DIY Travel Planning
Finding the Best Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Farm Stays & Apartments
Where you stay can make your worldwide travel great or bring along some challenges. I don’t take this step lightly. There is so much to consider–the type of accommodations, the level, the location. Where and the level of place I stay depends on where I’m traveling.
I always want to stay in the best place for the best price and have the best possible experience. Getting exposed to the culture of the area I’m traveling to can also be important. There are special places to stay for every budget– whether in an apartment, a farm stay, a bed & breakfast, or in a hotel or resort.
TYPES OF ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotels or Resorts
I love staying in 4 or 5-star hotels or resorts while on a vacation. I use vacation time to get as much rest and relaxation as possible, and often will spend most of the day at the hotel. I once stayed 6 nights at a five-star beach resort and only left for walks along the water!
When “traveling,” and on the move, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money on accommodations. Many hotels in countries outside of the United States only allow 2 (sometimes 3) guests per room.
For family or other group travel, you will almost always have to book two rooms so that brings the price up. Though, in some areas of the world like Southeast Asia, two nice hotel rooms may be the best option and not cost very much.
I have found that staying in a well-rated hotel can be a great experience, but it also lacks culture. If breakfast is not included you will have to think about going out to three meals per day.
Click here to read reviews and see the latest prices at hotels and resorts
Bed & Breakfasts
Bed & Breakfasts are a great accommodation choice in many countries (especially in Europe) and oftentimes cost much less than a hotel. Some accommodate families or a group of friends really well and even have rooms that sleep 4-6.
It is a great way to get some culture of the country you are staying in. The high-rated places typically have very friendly owners or innkeepers and it can be fun to get to know them, as well as other guests from around the world. You can get great advice on where to eat and things to do.
I like the coziness of bed & breakfasts as well as waking up to a fantastic breakfast (that I didn’t have to cook or clean up after!) Some Bed & Breakfasts offer a shared kitchen which is convenient for appetizers before going out to dinner, or to make dinner or lunch.
Click here to read reviews and see the latest prices at bed & breakfasts
Farm Stays
This is a favorite! I have had some fantastic farm stays in Italy, Wales, Ireland, Austria, and in Spain. This has become popular in many countries in Europe.
In Italy, the “Agriturismi” are accommodations on independently owned farms, which often produce wine or olive oil. The land is always beautiful and it’s even better if you have a pool to enjoy when staying during the warm months.
You can find rooms and apartments on farms, and both sometimes include an amazing breakfast. Some farm accommodations also offer dinners, with ingredients from the farm, and everything homemade. This is something that you don’t want to miss in any country!
Click here to read reviews and see the latest prices at farm stays
Apartments
Staying in a nice apartment can be a great way to travel. It is nice to have all of the space and a kitchen. Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com are the best resource for booking apartments. Make sure to read the reviews carefully. The map on each site enables you to find an apartment in the exact location you want to stay.
I like to stay in apartments in big cities and always try to find one that is high up with a balcony or roof terrace for a nice view. I don’t recommend staying in apartments for your whole trip, because you are more secluded in an apartment and don’t get the opportunity to meet people and absorb the culture as much as when staying in the accommodations mentioned above.
Click here to read reviews and see the latest prices for apartments 
Online Reviews for Worldwide Travel
Booking.com
This website has some of the most reliable reviews because not anyone can write a review. After you have stayed at a hotel or other accommodation booked through booking.com they email a link to complete a review. All of the various accommodation types above can be booked on booking.com
Trip Advisor
I’ve been using Trip Advisor since 2006. It is a good resource for finding a great place to stay– but you have to be careful. Make sure there are a lot of reviews for a place that you are interested in. Check to see that most of the reviews are written by users who have several reviews posted.
Check reviews by choosing a city and “Traveler Ranked.” On the left, you can choose Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, or Specialty Lodging. I recommend looking at each category. My favorite option is to look at the Readers Choice Awards. Here you will find the award-winning places to stay (broken down into several categories) in most countries in the world
Make sure to read the room tips so you can request a specific room type or be in a particular area of your hotel or Bed & Breakfast. I rarely leave this to chance with any accommodations that I book.
Do a Google search for a specific accommodation. Check the Google score on the right of the screen. You can also scroll through all of the booking sites that are listed and check the reviews.
How to Find the Best Price for Hotels and Other Accommodations for Worldwide Travel
There is a big range in the level of hotels and the cost can fluctuate throughout the week. For other types of accommodations, it is usually best to book directly with the owner or staff and specify any room requests.
Booking.com
Even though you can see booking.com rates on Momondo and Trip Advisor, you can sometimes find an even lower rate on their website if you create an account by giving your name and email. They call this the Genius Discount and I have saved money by signing in and booking on their website.
Trip Advisor
Trip Advisor is similar to Momondo for booking and worth checking prices to compare.
Book Direct
Always check the accommodations’ business website for rates before booking with an outside company. I would almost always rather book directly because there can be more lenient change or cancellation policies and sometimes it can get you a better room. For international reservations, you can email the accommodations directly and ask what the lowest rate is. If you find a lower rate online, you can politely ask if they will match it. For hotels, check to see if it is part of a loyalty club, and make sure to sign up. There may be special discounts available, room upgrades offered, or other complimentary amenities that you won’t want to miss out on.
***Best Rate Guarantee
When booking a hotel, nothing gives me more satisfaction than this. Many large hotel chains offer a guarantee that if you book a room on their website, and find a lower rate elsewhere within 24 hours, they will offer you a discount. Marriott calls this “Look No Further.” I did this with a Ritz Carlton reservation and got 25% discount off of the lower rate that I found!
Get inspired with Family Bucket List Travel Ideas
Read How to Find Cheap Flights
And Plan Your Trip! How to Plan Worldwide Travel In 12 Steps
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