The concept of a hotel has been around for longer than anyone can remember. When you go traveling, the first thing to plan out on your list is most likely holiday accommodation. And of course, when you think of holiday accommodation, hotel probably pops into your head straightaway.

There are names like motel, inn, lodge, and resort that are easily substituted with the word ‘hotel,’ and were probably invented to differentiate one hotel from another. In essence, they are one and the same: you book in advance or you drop in, in person, and pay by the night.

There is a check-in time and a check-out time. You get a room and a bed (or two), maybe a little more if you have more to spend, and it’s quick and easy. Most of the time, your room is used only for a good night’s sleep.

Nowadays, the concept of holiday apartments is catching on. Holiday apartments are similar to hotels in that you book in advance (more a rule with holiday apartments), collect your keys from the reception when you get there, use it for your stay, and hand back the keys when you leave. But there are a few differences between holiday apartments and hotels, some key ones for a tourist. Let’s look at the differences and what is advantageous about living in a holiday apartment versus living in a hotel.

Advantages of a holiday apartment

The name itself gives you a hint of an advantage it has: it is sort of like having your own apartment for the stay period with the privacy and the comfort of having your own place. One of the more clear-cut differences between the two is that the holiday apartment has a kitchen or a kitchenette, which gives you the flexibility and comfort of cooking at your own place and not having to spend on restaurant meals every time. With local grocery stores nearby, savings on food and drinks can be substantial. Furthermore, holiday apartments have a lounge area as well, making it easy to spend your time at ‘home’ and within the privacy of it while you cook some food, enjoy a few drinks, or just watch some good old television after a hectic day out.

Some holiday apartments have balconies as well, and some even have a barbeque grill in it, making it easy for you to relax at your own pace and enjoy some barbeque with a nice view. Usually, it is a better idea to get a holiday apartment when it is not just a couple’s retreat and you are on holiday with a few people, as the savings can be telling as well, and these little amenities the apartments offer can come in pretty handy. Holiday apartments often have gardens and pools to provide a bit more than a regular apartment also.

Advantages of a hotel

The reason for the immense popularity of hotels is that it is very convenient for a quick stay. Normally, you can get hotel rooms without pre-bookings. Even if one is booked out, there will be another not too far away that will welcome you with open arms. If you plan to stay in an area only for a day or two and move on to another area, you will probably be best off with staying at a hotel as it is convenient as mentioned. Moreover, you do not have to worry about cleaning as much, although some holiday apartments do offer regular cleaning. If you are the type of person or group that needs to be out and about at all times and use your room only to sleep, you might be better off choosing a hotel, but do keep in mind that you will most likely save more staying at an apartment if you are staying for more than a couple of days and with a few people.

Therefore, the type of holiday you are looking for, how much you need a bit of ‘home’ time, how long you are staying, and how many people you are with will be good criteria to assess when choosing between a hotel and a holiday apartment.