Where To Stay
Practical advice for choosing accommodation that suits your trip.
Find the Right Place to Stay
Practical accommodation advice and first-hand insights to help you choose the right location, property and length of stay for each destination on your trip.
Choosing the Right Area to Stay
Where you stay can make a huge difference to how much you enjoy a destination. I look beyond the accommodation itself and consider how easy it will be to get around, how close it is to the places I want to visit and what the area will feel like once the day-trippers have gone.
Things such as hills, stairs, public transport, nearby restaurants, road noise and walking distances can matter just as much as the hotel or apartment itself.
Choosing the Right Accommodation
Hotels, apartments and holiday homes can all work well, but the right choice depends on the destination and how you like to travel.
I look closely at room layout, lifts and stairs, air-conditioning, laundry facilities, kitchen amenities and whether there’s somewhere comfortable to relax. For longer stays, a little extra space and the ability to wash clothes can make a big difference.
How Long Should You Stay?
Deciding how long to stay isn't always straightforward, particularly when you're planning a multi-destination trip. I consider what there is to do, how long it takes to get there and whether I'll actually have time to enjoy the destination rather than simply arrive and leave again.
Sometimes an extra night makes all the difference. In other places, a shorter stay is plenty — and knowing that before you book can give you more time somewhere else.
Accommodation for Different Travellers
The right place to stay can look very different depending on who you're travelling with. A couple may value location and a quiet room, while families and groups often need more space, multiple bathrooms, a kitchen and somewhere everyone can spend time together.
Solo travellers may place greater importance on security, easy transport and being able to walk to restaurants and attractions. Thinking about these practical needs before booking can make the whole stay more comfortable.
It’s also worth thinking about how everyone will use the accommodation day to day. A little extra space, privacy and the right facilities can make travelling together much easier.
Before You Book
A little checking before you book can prevent many of the problems that affect a stay. I look beyond the overall rating and check recent reviews, room details, cancellation terms, check-in arrangements and exactly where the property is located.
My Accommodation Booking Checklist brings together the practical details I check before confirming a stay, including lifts, stairs, noise, laundry, Wi-Fi, access, transport and those smaller comforts that are easy to overlook.
Choose the PDF version to download and print, or use the fillable version to complete the checklist digitally as you plan.
What Makes the Right Accommodation?
Over the years, I’ve learnt that where you stay can have just as much impact on a trip as the destination itself. The right location, a comfortable place to return to at the end of the day and the amenities that matter to you can make travelling easier, more relaxing and ultimately more enjoyable.
Which Accommodation Booking Platform Do I Use?
I'm often asked which accommodation booking platforms I use. Booking.com is my preferred platform, and it's where I make the majority of our accommodation reservations, particularly when travelling through Europe.
One of the main reasons is how easy it is to search, compare and book accommodation. I can check property locations on a map, read recent guest reviews, compare facilities and choose accommodation with free cancellation when available. That flexibility is particularly important when planning longer trips with multiple destinations.
I also value the support and communication available before and during our stay. I like being able to ask questions before booking and communicate with the host once our reservation is confirmed.
Having the property's address, contact details, booking confirmation and check-in instructions accessible on my phone makes travelling between destinations much easier. Some hosts also communicate through WhatsApp, which is particularly helpful when confirming arrival times or arranging access to an apartment.
I still compare prices and booking conditions with other platforms and directly with properties, but I find the convenience of managing most of our accommodation bookings in one place a real advantage.
For me, it's not just about finding somewhere to stay. It's about making the whole booking and arrival experience as straightforward as possible.
Find Accommodation
Once you’ve decided where you want to stay and what matters most, you can start comparing accommodation options. Search by destination and dates, then use the filters to narrow the results to properties that suit your location, budget and travel style.
Before booking, I always check the property details and recent reviews rather than relying on the headline rating alone. Taking a few extra minutes to compare the details can help you find a place that genuinely suits the way you like to travel.
Accommodation Advice From My Travels
Over the years, I've stayed in hotels, apartments and holiday homes across many different destinations. These guides share what I've learnt first-hand about choosing where to stay, including the best areas to use as a base and the practical details worth considering before booking.
I've also included my free Accommodation Booking Checklist to help you compare properties, check important details and make more informed booking decisions.
Dobrota or Kotor Old Town?
Deciding between Kotor Old Town and Dobrota? I compare both areas, including location, atmosphere, walking distances and the practical details to consider when choosing where to stay.
Stay Overnight in Coimbra?
Coimbra is often treated as a day trip, but staying overnight worked well for us. I share where we stayed, why the location mattered and how long I’d recommend spending in the city.
Is Brunswick Heads Worth Staying In?
Brunswick Heads is one of our favourite Northern Rivers escapes. I share where to stay, the best locations around the village and river, and how long to spend here.
Plan Your Stay With Confidence
Choosing where to stay is an important part of planning any trip. Take the time to consider the location, the type of accommodation, how long you’ll be staying and the practical details that matter to you.
A little research before you book can make your stay more comfortable, your days easier and give you more time to simply enjoy where you are.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book accommodation through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. My recommendations are based on my own travel experiences and research.
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