How To Choose A Lodge For Your Vacation
Staying in a lodge has always been a popular choice for vacationers. They’re easily one of the best choices for a romantic getaway, family vacation, or even a solo-trip. But now, with apps like Airbnb and Booking.com, there’s more choice than ever. Whether you’re looking to stay in a ski lodge or a country lodge, there are thousands of options available. We’ve been doing some research so you know what to look for when staying in a lodge on vacation. Here are our top tips for booking the perfect lodge vacation.
1. Decide If You’re Going To Explore Or Not
First, before you even start looking, you should decide what you’re going to do on your holiday. If you’re the adventurous type, you might want to get out of the accommodation and take a look around the local area. But, if you just want to get away from it all, staying inside might be just what you need. The reason we’re telling you this is that you’ll get much cheaper rates on a lodge that isn’t in a desirable location. The lodge itself might be perfect, but you wouldn’t want to leave the four walls. Of course, if you’re planning a trip to Aspen for a lodge vacation, you’re going to have to cough up some serious dough.
2. Check The Local Facilities
Whether you’re planning to explore or not, you should check out what local facilities there are. If you’re looking for some peace-and-quiet outside of the big city, you can’t expect the convenience of city life. For example, local shops might close early and there might not be one at all. This could be a nightmare if you run out of booze and snacks and there’s no way to get anymore. They don’t have Uber Eats out in the sticks.
3. See If It’s Eco-Friendly
There’s nothing like a guilt-free getaway. If you want to relax your mind and reconnect to nature, you probably want to go for an eco-friendly lodge. Their pretty easy to find nowadays and won’t cost you much more than a normal lodge. Of course, if you are going to go eco-friendly, don’t expect power showers and Wi-Fi. You’ve got to make sacrifices if you’re going to save the planet.
4. Ask If It Has Wi-Fi
This isn’t that important for everyone, but for those of us who need to stay connected, a strong Wi-Fi connection is important. How else are you going to post pictures of your perfect lodge getaway on Instagram? Most modern lodges now have Wi-Fi, but sometimes you’ve got to ask for the password before you get there.
5. Find Out If It’s Pet-Friendly
What’s the point in a relaxing holiday if you can’t take your pets with you? Some vacation lodges don’t accept pets, so it’s really important to check this out beforehand. The good thing is, if it’s pet-friendly, you know the owners are going to be cool.
6. Make Sure It Has A Hot-Tub
The perfect romantic lodge has to have a hot tub, especially if it’s in the mountains. There’s no better feeling than cracking open a bottle of champagne with your loved one and watching the snowfall from the comfort of a hot tub.
7. Book Early
This is an age-old tip that all experienced holidaymakers know. You have to book early to snap up the best deals. Yeah, it’s super romantic to decide last minute that you want to book a weekend away, but isn’t saving money just as romantic? Not only will you get preferred rates if you book early, but you also have your pick of the best lodges. You know, the ones with hot tubs and amazing lake views.
8. Take Your Own Booze
Here’s another super romantic money-saving tip. Buy all of your booze before you go. Fill your suitcase with champagne, beer, and wine that you’ve bought at the supermarket for a fraction of the local prices. Even better, buy it around the holiday season when supermarkets put on amazing deals.
9. Read Reviews
One of the greatest things about the internet is consumer reviews. Whatever you’re buying, you should be able to find someone else who’s bought it (or in this case, booked it) before. That means you don’t have to book on the word of a travel agent or make your decision based on the photos. Read every review and look for reoccurring themes. If a couple of people have said it was dirty when they arrived, it’s probably going to be dirty when you arrive. But don’t be put off by one bad review – there’s always someone who likes to complain.
10. Check Out The Safety Features
We’ve all seen horror movies about lodges in the woods. Don’t worry, we’re not saying you’re going to see a boogeyman, but it’s worth checking out the safety features anyway. Holiday accommodation is always a target for thieves, so it’s worth checking out the safety feature on offer. Does it have a fireproof safe? Are there locks on the door? You get the picture.
11. Don’t Travel In Peak Times
Another age-old traveling tip is not to travel during peak times. If you’re lucky enough to be in a job that will let you take time off whenever research the least busy times for your preferred destination. The lodge owner will be keen to book it out, so you might even be able to get a discount. On travel apps like Airbnb, you can always message the owner and suggest a price. If they agree, they can send you a special offer.
12. Look At The Photos
Obviously, you’re going to look at the photos, but you need to look at them critically. If they’re low-resolution photos, there’s not much you can do. But if they’re decent-quality, you can zoom in really take a look at the state of the lodge. Also, look at what angle the pictures are taken – sometimes you can put two pictures side-by-side and get a better idea of the layout. If you’re not satisfied, ask the owner for more pictures and even a floorplan of the property.
