Often times the biggest task in finding the perfect accommodation, is knowing where to look for it.
Search engines do us a big favor by gathering relevant websites – leaving us to click through them one by one. But most of those sites showing up at the top of your search results, are going to be booking sites. These sites are a great place to start looking for accommodation, but they shouldn’t be the only place you look.
If you’re trying to find that perfect accommodation – the one that fits your budget, style, location, and any other preference you crave – you’re going to have to look strategically – in more than one location.
Where To Start
It’s important to know what it is you require, what you desire, and what means you have to acquire your perfect accommodation.
By preconfiguring those needs, wants, and understandings of the budget you’re working with, you’re able to work more fluidly within your filters. Plus it’s going to make your search a heck of a whole lot easier (and a lot faster). So assemble some trusted sites and sources you can return to each time you plan a trip.
Personally, I like to look in 3 different places when I search for my perfect accommodation: booking sites, blogs, and travel sites.
My Trusty Accommodation Booking Sites
I love using booking platforms to find great options within my set filters, but not to actually book my accommodation.
While they offer a wide variety of locations all in one place, it’s still a service that those places have to pay a small fee for. And you’re going to be the one to foot the bill.
That’s why the rates you find on those booking sites are usually a little higher than what you find booking directly through the place of accommodation yourself. So if you want to save money on booking your next place, book directly at the source. Last time I did this, I was able to save 70euros and I got a free upgrade on a room. (The savings isn’t always that great, but you’ll for sure save a few bucks. Plus you’ll get to see what other discounts are offered.) And who doesn’t like saving money?
Allow these booking platforms to provide you with a list of options and to help sort out your filters, but take the extra step to book directly with your desired accommodation. This is a super saving hack, especially if you’re traveling a lot or working within a tight budget. Why not skip the charge if you can?
Besides, shaving a few bucks here and there is ultimately going to allow you to spend that money elsewhere.
Booking.com
Booking.com is the mother of all hotel booking websites.
Great for finding accommodation. Excellent for applying filters. Crappy fees.
Skip the fees and book directly with the source.
Hostelworld.com
The mother of all hostel booking websites.
Lots of options to choose from. Filters aplenty. Also charges fees.
Try booking directly with your desired hostel.
Note: I learned of these service charges during my time volunteering at hostels. As I was traveling a lot back then with very little money, I had to save where I could, so this hack was gold.
TIP: If you can’t find a phone number to contact or an email address to write to, don’t forget to check if they have and Instagram or Facebook account. Sometimes it’s easier to get a response from somewhere using a non-traditional form of contact.
AirBnb.com
AirBnb is an excellent option to find something completely unique with all the necessary privacy, without feeling like you’re a tourist.
The downside is that you usually have to make compromises. Depending on what experience you want to create during your trip, though, the compromises aren’t always so bad.
So AirBnb is a great option for those artsy or outdoorsy, one-of-a-kind places that make you feel more like a local than a tourist. Though, you need to be a bit more flexible when it comes to your filters. That’s how to find your perfect accommodation through AirBnb.
Be flexible.
How To Search For Accommodation Via Blogs
Blogs are an excellent resource to use for your accommodation search when you have a specific experience or style in mind.
With these well-curated lists, it’s much easier to find that particular vibe your looking for in your travel experience. That’s exactly how I found the Superbude Altona Paradise in Hamburg for my 29th birthday. Instead of tiring yourself clicking through Google and Booking.com results, try narrowing your search with an adjective to help better find the vibe you’re looking for in accommodation. The downside here is that most of the writers make some sort of commission or receive a “gift” in exchange for adding that number to their list, so it can be hard to know which lists are based on experience and which have been sponsored. And, of course, the lists are always subjectively based on one person’s experience.
These specially curated-lists use adjectives in their phrasing, like “coolest hotels in Paris” or “cheapest boutique in Venice” to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. By incorporating these same adjectives in your own search, your results will be much more relevant, cutting down on your time and energy spent searching. Bringing you closer to that “perfect accommodation” experience.
Don’t Forget To Check Out The Other Travel Resources For Accommodation
Travel organizations, like National Geographic, or travel books like 1000 Places to See Before You Die are great for finding travel guides and destination information, but they’re also an excellent resource to check in your search for top-rated accommodation.
These travel resources provide some of the most unique places in the world to stay… but also some of the most expensive.
Lonely Planet
One of the top travel websites, Lonely Planet is an excellent resource when it comes to looking for unique accommodation.
Also known for their guide books.
Worth checking out if you want more than just accommodation information on your destination.
Culture Trip
A personal favorite: Culture Trip is a great place to browse for unusual or lesser-known locations.
Descriptions of locations are usually in-depth and well-crafted.
You have options to book rooms directly through their website, but remember what I said about cutting out the middle man.
