ACCOMMODATION - Europe On a Budget - page 81

Local living. Renting an apartment is a great way to see where the locals live. You'll be
in close proximity to neighborhood bakeries and restaurants. You'll experience the city on a
much deeper level.
The apartment we rented in Berlin had a great kitchen.
Amenities. With an apartment, you'll get your own kitchen, bathroom, and probably a TV.
Many come with free phone and Wi-Fi. You might get lucky and find one with a washing ma-
chine.
More relaxed. It is difficult to relax in a hostel because people are always coming and going.
Plus, some require that you stay out of your room during the day. With an apartment, you are
free to come and go as you please.
DISADVANTAGES TO RENTING AN APARTMENT
Minimum stay. Some apartment rentals have a minimum rental period (usually three to
seven days) but this isn't always the case. It'll be rare to find a place that will rent for a single
night, so a hotel or hostel would be better for this situation.
No reception desk. If something goes wrong (e.g., there is no hot water or there is a water
leak from the apartment upstairs), the owner isn't always available to quickly attend to the
problem. Most owners will work hard to resolve the issue, but it isn't as easy as calling down
to the front desk.
Possible extra costs. Some rental companies charge extra fees for things like cleaning,
safety deposits, and other charges. The extra fees will be listed but don't forget to take them
into account.
Rental legitimacy concerns. Most of the time, you're dealing with an individual and many
people have doubts about giving a stranger their money—especially over the Internet. I stick
to services like Airbnb.com or other established rental sites, so I can read reviews from past
guests.