You spend about a third of your trip at your accommodation and most of that time you're asleep, so many people are fine with something basic. This makes sense in a lot of cases, but where you stay can have a far greater impact on your trip than you’d think. The neighbourhood you wake up in, the breakfast that starts your day, the money left over for the rest of the trip and whether your evenings end in a lobby, a kitchen or around a campfire. There's no single best accommodation, only the best one for the specific trip you are about to take. Finding it starts with knowing your options.
That's what this page is for. Below you'll find our guides to the different types of accommodation, what each one is good for and how to book them without the usual traps.
Start with the overview of accommodation types
Make sure you are choosing the ideal type of accommodation for your stay. A great hotel is still the wrong choice for a family that needs a kitchen and a fantastic flat is not the way to go for a two-night stay with early flights. Our guide on hotel and accommodation types walks you through the options and helps you pick the right type for your stay.
Hotels, rentals and B&Bs: the classic choices
Hotels remain the default for good reasons and getting a good price for them is a skill of its own. Our guide on hotel deals covers how hotel pricing works and how to book the same room for less. If you're travelling as a family, staying longer or simply want a kitchen and more space, our guide on holiday rentals explains how to read listings, calculate the real total and book safely. And for the stays with a host and a homemade breakfast, our guide on bed and breakfasts covers the small, personal places that help you make memories you would never end up with staying at a chain hotel.
Luxury stays, get your money’s worth
Sometimes the whole trip centres around the accommodation. Our guide on luxury stays helps you plan the splurge properly, so the money goes into things that actually add value for you instead of just a bigger lobby.
The outdoor options at different price and comfort points
At the other end of the spectrum, sleeping outside is the cheapest way to wake up with a perfect view. Our camping guide covers everything from choosing a campsite to the gear you will need, aimed at beginners as much as returning campers. And if you want the nature without the sleeping pad, our guide on glamping explains the tent-with-a-real-bed category, what the different structures offer and what to check before booking one.
Get clarity on the accommodation type, then check the destination’s option
Choosing accommodation gets much easier once you have a specific idea of what your trip entails. A short city break calls for location above everything. A week with kids requires more space and a kitchen. A slow trip through the countryside becomes much better if you stay with hosts who know the area.
The destination has an impact on the options, too, since most places have their own accommodation culture. If you go to Morocco, you might want to choose a traditional guesthouse to get the authentic experience of staying at a Riad. If you are going to Hong Kong, a high-rise hotel that comes with a great view of the harbour might be the ideal choice for you. On each of our destination profiles, we have a choice of highly rated accomodation of different categories. Just look for a place in the search bar and find the options that other travellers recommend.
