Aside from being the most cost-effective travel option, hotels offer a number of conveniences that can make your vacation a more relaxing experience. This includes amenities like restaurants, fitness centers, and room service, as well as safety features such as in-room safes and 24-hour front desk staff. The hotel industry is thriving and with the recent rise of experiences tourism, hotels are working to offer more unique and memorable experiences than ever before.

According to research by EY, consumers have shifted toward experiences as the primary motivating factor behind their travel plans. This trend has led to a boost in experiential travel, which is expected to continue to drive performance gains in the premium segment this year. As a result, some hotels are expanding their offerings to appeal to these desires, such as Marriott Bonvoy partnering with Minor League Baseball to offer fan-experiences for its loyalty program members.

While choosing accommodation should be based on a number of factors, the most important is understanding your travel style and what you want from your trip. For example, if you’re traveling with children, you may need to consider childcare options, child-friendly facilities, or family-oriented amenities like pools and play areas. Similarly, if you’re planning a luxury holiday, you may need to look for a hotel that offers spa services and amenities.

Another consideration when choosing accommodation is the location and proximity to the attractions you plan on visiting. While a hotel’s description of its location might sound great, it’s worth checking out the actual location on a map to see how close it is to your planned sightseeing activities. You also want to consider accessability, especially if you have mobility issues or other physical limitations. For example, you don’t want to choose a hotel that’s located up four flights of stairs and doesn’t have elevators.

You should also consider the meals that a hotel provides and whether they’ll meet your dietary needs. Some hotels might not provide dining options, which can be a problem if you’re planning on staying there for an extended period of time. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to bring along some snacks or buy your own food nearby.

In addition to considering the types of amenities that a hotel offers, you should also look at its cancellation policy. Many hotels have flexible cancellation policies, which can be helpful if you’re worried about a canceled trip due to unexpected circumstances. However, if you’re looking for an even more flexible option, Airbnb offers the ability to cancel within 24 hours. This gives you the opportunity to find a better deal on a different hotel or plan a new trip altogether. This flexibility can save you a lot of money, especially if you’re planning to travel during peak season. So, if you’re planning to take a trip this summer, it’s a good idea to look into both hotel and Airbnb cancellation policies before booking your stay.