Choosing where to stay is a big decision that can have a significant impact on how much you enjoy your trip.  I try to balance budget, location, comfort and overall experience.  This may mean staying in an inexpensive but beautiful heritage hotel in India that only has WiFi in the lobby but has gorgeous wall paintings in the room; camping in a national park to be in the middle of nature; splurging on a ryokan (traditional inn) in Japan for a full-on cultural experience; or staying in a basic motel to save money near an incredible dive site.

On this page, you will find Accommodation Guides, an overview of the different types of accommodations available, tips on how to find the perfect hotel for you, and resources to use when you are ready to book your trip.

Please note that some of the links are affiliate links.  At no additional cost to you I earn a small commission if you make a purchase.   You can read my Disclaimer for more information.

Tips for finding the best hotels

• Book with one of the main hotel booking companies like booking.com or Agoda

• Read reviews, especially the negative reviews. Booking.com and Trip Advisor both have customer reviews.  When reading reviews, always apply your own filter.  E.g. I often read reviews complaining that there was no WiFi in the rooms, only in the common areas/ lounge.  This doesn’t bother me at all, as I am happy to hang out in the lounge rather than my room.

• Request a specific room if you’ve found one from customer reviews

• Always request a quiet room/ room with a view/ etc. If you don’t ask and someone else does, then chances are that they will get the better room.  You may not get it, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

• Call or email the hotel a few days before you are due to arrive to reconfirm your reservation

• Read my full guide on How to Choose the Perfect Hotel here.

Types of Accommodation

There can be a comfort in chain hotels like Hilton, Marriott or Holiday Inn.  There are standards that they must all meet and they have the same amenities and style, so you know what you are getting.  It can be comforting to stay somewhere that does not have surprises or the possibility of poor standards.  They also have points programs for frequent travelers, so you can earn free stays.   When I’m travelling on business and need to know that I will have the amenities I need, I often stay in these hotels.

The downside is that they are all the same and the individual character of the country or city you are in missing.  When I am in vacation, I never stay in chain hotels because I want to feel like I am somewhere exotic and really get a sense of the place I am visiting.  Chain hotels just don’t allow this.

Boutique hotels

Boutique hotels have a distinct and unique style and an attention to detail that can really enhance your travels. Quality can be patchy, but it is usually good.  If being somewhere stylish and chic adds to your vacation experience, then this is a great choice.

Boutique hotels have a distinct and unique style and an attention to detail that can really enhance your travels. Quality can be patchy, but it is usually good.  If being somewhere stylish and chic adds to your vacation experience, then this is a great choice.

Any hotel that is not a chain or a stylish boutique hotel falls under this category.  They may small and family-run or large and incredibly luxurious.  They tend to reflect the culture of the country they are in, so that you really get a sense of where you are.   They can be funky, such as the Hotel La Residencia in Cadaques Spain that is crammed with Salvador Dali paraphernalia, or historic such as Samode Palace hotel, in a former palace in Rajasthan, India.   They can be ultra-modern like the Treehotel in Sweden or very traditional like the Chikusenso, the best ryokan in Japan.

These are the kinds of hotels I like to stay in, as they have lots of character, and that’s what I look for in a hotel when I travel.

Guesthouses, Inns and B and Bs

B and Bs fall into two general categories.  There are inns – small often somewhat rustic hotels – that include breakfast in the price.  These usually have multiple rooms (maybe about 10-30 or so).

The other kind of B and B is a room in someone’s house.   It could be one or two rooms they rent out in what is mainly their home, or it could be 5 or 6 rooms in a very large house, with the owner living in a small separate area.  Rooms may come with an ensuite bathroom or a shared bathroom down the hall. There is usually a host who is friendly and knowledgeable about the area, so this is a great way to learn some hidden gems and things to do.

Breakfasts can vary from a very basic help-yourself continental breakfast to a lavish full English/ Irish/ American hot breakfast with bacon, eggs, toast, etc.