One form of accommodation that’s growing in popularity is the serviced apartment. The surge in its popularity can be attributed to certain advantages it has over a hotel.

Photo by Julo for Best of European Union

Here’s a comparison of hotels and serviced apartments based on certain factors:

Cost

Serviced apartments are generally cheaper than a stay at a hotel. There are many factors why hotels charge a higher rate than other forms of accommodations, but one of them is that you pay for the established name of the hotel. This is especially true for hotel chains, which bank on its prestigious brand to pull in customers. The amenities and additional services also play into the total cost of a hotel stay.

Serviced apartments are cheaper because you don’t pay for these extras. What you pay for is the cost of renting the apartment plus a few amenities. This keeps costs down. Additionally, you can haggle for lower rates if you are planning to stay for more than just a few days. Most serviced apartments offer weekly or monthly rates that offer huge savings for the traveler.

Amenities

Hotels have an obvious advantage over serviced apartments in terms of amenities since they have bigger facilities. Additional services like room service and daily turndown are also something that most serviced apartments do not offer.

On the other hand, serviced apartments do come equipped with a full kitchen, which would allow travelers to cook their own meals. This is a big benefit especially if you’re traveling on a budget. Although there are hotel rooms that have kitchens, these are usually suites and are extremely expensive.

Space

Serviced apartments are tops when it comes to offering a lot of space. The most affordable hotel rooms are nothing more than a small box with a bed and a bathroom. Serviced apartments are real apartments so there is typically a living room, dining room, kitchen, and a bedroom. There are apartments that offer more than one bedroom, which again translates to savings if a group of travelers will rent one serviced apartment.

Derek Gallimore has been operating Boutique London Lets, a company that rents out luxury apartments in London.

The post The Pros and Cons of Serviced Apartments and Hotels appeared first on Best of European Union.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain by Mário José Martins

Here are just some of the benefits to going the guided tour route:

Safety

As with many situations, there is safety in numbers when walking the Way of St. James. If you should become ill or injured or come across any unsavory people, there will be plenty of others, as well as your guide, to make sure you’re taken care of.

Accommodations

Accommodations are plentiful on the way to Santiago, especially on the more travelled routes, but there will be thousands of people right alongside you looking for somewhere to spend the night and you don’t want to chance all the inns being full. As part of a tour you’ll be guaranteed a comfortable place to lay your head after an excruciatingly long day of walking or cycling, and most accommodations booked through tours are much nicer than you would find on your own.

Getting Lost

Many of the different routes that will lead you to Santiago de Compostela are very well-marked due to the high volume of visitors each year. Getting lost may not be a huge concern, but for those traveling on their own and who tend to wander off, it can definitely happen. As part of a tour group you will always be accounted for and the chances of getting lost or left behind are minimal.

Streets of Santiago de Compostela, Spain by Naír la jefa

Knowledge

Most of the companies that you can book guided tours in Spain through provide tour guides that call the country home and have been immersed in the culture for a significant amount of time, if not their whole lives, as well as have years of experience navigating the Way of St. James’ many routes. Some will offer extra knowledge on the art and monuments you will see along the way and can accommodate access to must-see sites that you can only gain entry into if you are part of a guided tour.

Encouragement

The Way of St. James isn’t for the faint of heart, and there can be many challenges that a pilgrim will face during their expedition. Meeting people on the same tour and spending such a lengthy amount of time with them can forge lifelong friendships and encouragement when you think you can go no further.

You may be a seasoned traveler and used to going at it alone, but the Way of St. James trek isn’t your typical vacation, and a guided tour might be something to really consider. Happy travels!

Author’s Bio

Tiffany Olson is a blogger who lives in beautiful Northern California and loves all things travel and adventure related. She writes on many topics including guided tours in Spain and The Way of St. James (aka El Camino de Santiago).

The post Don’t Overlook the Advantages of a Guided Tour in Spain appeared first on Best of European Union.