I don’t know about you, but I’m not all that fond of hotels. Maybe I’ve just had a few bad experiences in the past?
Maybe everyone is moving past the same dry and dull lobbies of hotels, the detached feel from there and the exact same thing room that everyone gets. Don’t get me wrong, hotels can be fun too, maybe only if you have a few lakhs to spend and can afford the best of the luxury.
Or have perhaps, always fancied the idea of exotic locales and unique stay options there, maybe something like vacation homes in Barbados or super exclusive cottages in Kerala backwaters.
In any case, I’m ready to move onto something new. There are loads of different options out there for someone like me, as we’re about to find out.
Let’s explore some options!
1. Rent Someone Else’s Room
If you know where to look on the internet, you’ll find all sorts of people offering their rooms out to people. You’ll often find these at reduced rates (including free!), so you don’t have to worry about extortionate hotel prices. You will also be able to get a closer feel of the culture of that place and experience how it would be if you actually lived there.
There is nothing better than renting someone’s room and practically living like a native of that place. That is not something you can experience while staying in a hotel, even if it is a budget one.
The downside to this is that you’ve got to be very careful with where you stay. You can’t always be sure that you’ll be going to a place of luxury, and meeting strangers may not always be a good idea. Be safe, and ask to meet up extensively in public before making any decisions. Check all the paperwork, including a background check on the owner, thoroughly and ensure that the place truly is theirs to be renting away, just so that tomorrow in case the real owner came back, you don’t find yourself on the street without anywhere to go.
2. An RV
If you’ve got the means to do so, why not splash the cash on an RV? The initial outlay might be heavy, but the amount of use you’ll get out of it is practically unlimited! Say goodbye to hotel stays forever, and enjoy the benefits of driving around the country in your own personal hotel room! But make sure you invest in a good RV, check all the warranties, gas, extra equipment that comes with it and what all it offers.
For those who love travelling and moving from place-to-place, there aren’t many better options. Imagine taking a month-long trip with your friends and/or family and just travelling from one city to next in an RV, stopping wherever you want, no tension of catching a flight or train.
3. Vacation Rental
One of the things I like to do when going abroad is rent a place all to ourselves. Hotels are fine in some cases, but they’re noisy and lack privacy. Renting a place for the week is a much better way of enjoying the beauty of the location without other people spoiling the fun. This could work perfectly for those travelling in large groups, or office retreats or even a couple who want some extra privacy.
It’ll cost a little more than staying at a hotel, but you’ll get a better place for your money. Remember to factor the costs of paying for things like food supplies in this decision, though! But depending on the place you have chosen, sometimes for a bit of extra cash, you could not only get a fully stocked kitchen but also house cleaners and more who will tidy up the place while you are out enjoying the beautiful location.
4. Hostel
Our last point was all about getting away from other people. This one is all about getting closer to them! If you lack the cash, and you like to mix with others, a hostel might be your best bet. A hostel is the life saviour for many broke college students suffering from wanderlust. The great thing about a hostel is that, even if you could afford a better place, sometimes the experience a hostel gives to you cannot be found anywhere else.
You could end up sleeping in the same room as multiple other people of different nationalities! It’s a good way of getting to know people and enjoy some unique experiences that you wouldn’t find at a hotel! It won’t cost a whole lot, either.
5. Glamping
A new trend that is starting to pick up steam is something called glamping. It’s very similar to the idea of camping, but you don’t have to sacrifice comfort. You still get a mini place all to yourself, equipped with the basic necessities you need. Especially great for people who want to experience camping but do not want to deal with all the bugs, hard ground, erratic weather, portable toilets and more that comes with the actual thing.
You won’t have to put a tent up or risk getting soaking wet with rain! This is another idea I recommend as I’ve really enjoyed my experiences with this so far.
Glamping can also work for honeymooners, and people want to connect with nature but also want their comfort and just a little bit of luxury at the side.
If you’re feeling even more adventurous than this, there are more options out there for you to explore. You might just find that you enjoy them a lot more than staying in a hotel!
Image Credits: Pixabay, Google, Luxury Retreats
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