How to Choose the Perfect Accommodation: A Simple Guide

When we first started travelling, we thought how to choose the perfect accommodation just meant finding the cheapest place to sleep. We didn’t worry much – after all, we planned to be out exploring all day and only needed a bed for the night.

That’s exactly how we approached our first trip to Paris over 10 years ago – and we paid the price. We ended up in a dirty room in a district that didn’t feel safe, with cigarette smoke so thick you could almost see it. What should have been a dream trip became stressful.

Since then, we’ve learned that where you stay matters. Now, we’d rather shorten a trip slightly to stay within the budget than risk feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. And in this post, we’ll share what we’ve learned about how to choose the perfect accommodation, so you can avoid our mistakes and book with confidence.

Where We Stayed: Our Tried-and-Trusted Accommodation Picks

A quick note before we begin: In our destinations posts, whenever we genuinely liked where we stayed, you’ll find a direct link at the end of that article so you can check it out too. If you don’t see a link, that means we wouldn’t recommend that particular place!

So, what does “good accommodation” mean to us? Of course, opinions vary, but for us it comes down to a few key things:
✔ Cleanliness above all.
✔ A Booking.com rating of at least 8.0 – we rarely go below that.
✔ If noise is mentioned in reviews, we don’t necessarily reject the place outright. Sometimes, especially in busy areas, this would leave only limited or expensive options. In those cases, we pack earplugs and sleep soundly!

Let’s walk through how to find the right place.

Best tips on how to choose the perfect accommodation

1. Check the location, not just how close it is to the sights

A good location is about more than just being near attractions. You also want to feel safe and comfortable, and have easy access to public transport.

Our Paris lesson taught us this the hard way. Back then, we didn’t research the area at all, and we regretted it as soon as we arrived.

💡 Tip: Look up the neighbourhood on Google Maps. Read reviews that mention safety, and check if the area suits your travel style.

2. Filter for places rated 8.0 or higher

When learning how to choose the perfect accommodation, we’ve found that rarely booking anything with a Booking.com rating below 8.0 saves a lot of trouble. Setting this filter helps us quickly find cleaner, better-reviewed places where we’re more likely to have a good experience.

3. Always read the reviews

Reviews give you the real picture. For example:

• In Sardinia, Italy, reviews warned us there was an extra charge for towels. We decided that was fine for the price, but it was good to know in advance.
• In Istanbul, Turkey, we overpaid for a hotel due to the spa access, only to discover the spa had been closed for ages (or even never existed). That detail was in the reviews – we just hadn’t looked closely enough. If we hadn’t focused on the spa option, we could have found a much better hotel for half the price.

💡 Tip: Watch for mentions of extra fees, cleanliness, noise levels, and whether the photos match reality.

4. Compare Booking and Agoda

In Europe, we trust Booking reviews the most after years of experience. In Asia, we’ve often found that Agoda has significantly better prices, often for the same hotel.

💡 Our process: check both sites for the best deal, but base your decision on the Booking score – it’s proven the most reliable for us. If you need the best price and you are willing to take the risk of booking your accommodation with another provider, you can also search for the hotel directly in Google stays.

5. Don’t hesitate to ask questions

If you’re unsure about fees, breakfast, parking, or anything else, email the property. In Europe, we nearly always get a helpful reply. In other regions, like China, we’ve found replies less common, but it’s always worth trying.

Other things to check before you book

• Is the cancellation policy flexible?
• Are there guest photos of the rooms?
• Are city taxes or extra charges clearly shown?
• Is public transport nearby?
• Are lifts or 24-hour reception available if you need them?

Where we book

💙 Booking.com – Our first choice for Europe and worldwide stays,
💙 Agoda – Often the best value in Asia – always worth comparing.

Final accommodation booking checklist

Before you click that “book now” button, run through this quick checklist:

• Have you checked the safety and vibe of the location?
• Is the property rating on Booking.com satisfying for you (we recommend at least 8.0)?
• Are the recent reviews positive and reassuring?
• Have you compared prices on both Booking.com and Agoda to make sure you’re getting the best price possible?
• Do you know about any extra fees (like towels, parking, city taxes), so there are no surprises?
• Is the cancellation policy clear and flexible enough for your needs?
• Is public transport close enough to make getting around easy?
• Have you contacted the property with any questions, so you can book with confidence?
• Are you prepared for possible downsides (for example, have your earplugs ready if reviews mention noise)?

If you can tick these off, you’re all set to book a place that suits your trip perfectly.

Final thoughts on how to choose the perfect accommodation

Where you stay can shape your trip. For us, it’s no longer about finding the cheapest place – it’s about finding the right place. And sometimes that means staying a night less, but sleeping soundly and feeling safe. We hope these tips on how to choose the perfect accommodation help you do the same!

Wherever you choose to stay, enjoy your journey! 🙂

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