just to explore and experience a new culture. If you are a digital nomad you will likely need a place that allows you to both works comfortably without many distractions and rest after a long day of exploring localities.
These are the best solutions for your trip, based on the type of travel:
Backpackers
Backpackers travel light and mostly on budget. If you are a backpacker always prioritize facilities, cleanliness, and comfort over location unless distance plays a massive role on your priorities list or your budget allows for better. You will benefit from having appliances and gadgets readily available as well as kitchen and bathroom amenities. Opt for places with full access to a kitchen, bathroom, access to washing machines, dryers, etc.
If your goal is to gather as much experience as possible, your best bet is hostels, be it shared dorms or hostel rooms. They are relatively cheap, will give you a chance to meet people from across the globe, and are the most common type of accommodation for backpackers overall.
Beach bungalows, campsites, and rentals can also do the job, depending on how adventurous you want to be while backpacking and what your budget allows you.
For extra low-budget backpackers, Couchsurfing is a great money-saving option and a chance to meet locals. However, it is usually not easily sustainable for long-term stays. Reddit Couchsurfing community highlights that some hosts are open to welcoming backpackers for longer than 3 days, but this is not a common occurrence.
Long-term travelers
Long-term travelers need a place to stay for a few weeks or months. They can be but aren’t necessarily digital nomads. If you are a long-term traveler, you will fit into two main categories – the category of those seeking low-cost places to stay and those with flexible budgets.
If you are in the first category, hostel private rooms and smaller shared dorms can be an option unless
The majority of hostels allow their visitors to stay anywhere from one day to six months. If you thrive in a buzzy atmosphere, don’t mind the noise, or see different faces every day, you can opt for dorms. However, since long-term travel usually implies staying in a place for more than a month, shared accommodation, unless small and characterized as generally quiet, can be overwhelming after a while.
This is why the best options are rentals and apartments. While this is a pricier option, you will have the full freedom to experience living in a city like a local and enjoy the benefit of living abroad as if the rental is your home.
Short-term Leisure travelers
Short-term travelers who are up for leisure time will get the most of their trip by choosing accommodation that ensures maximum comfort and relaxation. This is why rentals and hotels are the way to go. Half board hotel options usually include bed and breakfast, or dinner, while the full board hotels offer all three meals and a bed.
Rental apartments and homes are ideal if you are looking for peace and quiet, a place to have a good rest and if you don’t mind preparing your food. Some rentals, especially if they are a part of the larger rental complex, however, offer full-board and half-board choices. Some hotels have additional facilities such as spas, swimming pools, and recreational activities that can be a great addition if they fit your budget.
Customized places such as well-equipped bungalows resorts or boutique accommodation can also offer maximum enjoyment, especially if you are focused on staying in one location only.
Adventure and Adrenaline Travelers
If you are an adventurer, the main question to focus on is how big of an adventure are you looking for and how much comfort are you willing to sacrifice. The focus of adventure travel is on raw experiences, connection with nature, and/or extreme sports and your accommodation should match that.
The cheapest of all options, camping will open the doors to fully experiencing the wilderness. If you don’t mind the lack of facilities and are ready for tents and camp spots are the way to go.
If you are a first-time camper, look for organized camp areas that offer basic hygiene facilities. Some camps will provide rental tents, but most of the time you will be required to bring your tent, camping gear, and equipment.
Authentic logs, cabins, treehouses, and bungalows are another great alternative, especially if you are traveling in a pair or with a small group. Many are located near lakes, hiking, and mount biking trails, ski, and snowboard slopes. These are pricier but offer maximum comfort.
Lastly, you can also opt for renting campervans, particularly if you intend to move and explore various areas.
Business Trips
To travel for business stress-free, you will need accommodation that ensures convenience and provides comfort and maximum connectivity. You need a safe, tech, and internet-equipped space, and a quiet place to get the job done and have a proper rest after a busy day.
Business trips require good connectivity, fast Wi-Fi, and a good location. Look for places that thick these boxes, and consider transport options available, especially the proximity of public transport network stations and rent-a-car accessibility.
With that in mind, hotels are the safest and most efficient options to go for as you will likely have all you need readily available, from meals to a workspace with fast internet.
Hosting homes such as those found on Airbnb and rental apartments are also good choices. This goes under the condition that they meet your tech, location, and convenience standards and needs.
Digital Nomads
Similar to the previous group, as a digital nomad, you need immaculate connectivity and internet access.
Experienced travelers and Redditors have discussed What is a Digital Nomad Friendly Accommodation? Unsurprisingly, the most commonly chosen were short-term apartments, shared apartments, and private hostel rooms with private or with shared bathrooms. The accent should be on privacy and stable Wi-Fi.
Some hostels prioritize peace and can be good options for shorter-term travel for digital nomads. Hostel dorms are also a choice to consider but are not suitable in the long run unless the hostel has a working space and you have your portable internet device.
Conclusion
No trip is the same. Our goal was to provide reliable insights and help you find the best solution based on your trip that will help you find the optimal and most practical solutions.
These are not clear-cut rules, but more bits of advice based on what experienced travelers from each group need and look for in an accommodation. You can simultaneously fit into two (or more) categories of travelers, in which case your accommodation should allow you to get the best of both worlds.
In the end, the choice is always yours. Choosing where to stay depends on your individual preferences, likes, and dislikes and these should always be your main guidelines.
References:
- What is a digital nomad-friendly accommodation? https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/comments/2zon5x/what_is_digital_nomad_friendly_accommodation/
- Reddit Couchsurfing community: How long is too long to request to stay? https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/comments/2zon5x/what_is_digital_nomad_friendly_accommodation/
