Localeur travel guides review: Do they really live up to the hype?

Have you ever been to a new city and had no idea where the cool spots are? Perhaps you want to try local dishes or relax at the best resorts in the area. Would you go around reading tourist reviews or turn to someone who actually lives there? 

If you're like us who search for honest recommendations on the internet before going on a trip, you'll probably like Localeur. Localeur is a place where people can read quality recommendations written by locals who know their cities by heart. But it's a lot more than that, and here's why Localeur could potentially be the next Yelp. 

What is Localeur?

Founded in 2013 by Joah Spearman, Localeur is a platform for travelers who want to get the best recommendation of local places to dine, relax, and play. Through the help of selected insiders, travelers can enjoy authentic and fun local experiences. 

The objective of Localeur is to promote high-quality and authentic local experiences for travelers. Within Localeur is a tight-knitted community of creatives, travelers, and experts who want to share their passion with the world. As the travel industry evolves, large corporations' guided tours or 30-day cookie-cutter tourist trips ain't cutting it anymore (pun intended). Many of us want to experience cities uniquely. Localuer has made this possible, thanks to their authentic recommendations for travelers.

Back in 2013, Localeur earned the title "Austin's Best New Start-Up" and raised as much as $900,000 from investors. Localeur is one of the best travel services with five million users and recommendations in over 180 cities on every continent (except Antarctica). They also have a quarterly magazine and podcast. 

How Does Localeur Work? 

Localeur is a place to find quality local knowledge from resident experts. These experts have the familiarity, insights, and knowledge of local sites like no other. These experts aren't paid to write about places or businesses in their areas. The recommendations are authentic and vital for travelers who want to visit a new city or town for the first time.

Instead of getting the same cookie-cutter trips with Localeur, you'll get a more authentic experience from people who know the places inside and out. 

How did Localeur Get Started?

Localeur started as a simple website on Localeur.com, where they found success quickly and launched apps on both iPhone and Android. They also launched a print magazine sharing content from their app about cities and travel experiences. Recently with the likely suspect of the pandemic, Localeur closed down their apps and switched to a paid subscription system for their guides.

As a subscriber, you will enjoy access to their paid content created by their global community of locals. You'll also be able to find great bits of advice on where to stay, eat, drink, and visit.

What Does Localeur Aim to Achieve?

According to Spearman, this will "allow the brand to deepen relationships with "Localeurs." Through this mode, they will also share better and more personalized trip itineraries for travelers who want to travel with confidence and comfort. 

With Localeur, you'll find recommendations for almost anything: local shopping, fitness centers, best dining experiences... It's all there. What sets it apart from other review sites like Yelp is that locals write recommendations. Suggestions listed on their site are from well-experienced locals who've likely spent a significant amount of their time in that area. 

What are the reviews saying about Localeur ? 

Travel-focused brands are rising in popularity, even after the pandemic. But in an industry where it seems like you have an app for everything, how does Localuer stand out? You already have resources for finding places to stay (Airbnb, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, etc.) and apps for easier ways to get around the city. So, what travelers need is a resource for advice on where to go, and that's where Localeur excels. 

Trustworthy Reviews 

Localeur's success comes from its reliability and credibility in its recommendations, thanks to its honest local reviews. Unlike Yelp, where recommendations can be anonymous and biased, Localeur reviews are based on honest opinions from real people and experts from the field. 

Millennial Focused

Founded in 2013, Localeur has strived to build its brand identity by offering travelers authentic experiences. The company was consistent in looking for ways to change modern travel from the very beginning better. By adapting to the ever-growing size of reviews and resources on the internet, they aim to provide concise and accurate information wherever possible. Localeur wants to create a community of reliable and tech-savvy locals who can share real experiences. 

Local-Driven Travel Experiences

According to Spearman in his interview with Modernist Studio, "the future of travel is local." He says that local experiences are more valuable for travelers. When you travel to a new city or country, it's important to embrace local communities. Travelers don't just travel for photos nowadays. They want to travel to places for hope, inspiration, discovery... and that's what local travel is all about. 

The only thing we didn't like about Localeur is their pricey subscriptions service. Since they moved from app to subscription, they also increased their prices. 

How To Work for Localeur?

Localeurs (or the people who make reviews and recommendations on the site) are originally hand-picked by the founder himself. But now, as the site launches in new cities, existing Localeurs can invite new people to the community. As of now, they have five million users, hundreds of contributors, and travel guides in over 180 cities worldwide. 

How Does Localeur Make Money? 

Localeur's revenue comes from partnerships with other companies with the same target audiences. They sell their content to other businesses. Content from their Instagram, Facebook, and newsletters is excellent for inspiring customers to go to various destinations. 

Localeur sells targeted travel guides for companies to produce to their audience. For example, Localeur provides Match.com recommendations for unique romantic getaways in various U.S. cities. For JetBlue Airways, Localeur supplied content in newsletters, Instagram stories, routes, and new destinations.

Is Localeur Worth It?

If you're someone who's a frequent traveler, or if you're having a hard time finding new and authentic experiences abroad, give Localeur a try! If you're someone who's simply looking for travel guides for your next trip, we don't think you should be paying for that. There are plenty of free and authentic resources available online. The only downside is that you might have to sift through these resources to get what you want.

If you're looking for travel guides, we've got just the right resource for you! Now, check out Pilot Blogs for our extensive travel guides, tips, and travel app reviews. 

Our Rating: 4.2/5 

Pros:

• Reliable and trusted local recommendations
• Wide range of listings from entertainment, nightlife, to art and culture
  

Cons:

• Pricey subscription for travel guides
• No mobile app

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