Short-term rentals: flats, houses, hotels, hostels
Go by the dates and the group
The price of a short stay depends a lot on the season, weekends and the number of people. In holidays and festival weeks there are few free places, and prices differ from weekdays. So in your request the most important things are the exact check-in and check-out dates, the number of guests and whether there are children.
The section will help you find a format: flats by the day, houses by the day, rooms by the day, hotels and holiday resorts and hostels with dorm beds.
Which format to choose
- A flat — best for a couple or a small group, with a kitchen and privacy.
- A house — for big groups and celebrations, with a garden, a barbecue or a pool.
- A room — cheaper, but you share the space with the hosts.
- A hotel or resort — service, breakfasts, cleaning; compare what is in the price.
- A hostel — the cheapest option for one person, a bed in a shared room.
What to put in your request
- Dates — check-in, check-out, any early check-in or late check-out.
- City or area — near the station, the centre, the sea, the hills.
- Number of guests — adults, children, and whether there are children under a certain age.
- Beds — separate rooms or a double bed.
- Facilities — air conditioning, Wi-Fi, washing machine, kitchen, parking, a work desk.
- Terms — pets, a group, whether loud events are allowed.
- Budget — per night or for the whole stay, if you want to name one.
Example: “I need a 2-bedroom flat by the day in Manila, near the old city, for 4 nights from 5 to 9 December, two adults and a 6-year-old child. Wi-Fi, kitchen. Budget up to ₱2,500 a night.”
How to compare offers
Look at the total for the whole period, not just the price per night. Check whether there is a deposit, a cleaning fee or an extra charge for guests. Find out the cancellation terms: whether the advance is returned and when. Look at the photos, the reviews and the exact location, and at how self check-in works: a code, keys, meeting the host.
For a big group or a celebration, ask about the noise rules, the number of guests, the extra fee for visitors and whether you can leave your things after check-out. Many owners do not allow parties, so honest wording in your request saves everyone time.
If you are going to the hills or the sea, ask about the distance to the lifts or the beach, about parking and about heating in the cold season. If you are renting for more than a few days, ask about a discount for a longer stay.
Be careful: do not send an advance to people you do not know, and do not agree to pay outside the agreed channels. Record agreements in writing, even in the chat: the price, dates, number of guests, deposit and cancellation rules should match in all the messages.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write a request once on BlaBlaPrice, and owners and hotels reply in the chat with a price per night, terms and photos. The system shows the offer that is best on the merits first, and hosts can see where they stand among the others and may improve their terms. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose. More on the “How it works” page.
