Airbnb, VRBO, Hotel.com are just a few sites I have used when booking travel in the past. However once you have decided on where you are going the next question you often ask yourself is where am I going to stay?
While everyone has their preference whether that be space, location, cost, or availability for rewards I often have a change of preference depending on the type of trip and who I am traveling with.
If you often find yourself questioning where you should stay or where you should book through, here are some examples to help you navigate.
Trip Type: Traveling with a Large Group (Girls Trip, Bachelor/Bachelorette Party, Family Reunion)
Lodging Recommendation: For a trip with a large group you will likely want a lot of space. Both communal and plenty of beds and baths for everyone. Here I recommend sites like Airbnb and VRBO. If you are traveling to a very popular location like a beach town I recommend googling vacation rentals. There are a ton of independent vacation rental sites in popular locations that are meant for large groups and often are priced better than Airbnb or VRBO. For the last 2 big girls trips I have been on we booked through an independent vacation rental site and had great experiences. We found the hosts to be very responsive and accommodating as well as these houses were priced cheaper which is always a plus.
Trip Type: Couples Weekend
Lodging Recommendation: Hotel or Resort. For a couples weekend, I highly recommend the luxury of a high end hotel or resort. You will thank yourself for the relaxing environment and the multiple amenities that come with staying at a hotel or resort. My favorite site to use is Hotels.com because of their rewards program. However I often search via google because some site offer better price points. You can often find the best price through the hotel’s site directly.
Trip Type: Immediate Family Vacation
Lodging Recommendation: For a vacation for a family of 4 I don’t think you can go wrong with either a hotel or house rental. I think this depends on your goals for the trip. Do you want space or do you want amenities? If you have young kids, there are hotels and resorts that offer kid programs that will keep the children entertained during your trip.
Trip Type: Multi Stop Trip
Lodging Recommendation: For a trip with multiple stops, I recommend booking a hotel through a site with a rewards program like Hotels.com. That way you are able to combine rewards for every night no matter where you stay.
Trip Type: One Nighter
Lodging Recommendation: A one night trip I typically book a hotel based purely off convenience. You often have more flexibility for check in and check out times when booking with a hotel.