**Steering Clear of Accommodation Misgivings: Strategies for Choosing the Perfect Hotel or Airbnb**
Have you ever checked into a place only to feel regret the moment you set down your luggage? Or perhaps it initially seemed acceptable, but quickly deteriorated? Having traveled since the early days of online bookings, I’ve gathered some insights on selecting a hotel or Airbnb to prevent that disappointing sensation.
I occasionally embark on press trips where my accommodation is predetermined, but when I venture out on my own — which I do quite often — I dedicate a significant amount of time to researching hotels and apartments in my destination. Last year, my spouse and I roamed Europe for about four months, and shortly we’ll return to various regions for another two months. Additionally, we frequently travel around Mexico and other areas in the Americas during vacations or when extending business trips.
While having abundant information at your disposal can be a double-edged sword, it’s wonderful to explore numerous options. However, the sheer volume can be daunting, and discovering suitable places to stay can feel like attempting to sip from a firehose.
Thus, here are my reliable methods for sifting through the noise and uncovering those hidden hotel treasures and appealing short-term rentals within your budget. I’m seldom let down by my choices after adhering to these guidelines, and I trust this will enable you to have a satisfying experience much more consistently.
**Trust Recommendations from Those You Value on Where to Stay**
Recommendations from friends and acquaintances remain the most ancient form of information, yet it can still be incredibly effective. If someone you personally know has visited a destination similar to yours and shares your tastes and budget, you can likely take their advice and run with it. If they enjoyed their stay at a hotel, guesthouse, or rental apartment, you’re unlikely to dislike it unless you and they are vastly different in preferences.
In the digital realm, this translates to heeding the advice of bloggers and social media influencers you find credible. If you’ve followed someone for an extended period and they have consistently provided reliable insights, their recommendations can significantly shorten your research time. Some channels even offer guided tours of the accommodations in their videos.
However, verify that they either paid for their stay or utilized points, and check the rate: they might have received their room for free (as I occasionally do) in exchange for promotion. If you have established trust with this person over time, it may not matter, but if it’s an unfamiliar influencer discovered at random on Instagram, exercise caution.
**Look for Genuine Photos and Room Videos**
At this juncture in my travel writing career, I’ve probably assessed around 2,000 hotels, and my photographs rarely align with the official images found on hotel websites and booking platforms. This isn’t due to poor photography skills; rather, I don’t spend hours arranging artificial lighting, staging props, and positioning smiling models with food and beverages alongside them.
I’ve visited hotels where the online photographs have undergone serious Photoshop edits, enhanced by additional lighting that no guest would ever experience. They sometimes showcase views not available from standard rooms, or remove unsightly visuals from the outside, or exaggerate the room’s actual size. These images are more like fantasies than realistic depictions to aid you in selecting the right hotel.
When perusing a hotel room review on a blog or article, consider the type of images being presented. If they are original photographs, that’s excellent. If they are stock images, tread carefully. As you may have encountered, stock photos often date back years, from when the hotel was either newly built or renovated.
For an Airbnb property, ensure they show the aspects you genuinely care about, such as the bed, kitchen, and living area — avoiding distractions like cute sayings on the wall or close-ups of intentionally styled house plants. If the emphasis leans more towards artsy details than to what you will utilize, proceed with caution.
Several websites are emerging to combat these concerns by providing a more precise visual representation of what you can expect to see. Take a look at RoomCougar.com for hotel room videos, and consider contributing your own footage to earn a little extra cash. At present, they are offering $50 for comprehensive video tours of accommodations where you stay.
**Focus on Authentic Hotel Reviews**
The title emphasizes authentic hotel reviews because it’s essential to read comments from guests who have genuinely stayed at the hotel you’re contemplating. Sure, utilize