Hotel budgeting is something that a lot of people underestimate when traveling to Europe.
When I travel & recommend hotels, the hotel is part of the experience. Full stop.
I don’t always push five-star properties, but it must be at least four stars, minimum. And location? Location is non-negotiable.
The best hotels are the ones where you walk out the front door and you’re already somewhere. Restaurants, cafes, cobblestone streets worth wandering. No Uber required.
My personal favourites are boutique-style hotels. Smaller, more intimate, with a personality that actually reflects the city you came to explore. A 300-room convention hotel could be anywhere. A 40-room boutique in the Marais or a family-run property in Lisbon’s Alfama district? That’s part of the trip.
Now, a few things worth knowing before you book in Europe.
ROOMS ARE SMALL.
The average European hotel room runs about 20 square metres, which is roughly 215 square feet. That’s not a flaw, it’s just the reality of cities built centuries before the concept of a king bed and a sitting area.
And the bathrooms? Don’t expect a spa-like retreat.
Spacious bathrooms with large countertops and double sinks are genuinely rare in Europe. And don’t be surprised if you spot a bidet or even a urinal in your hotel bathroom. It’s not something we see in North America, but it’s perfectly normal over there.
If a luxurious bathroom setup is important to you, it’s worth researching specifically before you book. Set your expectations accordingly and you won’t be disappointed.
IT COSTS MORE THAN YOU THINK.
Hotels in Europe, especially in premium locations, are significantly pricier than what we’re used to in North America. And prices vary a lot by country and city. Italy, for example, runs considerably higher than Portugal. Within a single trip, the swings can be dramatic:
I’m doing a river cruise this October, and the hotels I booked in Zurich are noticeably more expensive than the ones in Amsterdam.
One more thing to be aware of: Many European hotels require prepayment to access their best rates. Unlike North America, where we’re used to paying at checkout, over there the better the rate, the more likely it needs to be paid upfront at the time of booking. It’s worth factoring that into your travel budget from the start.
Here’s the thing though. Saving money on a hotel that’s poorly located often isn’t actually saving money. Once you’re paying for taxis and Ubers to get everywhere, the math starts to look a lot less clever.
When you’re budgeting a European trip, give your hotels the budget they deserve. The right property in the right location doesn’t just make your trip more comfortable. It makes the whole thing feel easier, more relaxed, more like the trip you actually pictured.
If you are planning on visiting Europe and need a professional on your corner, let’s schedule a call.
