Step 4: Finding Accommodation & Step 5: Leveraging Points
Step 4: Finding Accommodation
After mapping out your train routes and potential stops, it's time to find your perfect place to stay.
Do Your Research! I recently discovered Historic Hotels of Europe (I'm obsessed!), but always research.
Location vs. Lure: I once booked a "fabulous castle" in Italy. My heart was happy! But after researching travel time (almost 7 hours from Milan, involving infrequent trains and a bus, plus an enormous uphill walk with bags), I cancelled. Always verify location logistics.
Flexible Bookings: I almost always book hotels with free cancellation. Only commit to non-refundable options when there's truly no other viable choice (e.g., specific resorts like Cancun, or visiting family in Rio where location is fixed).
Important Note on European Hotels:
European hotels differ from American ones.
Occupancy Matters: If you have more than one traveler, always input the correct number of guests in your search. In the US, a queen bed is standard; in Europe, you might book a single twin room for less if you're solo—not ideal for a couple, as I learned in Dublin!
Read Reviews & Amenities:
Nightclubs: Popular cities often have hotel rooftop or in-house nightclubs. A rooftop bar is lovely; a club directly above you at 4 AM might not be!
Pools: A pool on the website doesn't guarantee it's open. Many hotels in Spain, for instance, only open outdoor pools from June to October.
Step 5: Leveraging Points
Spreadsheet Your Stays: Create a spreadsheet of potential hotels. Calculate the "bang for your buck" (Cents Per Point) to see if it's better to pay cash or use points. Sometimes, saving points for a luxury stay is better than burning them on a budget hotel.
Don't Lose Free Night Certs: Many credit card free night certificates are capped at a certain point value (e.g. 35k or 50k). While luxury city-center hotels often exceed this cap, airport hotels usually fall comfortably under the threshold. We often book our final night at an airport hotel to use up these certificates before they expire—it saves money and makes the morning flight stress-free.
Sign Up for Everything: Always sign up for rewards accounts with any train, airline, or hotel chain you use. Even if you don't collect points, members often get free Wi-Fi or better rooms. Plus, future mergers (like when Choice Hotels acquired Radisson Americas) can suddenly make those orphaned points valuable!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!