Help Me Decide Already... (Where to stay...)

[Cynder]

So, I need to hurry up and make this decision and secure a place for myself over there. My trip is in 9 weeks.

 

I have it narrowed down to two places. I am able to fit either into the budget, but one is a lot more expensive.

 

The first place is a hostel. It's cheap and breakfast is included in the cost. (This is a plus, anything I can do to keep that food budget down is a good thing. And I like the idea of staying with other people and being able to socialize... I am already traveling alone, why stay alone too? So, those are the three pros )free breakfast, cheap, and social experience.)

 

The cons are it is far away from all the places I want to go, (about 5 miles.) And they charge a fee for everything. Taking a shower is extra, bedsheets are extra, locking up your stuff is extra (you have to pay to lock it up and also have to pay each time you open the lock to get anything out.) It seems a little ridiculous to me.

 

The other place is a tourist apartment. Its twice as much as the hostel. But, if I stay there I don't have to pay extra for anything. It's totally furnished and everything is included. The only added cost would be food. I would have to grocery shop. And I would be alone. But, the apartments are very secure. I wouldn't have to worry about my stuff getting stolen. The apartment is also right downtown close to everything.

 

I know someone will probably ask me if I have considered a hotel... Yes I have but hotels are outrageous where I am going. Even cheap hotels start at about $200 a night. And those are 2/3 star places.

 

So, since I can't seem to make a decision on my own, and since none of my friends are being much help, I thought I would see what everyone here thinks.

[chitown9]

Personally, I would pick the more expensive one. I think in this case you get what you pay for...chi

[SicFounder]

I work at a hotel and get questions like this all the time.

 

I'd go with a hotel, mostly because they have services that those other places do not have. Plus they're always trying to live up to a standard. And they're not strangers to lowering rates to people that stay more than a few nights. Where I work we give up to a 50% discount per night for those that stay 2 weeks or more. So, try calling around at a few hotels and haggling.

 

Or go with the tourist apartment. It'll save you in the long run.

[Cynder]

I work at a hotel and get questions like this all the time.

 

I'd go with a hotel, mostly because they have services that those other places do not have. Plus they're always trying to live up to a standard. And they're not strangers to lowering rates to people that stay more than a few nights. Where I work we give up to a 50% discount per night for those that stay 2 weeks or more. So, try calling around at a few hotels and haggling.

 

Or go with the tourist apartment. It'll save you in the long run.

 

I already posted why I am not staying in a hotel. It doesn't fit in my budget.

 

Thank you for your suggestion though.

[Cynder]

Personally, I would pick the more expensive one. I think in this case you get what you pay for...chi

 

Yea, probably.

[DoGGYtREAts]

Personally, I would pick the more expensive one. I think in this case you get what you pay for...chi

I agree with this.

also, enjoy your trip!

[catfeeder]

It sounds as though cheap could turn out to be more expensive. If the pricier place is closer to where you want to be, I'd go there and thank myself for avoiding the continual 'cha-chings' that add up very quickly.

[Cynder]

It sounds as though cheap could turn out to be more expensive. If the pricier place is closer to where you want to be, I'd go there and thank myself for avoiding the continual 'cha-chings' that add up very quickly.

 

Yea... I thought about that too. I don't know how much some of these charges are. I know the bedsheets are $12 though. And it's about $1.50 each time you open your locker. I don't know what the shower costs.

 

I found a new place tonight when I was searching. It has some of the perks of both. I was reading in the reviews that it's not that clean though. I could deal with a little bit of dirt. I wish I knew exactly how dirty it was.

[BellaDonna]

Hey Cynder. I had no idea you were going on a trip to Europe. I just read your Journal. Congrats!!!!!!!

 

If I were in your shoes I would go with:

 

The other place is a tourist apartment. Its twice as much as the hostel. But, if I stay there I don't have to pay extra for anything. It's totally furnished and everything is included. The only added cost would be food. I would have to grocery shop. And I would be alone. But, the apartments are very secure. I wouldn't have to worry about my stuff getting stolen. The apartment is also right downtown close to everything.

 

 

The other place sounds less secure and like there could potentially be more hidden charges and surprises when you get there. It doesn't sound like they care about the experiences of their guests and are just looking to make money any way they can, even if it means inconveniencing the guests. The tourist apartment sounds more safe, peaceful, pampering, predictable etc. I'm a fan of "everything included" .

[ApocalypseDreams]

Guess the first question is what you want the trip to be and what kind of person you are? If you want a place thats peaceful, you are in your own company, you can pamper yourself, laze around and relax in comfort then the tourist apartment sounds the ticket. However, if your after a trip where you will meet people easily, have spontenanity, potentially more adventurous and don't plan on spending alot of time lazing around I'd pick the hostel. Hotels are a waste of money imo. Okay for a romantic weekend away or something but when I'm traveling I'd rather save as much money on accommodation and spend more on visiting and doing stuff. Your accommodation is just a place to sleep after all.

 

Following on from this it depends on how much the extras are. I'd do abit of research into how much these extras would cost and do some calculations and if you are still saving some money I'd go with the hostel. How big a deal is it to you that you meet people? Never underestimate the social aspect when on these trips. Meeting great people (which you invariably will) will turn a good trip into a great trip and alot of the people i've met have turned into friends and also places to stay in the future if I want to do more traveling. Hostels are amazing in providing this and in my opinion are worth it for that alone. You will save money on the things you do if you are hanging around other people because you will be more inclined to do things more independantly of tour groups etc and thus will save on those costs.

 

Also, communal breakfasts not only are a great way to meet people but also a great money saver. I know you said you will cook for yourself but unless you are extremely disciplined you'll probably end up eating out alot. Food costs are a killer on trips if you are budgetting.

 

Have an awesome trip.

[metrogirl]

Ok this is a stupid question, but since that one place charges 12 dollars for bedsheets, could you just bring your own to save a few bucks? Call me Ms. Frugal, I always look for ways to save money.

 

The tourist apartment does sound a little more alluring though. Since it's closer to the places you want to visit, you won't have to pay for transportation which will save you money.

[agent1607307371]

I would probably go with the apartment. I try to avoid little costs that add up. If you think that being with people in the hostel would be better for your trip though, go with that. I would be fine on my own because I enjoy my own company (read antisocial ) but that's not for everyone.

[Seraphim]

I would go for the more expensive, then you can at least plan your money and you are safer than in the other situation. The other place sounds like more surprises are in store for you and every $10 charge adds up.Also staying with a bunch of people is just SOOOOO creepy to me. (that is just me though, I would never be able to sleep or even be comfortable in that situation)

[agent1607307371]

Considering all the little additional costs, think of the hostel as costing as much as the apartment. Does that change how you feel about it?

[JonasWaingaro]

I'd say the Tourist Hotel. You can still meet people there, though maybe a little older than in a hostel. Would you have kitchen access? That makes a huge different in money savings. I've stayed at a ton of hostels around the world and I've never heard of paying for showers. That's kinda cheap. Lockers and sheets yes, but not something basic like a shower. You can buy approved hostel bed sheets before you go. If the place is accredited they have to let you use your sheets, if it's not, well, they can charge for about anything I guess. I've run into the pay-per-use lockers and it's a drag. I ended up, and most people as well, just biting the trust bullet and leaving things out. Not an awesome move and I would not do it again nor suggest it. Have you factored in transportation? That can add up fast over here. Honestly I've found closer to where you want to be much less stressful when traveling. You don't have worry about missed trains/buses or hawk the time for whatever. Might see what the refund policy is at the hostel. If it sucks you can always try and find a place whilst there.

 

Btw, 'free' breakfast can run the gauntlet as an experience. I've had full on English breakfasts, to stale bread and nutella! lol If they nickle and dime for so many essentials I can't imagine breakfast is going to be worth that much. Ya know?

[FarthestEdge]

You know my vote- tourist apartment...

 

I think you are going to get nickle-and-dimed at the hostel. Even if after all that it's still another $10 a day, that's $70. You can save that in groceries by buying groceries for your breakfast & lunch instead of going to restaurants.

 

Plus you will FEEL less like a 'tourist' and more like you are experiencing, rather than visiting the city. Honestly, I prefer it to hotels. So what if no one makes your bed or puts a mint on your pillow...I want to feel ''at home'' when abroad. You would have your own private haven where you don't have to sleep with one eye open, and yóu'll be the only person showering in your shower, and sitting on your toilet.

 

Another recommendation- look into a bike rental. It's a nice way to see a city and get around, without the constant expense of transit fares. They are usually pretty reasonable.

 

So excited for you Cynder!