Something funny about me is that, for as much as I enjoy exploring new places, I love returning to familiar foreign locations nearly as much. Moreover, when I do return to cities I’ve been to before, there’s a good chance I’ll even book the same hotel from previous stays. That’s how I’ve ended up having favorite hotels in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Chicago, and beyond. Are these the absolute best hotels in their respective areas? Maybe not — but they sure do work well for me.
So why is it that I’m such a creature of habit when it comes to travel? Here are the basics behind my loyalty logic.
The Price is Right (and the Amenities are Too)
First, if I’m willing to stay at a property multiple times, you can bet that I’m getting a good deal. Given my average trip budget, the luxury hotels are a one-and-done situation. Meanwhile, hotels that offer great value are the ones I’m going to head to again and again. To be clear, they may not be the absolute cheapest, but they’re not going to break the bank either.
As for what else I consider to be “value,” the amenities offered can be a huge boost. For example, the reason why I love Aparthotel Adagio near Disneyland Paris isn’t just for its proximity to the parks but also because it features a kitchenette. Having the ability to cook in our room saves us a ton of money on extended trips and short stays alike. Even if a kitchenette isn’t in the cards, we’re always on the lookout for mini-fridges, microwaves, electric kettles, and the like.
Why Mess with Success?
There was a time when my hotel booking process involved sorting by price, looking at a few photos, and deciding yay or nay. In some cases, I’d even use sites like Hotwire to book a mystery hotel based on price or bid on Priceline, landing wherever my selected price got me. However, while this worked for some trips in my youth, I’ve since done a 180 when it comes to finding the right hotel.
When planning a trip (especially internationally), I do quite a bit of research to find the perfect spot. For example, I want to be close to public transit options, have a variety of quick service dining options, etc. If we have specific activities in mind for our trip, that will also play a role in determining where the best spot to stay will be.
Once I identify a target area, I can then drill down and see which hotel best fits our needs. Price is, of course, a consideration, but the aforementioned amenities are also a factor. I may also read a few reviews, although learning to navigate those can be a skill unto itself (remember that people are far more motivated to write about bad experiences than good ones).
All of this effort often leads me to a great place that I’m expecting will be perfect. Thus, when it does go well, I’m inclined to return. After all, why take the risk of going somewhere else?
Funny enough, though, sometimes my success with finding a great hotel does come down to dumb luck. When I first visited Japan in 2010 (my first international solo trip), I chose my hotel mostly on price and pictures, with little knowledge of the area. Yet, while chosen at random, this proved to be a great, quiet neighborhood I really came to enjoy — plus, it offered quick access to the train station and was equidistant to two major Tokyo areas. Thus, when we returned to Japan for our honeymoon, I booked the same hotel. In 2019, while our hotel of choice was booked, we still elected to stay on the same street just because we liked it so much.
Familiarity Means Less Stress
Lastly, as someone who often finds travel to be a stressful (albeit worth it) experience, there’s definitely a comfort in knowing what I’m doing before I even touch down in a foreign country. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy knowing where my favorite restaurant is or the best route to take to get to an attraction from my hotel. At the same time, there’s also something fun about seeing what’s new and what’s changed in an area you’ve visited multiple times. It almost makes you feel like a local even when you’re very much not. For those reasons, while I may branch out from time to time, I do love revisiting past spots and feeling like it’s another home.
To some, returning to the same cities and even the same hotels erases the excitement inherent to travel. I can understand that sentiment — but, for me, the pros outweigh the cons. Besides, I’m not suggesting that I won’t still explore new places. It’s just that, if I am going to return to a city I’ve already been to, I’m likely to repeat what worked.
Anyway, what do you think about this approach? Are you a travel creature of habit or always seeking something new?