Whether you’re planning to travel for two days or 20 days, where you stay can have a big impact on both your budget and your trip experience.

We’ve spent the past 23 years hunting down the best hotel values in Europe’s priciest cities. While we’ve seen some big changes, good and bad, over the years (finally, free Wi-Fi!), there are certain bits of “Cheapo advice” that remain the same today as in 2001.

Before we get started, remember: Don’t panic.

High-season rates in particularly expensive destinations (London, Venice, all of Switzerland…) can cause great anxiety and all-out panic. Remain calm and remember that many websites (not including EuroCheapo, of course!), rank the hotel results to show you what they’d like you to book first. (These are often the hotels that are paying them the highest commission.)

So don’t just stare at those first results and quickly assume that the city’s going to be too expensive for you to visit. It might take a little digging and further research (using tips on this page and throughout EuroCheapo), but chances are you’ll be able to find a great little hotel, B&B, or hostel in town for your budget.

Bottom line: Don’t panic. But be prepared to do some digging for a deal.

Related: How to save on hotels in France.

Tips for saving on hotels in Europe

Here are our 10 top tips for saving on accommodation and on finding the perfect hotels for your trip.

1. Think about location before price.

We often hear from travelers who do a hotel search, and then book the cheapest hotel they can find, only to realize it’s located far outside the center (or in a neighboring town!), and isn’t easily accessible to areas they want to visit. This can cause an undue expenditure of both time and money, not to mention often a crummy hotel experience.

Fortunately, this can be avoided with advance planning. Really zoom in on the hotel’s location when researching. How far is it from a subway or bus line? Consider paying just a bit more for something more central or closer to public transportation.

2. Be flexible with your travel schedule.

If your trip itinerary spends quite a bit of time in one geographic area, flexibility with your itinerary can help save money. Once you start searching for hotels, you might find that one stop is more expensive on certain dates than others. Juggling around your itinerary can allow you book hotels when they’re at their cheapest.

For example, say you’re spending a week in Belgium, visiting both Brussels and Bruges. Once you start searching for hotels, you’ll likely find that hotel rates in Brussels are lower on the weekends (because there are fewer business travelers and Eurocrats booking them). Thus, why not visit Bruges during the week, and spend the weekend in Brussels, when hotels are at their cheapest?

3. More stars do not always make a better hotel.

Hotel star ratings in Europe are confusing. Every country has their own standards and system of classification, usually set by a government-run tourism board. Thus, what qualifies as a three-star hotel in the Netherlands will probably be different from a three-star hotel in Italy.

In short, the more amenities and services a hotel offers, the higher the star rating. Inspectors visit with clipboards and literally check off everything they see in the lobby, hotel room and elsewhere. The more stuff to check off, the higher the star rating. But obviously, more “stuff” doesn’t always make a better-run, friendlier or more memorable hotel.

You can be fairly certain that a four-star hotel offers elevators, room service, private baths, cable TV, Internet, air conditioning and so forth. But it doesn’t say anything about the room décor, the hotel’s location or the helpfulness of the staff. A four-star hotel may actually be far less charming than a two-star hotel.

We’ve visited many hotels that are stuck, for reasons outside their control, with a low star rating. A two-star hotel located in a historic neighborhood in Paris, for example, will probably have restrictions placed upon its ability to do renovations. This might make adding an elevator impossible, which would prevent the hotel from achieving three-star status, no matter how lovely the rooms or how cordial the management.

Also, note that one-star hotels will often offer things for free (like Internet access) that four-star hotels might still charge for. Read more about star ratings in Europe.

4. Which amenities do you really need? Really?

If you can reduce the number of amenities you need, and reduce the star rating, you can probably score a better deal. Consider which room amenities you really need to enjoy your visit. Do you need air conditioning in Vienna in early June? Do you need a safe? Hairdryer? Toiletries? The difference between a one-star and a three-star hotel might be more noticeable in your wallet than in your room.

5. Know when to book.

When’s the best time to book to save on hotels in Europe? Unfortunately, it depends. Booking in advance helps you arrange your travel plans before you take off, but you miss out on the possibility of last-minute travel deals. Booking at the last minute (even same day!), can result in amazing deals, but it can also lead to stress… and finding yourself without a place to sleep.

I wrote an entire post about when to book hotels for the best rates. But basically, it boils down to this:

We recommend booking well in advance if:

• You need to secure a favorite hotel. Book it before it fills up.
• You see very limited availability when you search. Book now — it’s only going to get worse. (This is especially the case during high season.)
• You just want to get everything checked off your list and relax.
• You have a pretty rigid schedule.

We recommend booking closer to your travel date if:

• You see lots of availability and cheapo options when you search for hotels. You can hang back and see if prices come down. (This is often the case when traveling during the off season.)
• You want more flexibility when you’re traveling. Are you the kind of traveler who likes to switch your itinerary at the last minute? You may just want to hold off. (Or at least book refundable rates! See next point.)

6. Consider first booking a hotel with free cancellation.

Another option is to book a hotel right now that offers free cancellation, and then cancel the reservation later if you find a better deal. This can at least calm your nerves (hey, you’ve got a place!), and allow you some flexibility in terms of finding something better later.

One warning: Most hotels now charge a bit more for free cancellation (so you’re actually spending money to have this flexibility). Also, be aware that the definition of “free cancellation” varies widely. Free… until when? Are you free to cancel until the day of your reservation… or only free to cancel up to one week before check-in? There’s a big difference — pay attention to the details.

7. Consider renting an apartment.

Even though we have a special love for small hotels, we can’t deny that apartments can be handy and sometimes even more affordable than hotels, especially for longer stays or when traveling with a family. You can browse apartment listings by searching on our partner, Booking.com, or on any number of apartment search sites, like VRBO or (of course) Airbnb.

Be aware that some European cities, like Paris and Berlin, are cracking down on illegal apartment rentals on these sites, so double-check before booking that it’s legal! Also make sure that all of the check-in logistics are squared away in advance, and that you know exactly how to get into the apartment, and how to contact the apartment’s owner for any questions or emergencies.

8. Hostels are for everyone.

Hostels in Europe aren’t just for “youth” anymore. In fact, in the past 10-15 years scores of stylish and hip hostels, like the Generator chain, have reinvented what it means to be a hostel. Today’s “hip hostels” often offer fresh design themes (often developed by local artists), low-cost group activities, healthy food options, and lots of shared space.

As you’ll see when you search and filter by “hostels”, the bedroom situation ranges widely depending on the hostel, but most offer both private rooms that are cheaper than you’d find in most hotels (you’ve got the room to yourself, although you might share a bathroom) and really cheap shared rooms (you’re probably sleeping in a bunk with others in the room). Regardless, rooms tend to be simply furnished, but often hostels make up for it with extensive public rooms meant for reading, hanging out, and meeting other travelers.

That said… the hostel landscape still includes plenty of more traditional “youth hostel” options, as well, especially those official and non-profit hostels affiliated with Hostelling International.

9. Take our hotel advice

We’ve spent a lot of time inspecting hotels and rounding up the best affordable hotel options in Europe’s priciest destinations. We especially like small, family-run and independent hotels that really capture the spirit of the destination — and we try to stay away from recommending big international chain hotels. I always say that I prefer to wake up in Rome and immediately feel that I’m in Rome — and not next to the Milwaukee airport.

You can easily save on hotels in Europe by booking one of our picks in Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice or any of these cities. We’ve already done the hard work for you!

10. Keep saving once you’ve checked in.

Once you arrive, there are still ways to save on your hotels in Europe even after you’ve checked in. These include:

Head for the nearest grocery store: Don’t touch that minibar! As soon as we plop our things down in our room, we typically head out to a nearby supermarket for some essentials: Bottles of water, fruit, snacks, missing toiletries, and anything else that would cost us a small fortune if purchased from the hotel or (double yikes!) taken from the mini-fridge.

Think twice about breakfast: When you check in, the receptionist will probably ask you, “Are you taking breakfast?” Don’t be shy here — ask for more specifics before committing to their breakfast offerings. How much does it cost? And what exactly does it consist of? (You might be surprised!) If you’re staying in the middle of a city or town, chances are you can easily walk to a cafe or restaurant and get a better deal.

Be clear when making your hotel reservation.

One final word of advice (from an article I wrote about how to not get stuck with the worst room in the hotel): Be as clear as possible when reserving your room. What exactly are you looking for in a room? Do you prefer one on a high floor overlooking the street? Or perhaps you like lower floors with windows opening to the courtyard? Maybe you dream of a room with a balcony? Do you need a bathtub instead of a shower?

Mention these preferences in your correspondence with the hotel when reserving. (When reserving through EuroCheapo, there is a field in the reservation form to add any special requests). Your requests will almost always be considered. The hotel wants you to be a happy guest (and they especially want you to write a glowing review). They’ll try hard to accommodate.

The post How to Save on Hotels in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve done the hard work for you by putting together this list of affordable hotels in Barcelona that we love. Cheapos will rest easy (and comfortably!), as we have chosen hotels based on price, cleanliness, comfort and user ratings.

More Barcelona tips:
• 25 Do’s and don’ts to improve your trip to Barcelona
• Cheap hotels in Madrid under $100 per night

5 Affordable hotels in Barcelona with spotless rooms

Whether you want to stay right along La Rambla or in one of the charming Barcelona neighborhoods, we’ve come up with five excellent budget hotels. And the best part? All of these Barcelona accommodations have nice rooms under $100 per night. For example, a balcony room in Barcelona is cheaper than you think!

Hostal Ramos

Address: Calle Hospital, 36
Neighborhood: El Raval
User rating: 7.9
Doubles starting at $95

Run by a friendly family, this two-star stay is situated in an attractive historic building. Highlights include wrought-iron beds and classic Spanish floor tiles. Every room comes with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a private bath. There’s a lovely courtyard for relaxing and a lounge where you can make new friends. Read the full review here.

A balcony room at Pension Mari-Luz is one of our favorite options in Barcelona.

Pension Mari-Luz

Address: Palau 4 2º 1ª
Neighborhood: Barri Gotic
User rating: 8.5
Doubles starting $87

Nearly all of Pension Mari-Luz’s rooms, tucked into a beautiful 18th-century building, come with a  balcony view, and for these rates… they’re a steal! Many of the rooms share bathrooms, offering low rates for Cheapos willing to share some space (no worries, these bathrooms are very clean). The hotel also has a kitchen where guests can make delicious, homemade meals to save on going out to eat. Learn more about the Pension Mari-Luz here.

Hostal Benidorm has rooms overlooking the bustling La Rambla.

Hostal Benidorm

Rambla dels Caputxins, 37
Neighborhood: La Rambla
User rating: 8.2
Doubles starting at $89

Despite its lackluster exterior, the Hostal Benidorm features renovated rooms in a central location. Amenities abound here, with air conditioning, television, safes, free Wi-Fi and an elevator all available for guests. Ten of the 45 rooms feature balconies, which make a perfect spot for watching the hustle and bustle on the street below. Read our full review of Hostal Benidorm here.

Hostal Girona is packed with old-world charm.

Hostal Girona

Girona, 24 1º-1ª
Neighborhood: Eixample
User rating: 8.4
Doubles starting at $90

With a prime location near Barcelona’s best sights and rates that stay low even during peak season, the Hostal Girona will steal cheapo hearts. Rooms are spotless, and the antique wardrobes and décor give the place extra charm. Superior rooms have balconies for those who want a nice view. Free Wi-Fi, flat screen televisions, and air conditioning make up the list of amenities. Read the full review of the hotel here.

The view from a balcony at Hostal Nuevo Colon.

Hostal Nuevo Colon

Avenida Marqués de Argentera, 19
Neighborhood: La Ribera
User rating: 7.8
Doubles starting at $78

The simple, family-run Hostal Nuevo Colon certainly won’t wow visitors with its décor or amenities, however, it will impress with its cleanliness and location. These cheapo rooms give visitors a home base that is within walking distance to the beach and great restaurants and bars. Rates stay low, even during peak season, which makes it a great choice for budget travelers. Read more about the Hostal Nuevo Colon here.

Interested in viewing more hotels in the city? Explore our list of favorite cheap hotels or the entire list of budget hotels in Barcelona.

The post 5 affordable hotels in Barcelona with clean and comfy rooms appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Searching for availability on EuroCheapo three months out, we found fantastic rates in the heart of the Big Apple. All of these hotels are either close to Times Square, Midtown, Soho or Union Square — all amazing locations within walking distance of everything a visitor might have on their New York bucket list.

But maybe you still have some doubts — will you be sacrificing quality by staying at a budget hotel? No need to worry, as all of the hotels on this cheapo list earn customer ratings of 7.5 or higher.

Related:
• See all recommended budget hotels in New York City
• Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

Super cheap hotels in Manhattan

The following are five of our favorite hotels deals in Manhattan. Be sure to click through to read our full reviews, and to check your dates for rates.

Rooms at Broadway at Times Square put you close to the action of Manhattan for a nice price.

Broadway at Times Square

From $115

Feel the bright lights of Times Square shining down on you when you stay at this 3-star hotel. Each of the 79 rooms comes with a flat-screen TV, iPod dock, and coffee maker. In the morning you can plan out your New York itinerary with the free Wi-Fi that is accessible throughout the hotel. And with a price of $115 for a queen room, you’ll have plenty of money left over to spend on a Broadway show. The TKTS booth is just down the block!

Read full review.

Rooms are small but modern and ultra-comfortable at Solita Soho Hotel.

Solita Soho Hotel

From $98

Hotels in Soho are notoriously expensive. However, this 3-star hotel offers budget travelers a break from the sky-high prices without sacrificing on quality or location. Walk south towards Chinatown to enjoy a bevy of cheap eats or walk a few blocks north to window shop along the chic streets of Soho. The rooms offer contemporary design with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. They’re small — but so are the prices. You can book a corner queen room for as low as $98 per night.

Read full review. 

Budget travelers will love the rates at Hotel 31 just steps from posh Park Avenue.

Hotel 31

From $80

This 2-star hotel certainly won’t win any design awards. But that doesn’t bother us one bit when you can score $80 double rooms (with shared bathroom). If you’re looking for style, just stroll down the street to Park and Madison Avenues. Rooms in this neighborhood usually command at least three times the price, so we’re happy to bed down in these clean and comfy rooms. And if you plan on riding to the to the top of the Empire State Building during your Big Apple vacation, it’s just a 5-minute walk away!

Read full review

It won’t win style points, but Hotel 17 is a champion of budget travelers with super cheap rooms.

Hotel 17

From $96

Looking to stay in a real New York neighborhood? Step away from the more touristy districts when you stay at this 2-star hotel located close to bustling Union Square. You can shop for snacks at the Union Square Greenmarket or stroll over Gramercy Park. With rates beginning at $96 per night for a double room with a shared bathroom, you’ll have plenty of money left over to visit a neighborhood diner for breakfast or grab a pint at a local pub to cap off your day.

Read full review.

Toast your vacation from the rooftop terrace of Pod 51.

Pod 51 Hotel

From $85

The rooms may be tiny (think boat cabin size) at this 3-star Midtown East hotel, but they are very efficient and well designed. Standard double rooms with a private bath begin at an incredibly low rate of $85 per night. You can walk to Grand Central Terminal or the United Nations or hop on the express bus just outside the door to go downtown to the East Village. Plus, how many budget hotels come with a stunning skyline view from the rooftop deck!

Read full review.

More hotel suggestions

Would you like to read more about cheap hotels in Manhattan? Check out all of our picks in our New York hotel guide.

The post New York City: 5 Super cheap hotels in Manhattan appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

You can find plenty of hotels with rooms for around $100, but if you’re a true Cheapo like us, you’re looking to go even lower. We checked around and found five hotels in Florence offering rooms for under $100 with a few even hovering as low as $50 per night.

But we’re not just focused on price, because we all know that sometimes you get what you pay for. At EuroCheapo, we take care to choose hotels that we would have no qualms about staying in ourselves. All of the hotels we picked from this list have earned high marks from recent guests and they all offer excellent locations not far from Florence’s main attractions.

A super cheap room with a view at Hotel Giappone.

Hotel Giappone

Doubles from $44

Conveniently situated between the Duomo and main train station, the one-star Hotel Giappone is all about value. Be prepared to walk up to this four-story hotel nestled in a historic building. Colorful rooms with sturdy furniture offer views of the surrounding rooftops. We found $67 double rooms with a private bathroom and $44 rooms if you don’t mind sharing a bathroom down the hall. There are only eight rooms, so make sure to book early, especially in the high season.
Read the full review.

The classy courtyard at Hotel Bavaria.

Hotel Bavaria

Doubles from $53

Enjoy a slice of the Rennaisance at this fabulous one-star hotel. You would think that sleeping with 18th-century frescoes and intricately painted wooden ceilings in your room would break the bank. However, Hotel Bavaria offers double rooms for only $73 with a private bathroom and just $53 for a room with shared facilities.

Read the full review.

Canopy beds add a touch of luxury to this cozy B&B.

Johanna B&B

Doubles from $76

This beautiful bed and breakfast is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to splurge for a memorable hotel experience in Florence. Johanna B&B is filled with lovely touches like canopy beds, antique armoires, and 1950’s-style mini-fridges in every room. Even the neighborhood is chic — in a ritzy area just north of San Lorenzo. The price for this near-luxury experience? We found $76 double rooms when searching two months in advance.

Read the full review.

A flat-screen TV and terra cotta floors are just a few of the nice features at Tourist House Ghiberti.

Tourist House Ghiberti

Doubles from $77

With paintings by local artists on the walls and antique wood furniture dotting the rooms, Tourist House Ghiberti is one of the more stylish stays in our Florence guide. You would think it would be hard to find a room under $100, however, if you book in advance, you can find non-refundable rates for only $77. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning and each room comes with a computer and free Wi-Fi. Throw in a Jacuzzi, sauna, and sunny terrace, and you’ll be living the good life at a good price at this chic hotel.

Read the full review.

More Florence hotels

This is just a small sampling of the hotels that EuroCheapo has reviewed in Florence. Search over 50 hotels across the city.

The post Florence: 5 super cheap hotels with great locations appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

You can easily find plenty of nice modern hotels for under $75, but I wanted to stay in the Old Town (Stari Grad) where the hotels and surrounding streets have a little more character. One affordable hotel stuck out when I began looking at reviews on Booking.com and TripAdvisor — Old Plovdiv Guest House. The enchanting neighborhood is also great for exploring Plovdiv with a good location for visiting the ancient Roman theater, the lively Kapana district, and one of the best views in the city.

Related: A budget travel guide to Plovdiv

I was happy when I walked up to the front door and found a handsome historic house. After a quick snapshot of the front entrance, I stepped into the lobby and was greeted by a sweet little cat on the rug. A self-described “boutique hostel”, Old Plovdiv has a friendly staff running the show. The clerk behind the front desk pointed out the handmade sign they had made for me that I totally missed on my way in. As we sat out on the patio to talk about the details of the hotel, she grabbed me a glass of cold lemonade. Later on, I met the very friendly owner and we exchanged tales about New York. He also told me how the hotel was once the home of a wealthy tobacco merchant and dates back to 1838.

Guest House Old Plovdiv offers a charming location in the heart of the old city. Photo: Craig Nelson

Spacious rooms with historic touches

The private single room I stayed in cost €30 (including tax) for the night. It was more than spacious with two twin beds on either side of the room, hardwood floors that are over 130 years old, and free Wi-Fi. I was traveling on my own, but if you had two people, there was more than enough room to spread out and enjoy a bit of privacy. The shared bathroom was clean and right outside the door which was very convenient for washing up at night or an early morning shower.

The antique furnishings are a very nice touch, and the bed was surprisingly comfortable. Photo: Craig Nelson

True to its name, there were old furnishings and touches everywhere you looked. I loved the antique details such as the old-time radio and period sitting chairs. On the walls, there were framed historic photos and newspaper clippings from years ago.

When I visited Plovdiv in June, there was a big heat wave across the country with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees. Luckily, my room had one amenity that was very modern — efficient air-conditioning! It came in handy as I popped back in and out to cool down throughout the day.

Cheapo tip: If you want to save even more, you can get a bed in a dorm room for around $10.

A personal greeting was a wonderful way to start my visit. Photo: Craig Nelson

Beautiful common spaces

The 2nd-floor common room felt more like an elegant library in a private club than a space in an budget hotel. Spending a few minutes during the heat of the day reading about Plovdiv was an excellent use of my time. You can also connect to the free Wi-Fi from here.

The elegant common room at Guest House Old Plovdiv. Photo: Booking.com

Free breakfast on the outdoor patio

Your stay comes with a traditional European breakfast that offers a Bulgarian twist. The nice spread of items included your basic meats and breads but also local delicacies like feta cheese and olives. The coffee machine is always on, so you can grab an espresso or latte at any time of day. When I first arrived in the afternoon, it was nice to get a little shot of caffeine before heading out to explore Plovdiv.

Free breakfast on the patio is a perfect way to start your day in Plovdiv. Photo: Craig Nelson

If you have time, it’s worth ordering a beer or glass of wine at the bar to sip on the leafy patio. It’s just one of the many features that makes this hotel an excellent value for your money. Yes, I have a major crush on Guest House Old Plovdiv!

The patio is open all day, and you can order a cold beer from the bar for less than $1.

Want to enjoy your own adventure in Plovdiv Old Town? Search for available dates and book a room at Guest House Old Plovdiv.

The post Bulgaria Hotel Crush: Guest House Old Plovdiv appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hostal Ramos
This family-run spot in El Raval with a friendly staff has a triple room and a suite with a large terrace. If you’re three, get the triple. If you’re five, book the triple AND the suite, and enjoy the terrace as a group for your morning coffees and evening bottles of Rioja.

Hosteria Grau
Tasteful and quiet, this find is a cheapo favorite because of its ‘cute & cozy’ factor. They offer suites for three people for about $200, and rooms for three go for a bit less ($150). If you’re a large group, book their suite, standard and family rooms, with a combined capacity to host up to 10 people.

Hostal Gat Xino
Though I don’t usually recommend this location for solo travelers, I think this ultra modern Raval hotel is great for a group of friends. Book the Gat Xino terrace room which is enshrouded in bamboo and offers easy outdoor access. The shared terrace closes at 10 PM to everyone, except guests who are staying in this room. They can chill out all night long in privacy.

The sun-drenched terrace with comfy outdoor furniture at Hotel One Paralelo. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hostel One Paralelo
Finally, if you are a big group, why not take over a hostel? At this property in an up-and-coming neighborhood, they’ve got rooms with eight beds grouped together. If you’re a really large group, book the whole dorm room for your party. This hostel also has a sweet terrace and outdoor hot tub that are great perks for such a low price.

Remember, that although traveling as a group can bring challenges, it also has many money saving advantages. Just think of all the extra Spanish food you can munch on when you share costs on taxis, tours, rental cars, and of course, hotel rooms.

For more places to stay for solo travels and couples, check out EuroCheapo’s full listings of Barcelona hotels.

The post Budget stays in Barcelona when traveling with a group appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

When I scoured the streets of London hunting down the best affordable hotels, B&B’s and hostels for EuroCheapo’s London hotel guide, I was constantly amazed by many of their brilliant locations. Most people expect to pay dearly to stay in central London, but if you know where to look, there is no reason why we Cheapos can’t also demand “Location, Location, Location!”

Here’s my pick for three cheap London hotels with truly special locations:

Parking it in the YHA Holland Park's living room.

YHA Holland Park
Holland Walk, London

While not as modern or funky as many of the other YHA hostels in London, what the Holland Park branch lacks in trendy design, it makes up for with location. It is difficult to find, because as you make your way down Holland Walk you start doubting yourself, as all the signs point you into the park. I did a few laps through the pretty green spaces, passing by happy couples strolling and groups of friends picnicking in the sunshine, all the while convinced that I was headed in the wrong direction because, well, how could the hostel actually be in the park?

And then I found it. There it was, the best-kept secret on the London hostel scene, right in the middle of Holland Park, dishing out beds to visitors from around the world from just $26 per night! Genius.

The hostel itself is basic and could do with updating, but it offers dorms and private rooms, and a communal kitchen, dining room, living room, and a lovely little terrace.

This is definitely the place to stay if you want to escape the bustle of the city without actually leaving London. The hostel is a stone’s throw from Notting Hill and the vibrant Portobello Market, as well as being just a couple of stops on the tube into central London.

Places like the YHA Holland Park always leave me thinking that budget travelers actually have the last laugh–after all, I didn’t stumble across any five-star hotels while exploring Holland Park!

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the YHA Holland Park

The Seven Dials Hotel has one busy location.

Seven Dials Hotel
7 Monmouth Street, Soho

The Seven Dials Hotel is really is the place to stay if you want all of central London at your doorstep. London’s best bars, shops, cafes, restaurants and theaters are all within easy reach.

Monmouth Street, one of my favorites, is a pretty, old-fashioned street lined with boutiques and cafes that straddles Soho and Covent Garden. It is one of seven streets which lead up to a column bearing six sun dials. The column itself serves as the seventh sun dial as it casts its shadow over the point where the seven streets converge (hence the name of the area and the hotel).

The hotel is fairly basic, with a somewhat rickety, steep staircase, but rooms are clean and breakfast is included in the price (starting at $166 for a double room). In all honesty, you are paying for the prime location more than anything else here. And with so much going on outside the front door, you probably won’t be spending too much time in your room, anyhow.

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Seven Dials Hotel

The Mentone looks out to Cartwright Gardens

Mentone Hotel
54-56 Cartwright Gardens, Bloomsbury

It’s hard to believe that this beautiful and peaceful crescent-shaped square is slap bang in the center of London. As soon as you turn off noisy Euston Road and approach Cartwright Gardens, the car fumes and fast city pace fade away and you feel like you’ve stumbled upon something special.

The Mentone boasts an ideal location for exploring central London, perfectly placed for the British Museum and the British Library, as well as the lively Brunswick Centre in Russell Square (an obligatory stop off for dinner during your trip!). You can reach central London’s shops and theaters by foot, and Kings Cross Station, just a few minutes away, makes it easy to escape the city on a day trip.

The Mentone Hotel is not the only hotel on Cartwright Gardens. In fact, the gorgeous line-up of Georgian houses is home to about 10 B&B’s, all of which boast views of the communal gardens and tennis courts. However, The Mentone stands out as the friendly manager, Dale, really makes you feel welcome and offers his guests great advice for exploring the city. The hotel also offers generously sized rooms (doubles costing from $152) and a sumptuous communal living room. (Some singles, however, are a bit tight.)

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Mentone Hotel

The post London: 3 budget hotels with amazing locations appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But what exactly is a “Super Cheapo”? Is it simply the cheapest hotel in the city?

One commenter, Olivier, logically noted that our pick for Berlin, the Circus Hostel in Mitte, offers double rooms for $69-86. Sure, that’s cheap-ish, but you can easily find cheaper in the city. He writes:

“As far as I see, this list is a bit poor…. for ex. in Berlin : room for 2, shower/toilets outside but very clean = less than 30 euros in Berlin city hotel (located on the subway ring); another one : 30 euro as well, for a room+shower+toilets+free wifi, in the funkturm hotel (near ICC)…”

Why didn’t we pick one of those hotels?

Defining a “Super Cheapo”

Our definition of a “Super Cheapo” hotel is one that provides the basics in a great location and at a rate that’s low for the city. They’re mostly “no-frills” kind of places. Here’s a more detailed look at the criteria followed for picking a “Super Cheapo”:

1. Editor’s Pick

For starters, our “Cheapo 100” list drew on hotels that are already featured as “Editor’s Picks” on the site. This isn’t because we’re lazy, but rather because these hotels have all been personally verified! They have each been visited by a EuroCheapo editor, inspected and photographed.

2. Central location

In order to be an “editor’s pick” or make the “Cheapo 100” list, a hotel needs to be central. This is certainly not a criteria for all budget travelers, but it has always been a priority for our editors. We like to be located in a central part of the city—be it Berlin, Paris or Rome. Nearly without exception, all of our editor’s picks are located within walking distance of major tourist sights. We don’t have anything against public transportation, mind you. It’s just that life is a bit easier when you can walk home at night.

3. Private rooms

We focus on budget hotel recommendations on EuroCheapo. Sometimes, however, we also recommend hostels—provided that they also offer private rooms. By “private,” we mean rooms that you don’t share with strangers. (You may still have to share a bath.)

For most cities in the Cheapo 100, we choose a hotel as our “Super Cheapo.” In Berlin, however, we couldn’t resist giving the award to the Circus Hostel, as it offers plenty of private rooms.

4. Clean

It goes without saying that the hotels on our list need to be clean. We inspect the rooms, baths, hallways and shared baths.

5. Room rates

Finally, and most obviously, the hotel needs to be cheap. For our “Super Cheapo” award, the room needs to be notably less expensive than others of its caliber and location. We also considered “extras,” such as breakfast, Wi-Fi and room amenities, although they were not of chief importance for this award, as we were mostly concerned with the basics.

Back to the Circus

So, why did we choose the Circus Hostel in Berlin?

The Circus has been an “Editor’s Pick” for the past five years. I remember visiting for the first time in the fall of 2005 and being impressed by the rooms, especially the privates with balconies (and fabulous views) on the top floors. The location is great, too—just at the border of Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte, within easy walking distance of museums, cafés, shopping, restaurants, clubs and public transit. We were initially hesitant to give the award to a hostel, but, as I mentioned, the Circus offers plenty of privates. Finally, the low rates sealed the deal.

The hotels that Olivier mentions sound interesting. He notes that they’re clean, cheap and well-equipped. Their location, however, does not seem central. (Some, especially those on business, will find the second hotel’s location near the ICC conference center convenient, although it’s not our favorite part of town.) Lastly, neither has been visited by us, and thus don’t qualify.

We’ll look into them, however, and consider a visit in the future.

How do you choose a “Super Cheapo”?

We invite you to check out all of the “Super Cheapos” from our “Cheapo 100” list.

Of course, your “Super Cheapo” criteria may be different from ours. Search away, sort by price, read through user reviews and you may find something perfectly acceptable and cheaper that we haven’t yet visited. Maybe you’ll also find something central. Maybe, in fact, you’ll find a hotel we should add to our list of editor’s picks.

If you do, we invite you to email us and suggest a hotel for us to visit and inspect during our next hotel update. We’re always looking for great new cheap hotels to add!

The post Inside the Cheapo 100: What exactly is a “Super Cheapo” hotel? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But there’s just one small problem: It’s the summer. And you’re planning on going to, say, Paris, and are freaked out that all the good spots are already booked and your dream vacation is starting to feel a whole lot more stressful. What’s a Cheapo to do?

Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Take a deep breath and follow these five tips to find affordable hotels in any city.

1. Location, location, location.

First, get to know the layout of the city you’re visiting. Do you know where you’ll be spending most of your time? Are most of the sites you’re visiting in the same area or are they spread throughout the city?

While finding a hotel near your favored attractions is an obvious first step, it’s also important to consider neighborhoods that can serve as convenient “hubs” for reaching museums, landmarks and restaurants in disparate areas.

Staying near the Eiffel Tower makes it easy to also visit the Musee d’Orsay, Les Invalides and go cafe hopping in nearby St-Germain-des-Prés. But if you’re more interested in experiencing the Marais, visiting Pere Lachaise (and especially if you happen to be arriving into Gare du Nord), you may wish to consider the budget-friendly Republique neighborhood.

We often hear from travelers who book the cheapest hotel they can find only to realize it’s an inconvenient schlep to the areas they want to visit. This can cause an undue expenditure of both time and money, but fortunately it can be avoided with advance planning.

2. Re-order your schedule

For travelers who plan on visiting more than one city (or those in the midst of some RTW backpacking), flexibility on the sequence of city visits can help save money. For example, hotel rates in Brussels are always higher during the week than on weekends, so why not visit Bruges from Wednesday to Friday and Brussels on Saturday and Sunday? The rates are cheaper and the line to see Mannekin Pis will be shorter.

Likewise, keep an eye out for regional and national holidays or major conferences that can cause rates to spike. Just this past week we noticed hotel rates in Milan were particularly high even for typically lower-cost properties. Digging a little deeper, we realized it was the annual Milan Furniture Fair, which caused most centrally located hotels to sell out… sounds like a perfect time to visit Florence!

3. Go window shopping

Once you’ve narrowed your list down to a handful of hotels that look good, always compare rates. Hotel owners frequently use more than one reservation agency to manage their bookings, but can charge different room rates depending on the commercial terms of their contracts. So shop around, Cheapos, and compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

An easy way to do this is by using a hotel search engine that receives up to the minute prices from multiple reservation agencies. There are many excellent sites that feature this type of price comparison, including Kayak, Mobissimo and (you guessed it) our very own EuroCheapo.

4. Consider what amenities you really need and skip the ones that are just nice to have.

When is the last time you had a truly delicious breakfast at a hotel? While they do exist, we recommend skipping them altogether and starting your day at the cute café down the street. Breakfast fees at hotels can be notoriously high, yet the quality can be exquisitely sub-par. Skip it, pay less elsewhere and save yourself some euros.

Also, think about the room amenities that you really need to enjoy your visit. Is a satellite TV really a necessity? Do you need air-conditioning in Vienna in early June? The difference in comfort between a one-star and a three-star hotel might be more noticeable in your wallet than anywhere else.

5. Don’t forget about hostels and apartments.

You’ve probably already heard this before but it’s worth restating: Consider booking a private room in a youth hostel to save money. Most hostels offer both private and dorm-style rooms, and many have gone to great lengths to shed their image as a lair exclusively for round-the-world backpackers (editor’s note: not that there’s anything at all wrong with RTW backpacking, of course).

Hostels also add an extra dose of convenience, frequently offering on-site laundry facilities and kitchens to guests. There’s also the undeniable social element that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Similarly, you might wish to consider booking an apartment that includes some of the same cooking and washing benefits beyond what is offered at a standard hotel. A wide selection of short-term rental apartments can be found on sites like Roomorama, airbnb and, of course, Craigslist.

Tell us what you think! Do you have any special tips for finding cheap hotels to share with your fellow Cheapos? Leave a comment below!

The post Travel Planning: Five tips for finding a cheap hotel during summer appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Cheap eats in Roma

It turns out we’re not the only ones blogging this week about cheap eats in Rome (read our post). Budget Travel’s blog is talking up cheap lunches in the Eternal City. Erica Firpo writes from Rome that we should say “Basta! to pasta” and reach for something a little less filling for lunch. She recommends picking up some triangular tramezzino. We’ll take two.

From Stansted for £4?

Checking in with “Less Than a Shoestring,” poetloverrebelspy has landed in London and is full of Cheapo-advice. First off, book that coach trip from Stansted into the city early, and use either easyBus or Terravision. On easyBus it’s possible to snag a seat (booked in advance) for as low as £4.25 each way!

Furthermore, we’re reminded that the Tate Modern and Tate Britain are not only free, but they offer free guided tours. Join in!

Dinner in London for £5

Meanwhile, Olivia from “High Culture on a Low Budget” is thinking London budgets, too. In this week’s installment of “Ask a Local“, she asks Mike from London where he would find dinner for £5 and £10. (Hint: The Best Turkish Kebab or an Amy Winehouse haunt.) Nice job with this series, Olivia!

Athens in 36 hours

Sunday preview: The New York Times takes us along for “36 hours in Athens.” We’re impressed by how much Joanna Kakissis can fit into a day and a half, including museum hopping, brunch taking, ruin walking, sunset strolling, restaurant sampling, bar hopping… But we have some better ideas for affordable hotels in Athens.

And, regarding our “Name that celebrity” quiz on Wednesday: We still can’t figure out who she is. Stay tuned for the answer and our winner.

Happy Friday, Cheapos! Should we all just head to Athens for the weekend?

The post Flip through: Roman lunch, London Cheapo tips, Athens in a hurry appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.