Here's How To Choose Between A Rental Or A Hotel For Your Trip To Europe, Per Rick Steves

When you start to plan a trip to Europe, it can be fun to focus on building the perfect travel itinerary, but accommodations is sometimes just an afterthought. Rick Steves suggests that your choice of lodging can impact the cost of your trip as well as the quality of your experience, according to his website. Throughout his career as a travel advisor, author, and TV host, Steves has offered thoughtful advice on how to make a trip to Europe really memorable. One insight he shares is how to consider a choice between a hotel and a rental property. This decision can depend on several factors, such as the size of your group and the length of your stay. Once you've thought through these details, you can match the benefits of each option with your particular situation.

Steves has shared several hotels that he prefers in certain European cities, and this type of accommodation is often the best choice for a trip he's taking. Short stays are easier at a hotel, which usually have flexible cancellation policies and no minimum-stay requirements. The convenience of having breakfast readily available in the morning is helpful, such as when you're trying to catch a train or reach your museum tour reservation on time. There's also the benefit of hotel staff at the front desk who can point you in the right direction for these activities. Coming back to a room with fresh sheets and towels is a comfort after you've spent the day navigating crowds and trying to converse in the local language.

Although there are different ways to save money on a hotel room, this type of stay can become expensive, however. This is especially true if your group is paying for several rooms over multiple nights. Hotel rooms can also become cramped if several people squeeze into a single room to save money. These tight quarters can be hard on families, especially when everyone wants to sleep at different times. Spending money on food can add up as well, if there isn't a way to prepare meals in your hotel room. In light of these situations, Rick Steves highlights a few examples of when it's beneficial to choose a rental property instead of a hotel during your stay.

Choosing a rental property can be advantageous for visits that last longer than one or two nights, especially for larger groups. You can choose a location in the center of town or a rural spot in the country. One benefit is that there's often a shared living room that provides a central place to gather at the end of the day, allowing everyone in the group to share their favorite memories from the trip thus far. This division of space is particularly useful for those members of your group with early bedtimes. Cooking your own meals can also save money, and it's a great excuse to visit the local market to gather your ingredients. Staying in a rental property could result in a significant cost savings, which is money that can be put toward another type of experience on the road.

One thing to keep in mind when searching for a rental property is that the time of year when you take your journey can make a difference. Europeans tend to book these types of residences for their holiday vacations, which usually take place between April and October. They often make these plans months or even a year prior to their trips. Follow these suggestions to determine the best time to travel to Europe, and make your reservation as far in advance as possible. One bit of good news is that because many properties host visitors from the U.K., they offer plenty of information in English, which is helplful for other English-speaking travelers as well.

Rick Steves makes it clear that no matter which type of accommodation you choose, the objective should be the same: to pause and enjoy the local culture. When he chooses a hotel, Steves always prefers to find one that is locally-owned with its own charm and personality. Doing the research is "a fun way to tap into the local scene before you even leave home," per an article on his website. 

A rental property is likely to be unique as well, with choices that range from urban retreats to antique estates that have been converted into comfortable accommodations. Steves says, "Having an entire farmhouse, countryside cottage, or villa to yourself is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in rural Europe."