Independently Owned VS Chain Hotel Accommodations

When traveling to an unfamiliar location it can be a difficult decision about where to stay. What are the things you should consider when deciding the type of accommodation to book.

As you know, chain hotels tend to be the larger, “cookie cutter” type of accommodations. Although, even if you choose a chain hotel, they are not necessarily company-run. There are many “chains” that are actually individual franchises. Most often, franchise-type hotes are required to meet some basic company standards to remain part of the chain. The key concept here being “minimum standards”. That can mean that not all the locations associated with the chain are equally clean and well maintained.) as others.

Often travelers will pick a chain hotel in an unfamiliar city so they feel like they’ll know what to expect – no surprises. We did just that on our first trip to Belize. We picked a well-known chain hotel and booked it for our first two nights in Belize City. It was a mistake. We checked out after the first night for various reasons (not very clean, air conditioning didn’t work, etc.) and found, with the help of a guide book, the most wonderful B&B – the Fort Street Guesthouse. It was like we stepped into an old movie – four poster beds, mosquito netting, amazing ambience, terrific owners (they mailed us a Christmas card for years after our visit) and interesting guests. It made our visit to Belize City memorable.

So, let’s lay out the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

Chain Hotel Accommodations

Pros

You know what you’re getting (this is often true, but there are exceptions)

Web-enabled reservations system (frequently)

Will accept most credit cards

Generous cancellation policies (often)

Cons

Tends to be a more commonplace experience

Frequently a sterile type ambience

More costly (this is not always the case, but remember – “You get what you pay for.”)

Independently Owned Accommodations

Pros

Uncommon styles of accommodations (even underwater or in a cave)

More of a cultural flavor

Less expensive (not always true)

A more personal experience with well-informed local advice

Can be part of the adventure

Cons

Not always sure what you’re getting

Language barriers

Booking difficulties (often don’t have an online reservations system)

Upfront deposits (smaller places need to charge some, or all, of the costs upfront)

Credit cards aren’t accepted (smaller establishments often don’t take credit cards)

Cancellation Fees and Policies (frequently there are no refunds, unless they can re-book the accommodations, if you cancel less than a certain amount of time in advance.)

In many countries there are associations that rate independent lodgings such as Bed & Breakfasts and Inns. It’s a good idea to see if the property you’re looking at belongs to an association or has been rated by a tourism agency.

With advanced planning you can make your vacation a memorable experience. Even if some things go wrong, hey, it’s all part of the experience!