As we all know, one of the hardest and most exciting parts of any trip you’re about to take is where in the world you choose to book you room. With so many hotels, motels, resorts, campgrounds and on and on, how are you supposed to choose the best fit for your stay? Do you want the amenities and luxuries of a 5 star property or would you rather go simple and simplistic?
Both are fantastic options and will just depend on your wants and desires of your trip, where you are going, and the reason for going there. One important thing to remember is there is no right or wrong choice. While some may prefer option A, just as many would much rather choose option B and it doesn’t make either selection better than the other. It only matters what you are looking for and the experience you’re looking to have during your stay. That being said here are some things to consider when you’re trying to decide which route to go.
Five Star Hotel
For many travelers, this is the only way to go. That is if you enjoy all the modern amenities that this type of property will offer you. From the stunning lobby areas to the lavish pools, you will pretty much find anything and everything you could want in a hotel. Many, if not most Five Star properties will have full service spas, restaurants, bars, room service, valet, concierge service, and much more. One of the areas most concentrated on are the guest rooms.
Here you will find luxury furniture, high quality bedding, luxury linens, in room mini bars, complimentary toiletries, upgraded carpets, high speed internet, flat screen televisions & selections of in room movies, bathrobes, in room safes, smart device connections, luxury showers, marble bathrooms and quality service that is unparalleled in the industry. These properties such as the Ritz Carlton are located in every major city around the world, along the beaches, or your favorite ski destination.
Resort
A resort property is ideal for those that like to have an entire experience wrapped up in one location. For many resorts, you will never have to leave the property to have everything you want. Resorts are usually built around the area they are in to be able to offer the experiences of the location as part of the property as well as the surroundings. A perfect example of this is a beach resort or a ski lodge resort that has the activities you are wanting as soon as you step outside on the property. If you are an outdoor enthusiast then you know that there is nothing like having an amazing day on the ski slopes and then skiing back to your resort.
Yes that’s right, skiing back to your resort. Many of the top ski resorts on located directly at the base of the mountain ski areas and offer some of the most striking resorts in the world. They will usually include a lot of the amenities of a five star hotel such as hot tubs & indoor/outdoor heated pools, etc., but also with a lot more overall offered on the surrounding property. A shopping area or village is usually on the property as well as direct access to the ski resort area, restaurants, and shuttles to nearby attractions. The best way to think of a resort is a little miniature all-encompassing paradise with everything you need in one location and in some of nature’s most beautiful settings.
Classic Hotel
A classic hotel is what many refer to as a basic chain hotel such as Holiday Inn or equivalent. This is the type of hotel that will offer you all the basic necessities you require or look for in a hotel but usually would not be somewhere that you would stay for an extended period of time if you are looking to have other included amenities in your stay. The most common set up of a classic or standard hotel is to have a gift shop, a restaurant offering and a front desk. While some may have a little more or a little less, this gives you an idea of what to expect. The guest rooms will have a minimalist approach with clean lines and furnishings, but nothing extravagant or luxurious.
There are also higher end classic chain hotels that are somewhere between classic hotel and five star hotel, and some of them are even 5 star hotels. Options like these would include Marriott, Hilton & Hyatt Regency for example. These extremely popular industry giants offer a combination of different property styles from hotels to resorts, different amenities, and a variety of room types depending on the location. Marriott’s rewards program & Hilton’s reward program both offer great opportunities to enjoy time at some of their most popular & luxurious properties around the world.
Motel
Motels have dramatically changed in the past decade and have become either more modern or nostalgic. While a motel will usually have separate outside entrance to each room, you may be surprised at how these properties have changed over the years. Best Western, the world’s largest hotel chain, has completely redesigned themselves, and Motel 6, we’ll leave the light on, has undergone one of the most modern transformations in history. At these properties you should expect a clean modern & basic room with the possibility of continental breakfast option available.
If you are looking for a quick weekend away with a budget in mind, or a reasonable place to stay for a few days by the beach, these are great options. These are also somewhere to consider when you know you will not be in the room very long and will only be using the motel for a quick shower & good night’s sleep. Motels can also be a great option if you are on a road trip and need comfortable places to stay along your journey & they even offer loyalty programs for future free night stays. Both Motel 6 and Best Western offer some of the quickest programs to earn to free nights.
Lodges, Cottages, Campgrounds
Staying at a campground is in a category of its own. While the concept of camping will generally be the same, the wide variety of campground offerings is immense. Campgrounds can include a lodge, cottages, campsites, motor home or RV areas and so on. You’ll be spending a lot of time at these properties and will be the primary reason of where you are going. Some of the best advice when it comes to campgrounds is to decide on the type of experience you are looking to have at that time.
Do you want to stay at a lodge on site and have access to the lakes, rivers, hiking, biking, fishing, etc. for your outdoor escape & adventure, or would you rather be in nature’s element the entire time in a tent on site. This is simply going to be a personal choice and what you’re looking to experience. All campgrounds will offer different things such as hookups, grilling areas, restrooms, trails, etc. No matter if a lodge or campsite is your choice; they both are fantastic and will offer you completely different experiences. Many travelers state that they rotate between options as to have a different adventure each time.
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