'The one filter I always use when looking for holiday accommodation'

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When choosing a place to stay for a holiday, certain inclusions can really sweeten the deal.

Obviously, free Wi-Fi is a big one, as is included breakfast, a bathtub in a hotel room or a pool in a holiday house.

But as a frequent traveller, there is one thing I always filter for when I'm searching - and it turns out many other Aussies are doing the same.

According to recent data from Booking.com, the vast majority of Australian travellers are shaping their trips around food.

For some, that's choosing destinations based on their foodie reputation, or picking a hotel located near a restaurant they've been meaning to try.

For me - and for 41 per cent of survey respondents - booking accommodation with a kitchen is a huge must-do.

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Holiday homes and apartments are emerging as a preferred choice for travellers who want more than just a bed and bathroom while on holiday.

Having a kitchen means you can also partake in the recent trend of trolley tourism - going to foreign supermarkets and seeing what goodies you can find.

Plus, being able to head to the local markets to pick up fresh produce, like fruit, cheese, bread, and more, really helps you connect with a location.

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On a recent long-weekend trip to Wellington, I used Booking.com to find accommodation that ticked all my boxes: central location, multiple bedrooms, ability to book a baby cot, and of course, a kitchen.

That flexibility meant I could head to the supermarket once I arrived to stock the pantry with essentials (and yes, Whittaker's chocolate is an essential).

Anyone who's travelled with a toddler knows that having snacks on hand is a must, so being able to keep yoghurt and milk in the fridge for him was so helpful.

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Even though we ate most of our meals out, having access to all the regular kitchen trappings - like a big sink, a freezer, plates and glasses, and a toaster - all came in handy over our three-night stay.

And having a separate kitchen/dining area meant I could have family come by to hang out after my toddler had gone to bed, which I wouldn't have been able to do in a regular hotel room.

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I've always believed that food is central to travel - my partner and I recently chose to extend a Singapore stopover to five nights so that we could really dive into the local food scene.

And as travellers start to look for ways to cut costs, without compromising a good holiday, food has emerged as a cheap 'activity' while visiting new places.

A bowl of pho in Vietnam might set you back just a few dollars, but could become a treasured memory you think about for years to come. Similarly, a trip to the markets in Thailand or the Pacific Islands to experiment with in the kitchen can be a cornerstone of your itinerary.

So even when I'm travelling alone, I always seek out accommodations with a kitchen. Just a sink, toaster and hot plate can be enough.

Because there's no better way to get to know a city than to live like the locals do, by going to the markets or grocery store and trying out new cuisines.

The writer's accommodation in Wellington was provided by Booking.com.

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