If your dollars aren’t stretching as far as you’d like because of unfavorable exchange rates, consider staying in less-expensive lodgings. You’ll free up more of your travel funds for other uses and increase your opportunities for meeting and talking with locals. You’ll gain a new perspective on life in your host country.
Independent HotelsWhile large European cities feature internationally-known chain hotels, you can find lower-cost, independently-owned hotel rooms in both big cities and small towns. Most of these hotels are family-owned and run. Prices range from moderately low (€40 and up) to high (€120 - €200) in large cities, especially during special events or trade shows.
Europe’s hotel ranking system uses stars to indicate amenities and associated prices, with one star indicating a no-frills, budget hotel and four stars designating a luxury facility. Within these rankings, however, there’s still a wide range of quality. In some budget hotels, the toilet and shower are down the hall (in separate places). If there’s an elevator, it will probably be tiny. Beds may be lumpy and sheets might not match the room’s color scheme – if there is one. Other low-cost hotels have en-suite facilities (toilet and shower) and are quite well-appointed.
Be sure to ask whether your deposit, if you’re asked to make one, is refundable when you reserve your room. Many independent hotels do not refund deposits if you cancel your reservation. Some may ask you to make your deposit by bank transfer because they do not accept credit cards. If you plan to pay by credit card, ask which types the hotel accepts. Some establishments only take the EuroCheque Card, which is a debit card not available in the U. S.
In peak season, it’s best to reserve in advance, or at least telephone early in the day you plan to arrive. Off-season, you can often show up at the hotel’s door and get a room for that evening. When you reach the hotel, ask to see the room before you pay for it.
Most independent hotels don’t provide soap or shampoo, so you’ll need to bring your own. Your room rate may or may not include breakfast.
Bed and BreakfastsLong popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Germany, B&B’s are catching on in other parts of Europe. These B&B’s aren’t like the elegant American inns that go by that name. Instead, private homeowners rent rooms to travelers and serve up breakfast the next morning. You can stay on a farm, in a city and even on top of a mountain. Room décor can range from early yard sale to stunningly elegant. Breakfasts vary by country; English breakfasts often include cereal, eggs, sausages (“puddings”) or bacon (“rashers”) and toast. Italian and French breakfasts are less hearty, featuring bread or croissants, jams and jellies.
B&B’s offer several advantages. They tend to be family-friendly; some owners allow guests’ children to use their play equipment. You can meet fellow travelers at breakfast and find out where they’ve stayed – and whether they liked their last B&B. If the B&B’s owners aren’t too busy, they’re usually happy to share local travel information with guests.
