Alright, so I wanted to share my experience with finding affordable hotels near popular tourist spots. It’s something I’ve been messing around with for a while now, and I think I’ve got a pretty good system down. Let me walk you through it.
First things first, I start with the location. I mean, duh, right? But I don’t just type in “Paris”. I get specific. Like, “near the Louvre Museum” or “close to the Eiffel Tower”. The more specific you are, the better your chances of finding something decent. I usually use Google Maps to pinpoint the exact area I want to be in.
Okay, so once I have my location nailed down, I open up a bunch of hotel booking websites. I’m talking the big ones – *, Expedia, * – you know, the usual suspects. But I also check out some of the smaller ones, like Agoda or even TripAdvisor. Sometimes you can find hidden gems on those sites. I personally like using Kayak to compare prices from different platforms. I fire up a few tabs in Chrome and have them all running at the same time.
Next, I start filtering. This is where the magic happens. I set my budget right away. I’m usually looking for something under $100 a night, but that depends on the city. Then, I filter by guest rating. I usually don’t go below 7.5 or 8. I’m not trying to stay in a dump, you know? And finally, I filter by amenities. Free Wi-Fi is a must. Breakfast is a bonus. A pool is just wishful thinking most of the time.
Now, here’s a little trick I learned: look for hotels slightly outside the main tourist area. Like, maybe a 15-20 minute walk. You can often save a ton of money that way. I use Google Maps again to see how far the hotel is from the attractions I want to visit. A little walking is good for you anyway, right?
Once I have a shortlist of potential hotels, I start digging deeper. I read the reviews carefully. I look for patterns. Are people complaining about the same things over and over? Is the staff helpful? Is the place clean? Pictures can be deceiving. Don’t just go by the photos on the website. I’ve also learned to spot the fake reviews, normally they are very generic and vague.
Finally, I check the hotel’s website directly. Sometimes you can get a better deal by booking directly with the hotel. It’s worth a shot. And don’t be afraid to call them up and ask for a discount. The worst they can say is no.
And that’s pretty much it. That’s how I find affordable hotels near popular tourist spots. It takes a little time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end. I mean, who wants to spend a fortune on a hotel room when you can spend that money on food and experiences?
Oh, and one more thing: book in advance! Especially if you’re traveling during peak season. The earlier you book, the better your chances of getting a good deal.
Happy travels!
