🛎️Accommodation

Is the extra star worth a few more pounds, does one guy hating on a hotel at TripAdvisor matter? Is it worth extra to go with a known brand?

I’m not rich but I’m not a massive fan of “slumming it” either, I make no claims to be a big backpacker or tent dweller but I do like a bargain too and rarely have a massive budget. I really want to encourage people to travel whatever the budget. A really nice hotel where available is a great investment for a good trip and a good night’s sleep is a necessity.

As a technique I generally start by filtering any website search with some minimums and then sorting by low price to end up at the cheapest way to hit all needs, this lets me know if it’s even possible and then allows me to consider whether to go up a level or compromise, prices really do go up and down seemingly randomly at times so best to have a few searches, try and find the hotel’s own website or use something like Trivago to see who will give you the best deal.

3 or 4 stars, proximity to the sites or transport hubs needed is a good start, then some amenities, the reassurance of a known brand, or lots of good reviews.

The Worst hotel I ever went to was in Athens, I won’t name it as it may have changed ownership, and horrible reviews are bountiful online, but safe to say it was very hot, Having Air con was a necessity and being forced to choose between that and able to sleep as it was so loud wasn’t ideal. They also had a very lax approach to security and specialised in moving guests about for their own convenience.

The best is probably in Thailand where exchange rates and plentiful choice can get you real bargains, massive and well appointed suites and amazing food.

As a curiosity I also stayed in the King Kong hotel in Tokyo which was very nice even if Japan had a preference for rooms that are a little small.

Where did you like or hate? I will add some more detailed reviews and hope to find a way to allow comments whilst remaining fair and legal.