Hotel rooms are an essential part of the traveling experience, but how do you decide where to stay, without breaking the budget? Don't get me wrong, nothing is better and more relaxing than an elegant room. Personally, I have stayed at some great hotels, like The Westin in Denver, The Grand Palladium in Montego Bay, and the Hotel Claris in Barcelona, just to name a few. If you have a very large budget for a trip, then by all means splurge on a sweet and enjoy that Jacuzzi and 62 inch. plasma TV, and how can you go wrong with a walkout balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower or the Manhattan skyline. You only live once, right? However, most travelers cannot afford to stay in the lap of luxury when they travel. In fact, most travelers tend to travel on a budget and for many of them the biggest mistake is spending too much on their room. This wasteful spending can cause travelers to feel regret when they return home or keep them from spending money on the important things like museums and attractions, you know the things that you have come all this way to see in the first place.
So how do you select the right hotel for you? First, prioritise the amenities that matter most to you. The most important factor should be location. A centralized location is the key to a successful trip and an amenity that I will gladly spend more on. A centrally located hotel for most cities will be close to a majority of the culturally significant sites and near all of the good restaurants. This will typically save you on your transportation costs. Thus, you will not have to spend money on taxis or public transportation to get you to and from your hotel. Don't forget the time and hassle this can cause. The one exception to this, is when you are staying in a U.S. or Canadian city with cheap and easily accessible parking, and you have a rental car. Then, staying in the suburbs will save you a bundle.
Another important amenity to think about is cleanliness. Who would want to stay in a hotel, where the conditions are so appalling that the roaches are high tailing it out of there. In all seriousness, avoid staying in a filthy room. Places with blood soaked sheets and mold covered walls will completely ruin your trip and may traumatize you for years to come.
One of the most important things to consider when selecting a hotel room is safety. No matter how big of cheapskate you are, and I will usually take the cake, do not put yourself or your love one's at risk. It is never worth it! Thus, do your research before booking a room and stay out of really shady neighborhoods. One thing that I have learned is, if you put yourself in a bad situation, bad things have a tendency to happen.
Other things to consider, does your room come with a view? Hotels with great views, usually offer much cheaper rooms without the stunning views. Does your hotel have a pool? Are you going to use that pool? If not then finding a hotel without one can save you money. Most hotels without pools are usually cheaper than ones that do have them. Does your hotel offer free or discounted breakfast? By having one or several of your meals competed, you can save a great deal on your trip. However, if you are in a city like Paris, than eating out in an out door cafe is part of the fun. Thus, do not spend extra on a hotel that serves you breakfast. Are you a light sleeper? Then stay in a quieter part of town, and avoid those party areas like The French Quarter in New Orleans. This will help you have a better trip. Nothing can ruin a vacation like a total lack of sleep.
After you evaluate all of these options, you will be in a much better position to choose the right hotel for you. Personally, in the United States, I will typically spend about $60 to $80 a night for a hotel room that meets these criteria. These rooms are clean, no frills, safe, and usually centrally located. Chain hotels like Days-In, or Best Western can usually accommodate my needs. Remember, you are probably not going to spend that much time in your room to need thus added perks. I know what your thinking, how can I find a hotel this cheap in New York or San Francisco? It takes time and additional resources, but I have found decent hotels in both cities for around $150 a night. Try to utilizing web sites like hotels.com and other websites that specialize in filling up unsold rooms. In Europe, you can find great mom and pop hotels for around 100 Euros a night. In fact, the last time that I was in Paris, I stayed in the quaint neighborhood of Rue Cler, only four blocks from the Eiffel Tower and two block from the Metro. the place fit all of my needs and then some. The place was remarkably clean, centrally located, very safe, quiet and above all, only cost 115 Euros a night. In Sydney I stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast in The Rocks for 120 Australian Dollars a night. To stay only one block from the French Quarter in New Orleans I only payed $89 a night. So it is truly possible to find a reasonably priced rooms in that dream location that you are traveling to.
Here are some of my inexpensive hotel recommendations
Paris:
Hotel du Champ de Mars
7 Rue du Champ de Mars
www.hotelduchampdemars.com
Florence:
Hotel Il Bargellino
via Guelfa 87
www.ilbargellino.com.
Sydney:
The Russel
143 A George St.
www.therussell.com.au
New Orleans:
Best Western St. Christopher
114 Magazine St.
1-504-648-0444
www.stchristopherhotel.com
Sources for other cheap hotels
www.hotels.com
www.expedia.com
www.orbits.com
www.travelocity.com
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