Hotels
Choosing where to stay usually comes down to three questions: how much space you need, how much service you want and how long you are staying. Hotels suit short stays where daily housekeeping, a front desk and breakfast matter. Holiday homes and apartments suit families, groups and longer trips, where a kitchen, separate bedrooms and a living room are worth more than room service.
Whichever you book, compare the total price rather than the nightly rate. Cleaning fees, service fees, resort fees and local taxes can add a lot, and some only appear at checkout. Read recent reviews for noise, cleanliness and whether the photos match the place, check the cancellation policy, and look at the location on a map against the places you plan to visit.
For premium holiday homes rather than hotels, Plum Guide lists only homes that pass its own quality checks, which takes much of the guesswork out of booking a rental from photos. It is aimed at travellers willing to pay more for a better home, not at budget stays.
For hostels, house sitting, serviced apartments and longer rentals, see Accommodation, and for shared housing with a community, Coliving. Kill Resort Fees explains the extra charges some hotels leave out of the advertised room rate.
