A big part of going on a trip is figuring out where you’re going to stay. Unless you’re going to be staying with family and friends, booking accommodation can feel like a big task. You want to stay within your budget, get value for money, and choose places that offer an experience. You want to be close to the things you’d like to see and do, and you want to enjoy your time at the vacation rental you book. It should be more than just a place to sleep, and yes, the bed should be super comfortable.
Choosing the best accommodations in Newfoundland means first deciding what you want to see and do. What part of Newfoundland will you be visiting? What types of activities and experiences are you looking for? If icebergs are what you came to see, the Twillingate and Fogo Island area might be a perfect stop for you during iceberg season. If you’re looking for summertime whales and the East Coast Trail, The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve and Marine Protected Zone is an obvious choice. If you’re looking for mountains and Gros Morne National Park, Rocky Harbour or Cow Head put you right inside the National Park and close to all the action. Plan your accommodation around your adventure.
PRO TIP: Choose accommodations with a view, and if booking a suite in a multi-unit building, always ask if it’s possible for you to be placed in a room with a view. We’ve often been upgraded for free to a better suite with a bigger view by doing this. It doesn’t always work but it never hurts to ask.
We’re big walkers, but that doesn’t mean we want to be miles away from everything. When choosing an accommodation, we look for something that’s walking distance to the stuff we want to see and do. Being able to wake up in the morning, have a coffee, and walk to our favourite breakfast spot or take a stroll on the east coast trail is much better than having to drive everywhere you want to go. This is particularly true if you’re travelling with a friend or in a group. Not everyone shares the same schedule and sleeping habits, and the last thing you want is to feel stuck or trapped in the accommodation you choose. This way, if there are things to see and do at and around your accommodation, everyone will feel relaxed and happy there.
Staying connected is important to everyone. If you have a smartphone or are travelling with digital natives, be sure to choose a place that not only has WiFi, but offers blazing fast wireless internet with a strong signal. Staying connected is important to everyone these day. When travelling we tend to use more data, and that can get expensive if you’re exclusively relying on your data plan to upload vacation photos and video chat with friends and family back home. Take the stress out of this by choosing a Newfoundland accommodation that offers reliable high speed wireless internet,
Amenities matter, especially if you plan on doing more than just sleeping at your Newfoundland accommodation. Do you need a blow dryer? Does your private suite include cooking facilities or at least something you can heat a meal with? Is there something in the room you can consume media on besides your phone, like a smart television or video enabled home assistant? Do you need a desk or mini work station?
Make sure you understand what’s included. Is this a private outdoor entrance, private bath, and private kitchen micro apartment or will you be sharing a bathroom and kitchen with others? Is breakfast included or is there a restaurant close by that serves food you like? Make sure you’re clear on all of these things before committing to an accommodation in Newfoundland. If you’re not sure, just ask.
A private outdoor balcony or deck is great. Evenings are way better when you can step out on your private deck and watch the sunset or enjoy a morning coffee on a balcony overlooking whales swimming in the ocean. Sure, you could just look out the window, but there’s something special about a seaside balcony. If you’re organised and book early, finding a Newfoundland vacation rental that has all of this should be easy.
An outdoor hot tub will make your stay go from really great to the best vacation ever. This is one amenity we thoroughly enjoy, especially when we’re travelling outside the tropics. When temperatures drop in the evening, it can get a little chilly. You could put on a sweater and hide from the elements, but if you have an outdoor hot tub on your private oceanside deck or balcony, things just got a whole lot better. Even in the winter when it’s below zero, you can enjoy the warm bubbling bliss of a hot tub, watch stars, and experience the outdoors in total comfort. Equally appealing is soaking sore muscles after a day of hiking on the east coast trail, spending time with friends while enjoying some hydrotherapy, or watching the sunrise and having some alone time while everyone else is still sleeping. Not all accommodation in Newfoundland offers outdoor hot tubs, but lots do, and if you book early you won’t have to settle for less.
The Newfoundland and Labrador tourism website is a great place to start your research, you can browse by location or activities, check it out.
