Multi-night stays can save money and reduce travel stress

by Kathy Buckworth

“Hey Simone! We’re back!” I greeted our smiling concierge as my two grandsons charged ahead through the now familiar lobby of the condo I was renting in the city. She watched them race through, ahead to the elevator, straining to be the first one to push that button.

‘You have a good one,” she said, and I nodded my head as I hastened my stride to catch up to the three-year-old and five-year-old who were calling out encouragement for Grandma to move a bit quicker. But sometimes slowing down is the goal.

The next time you book a holiday, look at what it would cost to stay a little bit longer (Booking.com offers discounts for multi-night stays) and explore the place you’re in. Not only are these good alternatives to Airbnb (which seems to be getting more expensive), but Booking.com is easy for anyone to use. Grandma approved.

Extending my stays with Booking.com

1. Condo for a month

In Ontario, I needed a safe place close to my daughter to help her with her fourth child. I had a few non-negotiables, as well as the location, including one bedroom, a full kitchen, parking and a charger for my electric car, in a safe neighbourhood, and laundry facilities.

I entered my criteria into Booking.com’s search engine, and as a Genius Level 3 member, I got instant access to any discounts as well. The apartment had the added advantage of being within walking distance of the town’s main street, grocery store and two coffee shops. Staying in town allowed me to get to know the community in a real way. I paid 20 per cent less than the published price, and there were no surprise cleaning or administrative fees.

2. Hotel for a week

In Glasgow, instead of booking my hotel directly, I used Booking.com for a five-day stay at Grand Central Hotel Glasgow, a 4-star accommodation in the heart of the city. Besides the things everyone wants to do (The MacIntosh Tea Rooms, The Riverside Museum), I joined a gym down the street, established a rapport with the coffee shop owner and established a running route. It felt like home, and I felt like I got a good taste of the city and the people.

3. A multi-night stay at an Airport hotel

While an airport hotel is often thought of as a one-night stay, they can also provide a central hub to access attractions. At Heathrow Airport, I added an extra night to a planned stay at the Holiday Inn Express to make transportation easier to sites within a close distance.

For example, from Heathrow, it was easy to take a taxi to Windsor, where I visited the castle, and took a bus tour to Frogmore Cottage (where Harry and Meghan famously lived for a short time), and the storied Eton College. These were all things I wouldn’t have done if I were racing into Heathrow from London just in time for my flight. The bonus, of course, was returning to the hotel that night, knowing I’d be waking up steps from the airport departure floor.

Benefits of using Booking.com

Booking.com has a ‘Genius’ loyalty program with additional discounts if you book flights, car rental or multiple properties. Through this program, there are discounts and other offers such as flight price alerts, free breakfasts, room upgrades and priority support for your stay. There are three levels to the program, and at Level 3 there is a 20% discount on properties and up to 15% on rental cars.

Booking.com also has flexible cancellation policies. There’s normally no charge if you cancel your dates within 24-48 hours of your visit, and it’s easy to make changes through the app (unlike Expedia, there’s no requirement to call).

The next time you’re looking at longer stays, give Booking.com a try. And let us know what your experience is like!

Disclaimer: Our writers always strive to share their personal experiences with you. In preparing this article, Kathy received a discount from booking.com for these stays, but the opinions expressed are her own. Booking.com did not review this article in advance.

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