Retirement, Travel anytime : Accommodation Checklist

When it comes to the ideal way of traveling after retirement, which is living for a month in a new place, accommodation is the most important aspect for our couple. While it can be seen as "traveling" in the sense of leaving home, it is also literally "living" for us, so accommodation holds greater significance than anything else. We may spend half a day exploring during our travels, but for the rest of the time, we stay in our accommodation or spend time strolling around the area nearby. Therefore, the location of the accommodation is crucial, along with the terms of the agreement and the availability of necessary amenities. Since most of the time we make accommodation reservations before departing, we have no choice but to make careful decisions. It's not easy to assess things without seeing, hearing, and experiencing them firsthand on-site, so it requires considerable attention. Living for a month often involves visiting new areas rather than revisiting familiar places. It entails making decisions based on limited information about a neighborhood that we'll be exploring while walking around. In terms of accommodation, to be honest, leave it to luck.

 

Through multiple trips, we have developed our own "accommodation checklist." Sometimes, thoughts like "Do we really need to check so many things before traveling? Can't we just be casual about it? I might get tired of it even before the trip begins" cross our minds. However, based on the accumulated experience that the amount of pre-travel research correlates inversely with the amount of regret, we go through each item on our checklist and confirm them before finalizing the accommodation. Of course, not everything can be confirmed before arrival, and some things may be impossible to verify. Nevertheless, I check to the best of my ability to reach my own "comfort level." A friend with a similar personality says that with the vast amount of information they gather about the destination before the trip, it feels like they have already been there and seen it once they actually arrive. Being preoccupied with finding accommodation, we pay more attention to accommodation-related information than the travel destination itself, so fortunately, we don't experience much déjà vu. We typically plan the itinerary for the first and second days upon arrival, and the remaining schedule is decided based on the weather or our preferences each evening at the accommodation. Here we’re sharing our very personal accommodation checklist:

 

Our Accommodation Checklist

Category	Item	Detail
Location	Transportation Environment Sunlight	Public transportation or Self-Driving(Check Parking Space) Security, Stench, Noise Nearby facilities, Restaurant/Café, Library, Hospital Sunlight, Direction
Contract	Price Conditions	Within our Budget (The average price in the area) Cancellation, Refund
Facility	Bathroom	Photos, reviews and ratings
Essential amenities	Cooking Cleaning Laundry Bedding	Kitchen supplies Trash management, Cleaning supplies, Detergent Laundry machine, Drying place Bedding and towels

 

Accommodation Location

Depending on the area where we plan to live for a month, we decide which mode of transportation to use. As residents of Seoul, a major city, when traveling domestically to rural areas, we primarily rely on our own car. This is because public transportation may not be readily available when moving to other regions, and the preferred accommodations for us are often located in areas without commercial facilities such as restaurants within walking distance. In last April, when we stayed in Gampo-eup, Gyeongju City, our accommodation was situated in a small seaside village. There was a village senior citizens' center right next to the accommodation, and a convenience store was within a 5-minute walk. When using our car, it is important to confirm "where to park" during the accommodation booking process. Designated parking spaces may not be available, so in such cases, we use apps like Naver Maps, Google Maps, or Kakao Maps to check the actual "street view" and verify the parking spaces described by the landlord or host.

 

When the public transportation system is well-developed, and we plan to move around frequently without staying in one place for several days, we choose public transportation. During our trips to Europe, except for the southern region of Spain, we relied on public transportation for all other destinations. On a trip to Italy, we once decided to stay in accommodation near the train station in Florence. We thought it would be very convenient to explore the surrounding areas as the accommodation was located a few minutes' walk from the station, in a commercial district with traditionally European-styled buildings. The area had the characteristic of buildings forming a part of the alleys and streets, and the windows were designed inward for ventilation. On one side of the building, there was a Chinese restaurant operating from early morning till late at night. As a result, we had a very challenging time due to the strong smell of Chinese food permeating throughout our living space. In Milan, Italy, the accommodation itself was excellent, but the nearby construction noise that started as early as 7 in the morning caused us a lot of discomfort. Since then, whenever we investigate the surroundings of potential accommodations, we make sure to check if there could be any smells or noises that could bother us.

 

Whether using public transportation or a car, we always check if there are facilities nearby that we like or need. In Madrid, Spain, we found accommodation in a tourist-commercial district not far from the subway station, allowing us to enjoy the abundance of cafes and restaurants in the vicinity. We also search to see if the accommodation allows meal preparation, if there are local markets or grocery stores available, and how far we need to walk to find dining options. When living in provincial areas in our country for a month, it is common to have markets, restaurants, and cafes in the town where we stay. In the case of overseas trips, if there is an Asian market nearby, it's definitely a reason to celebrate. During our month-long stay in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, where the accommodation had no TV, we could pass the time by visiting the town's library and borrow books. As we get older, we always make sure to check if there is an emergency room in close proximity when choosing accommodation. In 2013, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, I had an incident where I drank water from a public fountain like everyone else, and ended up with vomiting and diarrhea. I had to go to an emergency room that was a 30-minute taxi ride away. If I hadn't been able to go to the emergency room immediately... just terrifying.

 

Sunny Accommodation

The best part of our stay in Gampo last April was starting the day with a sunrise. It brought us joy to experience the sun-filled mornings at the beach-facing accommodation. It was a stark contrast to the busy mornings of the past, when we used to wake up, turn on the air conditioner, and get ready for work in our east-facing apartment. I always longed to sleep in, but the weekend sun always disturbed me. However, in Gamapo, it felt different. The morning sunlight had a unique and happy essence, especially now that we were retired. Even though the world remained the same, with the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, we had changed. The amount of sunlight that enters our accommodation is crucial to us. A place where the gentle breeze caresses and warm sunlight shines will always be remembered as a haven of comfort.

 

Gampo, Living room, Relax Morning @HoneyJar

 

The accommodation in Sliema, Malta, was perfect in terms of transportation, but it lacked abundant sunlight. Not only did the laundry not dry properly, but it was also a place that didn't suit our mood, as our spirits change with the amount of sunlight. As a result, our one-month stay became a period of going out early in the morning and spending the entire day outside. It may have been a more active month in which we diligently explored various places in Malta, but I don't think we will be able to have a month like that again, where we go out all day, every day. Now, we prefer a more relaxed schedule. Nonetheless, despite everything, Sliema in Malta remains our favorite place for a one-month stay, and we plan to visit again someday.

 

Accommodation Contract Conditions

When searching for accommodations through various platforms, we carefully review the contract conditions, including the price. As we reserve a one-month stay six months in advance, we look into the average prices in the area, whether utilities are included or not, if not, how we pay for utilities, whether cancellation or changes to the reservation are possible, until when they are allowed if applicable, whether refunds are possible, what the penalty clauses entail, what the payment terms are, and so on. We meticulously gather all the details about the rental contract conditions, not just the price, and record them in our calendar. We always prepare for the possibility of needing to modify or cancel the contract. As a couple, we allocate approximately one-third of our overall budget for the one-month stay to accommodation costs. When comparing our domestic and international one-month stay expenses, excluding airfare, the proportion of accommodation costs in the budget was quite similar. When we visited Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, we stayed at a countryside house lent by a friend, so there were no accommodation expenses. However, since the property was not well-maintained during its vacancy, we had to spend a week cleaning, organizing, and fixing things as a trade-off for our time. Indeed, there's no free lunch in this world.

 

Bathroom in Accommodation

The most important place for our couple inside the accommodation is the bathroom. Apart from assessing the amount of sunlight through window position and size, what we diligently check is the bathroom photos. While it may not be a major concern when staying at hotels, when acquiring accommodations through lodging-sharing platforms, we make sure to confirm the condition of the bathroom. We make efforts to assess the hot water situation through photos and reviews. Unlike the instant hot water systems in Korea, there are cases abroad where water tanks are heated, and there are also shower stalls that are very small. Once, during a sudden summer downpour in Split, Croatia, we got completely drenched and entered the accommodation. The hot water tank in that beautifully built house (even its name was Stone House!) was so small that it didn't provide enough hot water for both of us to shower consecutively. I still remember my husband shivering for a long time. Another time, in a wonderful accommodation comment we saw on Airbnb, a kind Korean wrote, 'ㅇ ㅗ ㄴ ㅅ ㅜ ㄱ ㅏ 쫄쫄' (a playful Korean phrase). I still remember how grateful we were for that comment, which felt like a secret code. In the case of domestic locations, it's advisable to know in advance that they may not have city gas heating, unlike major cities in Korea. In our previous accommodation, there was a large LPG tank installed in the yard, but there was no problem using heating and hot water."

 

Confirmation of Supplies

When selecting accommodations, we carefully review the accommodation descriptions and photos provided by the landlord to confirm the facilities and necessary supplies available. If the posting is outdated, we take into account that the facilities and supplies may have changed, so we also check the posting's publication date. In the case of domestic one-month stays where the accommodation is registered as a rental business rather than a lodging business, bedding may not be provided. In such cases, we confirm the bed size and prepare the necessary bedding ourselves. Similarly, we bring towels, toilet paper, and other bathroom essentials. While it's possible to purchase necessary items in the local area, it may not be easy to find same products we use or have next-day delivery in major cities. Therefore, we make sure to prepare in advance. Since we are staying for a month, we also check if cleaning tools are provided. It's essential to have cleaning tools because we cannot go without cleaning during our stay. In our experience at a Sliéma, Malta accommodation, where a vacuum cleaner was not provided, cleaning with a broom and bending down to clean was quite challenging. We also inquire in advance about waste disposal: "How should we handle general waste, food waste, and recycling?" Of course, if the accommodation includes cleaning services, these details are not significant considerations.

 

Laundry Facilities and Cooking Amenities

We also confirm the availability of a washing machine and the laundry drying options when examining accommodations. The laundry drying environment is a factor that affects the weight of our luggage. Since we usually plan to stay in the accommodation for a month, we check if cooking is possible and if the necessary cooking utensils are provided. It's very useful to bring small amounts of seasoning for cooking. I have a memory of regret when I didn't prepare any seasonings, thinking, "Why would I need Korean seasonings?" before going to Malta and ended up buying them one by one at an Asian market in Malta. During our recent trip to Gampo, thanks to the Nespresso capsule machine and milk frother we confirmed in advance, we were able to enjoy delightful lattes and milk tea in our accommodation every morning. Seeing a Brita water jar in the kitchen photo of the listing, we prepared a Brita filter, so we didn't have to worry about buying bottled water or dealing with disposable water bottles. By the way, I have a list of necessary items for a one-month stay that I've created, and I should organize and share it.

 

As I write this, I realize that even just choosing accommodations before a trip can feel like a mountain of things to check. However, one of the great things about retirement is that even if we spend a lot of time checking and preparing, we experience less stress. Taking it slowly, thinking about the trip little by little every day, humming along, and exploring and preparing various things can be enjoyable as well. When I start feeling lazy about preparing, I remember this saying, "If you don't do it when you can, you won't be able to do it when you want to."