Cheap accommodation and flights are the best way to save money when going on holiday. Make sure you grab the best value beds by booking with HostelBookers.com – we have cheap hotels and hostels in all the world’s top destinations. But there are still a few more things you can do to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible on your accommodation…
Book early
Organising your accommodation as soon as possible means you’ll have the pick of where to stay. Obviously it’s the best cheap accommodation that goes first. If you’re going to France for example, HostelBookers.com has lots of cheap hotels in Paris, but their excellent value means you need to book quick. If you book early enough you could stay at the likes of the Avalon Hotel Paris: it’s less than 5 mins walk from the Gare du Nord and is close to Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur. You’ll stay in an en-suite modern room with free wi-fi and a free breakfast in the morning. Private rooms start from €38.40pppn.
Check the reviews
If you want to find the best cheap hotels and hostels, check the ratings and reviews on HostelBookers.com. A really cheap hostel or hotel doesn’t mean it won’t be very nice. In fact the cheaper accommodation can be more fun and unique – just check the reviews if you don’t believe me! You can see how they fare on atmosphere, facilities, staff, safety, location, cleanliness and value, and these results are combined to give an overall satisfaction rating. You can also search these reviews according to the type of traveller you are – family/alone/group – and the trip type – backpacking/partying/shopping – to make sure the hostel or hotel is for you.
Keep an open mind
The cheapest accommodation you can get is usually in a large dorm room in a hostel. You’ll generally be in bunk beds and share bathroom facilities either ensuite or in a centralised point along the corridor. The 16-bed dorms can be noisy places but with some earplugs and an eyemask you’ll be glad you saved the money to spend on having fun in the day. For example, if you’re looking for a good value Lisbon hostel, try the top-rated Oasis Backpackers’ Mansion Lisboa. You’ll get a free breakfast, super showers, a central location near the Barrio Alto, cocktail hour, free wi-fi and a comfy bed. You could opt for a private double starting from €25pppn or you could save money and stay in a 14-bed dorm for €9.99pppn.
Decide what’s important
Think about the one factor you’re not prepared to sacrifice. If location is the most important thing to you, then stay in a shared dorm to save money. If it’s the price, then look for somewhere a bit further out from the main city (see point 5). If a private room is vital then you could opt for a shared bathroom if you really want the best price. On HostelBookers.com you can sort the results by shared room price, private room price and rating. We also have a map function so if there’s a landmark you particularly want to be near, you can search easily.
Think about location
After room type this can be the biggest accommodation money saver. Usually when you’re visiting a new city you want to see as much as possible – staying a bit further out of the main city allows you to do this. Do you really need to be right in the centre? If you’re staying in Europe for example, most of the main cities have very developed transport systems and for just a few euros a day you can get a day rider allowing you to travel through the city. This can save you a lot on hostel and hotel prices, and you’ll get to see the city from a different perspective. If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in New York The Chelsea on 17th Street is a beautiful hotel set in two renovated 19th century townhouses and prices start from €52.90pppn. But if you’re prepared to go further north and use public transport you could stay at the International Student Center on 88th Street, which is close to the subway and prices start from just €21.30pppn for a dorm. It’s up to you.
