Everyone has their own vacation style, and it is rare to have a style that does not include trade-offs of some kind. Plus when you are traveling with a number of people, those trade-offs include some compromise too. What trade-offs do you make when you travel?
Location vs Price
To defray the cost, do you choose a lesser location. For example, would you choose a beautiful view no matter the cost, or a lesser view for a lesser cost. In general, while I love beautiful places I forgo the 24-7 view for a more affordable place, then we plan day trips, picnics, hikes and adventures where we can enjoy the beauty of a location.
More space vs Less space
When I'm traveling with my husband, I forgo space as we don't need much extra space, but when I'm traveling with a large group of adults, I usually choose a more spacious place to give everyone the room they need.
In season or Off season
In season prices are always more expensive so when possible I choose off season, but sometimes there's not better time to get everyone together than during the in season time.
Breakfast included or Breakfast not included
Often breakfasts that are included are not nearly as tasty as breakfast at a good restaurant. Though that sometimes is not true. For example, we recently stayed at the Lark Hotels which had a terrific breakfast incuded. Breakfast, included, can create an easy meet-up space for a crowd and ready nutrition for hungry children and travelers. So when traveling with a busy, adventurous crowd, breakfast included can be just right, but when traveling on your own, you may prefer to taste the delicous local foods at breakfast restaurants instead.
City, Suburbs or Country
There's a lot of factors that determine the location of the place you choose to stay. When visiting a city, you may choose to stay in the suburbs if you want to save money on lodging or parking. If the suburban location has good public transportation to the city sites, that might be perfect. On the other hand, if you want to be in walking distance from all the city sites, then you might choose to take public transportation to your location and stay in town. On the other hand, if you want to engage in a lot of outdoor activities, you'll probably choose a country location near mountains, lakes. the ocean and other natural vistas.
Hotel, Motel, or Rental Home
Price will play a role here. If you want to stay for a short stay, a hotel or motel will probably be more economical than renting a whole house, but if you're traveling with a large group, the house may be the better price no matter how long you are staying. Also, you have to consider if you like to eat in or eat out. If you rent a house, you can easily prepare your own foods while that's not as possible in most motel or hotel rooms.
These are only a few of the considerations you make when you plan travel, and for most of us, we want to make the best use of the limited dollars we have so these considerations matter.