Why the right hotel matters

​Introducing one of the world’s biggest travel myths: 

A hotel is just a place to sleep.

​We’ve certainly heard this sentence once or twice. Hell, we’ve even said it ourselves to justify paying a low hotel rate in a pricey destination. But wanting a great hotel (at any budget) doesn't make you high maintenance; it makes you smart. Because the truth is that where you lay your head down at the end of the day really matters, like a lot. In fact, it can easily make or break a trip. 

Why the right hotel (really!) matters:

Because you don’t want to choose the wrong location.
Ever booked a hotel in a not-so-awesome neighborhood? Or saved some money by staying outside the city center, only to pay a small fortune in taxis or trains? Or, have you booked a hotel nearby famous sights but in a neighborhood that is packed with crowds during the day and noise during the night? Or have you chosen an apartment thinking you’ll have a local experience, and found yourself in some strange version or a foreign suburbia? The right location is paramount. It will dictate the overall ease of your trip - what restaurants and sights are nearby, if you get a good night’s sleep, and if you can pop in for a rest halfway through a long day of sightseeing. If there’s one thing to get right (after the obvious safety and cleanliness standards), this is it. Choose wisely.

​Because the room may not be what you’re picturing.
Nothing’s worse than walking into your room after checking in to a surprise. It’s tiny, there’s no air conditioning, there’s only a tub and not a shower (or not even a tub - holler if you’ve been to Asia and experienced the all-in-one bathrooms!). Especially when traveling to international destinations, where large hotel rooms with coffee makers don’t come standard, know exactly what you’re getting into before you book and never rely on pictures alone.

Because the hotel can easily over or under deliver.
Are you cool with a little front desk and not much else? Or do you love a good fitness center, pool, or spa? Does a hotel that offers a good breakfast really knock your socks off?  (It does for us!). Or do you enjoy a nice terrace, or rooftop bar? If you can define what hotel amenities are important to you, it will really help you narrow down your search and be sure you’re picking the perfect spot.

Because you don’t want to miss out on experiencing something unique
We get it - sometimes a familiar hotel chain can feel comforting, but often times, branching out from the big corporate chains can payoff big. Boutique and/or locally-owned hotels not only support local economies, they often offer a much more local experience. From local art and decor, to local cuisine, to the history of the building itself, there may be cultural insights and experiences to be had.

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Bottom line - a lot of travelers underestimate the value of coming home to a great room at the end of a long, tiring day while traveling. Especially in a foreign land, your hotel can feel like a sanctuary. This is why we spend countless hours searching for the right room for each individual traveler we work with. So whether you work with us, or seek out your own hotel, just don’t take the hotel choice lightly. Trust us - your future traveling self will thank you.