How to Choose the Best Hotel Location: Why Convenience Should Take Priority Over Cost
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When planning a city break, finding the right place to stay should be your top priority.
And by the right place, we mean location, location, location.
Seriously, we can’t stress this enough!
For the sake of saving £20 or £40, is it worth sacrificing convenience, time and your other half’s whinging?
We don’t think so.
There’s a time and place for being savvy, but not when it comes to your location.
That doesn’t mean you have to break the bank either!
It’s possible to stay close to the action without blowing your budget. You might have to give up a few luxuries or pay a bit more, but that’s your call.
Why Location is Your Key to a Stress-Free Trip
Your sanity is the biggest takeaway when picking the ideal location.
Exploring new cities is exhausting, and you want to make the most of the limited time you have rather than wasting it on public transport. When you stay centrally, you won’t have to pack a bulky ‘day pack’ and lug it around with you.
You can easily nip back for a quick rest, freshen up, or just recharge.
Honestly, a fresh pair of pants and socks to nip into whilst racking up the steps and not having a bag stuck to your sweaty back all day?
Absolute heaven!
There’s nothing worse than sweaty underwear by midday because you climbed a castle in the 30-degree heat! It happens.
Plus, you’ll be close to attractions, shops, a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and reliable transport links. Keep in mind, public transport in outer towns or villages isn’t always frequent—or convenient.
The benefits far outweigh saving a few extra quid.
Nail the Perfect Location for Your Trip
It sounds obvious, doesn’t it? Go central.
Rich from RJontour.com has some fantastic advice that he uses to navigate travelling across Europe. He also has a dog, so that’s an extra bone to throw into the challenge.
He creates a triangle between the attractions they’re interested in, transport links (train/bus stations), and shops/facilities.
Now, the magic spot doesn’t have to be right in the centre of that triangle (or circle like we use).
As long as you’re somewhere within it, you’ve got yourself a solid base for your trip. The key is finding that sweet spot where everything you need, and the attractions that interest you, are within easy reach—without having to trek too far in any direction.
Good To Know
The beauty of Amsterdam is that public transport is frequent and covered by the GVB network with the Iamsterdam card. That includes metro, tram, bus, ferry and a few other perks.
The truth is, spending too much time on trams or buses means less time for the fun stuff—grabbing a FEBO snack or aimlessly wandering the canals.
The less commuting, the better.
It’s a method we use a lot. Above is an image showing where we stayed and how it fits perfectly into our little “circle of convenience.”
It was pretty much in the middle of everything—including many attractions we were interested in.
For a small breakdown: Amsterdam Central train station was a 2-minute walk away, Dam Square 5 minutes, FEBO and a ‘coffee shop’ opposite, and other conveniences such as bars, supermarkets, and shopping.
There was also a tram stop right outside the hotel, making trips to AMAZE and other attractions a breeze to reach.
Staying Central Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank!
You don’t need to spend a fortune to stay close to the action!
Take our stay in Malaga, for example. We booked easyHotel for around £30 per night, and it was less than a ten-minute walk to Centro Málaga. Coffee, churros, shops, bars, and restaurants were just steps away, and the train station was right nearby.
The hotel did exactly what it said on the tin (1-star), and honestly, we were impressed with the value for money.
The room was small but clean, and the rest of the hotel was tidy too. The staff were polite, helpful, and even checked us in a few hours early.
Bonus points for the smart TV and rapid internet.
We’ve stayed in far worse, dingier, and outdated hotel rooms at 3 and 4 stars. Cough, Balfry, cough!
Spending More on Location Can Save You
While you might spend a little more on accommodation in a prime location, you could save money overall during your trip.
When you stay central, you have the luxury of choice—whether it’s restaurants, supermarkets, fast food joints, or local markets. You’re not stuck with that one overpriced shop with limited options or forced to dine at the nearest (and possibly expensive) restaurant because it’s the only one nearby.
Instead, you can eat where you like, shop where it’s affordable, and tailor your choices to both your taste and budget. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or picking up snacks for your hotel room, you’ll have access to more variety and better deals.
Why We Love Choosing Convenience First
- Stress-Free: Need a quick rest or freshen up? When your hotel is just a short walk away, you can skip the stress of searching for restrooms or a charger and focus on finding your next gelato stop instead. Yum!
- Early Morning Walks: If you’re an early riser, staying central lets you capture the city at its most peaceful. It’s the perfect time to snap awesome photos and experience the city’s true beauty—before the chaos kicks in.
- Time: More time spent exploring beautiful architecture and hidden gems, less time commuting. No need to waste precious hours on public transport or stuck in traffic.
- Nipping Out: While the other half is getting ready or taking a rest, you can easily nip out to explore or grab a drink somewhere nearby. Trust us, it’s a real game-changer.
- Cost-Effective in the Long Run: Without mentioning transport or supermarkets, more choice means more competition Happy hours, tapas nights, and specials. There’s plenty of good food that aren’t tourist traps.
- Better Experiences: You’re in the heart of the action, which means spontaneous discoveries, local gems, and hidden spots are just around the corner.
We’ve personally found that location can transform a trip. We’ve always been ones to prioritise convenience, and it’s made all the difference.
And speaking of spontaneous discoveries… they do happen. Let’s just say we may have wandered into a ‘sauna’ near our hotel once.
I’ll leave it at that. 😉
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, convenience can make your trip a much better experience.
Take my experience in Spain, for example. I lived just 20 minutes from Alicante by car, but it’s a whole hour on the bus, and the buses aren’t exactly frequent.
Despite being so close, I’ve never felt more disconnected from the city.
That experience taught us the value of being within easy reach of everything we want to explore. Whether it’s pondering with that morning coffee or gazing at the sites, having a central base gives you more time to enjoy the best bits of a city and less time worrying about logistics.
It’s about making travel easy, fun, and—most importantly—stress-free.
So, next time you’re booking accommodation, remember: sometimes spending a little more on location can save you a lot in the long run, whether it’s time, energy, or even money.
You may also like
- Is The iamsterdam Card Worth It?
- Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam Review
- Awesome Experiences in Amsterdam: AMAZE
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