Guide to Holiday Accomodation

When going on holiday there are many accomodation and service options for you to choose from. No one likes arriving at their dream destination just to find their accomodation is too small for everyone to live comfortably in or they're paying for a breakfast they'll never get up early enough to eat.

Depending on your situation, whether you are travelling solo, with a partner, a group or the entire family you can find the perfect spot to hang your flip-flops, it just takes a little research.

Accomodation Choices

More people are going away for their holidays now than ever before. The travel industry has responded by offering a plethera of accomodation types and service options. The following is a review of the most common.

Hotels and Resorts

Hotels are far and away the most popular choice for short and long term holiday stays. Depending on your travel itineray, you may want to stay near an airport or train or bus depot. If you need to make an early departure, keep in mind the distance between your hotel and the transport link and arrange for a pick up if nessary. The concierge is usually quite helpful in arranging this for you.

Resorts are larger hotels and offer a wide range of amenities. Some super resorts have casinos, night clubs, 24 hour restaurants and cafes, and spa facilities. If you are travelling with children, some resorts offer childcare and special activities that can keep the kids entertained throughout the day.

Resorts are good for people who like to stay in one place during their holiday or want to engage in activities which only that resort can provide such as spa treatments, deep sea diving or horseback riding.

Most hotels and resorts offer various service options when you book.

• Room only (RO) - As it states on the tin, you only get a room.
• Bed and Breakfast (BB) - Breakfast is included. If you are a late riser ask the booking agent or hotel manager if you can get breakfast served in your room.
• All Inclusive (AI) - All food and drinks, including snacks are provided. Quality varies according to the accomodation. Some will serve branded drinks and cocktails, while others purely opt for the local fare. If you are a parent of finicky eaters, make sure they provide "kid-friendly" meal options and snacks. A good option for those who want to know exactly how much they are going to pay for a holiday at the time of booking.
• Full Board (FB) - Three meals a day and drinks with meals, no snacks. Again, quality varies and if you must have Stoli in your martini, you may have to fork out for the extra cost, unless you have a really nice bartendar.
• Half Board (HB) - Breakfast and evening meal, including drinks at mealtime.

Remember that meals are served at set times and if its a buffet, you may need to get there early to get the best bits.

Apartments and Villas

If this holiday season sees you travelling with a group or family and you would rather skip the bustling activity of a large scale resort, an apartment or villa may be just the ticket.

Depending on the layout of the site, apartments or cottages can be spread out from one another, offering privacy to their occupants. For the budget traveller, apartments are a good choice as they usually come with a self catering option. You can store food and prepare meals in a small kitchen fitted into your apartment, giving you more control over when and what you eat. This will save you money and give you the chance to visit the markets and try out locally produced food.

If your party consists of more than four or five people it may be worth considering renting a villa, they can be expensive so make sure that you compare prices and you have enough people to fill it.

When booking a villa make sure you enquire about linens and towels and maid service. Villas tend to be located away from major tourist sites so you may want to consider booking a car rental or researching nearby public transport links and taxis. A villa's charm is its size and if you're traveling in a large group the extra living rooms and in sunny locations, a pool, are all added bonuses. Pools are sometimes shared amongst villas, so make sure you check this ahead of time.

For more ideas and information on where you should stay during your next holiday, see our accomodation listings.