How to Find Hotels and Stays with EV Charging

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As more and more us are take EVs on trips, we would like to stay at places that offer EV charging. This way, we can charge overnight, and start our day with full charge.  And not worry about driving around to find charging stations.

And hotels and vacation rentals are noticing the demand! Good news is there are lots of options. But finding them can take a bit of work. 

Summary of Booking Options

We have evaluated many booking options and summarized our findings below.

Be sure to checkout tips at the bottom of this guide.

Search sitesHotel sitesVacation Rentals
Searchable by
EV charging
* Plugshare (show me how)
* Hotels.com (show me how)
* Trip Advisor (show me how)
* Expedia (show me how)
* Kayak (show me how)
* Booking.com (show me how)
* Hilton (show me how)
* Best Western (show me how)
* AirBnB (show me how)
Not Searchable* Priceline
* Google travels
* Bing travels
* Marriot
* Wyndham
* Choice hotels
* IHG
* VRBO
Summary of EV charging booking options

Note: Some of the links in this post, may be affiliate links. They support this site.

PlugShare.com

PlugShare allows looking for hotels very easy.

  • Search for chargers at desired destination
  • Click on the filters, and select Lodging

Search and book at PlugShare.com

Plugshare

Hotels.com

Here is how you search Hotels.com

  • Search for hotels in desired destination
  • On the left hand side, expand Amenities and select Electric vehicle charging point

Search and book at Hotels.com

Hotels.com

TripAdvisor.com

This popular review site has an option to filter by EV charging.  Here is how you use it.

  • Search for hotels at your destination
  • Expand ‘Amenities’ filter on the left hand side
  • And choose ‘EV charging’ option, click Apply.

Search and book at TripAdvisor.com

TripAdvisor

Expedia.com

  • Search for hotels in desired destination
  • On the left hand side, expand Amenities and select EV charging point

Search and book @ Expedia.com

Select ‘Electric car charging station’ from Amenities menu on left
Expedia

Kayak.com

Here is how to search stays with EV charging at Kayak

  • Search for stays at your desired destination
  • In search results, expand the Amenities section on left and choose EV Charging Station

Search and book at Kayak.com

Choose ‘EV charging station’ from Amenities on left
Kayak

Booking.com

Here is how to search stays with EV charging at Booking.com

  • Search for stays at your desired destination
  • In search results, expand the Amenities section on left and choose EV Charging Station

Search and book at Booking.com

Select ‘Electric vehicle charging station’ from Amenities on left
Booking.com

AirBnB.com

Now AirBnB supports searching stays that have EV charging!

  • Search for stays at your desired destination
  • In search results, expand the Filters and choose EV Charger

Search and book at AirBnB

AirBnb

Hilton

  • Search for hotels in desired destination
  • On the left hand side, expand Amenities and select Electric vehicle charging point

Search and book at Hilton.com

Hilton

Best Western

  • Search for your destination
  • On left hand side expand Amenities and select Electric Car Charging

Search and book at BestWestern


Booking Tips

Ok, so you have narrowed down a few hotels.  Before you book, I would recommend doing some research.  Here are some tips

Tip-1: Call the hotel

Before you book a hotel, please call them ahead and verify the following.

  1. Confirm that the chargers are working.  I have heard stories of how the chargers appear to be working online, and when you get there, the charger is NOT functional. Avoid the aggravation and call head.
  2. Do you need reserve charger time: Popular hotels may be oversubscribed charging capacity.  At some hotels, you may need to reserve charging slots!  If charging reservations are required, be sure to make them.
  3. Is there an extra fee for charging:  At most places charging is included in hotel rate, but some hotels may tack on an extra charge for EV charging.  Personally, if the fee is reasonable ($5 – $10 / day) then I would use the hotel chargers.  At very few hotels, I have seen obscene charging rates, like $30 / day for charging.  In that case, I would rather find a fast charger in town to use and ‘fill up’ there.
  4. Does the valet need car keys to use charging: At some hotels, there are more cars need charging than there are chargers.  So one way they manage this is, valets will move cars to chargers.  So your car may have access to charger for 4-6 hours at night.  And then a valet may move your car out, bring in another car, and plug it in.  So they would need keys.

Tip-2: Contact AirBnB host

Verify the following

  • What is the charger type (Tesla, J-1772 ..etc)
  • Do you need to bring an adapter for your vehicle, or do they provide one
  • Is the charger accessible (some hosts may lock the charger)
  • And is there extra fee for charging
  • I have also heard that some hosts are listing EV charging available, because they have a regular 120 outlet outside. This is not ideal, as charging from this type of outlet, essentially L1 charging, will only add 30-50 miles of range to your car overnight. So ask to make sure

Tip-3: Read reviews of chargers at PlugShare

Skim through the reviews.  If there are lot of negative reviews (like “charger down” or “charger not working”) that is a red flag.

That’s It! Enjoy your trip!

Have fun.  And leave your tips in the comments section below!

3 thoughts on “How to Find Hotels and Stays with EV Charging

  1. I’m not finding any mention on Booking.com as to Amenities filter or anything resembling charging station.

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