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Home » Accommodations

What To Look For in Your Vacation Lodgings

Modified: Jun 8, 2025 · Published: Mar 15, 2022 by Eliza Jeffrey |

Traveling is one of the best ways to spend your hard-earned money. A great trip creates many good memories and helps you achieve peace of mind. Meanwhile, everyone fears a bad trip the most because it wastes time and money. People put their best efforts into making sure everything goes perfectly.

Travel lodging is the heart of your trip and can make or break your vacation. To ensure that you find the best vacation lodging, consider these tips before choosing the right stay for your next trip.

Cabin - Pigeon Forge, TN (photo: Steven Van Elk)
Cabin - Pigeon Forge, TN (photo: Steven Van Elk)

Table of Contents

  • 8 Tips for Choosing Accommodation
    • 1. Location
    • 2. Size of Vacation Lodging
    • 3. Amenities and Facilities
    • 4. Rating and Reviews
    • 5. Internet and Digital Services
    • 6. Hidden Charges
    • 7. Cost of Lodging
    • 8. Security

8 Tips for Choosing Accommodation

1. Location

Location is a basic yet essential factor to consider before finalizing your vacation lodging. Make sure that the accommodation is near the places you want to visit. It's great if you're within walking distance of these areas.

Read the description of the rental's location to confirm that:

  • It's near the bus station/train station.
  • The area is safe, and the crime rate is low.
  • Grocery stores and restaurants are easily accessible.
  • Neighborhoods must suit the type of trip you are taking.

2. Size of Vacation Lodging

The size of the accommodation should be considered. There is usually no problem if you're traveling alone or as a couple, but this is not always the case.

You may be traveling with a group of friends or the whole family and need to rent ample space at your destination.

For example, if you and your group are traveling to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, you can look it up online with clear words like large cabin rentals Pigeon Forge. Always check whether the lodging is big enough to accommodate your family. 

3. Amenities and Facilities

The second thing you should look at is the hosts' facilities and amenities. It would be best to ask them before arriving so you can make the necessary amendments.

Make sure that they're providing at least these things mentioned below:

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Landline and telephone
  • Fireplace
  • Walk-in closets
  • Proper furniture
  • Internet facilities
  • Hardwood floors

Check out if they're providing you with these facilities. If not, then you have to make your arrangements. If any problem arises, communicate with them to solve it instead of complaining at the end of the vacation.

Hotel pool (photo: Leah Hetteberg)
Hotel pool in Nashville (photo: Leah Hetteberg)

4. Rating and Reviews

While searching for accommodation online, the first thing you should check is the host's rating on online platforms. This gives you an overview of the vacation lodgings and services of the host. Go the extra mile and read five to ten reviews to see the problems travelers mostly face.

Consider the following things in reviews before booking a vacation lodging:

  • It should have more than ten recent reviews.
  • Maintained a response rate of 90%.
  • It should have received 5-star reviews from 90% or more of customers.

5. Internet and Digital Services

While on vacation, you want to rest to regain your energy. This doesn't mean you want to go dark and disconnect from the rest of the world.

Imagine being stuck in your lodging because of bad weather and not having internet facilities. Although most hosts provide these services, some do not or charge extra. Digital accessibility is considered an essential feature in a vacation home. 

6. Hidden Charges

Nobody wants to pay extra charges, but some hosts might charge you extra for the facilities they provide. These charges are not mentioned in the initial cost; adding them at the end can upset your budget. Always look for vacation lodgings without hidden charges, so the actual price will be lower than you expected.

7. Cost of Lodging

At this point, you've checked everything and selected your dream vacation accommodation, but the cost is very high, and you don't want to spend all your money on one trip.

The cost of accommodation usually plays the most significant role in deciding where to stay, and the price of the lodging depends on the location and amenities it offers. Accommodations can be expensive, so narrow your options until you find one that suits your budget.

Consider the following tips to get your dream location at a reasonable price:

  • Try to book your accommodation as early as possible, because the best rental lodgings are snapped up quickly.
  • Avoid traveling at peak times because prices are also at their peak.
  • Look out for special offers available on booking platforms.

8. Security

No matter where you stay, you always want the peace of mind to get the most out of your trip. You don't want to put your life at risk during vacations. Ensure the accommodation is in a secure area where you can safely approach it at odd hours.

According to a survey, 50% of people choose vacation rentals for privacy and security. You must take precautionary measures, especially if you are a solo female traveler or vacationing with kids. 

Tourists are always easy targets for thieves because they stand out. Check out the crime rate in the area you will visit, especially if these crimes are mainly committed by travelers.

If possible, keep your travel plans to yourself and avoid traveling at night. Use credit cards rather than cash as much as possible. If you're robbed, losing a few dollars rather than your life is better.

Everyone loves to travel and explore the world. Finding the best place for your stay is integral to the experience.

In the past, finding your dream accommodation was challenging. However, the internet's innovation and online platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com have made this process easier and more reliable.

Four hundred fifty million people use vacation rentals from online platforms. There are many types of vacation lodging available. Before choosing a vacation lodging, make sure you look for the things mentioned above.

______

This story was brought to you in partnership with Pigeon Forge Large Cabin Rentals.

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Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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