Holiday planning can be stressful. So stressful in fact, that you may need a vacation from planning before you can actually go on vacation. From accommodations to area attractions, you must research everything and develop an itinerary that allows you to get the most out of your holiday and keep everyone happy at the same time. It’s not an easy task.

Let’s tackle the first one together: accommodations. Here you have two main choices, a hotel or a villa. Regardless of where you stay in the world, you will likely have to choose one or the other.

The following is a comparison of each.

Cost of Lodging

The cost of a one-night’s stay at a hotel can total at around 100 (dollars/pounds/eurors) per room, depending on the location you’re staying in and quality of the hotel. If you’re renting two rooms and staying a full week, you could be paying around 1000 plus taxes and fees just for the accommodation portion of your vacation.

A villa can total around the same price for a week. However, you can sleep 6 to 8 guests much more comfortably than you can squeeze them into two hotel rooms. They are far more comfortable and relaxed, and you get a lot more for your money.

Location, Location, Location

Location matters. If you want to stay right on the beach in Mykonos, Greece for example, you can do so in a hotel room or a villa. While a hotel room will allow you to stay in the tourist district, complete with restaurants, clubs and shopping, villas in Mykonos will give you a more private, quiet retreat right on the water. If you truly want to get away from it all, a villa is the way to go.

Access to Amenities

A private pool as well as a secluded beach can all be yours if you rent a villa. If you rent a room, however, you will have to share those amenities with others, possibly a lot of others. If you want to walk out your door and walk a dozen steps to a restaurant, that’s not going to happen with a villa, so you have to consider what’s most important.

Meal Plan Savings

Villas come equipped with all the amenities and luxuries of a home. You will have a full kitchen with all the cooking utensils, tableware and linensyouneed to prepare and serve meals. As you can imagine, eating in will save you a great deal of money. Feeding a family of four at restaurants over the course of a week can get quite expensive. What’s more, when you cook, you can serve your family fresh and healthy foods. You may even be able to experience some of the local produce and delicacies from the nearby market.

Number of Guests

As mentioned, villas accommodate more people than hotel rooms. If you have a large, extended family that like to vacation together, a villa would be the most logical option. You will all be more comfortable. Plus, you will be able to spend more time together rather than being sequestered away in your individual hotel rooms.

Vacation Schedule

In most cases, you will need to rent a villa for a full week. If you’re only staying for a few days, you may not be able to find one to accommodate you, especially if it is during their busy season. With that in mind, hotels are often better for short stays.

Planning a vacation can be stressful and chaotic, but it can also be fun. Have a family meeting, and take some time to figure out what everyone wants. Then, start looking for accommodation in your chosen destination.