Choosing the Right Place to Stay for a Group of Friends

1. Start with How You Actually Spend Time Together

When you’re booking a trip with friends, it’s easy to focus on price and location first. But before you scroll through maps, think about how your group naturally spends time together at home. Do you cook and eat long meals? Play games late into the night? Watch films, or sit outside talking? The answers will guide whether you need a big dining table, an outdoor area, a comfy living room or separate corners where people can retreat with a book. Once you know your group’s style, it’s much easier to filter through apartments, houses and villas.

2. Balance Private Space and Shared Space

The best group stays get the balance right between privacy and togetherness. Everyone needs a decent bed and somewhere to stash their stuff, but not every bedroom has to be identical. It can work well to give early sleepers and light sleepers quieter rooms, while night owls share spaces closer to the living area. At the same time, make sure the shared spaces are genuinely big enough: a tiny sofa for six people won’t cut it. Look for photos that show people using the space, or at least different angles, so you can judge whether everyone can comfortably hang out together.

3. Be Honest About Budget and Expectations Upfront

Nothing ruins a group trip faster than money stress. Before you start sending links around, agree on a rough budget and what’s included. Some people might be happy to pay more for a place with a pool or a central location, while others would rather save on accommodation and spend more on activities. Talk openly about things like shared food, cleaning, and whether you’ll eat out most nights or cook together. Once you have that clarity, you can look for stays that feel like good value rather than arguing over a long list.

Femaile tourist photographing with smartphone Puerto de la Cruz City on Tenerife island

4. Look for Stays That Support Your Plans

If you’re planning a weekend of exploring local bars and restaurants, a central apartment makes more sense than a remote farmhouse. If your dream is lazy days and long swims, it’s worth travelling a little further for a house with a pool and outdoor seating. Read between the lines of property descriptions to see whether a place suits your vibe: quiet neighbourhood versus lively, close to public transport versus tucked away. The right base can make the whole trip smoother, and it’s often the small details—the kettle that works, the extra blankets, the morning light in the kitchen—that your group will remember.