Traveling and hotels go hand in hand, whether you’re a luxury traveler enjoying a dream vacation on the beach or an Eat, Pray, Love-style backpacker in a Southeast Asian country. Whatever your style, it’s important to make an informed choice about accommodations and travel gear that will be comfortable, affordable and fit your itinerary.
In a swipeable format reminiscent of Instagram Stories, Skift’s new AI chatbot reveals the best hotel options for any given trip based on your location, budget and preferences. Using the voice of artificial intelligence, the chatbot can provide the cheapest rates, as well as amenities like free WiFi and airport shuttles. It can even help you book a car or find nearby restaurants and attractions.
While there are some things that you can only find at a hotel (like 24-hour front desk service and the ability to check in and out whenever you want), Airbnb, hostels and other short-term stays can often offer similar amenities. It’s also worth noting that many hotels have more flexibility with cancellation policies than Airbnb does, especially if you book a room through a hotel-branded booking engine.
It’s also a good idea to read hotel reviews before you book, especially if you’re planning to stay at an independent hotel. Often, these reviews will give you an honest look at what it’s really like to stay at a particular property and can be a great indicator of what to expect. Also consider booking locally-owned hotels, especially in poorer countries, so that the money you spend on accommodations is more likely to circulate within the local economy rather than getting sent to an international headquarters somewhere else.