Hotels are too often assumed to be the best choice when it comes to accommodation for holidays or breaks. Yes, this can be the the more convenient choice in terms of package deals, or if you’re making an unexpected spot and there aren’t any other options available. In other cases, when planning a break or holiday in advance, going down the self-catering route by renting a cottage or apartment, might be more enjoyable or suit you better. There are several great reasons why one should seriously consider plans other than a hotel, with their own benefits:
1) For some, staying in a hotel is a luxury they don’t often enjoy. Others, however, may stay in hotels frequently, as part of travelling for work, or if they attend a lot of conventions or expos hosted at large chains. If you’re in the latter group, the novelty can be lost on you with each hotel room looking the same and you have problems dissociating them from business; it can be difficult to relax properly.
2) When you stay at a hotel, you’re promised beforehand that you can relax and spend your time as you wish; that the staff will cater to you. Sometimes this is not the case as at times you have to work around the staff and what they have to do, and when. By renting a property and organising your own meals, there isn’t any need to wake up early before breakfast finishes being served. That means if you have a late night, understandable on your holiday, you don’t have to struggle to get out of bed before 11 am to get the food you’ve paid for. Similarly, there is no rush to mark your territory by the pool with towels as quickly as possible.
3) Some hotels, while looking very nice, might not reflect the architecture and scenery of the place which you are located in. This is especially true if your accommodation is located in a town centre. There may have been renovations in recent years, which while looking very modern, can come off as generic and not reflective of where you are. That can be a massive shame in a place like Oxford or similar, where architecture is such a strong point and has great appeal to tourists. There is no reason why you have to separate sightseeing and accommodation while on holiday, and renting a property can bridge that gap so you can enjoy the style and design of that area just by staying in. For someone used to a contemporary home in London, building which make up your accommodation in Dartmouth could be vastly different and a sight to behold, with it’s own stories and history to tell.
4) By renting a property, one can keep contact with others to a bare minimum. If you’re on holiday alone, or with your partner for a romantic break, you can enjoy time to yourself/selves.. There isn’t any need to deal with staff, or over-friendly fellow guests who want to do everything with you. When you book a property, you can do so very easily online or over the phone, and come and go as you wish. Again, you’re not on someone else’s time so no need to leave by a certain time to check in or out. Cottage or apartment rentals are often chosen by those whose work is based in the arts or humanities, and use the time to work, for which they require no distractions.
5) Apart from deciding who rooms with who, renting a large property can be a better choice when planning a trip in a large group. If you’re travelling far for a wedding, for example, you can look online to see if you and other guests can organise a property to stay at and split the cost between you. It saves the hassle of taking over an entire hotel, and if you’re planning to eat out anyway, this can work out better. It may also make more sense location-wise. It can also be more fun if you haven’t see these people in a while and you’re already good friends.
Paul is currently working with a company offering holiday accommodation in Dartmouth. He works and lives by the coast, so instead prefers breaks in the countryside which boasts qualities that he doesn’t usually see. Paul recently hired a cottage with friends from university for the first time which has helped understand his client’s business.
