Hotel, guest house, room, maybe a holiday home?
Tourism in the 21st century has become one of the largest business industries in the world. The range of available options that the Internet provides is almost unlimited. Our imagination and budget are the main factors that can inhibit us. Hotels direct the offer for the most demanding clients. They offer their guests many interesting attractions that make staying at the facility even more interesting. For example SPA, tennis courts, swimming pools, bowling alleys or a casino, culinary tasting or a hair salon.
Below I’m sharing a blog, which I found with the best hotels in Warsaw (an example)..
Another category of booking are guesthouses. Lovers of peace and people with children will love a place like this. Guest Houses are usually further away from the city center, cheaper and lower standard than hotels. It is in an ideal place where we can spend holidays and enjoy the seasons.You can find there many proposals for various leisure time activities here. Both enthusiasts of activity and blissful laziness find something here for themselves. Many guest houses have offer amazing attractions, which include horse riding lessons, kayaking, fishing or sleigh rides.
For example:
The next item on the list where we can book our trip are campsites and holiday houses. Summer houses are a great option for people who want peace and quiet, because they are usually located on the outskirts of the towns, so the city bustle does not reach them. Around campsites and holiday houses you will find a lot of space where you can light a grill or bonfire (what is the most important for people which want a party) also during a sunny day ( in Poland you never know) you can easily set up an umbrella, deckchair and you can enjoy the weather. An additional advantage is the acceptance of animals by the owners of these centers, sometimes you need to pay for this - sometimes not. In their area of campsites and summer houses there are playgrounds for children and other attractions that will certainly make your holiday stay more enjoyable.
What if you want quick booking for a weekend? I can recommend City breaks it is a short, usually weekend getaway to one of the major European cities. For such travel, the best solution will be renting a room, e.g. using the Airbnb mobile application. It is a platform for short-term rental of private accommodation. It is an alternative to hotels and guesthouses. Thanks to it, you can live in someone's home or room, and your journey will become even more comfortable and usually cheaper. Among the most popular portals through which we can easily and quickly book a stay are:
- booking.com.
- trivago.pl
- esky.pl
- kayak.pl
- airbnb.pl.
One example of airbnb to book in Rome :
It is worth adding here that the clear leader of this ranking in terms of popularity is booking.com, which is available in as many as 32 languages. Booking platforms meet the expectations of users and available more and more booking filters. Among the most popular filters are:
- price,
- star rating,
- entertainment,
- guest rating,
- proximity to attractions,
- full reception,
- board,
- distance from city center or beach.
Questions:
- Where do you most often book your holidays?
- Or maybe you don't book accommodation at all?
- Do you use mobile applications to make bookings?
- Which portal do you use most often to make bookings? (if you use at all)
- If you know another form of booking, share it with us!
I usually book hotel stays for holidays well in advance. I like to have everything planned. I usually use booking.com for this. The booking application is quite good, I have all my reservations in one place. Its only downside is the map - it doesn't always match reality. Hotels are often marked incorrectly, which causes problems with access to them. It happens very often in Asia, rather in Europe. I also often visit Airbnb, they have nice offers and low prices there, although it is easy to be fooled there! The owners of the apartments add ridiculous taxes eg. for cleaning often in an amount higher than the stay itself. Have you ever experienced this?
ReplyDeleteI also can recommend you a booking portal called Agoda. Same as booking.com but for the Asian market only. You can find interesting offers there, but often you have to convert the currency yourself, it depends on the hotel. There you can also check the distance from the beach, which is usually the most important functionality for me. Don't you think that's a great feature?
Thank you for recommending the new app - I hope that after coronavirus I will use it. Coming back to Booking, so do you have that the more reservations, the greater the discount for subsequent ones? For me this is cooI also if you send invitation for your friends you have got premium money.I have never used the airbn Application, I have always found a hotel at a better price on booking. Also when I book a place, I never check the distance from the beach, so I never used this function, but it's good to know about it for the future. :)
DeleteYeah - genius discount is really great! And it's game changer for most of the reservations. When you are loyal to booking you can have really nice discounts. I have booked fev times on airbnb and everytime i had a great hosts that hepled me a lot. Eg my Taiwanese host took me for a surfing trip in suburb beach that I will never discovered by my self. So Airbnb is great if you want to met new people!
DeleteOh I think you had really nice vacation and airbnb helped you a lot! I'm sure next time I will try book something on airbnb! :)
DeleteMy advice: look at profile pictures of hosts - I choose this with cats! 😂
DeletePeople with cats are more frielndly! 😸
ahaha that's good advance but not for me, because I don't like cats 😂
DeleteWhere do you most often book your holidays?
ReplyDeleteAt first I'm trying to find what interest me most at booking.com and then I'm checking prices directly at hotels because few times I get decent discount. I think it's good practice because hotels have to pay commission to platform so they're more likely to share it with potential customer.
Or maybe you don't book accommodation at all?
I never tried it but most of my friends who were visiting more exotic countries for longer period of time are always book accommodation for first 1 or 2 days and they they're just searching locally while they're moving from place to place.
Do you use mobile applications to make bookings?
Not really to be honest. Web apps are fair enough to me because I don't use anything except booking but maybe if I would travel more frequently I would change my mind.
Which portal do you use most often to make bookings? (if you use at all)
As I mentioned already twice - in most cases it's booking, just to give me context what's available and what price rages I should expect.
Last time i had a reservation on booking which i could select a payment - pay now or pay later. So , of course i selected to pay later. On this holiday cottage when i had to pay owner decided to take smaller price than on booking, he said " that's a price for future". If you have a chance, practise this option! :)
DeleteI often book my holidays using services like ‘Hotels.com’ and recently I’ve started to use the AirBnb app more. Both of the services I’ve mentioned offer a rich choice of places but as I know, the AirBnb is cheaper as for now because it takes the smaller commission. I’ve never experienced any trouble using AirBnb and that’s why as for me it’s the best way of searching for holidays as for now. Also, AirBnb is mainly created for mobile devices and that’s why their app is very good. It’s a huge advantage because you can do it almost anywhere and anytime to hunt for the best offer.
ReplyDeleteGood to know a lot of positive opinion about airbnb! I had only one bad opinion from my friend who was in France, because he booked flat for a weekend on airbnb but when he arrived there was nobody and the apartment was closed. Also the owner did not answer the phone. Because of that i never booked nothing on this application, but it's good to start.:)
Delete1. I’m used to not often go on holiday, but if I do, I try to choose a place recommended by someone or go somewhere I have already been before. Usually these are people who are my friends or people I have already used to visit. Once I managed to book hotel room by booking.com platform.
ReplyDelete2. Once I have the opportunity to spend few nights in the apartment without using the booking platforms services. The story was quite funny, because I packed my car and went to Croatia, of course without any pre-booked accommodation. I leave my car near the beach and went to check the shore and the water temperature (it was 7 p.m. and 40 degrees then!). Within 5 minutes, a woman ran up to me saying that here behind our back she has apartments for rent and she will be happy to show them to us. Of course the apartments were affordable, with full package of air condition, fridge, washing machine etc. so we seize the opportunity.
3. Thinking about applications, unfortunately, I do not use this kind of possibilities. I rather choose portals that I can log on to via my laptop. It is probably out of habit...
4. Like I said, I used the booking.com portal once :)
5. I recommend to ask your friends and local people about posibility of accomodation in this place which you would like to stay. Sometimes you can find some place to stay by your own, but it's a good, safe bet!
Weren't you afraid to go abroad without having any booking? But i understand you weren't alone? I wouldn't dare and certainly not abroad, I like to be sure of the place where I go and know that I will not sleep on the street. :)
DeleteSometimes you have to go for it. In such situations I'm usually with someone, not alone. The world and some civilisation isn't always so technological. There are locals in some places in the worls that don't deal with civilization and electronics, what if you were among them? I think it's a good thing, that people who aren't afraid to go without plans and follow the help of the local peoples. I know for sure that I'm not afraid of going witout any plans and I can deal with any situation.
DeleteI envy your confidence! That's good that you believe in people so much, because if you've got faith in people, that makes them stronger. This is also good practise for me. :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI usually use booking.com, as it is easy to use and I fell like this is trustable.
ReplyDeleteNot booking an accomodation is tricky, as I once got on a trip without reservation and there was some festival and I had got a real problem to find a place for sleep - finally I've found a room, but it was tricky one.
I dont'use mobile application to make reservations, mostly becasue, for me, there is no need. I'm bookiung earlier and using computer is more comfortable than using mobile.
Booking form I'm using the most often is calling to family and friends, that I'm coming over :) When I've got some free time I like to spend it with my family and friends, but we can't always rip dates, so I'm coming over to them or they are coming over to me.
Thank you for you’re reply! How long have you been using bookin.com ? Have you tried book accommodation using another portal? If not what caused it? Maybe you just prefare booking.com because it’s the easiest portal to book, also with mobile I have the same problem it is more comfortable to use computer. :)
DeleteIt seems to me that it is mainly a matter of trust - place to sleep, especially on long and long journeys, is extremely important. I would not like to suddenly find that I have nowhere to sleep in another country.
DeleteSure, thanks for reply! :)
DeleteGreat article will be useful to me because I plan to rest a bit and plan my vacation..
ReplyDeleteI try not to ride a few places in the same place, the exception is Woodstock now known as Polandrock.
I usually reserve through the web application, the phone is not convenient for me when I have to enter sensitive data.
Differently:
https://www.holidaypirates.com
https://www.booking.com
and agencies when it comes to skiing.
Thanks for the article, I can use it :)
Are you use holidaypirates.com? How this works? I never tried this site, so that’s will be awesome to know something new, maybe this is cheaper page than booking.com? Also about skiing, are you use agencies because you're going abroad or just because it’s easier or helped you with rent ski equipment?
Delete1. I mostly book on Booking.com, ofter I was made aware,
ReplyDeletethat very often if you book at the place itself
it can be cheaper, as the provider Booking.com imposed
fees. Alternatively, I use Airbnb, where you can also
get good deals, especially when traveling with more
people, and often the host will take care of you.
2. Sometimes you can manage to get spontaneous deals.
Even once I watch a tv show, where 2 journalists where
suppose to go to the city and arrange their stay. One booked
everything in advance, while the other was supposed to
arrange everything on the step, and surprisingly the
A spontaneous one got cheaper accommodation.
3. Yes, I mostly use booking.com and Airbnb on mobile.
Very often there additional discounts just for using
the app.
5. It depends on the country, but I think in many the
a taxi driver can take you to a good place, well they do
get a commission for it.
DeleteThank you for you’re reply! It's surprising form of booking with taxi driver! Did you tried it? I think sometimes, they can take you to higher prices than cheaper. :)
Until now I have never spent my holidays outside of Europe and if I have not used a travel agency, I always book accommodation in advance. I am a person who usually plans everything and I feel better if I have everything prepared in advance wherever I go. When I was a child and I used to travel with my parents, we always looked for accommodation on site, which was quite exciting. Since then, times have changed a little and booking is so easy that it's a shame not to use it. Especially due to the fact that we can see photos of the selected place and other guests' ratings in advance. Yes, I used the mobile application to book accommodation while traveling. I always use booking.com and cannot convince myself to use any of competing portals, although I have tried several times. In addition, often the owners of the premises said to call them directly, because then they will be able to offer a better price than through the booking portal.
ReplyDeleteOh when I was a child I had the same situation like you with my parents! But they are still going somewhere without booking accommodation earlier (but only in Poland). I see booking.com is the most often usable portal. Good to know! :)
DeleteNowadays I don't really have a specific place where I go each and every year for holidays. When I was little I spent my holidays at our summer house and sea side, but now I prefer to travel to different places as there are so many of them to discover.
ReplyDeleteOccasionally I like to travel without booking an accommodation but only if I know there's a lot of accommodations. Usually I use booking.com or airbnb depending on location. Sometimes I check offers on wakacyjni piraci but have never booked anything:) If I go do a round trip with booking accomodation from one day to another I use mobile app. I know there's also agoda.com but I have never used it as booking.com offers better prices. I'm a big fan of peer to peer solutions so airbnb stole my hart at the begining. But when I lived in Iceland and straggled a lot with finding an appartment because all of them where subletted for short-term rental I realised it's not so perfect.
Agoda.com? I never heard about this portal, but I check it for the future. Thanks for sharing you're opinion.
DeleteI usually book accommodation in hotels or hostels, but I also sometimes went on holiday to small summer house (mostly by the sea).
ReplyDeleteI use various applications, most often booking.pl, because it offers rooms with large discounts in a good location and high standard, especially for 2 people.
I haven't used airbnb yet, but it seems to be a great option for the weekend. I would also love to go to a theme hotel. Many cool places are recommended by Wakacyjni Piraci website, but I've never had the opportunity to take advantage of their offers. Has anyone of you used this? 🌸
I had once... and it was a scum! Hotel wasn't look like in the pictures and meals were awful. Never tried Wakacyjni Piraci before and never agin.
DeleteCould you say something more about hostels? It is always person dorm rooms for more people? If you were in hostels like this type, were you alone or with friends? You weren’t afraid about you’re luggage?
DeleteKinga wrote about Wakacyjni Piraci higher, but I didn't checked it yet. :)
I usually book a room through Booking or Airbnb apps. I don't think I'm so prepared to go somewhere without having a night's lodging. I usually use a web app when booking. I used to have an Airbnb mobile application installed, but this was only for contact with the owners. I made the booking via the web application. Browsing the rooms, I most often use the Booking portal. This is probably the largest player in the market.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your opinion about airbnb? It is good accommodation portal and application for mobile? Cheaper than bookig.com or maybe just from time to time? Which application for mobile is easier to use bpooking.com or Airbnb ? What you think?
DeleteI book my holidays via Airbnb (internationally) and booking (when looking for a holiady in Poland). I try to avoid using big, commercial hotels and here comes Airbnb, I think it does such a great job!
ReplyDeleteI do not use my phone to book an accomodation, I rather use my laptop. I like to think for a while and surf the internet before finally booking a spot. We (my husband and me) like holidays prepared by ourselves. We get the accomodation from Airbnb (it is a perfect way to meet new people), rent a car and simply explore the closest amenities. Pretty easy and soooo relaxing :)
I see you really like Airbnb, could you tell me something more about this portal? Are there some opinion about room or maybe some apartments which you want to book? What with payment, is it just after reservation or you can pay after like in booking.com also when price is cheaper it is non-refundable?
DeleteWhen I’m traveling the most important thing is to be on the move all the time to see as many things as can. Because of that, I don’t really need a 5-star hotel rather a room where I can spend the night. That is why I’m usually using AirBnB where the prices are much lower than for example in hotels from booking. Of course, you can be cheated with the price, but in most cases, places with many positive opinions are a very safe option. Also, the Airbnb app is clear and intuitive which makes it easy to find what you are looking for. I have used booking.com a couple of times but it is never my go-to choice.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you think about app in this type? Will be more useful than booking.com? What about privacy in this app? Are you added your private information like date of birth, address, Bank account ?
DeleteSometimes I like to go on holiday without knowing what to expect. I like to find new places this way. This is how an adventure is created. I also have places I like to go back to. To make sure they are available at this time I usually make reservations six months in advance. Usually these are places that I found through spontaneous trips.
ReplyDeleteI once used the Booking.com booking application. With this application I also found a great place to relax.
I know one unusual application that I think deserves to know. There are unusual places with climate on it. slowhop.com/en/ I recommend, although I have never used it before :D
I will check it for sure! :)
DeleteI usually use booking or airbnb. From time to time when my trip is more spontaneous I'm looking for accommodation when I get to my destination - it is always an adventure when I'm searching for accommodation among the local community, but lately I rather choose the prebooking method and this way is definitely more comfortable. I use mobile applications for reservations - the same as I mentioned at the beginning. I use booking.com most often because this is the simplest and time saving solution.
ReplyDeleteSlowhop is a nice alternative to the most popular portals and you can find beautiful architecture there, but this is only available in Poland
You are the second person from who i heard about slowhop. I need to check it because in coronavirus time the safest is going to relax somewhere in poland. If you looking for some accommodation what is teh most important for you? Money, city center, some atractions? :)
DeleteFirst of all I should say that your topic makes me very nostalgic for traveling :( Hope that we all return to the normal life soon and be able to travel when and where we want!
ReplyDeleteUsually I like to book apartments or hotels on Booking or Airbnb and for that I use site or app, app is even more comfortable for me, because all you need is in your phone, it’s the quickest way to find place to stay in the trip.
But the cheapest way to travel is to stay in your friends apartment, if you have such opportunities ofc. ha-ha ;)
Also I have heard about Couchsurfing service from my friends who already try it, I think it’s a good idea when you won’t spend to much money, try something new and meet new people, but it’s not an option for introverts like me :)
Oh again something new! That's awesome! I never heard about Couchsurfing service, could you say something more about it? Did your friends were happy after use it? :)
DeleteI usually book a room in hotel, but sometimes when I travel with friends in larger group, we choose small summer house. I always prefer to book everything in advance, because I see no fun in looking for a place to sleep in foreign city. Mostly, I prefer to use booking.com to look for a place to stay. I don't use mobile app, because I think it would be uncomfortable for me, so I prefer website version. Booking.com is the only website I prefer, because it has many offers and has all the details I need to choose an ideal option.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reply! What about summer houses, do you have your favourite? Where are you looking for it? :)
DeleteIt's actually hard to tell where do I most often book my holidays.
ReplyDeleteI can say that it depends on situation, trip and the crew. But in like 40% times I'm using sites like airbnb for such case.
I like looking at offers on mobile applications but for finalisation I always use it on desktop. This is kind of my thing.
As I've said earlier, most often I'm using airbnb, sometimes booking and I'm only searching in scope of those apps since I've had good experience using them in past.
I see that airbnb is more popular right now, and more people started to use this service. :)
DeleteI usually reserve my holidays using booking.com platform. I’m not using applications to book my vacation, I always do it via some online portals. Well, another form of booking I can think of right now is simply booking your holidays directly via the hotel’s official site. Sometimes if someone recommends you a specific hotel to stay in, you can try booking a room on the hotel’s official site, because it happens to include some discounts, so I really recommend it!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for recommend!
Delete