Top 7 Shepparton Accommodation & Places to Stay, Victoria (2024)

Start With an Aggregator Site…

It’s helpful to begin your hotel search with the accommodation-focused aggregator site of your choice (such as Hotels.com, Booking.com, or Trivago). These sites can give you a general idea of your hotel options in a city or even a specific neighbourhood, which is especially useful if you’ve never been there before.

If you’ve got firm plans and can book everything for your trip simultaneously, it’s also worth looking at a bundled deal (hotel + flight, or hotel + car) from a site like Expedia, as these can sometimes save you money.

...and Don’t Forget to Log In

In some cases, having an account at one of the aggregators listed above means you’ll see members-only prices that are lower than the prices shown to people who use the sites as a guest. When creating an account is free and could grant you access to better deals, there’s no reason not to sign up.

Compare Rates with Hotel Websites

Once you’ve got an idea of your hotel options and you’ve got a few favourites, it’s time to open a new window and go straight to that hotel’s official website. Most hotel sites have their booking system, so you can search again to see if the room rates are different.

Even if they’re roughly the same, check the hotel’s site for other potential perks you won’t find on an aggregator—like free WiFi, parking, or breakfast. These sometimes come in the form of “package deals” advertised on the hotel’s site.

Call the Hotel Directly

Calling the hotel directly—not through the centralised, toll-free reservations number—gives you a chance to negotiate a better room rate. If you see a lower price on an aggregator site, don’t hesitate to call the hotel’s front desk to see if they can offer a better deal or at least match the lower price. The people who work at that specific hotel are far more likely to arrange things like a discount or a room upgrade than people at a call centre.

Consider All-Inclusive Deals

Whether you’re looking at a hotel’s website for a basic package that offers complimentary breakfast with the room or you’re browsing resort vacation package options, bundling sometimes makes sense as a money-saving tool. By bundling separate things you would otherwise pay for—from breakfast to resort activities to equipment use—into an “all-inclusive” deal, you might be able to save quite a bit of money on your overall trip (even if the cost of the room doesn’t change). This is also a helpful way to stay on budget when you travel since there are fewer unforeseen expenditures along the way.

Where you spend the night depends on the type of trip you want to have. Hostels are great for having a social experience and meet other travellers. Airbnb is helpful to feel at home while abroad and gain different experiences not typically had with hotels. And hotels are well-known accommodations with lots of perks and amenities. 

Don’t be Afraid to Search for a Hostel.

YES, hostels are safe! Ignore that lousy reputation they got after Quentin Tarantino’s movie. 

In my almost nine years of long term travel, hostels have usually been my first choice when looking for a place to stay. Some of the best hostels have the same amenities hotels do but at a fraction of the price. 

Hostels are great to meet people. They tend to encourage social gatherings and often help you plan activities, from getting to know the city on a walking tour today most significant tours to main sights and bar-hopping with your hostel mates. 

Hostels offer both private and dorm rooms, so you have the flexibility on how personal or social you want to be. And of course, dorm rooms are much cheaper if you need to save money!

Location, Location, Location

Usually, the more centric your accommodation, the more expensive it is. But, I always recommend doing a bit of value engineering to see if cheaper accommodation slightly outside of the city is the best option or not. 

Ask yourself, how much time will you spend travelling from your hotel to the city centre? How much will that taxi or public transportation cost? Then, add that up for the number of times you’ll do that and compare it to the price and convenience of having a centric room. 

Plan Ahead if You’re Traveling During High Season

It’s rare for a city to sell out every room, so even during high season, you’ll find a place to stay. But, if you want a cheap and clean place, in a good location, and gives you value for your money, then you must plan. 

High season trips should be planned for at least a few months, especially to places like Iceland, which currently have more tourism than the accommodation infrastructure available. 

Avoid Paying Full Price for a Hotel Room

Sites like Priceline and Hotwire offer excellent discounts on brand name hotels. The catch (sometimes) is that you won’t know the exact hotel name until after you book it. But, you’ll learn how many stars it has, its quality, amenities, approximate location, and more information to help you choose. 

Also, the site and app Hotel Tonight offer the same kind of discounts for rooms needed on the same night of the booking.

Earn and Redeem Points and Miles for Free Stays

Nothing beats free! 

If you have a preferred hotel brand, try to be a frequent guest to accrue miles and points with them, which can be redeemed for free stays. 

The nice thing is that those miles and points can be earned by using your branded credit card on everyday purchases most of the time. This technique is commonly known as Travel Hacking. 

Look beyond Hotels and Hostels

There are so many other accommodation options out there that span beyond hotels and hostels. From guesthouses, apartments on Airbnb and other apartment rental sites to housesitting and even Couchsurfing, the possibilities to have budget-friendly to free accommodation are endless. 

Your Destination

Are you travelling domestically or internationally? To a familiar city or one, you’ve never been to before? What is the geography like—urban, coastal, mountainous? Your destination will play a significant role in where you choose to stay.

If you’re visiting open countryside or a small beachside village, there may be fewer feasible options for hotels, but there might be a more comprehensive selection of home rentals. If you’re visiting a large city, your options will be numerous.

Don’t forget to take into consideration the safety factor of the place you plan to visit. For example, if an area is notorious for its higher crime rates, a well-established hotel may be a better option than a shared hostel dorm or home rental. On the other hand, if the site is widely regarded as safe and hospitable, renting a room in an apartment with a local host will be a more immersive, authentic experience.

Your Budget

The budget will likely play the largest role in influencing where you want to stay during a vacation. Consider the total amount of money you are able and willing to spend during your travels. How much of that money do you feel comfortable allocating toward lodging? How much of your money will it require for you to feel safe, comfortable, and content? If you have a lower budget, opt for hostels or a rented room in an apartment or home. If your budget is more significant, perhaps you can afford a luxurious hotel experience or an entire home rental.

Your Desire for Convenience

When you travel, how important to you is convenience? Different accommodations come with other amenities and services. Hotels offer amenities like in-room dining, laundry, toiletry access, medical help, WiFi, airport transfers, and access to concierges, who can facilitate booking and reservation processes.

Apartment or home rentals might not guarantee WiFi. Still, they often include gestures from the host like homemade cake, wine, or a book of recommendations, in addition to basics like towels and linen. Hostels generally don’t provide their guests with toiletries or towels. Still, they offer city maps, family-style dinners, and incredible discounts on activities like guided tours. Bar crawls adventure sports or concerts.

Your Travel Companions

Your travel companions—or lack thereof—can significantly affect where you will want to stay. If solo travel is your thing, you might find it more affordable to stay in a shared dorm at a hostel rather than reserve a hotel room.

If you crave company but still want privacy, renting a room in an apartment is a fantastic alternative. If you’re with friends, but each wants your beds, a hostel is ideal. If you’re travelling with a large family or organised group and want to share the same space, a rental is probably the best option.

Finally, if you’ll be with your significant other and enjoy a romantic, secluded area, an upscale hotel or private apartment would work best.

Your Activities

Take some time to map out your vacation activities. Do you plan on sightseeing all day, exploring the outdoors, or taking a day trip? Maybe you enjoy relaxing with a book or sipping your morning cup of coffee with a view. How often you plan to be where you’re staying is a significant factor in choosing accommodations that will give you the most for your money.

If you plan to use every hour of daylight walking around a city and taking in its sights, then you can afford to be less indulgent and more practical with your choice in lodging since you won’t be there very often. On the other hand, if you plan to read by the pool and lounge on the beach during your vacation, perhaps you want accommodations where you can feel equally comfortable spending your downtime.

Your Language Skills

Are you travelling somewhere where you speak the local language? If so, you probably have more accommodation options. If you don’t say a word of the local language in the place you’re visiting, then a hotel—with a multilingual staff and helpful concierge workers—is a great option.

Hostels will also have bilingual or multilingual staff, helpful translation signs, and organised group activities where the logistics are handled for you. On the other hand, if you have a decent grasp of the local language and want to practice speaking it, a rental is your best option. With that, you can share someone’s home, cook meals together, and have ample opportunity to converse.

Your Eating Habits

How do you plan to experience the food in another city and culture? Do you enjoy dining out every meal, eating at local markets, grabbing some street food, or doing some combination of all three? If you prefer cooking easy, occasional meals during your travels, look into hostels, which usually have community kitchens where you can store groceries and cook a few essential dishes.

If you love sharing authentic homemade meals, book a room at bed and breakfast. If you have dietary restrictions and need to make a lot of your food, go for a rental with a fully equipped kitchen. If you like to dine out without going very far, opt for a hotel that has a café or restaurant.

Your Personality

How do you recharge after a long day of exploring an unfamiliar place? Do you like socialising, or do you prefer to be on your own? Do you stay up late or go to sleep early? Do you set the alarm or wake up naturally? Do you like to have a set routine or be spontaneous? How do you deal with stressful situations?

Hostels are attractive options for laid-back individuals who love constant stimulation and meeting new people. At the same time, rentals are ideal for those who enjoy a peaceful environment and the comforts of home.

If you’re a combination of the two, opt for a hotel or a private room in an apartment or hostel. Consider what brings you comfort and what causes you frustration during travel, then factor that in when you decide which stay is right for you.

Choose a hotel according to the type of destination

Are you touring internationally or domestically? To a familiar place or one, you have never been to before? What is the geographical location like – coastal, urban, mountainous?

The destination of your trip plays a crucial role in finding an ideal hotel. For example, if you plan a trip to a small beachside village or the open countryside, there might be fewer options for good hotels, but there may be broader home rentals. On the other hand, if you are tripping to a large city, your options for accommodation will be copious.

Also, you should not forget to take into consideration the security factor of the destination. For example, if your goal is notorious for high crime rates, a well-established hotel will be a better option than a home rental or a shared hostel dorm. On the other hand, if the destination is widely regarded as warm and safe, renting a room with a local host can be a more authentic experience.

Spend on hotels according to your budget

Your budget plays a vital role in influencing where you want to stay during the trip. You should consider the total money you are willing to spend during the trip. How big of an amount do you want to spend on lodging? How big of an amount will it require for you to feel comfortable, safe, and content? If your budget is low, you can opt for a rented room in apartments or hostels. If your budget is high, you can think about luxurious hotels or an entire home rental.

A money-saving tip

You can also book a hotel through online booking services. These days, many online portals and service providers are providing online hotel booking services at discounted prices. In addition, these portals offer various coupons or first time booking benefits. You can avail of these benefits, and I’m sure you will book tickets at 50%-60% cheaper rates. Additionally, you can read hotel reviews and see pictures of the hotels on these portals, and you can make your decision according to it.

Make your decision according to your travel partner

Your companions n the trip can have a significant effect on where you’ll desire to stay. For example, if you are travelling solo, you may find it more pocket friendly to stay in a shared dorm at a hostel rather than reserving a hotel.

A room rental in an apartment is a good alternative if you crave company but still want privacy. If you are with your friends and each wants separate beds, a hostel facility is an ideal choice. If you are tripping with an organised group or your family and want to share the same space, a room rental is probably a good option. On the other hand, a romantic, secluded area, a private apartment or an upscale hotel would work best.

The best day of the week to book your hotel at the lowest rates, both for domestic and international travel, is Friday and sometimes Saturday, according to travel aggregator Kayak's Global Hotel Survey and the Airlines Reporting Corporation.

The most expensive days to book are Monday through Wednesday when most people are searching. Tuesday is the single priciest day for domestic hotels, and Monday/Wednesday is the most expensive for international hotels. But as the week slides into the weekend, hotel searches drop by as much as 30 per cent, and the rates tend to drop off, as well.

The calculations get a little trickier here. Kayak found that if you’re not risk-averse and can wait until the last minute, say one to three days before your planned check-in date, you can save a lot of money.

One reason is that hotels typically have a 24- to 48-hour cancellation policy and do see cancellations come in just ahead of that window via those looking to avoid being penalised. So rather than have those cancelled rooms go unused, the hotels will cut rates to fill them.

A 2018 study by SAP Concur, a company that assists businesses with travel and expense management, found the same results for booking hotels in Europe: Most hotel bookings are made a month or more out when rates are the highest. As a result, travellers who wait three or fewer days before their check-in date to make a reservation will save the most money.