Hotels are great for relaxing in a new place and taking some time to soak up the sunshine. But if you are after a more exciting holiday full of adventure and discovery, they might not be the best thing.
Apartments are great because they are usually well-connected to cities where all the excitement is and give you an opportunity to cook your own food. Plus, as apartments come with multiple bedrooms, they are often a cheaper way of going on a group holiday and spending quality time together.
Of course, there will always be times when a hotel is a much easier choice, but for now, here are the reasons you should consider renting an apartment instead.
Travel is all about learning and experiencing new and different cultures. Though globalization has already diversified what we are exposed to on a daily basis, there is nothing like going to a city and experiencing the sights, sounds, and tastes first hand. We might think we understand how people live, but until we’ve tried it, we don’t really know for sure.
Whether you choose a Parisian apartment or a Singapore hdb room rental, when you rent an apartment, you step directly into someone’s life. A hosted apartment is a great way to meet some local people and have instant tour guides and friends on hand to show you a good time. But, even in a rented apartment on your own, you will still have neighbors around who can point you in the right direction.
It is easy to fall into the same tourist traps over and again while you are on holiday and while there is nothing wrong with this, it’s nice to be able to experience what it is like for the locals as well. For example, there will be lots of restaurants aimed towards tourists with classic local dishes on offer, but ask a local for a recommendation and you might find something hidden away but a lot more special.
Food and eating out is often one of the largest costs of going on holiday. When you are in a hotel, you are either going to be eating in the hotel itself, or you will be forced to go out and find a restaurant.
While no-one would ever argue that eating out every night is a disaster – especially in a city where there are lots of different options – if you want to reduce the costs of food, self-catering is a much more economical route. Plus, as there will be plenty of food shops and markets to explore, this will give you a brilliant opportunity to cook up some local recipes yourself and do a bit of experimentation.
Try looking for recipes to follow online or ask a host or neighbor what their favorite recipe is to get some good ideas. Then get everything out in the kitchen and start playing with your finds!
One of the downsides of hotels is that if you are traveling in a group, you may end up with a few different rooms located around the hotel. While this is fine when you are spending most of your time going out, it doesn’t really leave you many options for relaxing together later on.
In an apartment, you can choose the number of rooms you require and make use of the living space to hang out and relax at the end of the day. Again, this is a cheaper option than having to buy endless drinks in a too-loud bar or wander from place to place in search of somewhere to chill. Having this room will bring you all together and make the holiday much more fun.
Even if you are traveling alone, having an apartment can be a much better option as you will have room to spread out and make the most of your holiday. You also won’t be bothered by maids, have to get up in time for breakfast or think so much about the noise you are making. It is also an advantage if you are planning to stay for a while and make friends because you will be able to invite them over should you wish.
Hotels are really only designed for staying for a few days – or maybe a week or two – at a time. This is reflected in the pricing and the size of the rooms available. Apartments, on the other hand, are much more flexible and can be rented for anywhere between a single night and a full year.
If you are planning to travel quite extensively, then an apartment makes much more sense on an economical level because they are usually aimed at a longer stay market. You could also make an apartment in a central location like Singapore or Paris into a kind of base and then do short trips to other places and cities around. This is a good plan if you want to really get to know a culture but make the most of your opportunities while you are in that part of the world. After a while, your rental will start to feel more like home.
When you plan to travel for a longer period you will also want to live much more like a local because this is the best way to find new friends to keep you company and find new experiences with. Solo travelers benefit from this in particular but even groups can find other friends to explore with. Meeting new people is one of the best things you can do on holiday so opening up the opportunities will give you the best chance of changing your life and finding something, or someone, new.
The perfect apartment really depends on how long you are planning to stay, how many are traveling and what you are looking for. However, there are a few basic rules you can follow to make sure that you get the best from your trip.
First, you should decide whether you would like to be hosted or not. This is a very personal decision and usually only applies to solo travelers. On the one hand, you will have an instant friend who can look after you, but on the other, you may not have quite so much freedom to explore and come and go as you please. For larger groups, it’s unlikely that you will find a host willing to accept everyone.
If you are planning a long stay, you are well advised to ask a local agent for their recommendations. They will have a much better idea of the good spots in the city and may have a better deal on offer too. Don’t be afraid to negotiate a decent price with them, but do show lots of respect – they’ve done all the hard work of finding the place! Airbnb is also a good resource but do be wary and check a map before you agree as some places may be listed as central and then turn out to be in the sticks.
Apartments are usually between 1 and 3 bedrooms but in many cities, there are larger complexes available too. Think in terms of price per person to work out what the best deal is.
While hotels are great for a night or two, an apartment is often a better choice for longer stays or bigger groups. You will have a lot more flexibility and opportunity to get to know the culture and at a much cheaper rate too.
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