“How did you find that adventure lodge in Iceland?”
“Where was that surfing resort in Nicaragua you loved?”
“What time of year is the best to go to Tuscany?”
I love questions like these. Sourcing travel ideas and inspiration is my straight-up obsession. Sharing those ideas and inspiration is where I really thrive.
Decades of research, legwork, and exploration have led me here. A space where I can share what to do, and what not to do when it comes to finding hotels. Strategies and tips for practical travelers, as well as indulgent ones.
Take it from me—the most indulgent, practical traveler I know.
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Click here. Be the first to know when I find a new place to get lost!My Process
Finding a hotel is pretty straightforward. Finding the one that suits your specific needs, fits your budget, and style, and is in exactly the right location? Well, that’s not as straightforward.
For those who believe a hotel room is merely a place to rest your head, this post isn’t for you. A vacation extends beyond the top sights, activities, and beaches. Where I choose to spend my time, hotel-wise, matters.
We all have our non-negotiable points when choosing a place to stay. That might be a sprawling property with an infinity-edged pool for the kids. Or on-site surfing for the adventure-seekers.
A boutique hotel with a 10-seat Michelin-starred restaurant for the foodies. Or, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nearby for the history buffs. Knowing your travel style and travel needs is paramount.
Choose Keywords With Care
Google is designed with the user in mind. She’s a crowd-pleaser. But be prepared to put in some work to make sure you get what you want. The keywords you choose are essential.
For some, diving into a Google search is a rabbit hole with overwhelming information. For others, it’s second nature. Like turning the pages of Amor Towles’ latest novel. Use Google to narrow down to a place that fits the bill budget-wise, size-wise, and location-wise. It’s far easier when you have a system.
If you are on my site often enough, you know that I lean toward places that combine luxury and adventure. For instance, when I travel, I often start my search with keywords like ‘luxury hotel in ________’ and ‘adventure luxury hotel in ________’.
Let’s work with an example. Alaska is a destination on my radar for next summer. While that sounds far off, consider that many hotels and resorts are fully booked for Christmas 2021.
My keywords and phrases:
Best luxury hotel in Alaska
Luxury lodges in Alaska
Best resorts for wildlife in Alaska
Top places to see wildlife in Alaska
Broadening to other interests, I might also search:
Alaska hotels for foodies
Best restaurants in Alaska
Top wellness resorts in Alaska
As common sense dictates, the more narrow a keyword search is, the better the results. Since I’m open to going anywhere in Alaska, I can afford to be broad. Naturally, finding the hotel with my wishlist becomes easier with the right keywords in place.
Other keywords I use:
Adventure travel for couples
Remote spa destinations
Bucket list travel ideas
Luxury hotels for families
Remote escapes for foodies
Best family hiking locations
Luxury family travel
Consider The Source
Once I land on a page, I immediately skip past the ads. I scan for my trusted travel sources. Those websites and publications have time and again proven to be worthy.
My sources include Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes, and Afar. Combined, these sites begin to uncover the ideal hotel for my specific destination.
I start to notice where the hotel recommendations overlap and consider the positives and negatives of each review. I take note of the hotels that show up across multiple sources. Cross-referencing is key.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t cite my beloved New York Times as a primary source. I always google ’36 hours in _______’ to see if my destination has been recently reviewed. Inevitably, I discover a wealth of info worth saving beyond hotel choices, like a local coffee shop or a lesser-known museum.
Follow The Bloggers
Unsurprisingly, I also follow blogs. Here are a few that are especially helpful to me.
hotelsabovepar: A self-acknowledged ‘boutique hotel pundit and enthusiast’, Brandon Berkson is my hotel hero (if such an entity exists).
thegoodthebadandtheluxurious: Prepare to be amused or cringe. A quick-witted (and sometimes scathing) review of the most expensive hotels in the world.
thisistheplaceiwastellingyouabout: Two young Texans created this well-curated lifestyle blog that combines photography, food, coffee, and travel. My people.
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Click here to be the first to know when I find a new place to get lost.Know Thyself
It’s as important to note what I don’t like in a hotel as much as what I do like. Take the case of Alaska. Do I want a 500+ room hotel spread over three towers, with four restaurants, and an athletic club? (No, thank you.)
Would I like a remote, fly-in-only wilderness lodge that prides itself on conservation and sustainability? (Yes, please.)
What if I’m keen on discovering the next Alaskan hot spot? That takes more digging. This brings me to my next point.
Visit the Google Graveyard
The Google Graveyard—page two of a Google search. Likely because most users find the information they need on page one and have no need to venture beyond.
Being the intrepid explorer that I am, I like to head out as far as pages three or four. I enjoy reading what the lesser-known bloggers (like me) and alternative online sources have to say. Don’t be afraid, there is compelling content to be found beyond page one.
Re-Search
Experiment with a search that goes outside of the box. Going back to Alaska, I might search “unusual places to stay in Alaska” or “luxury cabin stays in Alaska”. Oftentimes, I’ve widened my preconceived thoughts about a destination with a more specific or quirky search.
For example, when I once used the keywords, ‘resorts with private villas in the Caribbean’. I discovered Viceroy Sugar Beach in St Lucia. We have now been twice.
In fact, let me try that again now. “Unusual places to stay in Alaska” reveals a site about an Alaskan Treehouse on the eastern Kenai Peninsula. Another link uncovers a luxury glacier camping site. New searches, new ideas. I also research if the hotel has a ‘best room’—a seat guru-like technique for hotels instead of planes. For example, we stayed at the Hotel Lydmar in Sweden a few years ago. Happening upon Condé Nast Traveler’s monthly feature, ‘Room With A View’, I discovered Room 512.
Distinctly nautical, the 5th floor offered lovely views of Stockholm through unique portholes. Room 512 was the best room on the 5th floor.
How did I get Room 512? I asked for it.
Check Your Dates
Not your travel dates (although certainly important). The post dates. Who wants to stay at the ‘most Instagrammable hotel of 2016’ or ‘the hottest resort of 2019?’ Post dates are easy to identify, so no time is wasted on dated data.
Looks Matter
A three-second website scan is all I need to tell if a hotel isn’t the place for me. How? The design. Is it laid out with easy-to-read typography, an enticing color scheme, and a gallery of beautiful photos? Are those photos captivating? Most importantly, do I see myself there?
If the site is challenging to navigate or cluttered with bold, italic, or (gasp!) multi-colored, multi-sized fonts, I move on. The art director in me prevails. I prefer to visit a place that prioritizes design and readability and delivers high-quality content. They will likely care about the details I care about.
I go with my gut. If the site feels good, I add it to my shortlist.
Deep Dive
Having narrowed it down to my top three stand-out hotel or resort choices, I take a deep dive into each site.
1. First, I check that the hotel locations are correct. I once booked a hotel I assumed was in Positano but (surprise!) ended up being in Amalfi.
2. Then, I search ‘the best month to travel to _______. I still remember booking a villa in Thailand during the rainy season.
3. Are my travel dates available? Is there a minimum stay? Am I being fleeced by a resort during the festive season? And if so, can I live with that?
4. What does the fine print say? Is there ongoing construction next door?
5. Which hotel makes me feel like I’ll regret my choice forever if I don’t go? That’s the one I choose.
Then, I book it.
Overshare
I pride myself on finding the right (hotel, villa, or resort) for me and my family. Sometimes I get it wrong (as noted above). Often, that tends to happen when I haven’t done the research. Even my biggest travel flubs tend to have a good outcome. The hotel in Amalfi was divine—a happy Italian accident.
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Hi John, Thank you for the comment and for subscribing! I am soon to be publishing a piece on our antics in Croatia this past month. Hope you have a chance to read it! Warm regards, Jamie
Great pictures. Very informative site. I enjoyed the time spent here. Thank you Jamie.
Thank you, Lillian, for the thoughtful comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my tips! Warm regards, Jamie
Hey, so I’m on a mission to find the best places to stay on the Southern Oregon Coast because it’s the place where my parents first met. I figured that since it’s their 50th anniversary next month, I’d surprise them with a trip there complete with the nicest hotel reservation with a scenic vista. You know, I agree with you; it’s not too difficult to select a hotel as long as you look for one that meets your wants, style, and financial requirements while still being in the ideal location.
I visited Alaska a few months back, embracing the cold season despite knowing very little about what to expect. I gathered knowledge from various sources on the internet, and your blog was incredibly helpful. Your detailed recommendations made a significant difference in my preparation. Additionally, another article I read was a great help, which you can check out https://thetundradrums.com/5-best-hotels-in-alaska-for-you/. Alaska’s winter is no joke, but with the proper preparation, it becomes an unforgettable adventure. Thank you again for the guidance!
Great tips! Your advice on considering location and amenities really resonates with me. Finding the perfect hotel can make all the difference in a trip. Thanks for sharing!
This is such a helpful guide! I love the emphasis on reading reviews and checking for hidden fees. It’s so important to do your research before booking!
I found your article incredibly insightful! The checklist for choosing the right hotel is a fantastic idea. I’ll definitely be using these tips for my next adventure!
I found your article incredibly insightful! The checklist for choosing the right hotel is a fantastic idea. I’ll definitely be using these tips for my next adventure!
Fantastic post! Your suggestions on leveraging booking platforms and comparison sites are spot on. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but your advice simplifies the process!