How I Choose Hotels When I Travel

Hotels can make or break a trip.

Not because they need to be perfect, but because they either make your life easier or quietly complicate everything.

Over time, I’ve stopped overthinking where I stay. I don’t chase luxury, and I don’t try to find the perfect place.

I focus on what actually matters.

Most of the stress around choosing where to stay comes from overthinking the details, which is something I’ve talked about more in Travel Isn’t Complicated. We Just Make It That Way.

Location Matters More Than Anything

If the location is wrong, nothing else saves it.

This is where people get tripped up, especially now with Airbnbs.

It is very easy to find a place that looks like a great deal, a little bigger, a little nicer, a little cheaper. But then you realize it is 15 or 20 minutes away from everything you actually want to do.

Now you are calling Ubers every time you leave.

Every coffee.

Every dinner.

Every stop during the day.

At that point, you are not saving money. You are just paying for it differently.

I would rather stay in a smaller, simpler place that is exactly where I need to be than a beautiful space that turns every outing into a logistical decision.

When I choose where to stay, I look at three things.

Walkability.

Safety.

Proximity to what I actually plan to do.

If I can walk to coffee, restaurants, and a few key spots, the entire trip feels easier.

I Don’t Overpay for Things I Won’t Use

Hotels and rentals both offer things that sound great but do not matter once you are there.

Pools you never use.

Gyms you do not step into.

Extra space you do not need.

I am not booking a place for amenities I might use. I am booking it for how it supports the way I actually travel.

Clean.

Comfortable.

Well located.

That is enough.

Reviews Tell You Everything If You Read Them Right

I do not read reviews looking for perfection.

I read them looking for patterns.

If multiple people mention noise, cleanliness issues, or safety concerns, I pay attention.

If someone complains that the place was too small, I usually ignore it. That is often preference, not a real problem.

Whether it is a hotel or an Airbnb, the same rule applies. Look for consistency in what people are saying.

I Match the Stay to the Trip

Every trip has a different purpose.

If I am walking a lot and spending most of my time exploring, I want something central and easy. That is usually a hotel.

If I am staying longer or want more space, a rental can make sense.

But only if the location works.

A beautiful Airbnb that is far away from everything can quietly make your trip harder than it needs to be.

The place you stay should match how you plan to spend your time.

I Keep It Simple

The biggest shift for me has been letting go of the idea that I need to find the perfect place to stay.

You do not.

You need a place that works.

Once you focus on location, cleanliness, and convenience, the decision becomes much easier.

And when the decision is easier, the whole trip feels easier.

The same way I simplify where I stay is the same way I approach packing, which is exactly what I walk through in How I Pack Carry-On Only Without Looking Like I Gave Up.

Remember: A good place to stay supports your trip.

It should not be something you have to think about all day.

BRB 🐝