Let’s talk about Hotels and Accommodations

In my job, I’m on the road a lot.  I live out of a suitcase, in someone else’s home, or in hotel rooms.  I have shared hotel rooms with strangers.  Stayed in a Hostel in Morocco, an Inn in England, a tent in Ontario and a Ships Cabin on a River Cruise.  This has given me a unique perspective on the topic of hotels and accommodations. 

As a Travel Agent we deal with the problem of finding customers affordable accommodations all the time.  Hotels have become so expensive you can’t travel anywhere in the world for under $200 a night.  That’s outrageous.  Where do they come off charging those kinds of rates?  We want to borrow the room for the night, not give them half a week’s salary for clean sheets.

It’s no wonder people are turning to Air BnB and short-term rentals.  For less than $100 a night, someone will give you clean sheets, coffee and a muffin. 

Customers are asking for this type of accommodations more and more.  However, as a short-term renter, there are a few drawbacks to home sharing.  Have you tried to stay in the spare room of the house of someone you don’t know?  When you arrive, you are met at the door, told to take off your shoes.  Then you are given a list of “house rules” and shown your half shelf in the refrigerator for your food.  They give you a tour of the house, tell you not to be bothered that their dog is sniffing your butt, and hand you a piece of paper with the Wifi password.  The next thing you know you’re in a bed room all by yourself, the door is closed, and you have no idea how you ended up there surrounded by their son’s old high school trophies.

It’s like going to stay with long lost relatives you didn’t know you had.  Are you supposed to stay in your room, or go out and be friendly?  How much do you share about yourself with these strangers?  Do you have to spend the evening with them in their Family room watching the only TV in the house?  Who’s sharing the bathroom?

 

I had a moment once when I was using the facilities, ran out of toilet paper and prayed there was a roll under the sink.  Isn’t that where normal people leave the spare roll?  At that moment $200 a night for a hotel didn’t sound like that much money.

Now imaging doing all of that in Italy where you don't speak the language, didn't understand a word they said and they handed you 5 squares of toilet paper that looks more like recycled tissue paper.  

As Travel Agents we have stayed in just about every type of accommodations available, all over the world.  When we tell you, you won’t be happy in a 3 star hotel in Cuba, trust us!