Accommodations - Accommodaties

This article is a topic.

WARNING: Due to the outbreak of the contagious disease COVID-19 (see coronavirus pandemic), caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, also known as coronavirus, there are travel restrictions worldwide. It is therefore of great importance to follow the advice of the official bodies of Belgium and Netherlands to be consulted frequently. These travel restrictions may include travel restrictions, closure of hotels and restaurants, quarantine measures, being allowed to be on the street for no reason and more, and can be implemented with immediate effect. Of course, in your own interest and that of others, you must immediately and strictly follow government instructions.

Accommodation is a word with multiple meanings, but for Wikivoyage we assume overnight stay-accommodations, whether or not equipped with facilities for staying there during the day.

Various types of accommodations

• hotel
• apartment
• camping
• hospitality service
• home exchange
• in the great outdoors (beach, etc.)

Book in advance or just walk in

To reserve

During the high season, accommodations in popular destinations are often fully booked. In that situation, it is therefore highly recommended to book in advance. In the descriptions of cities and neighborhoods in major cities, accommodations are listed in several categories, in most cases with a link to the accommodation's own website, as well as other contact details (address, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address). Such websites usually offer the possibility to book directly via the internet, showing the prices applicable for the specified dates, so that you are not faced with any surprises. Of course you can also call the accommodation and make a reservation by telephone, where you have the option of negotiating the price. Written, by post or e-mail is another option, but it is not interactive and therefore takes more time. If you are a bit unsure whether everything is going well, you can always just walk into a travel agency. There they generally have worldwide hotel directories and can also help you with hotels that are not listed in Wikivoyage. The disadvantage is that they charge booking fees for this.

Another way to find and reserve accommodation is to use special reservation websites. Keep in mind that these are not charities, but just like travel agencies have to earn from this form of service. For example, they may charge booking fees, or the accommodation in question may receive less than you pay the website organization. Most sites have a points rating in addition to any official star rating. These are usually based on experiences reported by travelers. You should always take a critical look at such ratings, a 10 with only one reviewer is no guarantee for a very good accommodation. It is even possible that the accommodation has offered a low overnight price in exchange for publishing a good review.

Conclusions:

• If you arrive at a certain price via an accommodation's own website, also check the price via a reservation website.
• And vice versa, if you have come across an accommodation that is attractive thanks to a reservation website, see if it has its own website and check the prices there too.
• And finally, through a reservation website you can find accommodations that are not in Wikivoyage, travel guides, travel brochures, etc.

walk in

You can also walk into the accommodations upon arrival at your destination and inquire about availability and price. You also have negotiation options, and very important, you can view the offer before you Yes say. The problem with this can be that there is a "walk-in rate" that they do not want (or may not) deviate from. Bee walk in rates these are prices that are indicated at the entrance or at the reception. This way of obtaining an accommodation is especially interesting in the low season, when a large part of the accommodation is vacant, and the price can be negotiated.