Traveling and Hotels
Traveling and hotels are huge service industries and both offer a wide variety of accommodation options. Whether you are backpacking around Southeast Asia or having your Eat, Pray, Love experience in Paris, there is a hotel to suit your tastes and budget.
It’s important to do your research and read reviews about hotels you are considering staying in before booking. Some hotels are good at hiding things or only show the best of their rooms on their websites, which is why third-party sites like TripAdvisor can be so helpful. These sites feature real photos (not professional or edited) and opinions from previous guests that can give you a better idea of what to expect.
Many hotels have loyalty programs that reward frequent travelers with free stays. Some also partner with frequent flier programs, which can add up quickly when you are traveling on business.
For those who are on a budget, hostels and Airbnb offer affordable and sociable accommodations. Both offer dorm rooms with mixed or same-sex beds, and shared living spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. Hostels have also started to offer unique experiences, such as pub-crawls and discounted tickets to local attractions.
It’s important to choose a hotel that is in close proximity to the sights you want to see and that is safe. Opting for a hotel that’s cheaper but farther away from the Louvre or Eiffel Tower might save you money in the short term, but will probably cost you time and energy when trying to navigate public transportation or search for somewhere to eat on a busy weekend.