Planning a holiday... Accommodation Part 1

I'm doing this post in two parts because I'm splitting between hotels, motels and hostels (part 1) and apartment rentals, house swap and nomading (part 2).

http://www.timeoutdubai.com/gallery/3254-10-to-try-iconic-hotels

Hotels

Hotels are establishments that provide accommodation, meals and other services for tourists, they are specifically set up to cater to all different travellers, whether you're a single, couple, family, travelling for business or pleasure. Hotels are very versatile, can easily customise your trip and they usually charge by the night.

They vary from serious budget to extravagance. You pay for what you get in hotels, if you just need somewhere to rest your head for the night or if you want the full kit and caboodle with every guilty pleasure imaginable.

Pros:

• No muss, no fuss, you can check-in and have everything done for you or retreat to your chamber and never see the light of day
• High-end hotels are fully-equipped with everything you need to the point of never having to venture out of the hotel for your entire stay- they have restaurants, cafes and bars, shops, gyms, spas, pharmacies, limousine and driver services, entertainment-music and shows.. And anything they don't have can be outsourced by helpful staff.
• You can customise your stay, being able to rent studio, one-bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom rooms and suites, you can accommodate up to 12 people at some hotels. You are able to choose cheaper or more expensive options to suit your holiday- if you want views, certain amenities etc.

Cons:

• Hotels can be very expensive especially for extended stays. 
• A lot of hotels basically supply a serviced room with beds, bathroom, a bar fridge and tea and coffee facilities. If you want meals you have to order room service or eat out which can be costly and impractical
• You pay for what you get, if you need parking you have to pay for it, if you use the minibar you have to pay for it, some hotels you have to pay for extra towels, laundering and any other basic services. These costs are optional and can be quite inflated

Motels

http://www.route66seligmanarizona.com/Historic_Route_66_Motel.php

A motel or 'motor hotel' are hotels designed for people needing to make a pit stop, or short stay while travelling cross country. They usually are a single building divided into standard rooms with very basic amenities, all of which facing a large parking lot (good for people with motor homes).

Motels are usually positioned on high-trafficked areas, on highways/freeways, and in commercial districts, with obvious signage which displays the vacancy of the motel. The purpose of this is so tourists driving can stop in for the night or any length of time without having to reserve a room beforehand. Being in areas with a heavy flow of traffic mean more people can easily access accommodation without having to stray from their designated travel routes.

Pros:

• Convenient for people travelling interstate or cross country, who need a place to sleep and bathe before resuming their travels
• Having only basic amenities means costs are low and people travelling on a budget can easily afford to stay in areas close to attractions without having to pay escalated prices
• If you are on a trip and are not sticking to a rigid schedule, motels are perfect because you don't have to pre book or ring ahead. Signage at the front will inform you if they have vacancy, making it easy to just come in off the street and instantly have a room read

Cons:

• As motels are in high-trafficked areas they can be noisy and busy
• Some motels in more corrupt areas are notorious for being the meeting points of criminals, drug addicts and prostitutes. Because of the way some motels are run (no need for pre-booking, no need for credit cards-running a cash business) they are a perfect safe house for fugitives.
• With the introduction of budget hotels and chain motels, many privately owned motels have gone into disrepair with the lack of clientele and business income.

Hostels

http://www.lonelyplanet.com

Hostels are usually a budget and social-oriented form of accommodation. Normally guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available.

Pros:

• Extremely cheap, even though now there is a wonderful variety of boutique hostels that are as schmick as a hotel
• Can be great if you're travelling in a large group and you can share a dormitory
• Can be equally great if you are travelling alone and can socialise with others at the hostel

Cons:

• Extremely budget, you will have to provide your own towels, sometimes your own bedding, and will have to share EVERYTHING with strangers. Including showers and toilets and sleeping arrangements. You. Will. Have. No. Privacy.
• Hostels have grown in popularity amongst young overseas travellers, you may be stuck in a room with a bunch of drunk Australians, rude Chinese, or space-consuming Americans (no stereotypes here, there are these kinds of people in all cultures...)
• A down side of communal living is your personal possessions are no longer sacred and can even be stolen.

Accommodation sites and links:

http://www.wotif.com for hotels and apartments

http://www.hostelworld.com/ for hostels

http://www.booking.com/motels/index.html for motels, also for hotels & apartment rental

http://www.super8.com/  a well known motel chain