5 Alternatives to Staying in a Hotel

When it comes to booking accommodation for a holiday, it might be that you always turn to a hotel. And why shouldn’t you? There are plenty of options in most popular travel destinations, they often come with meals and even activities included, and if something goes wrong then there are staff in the building that can help solve any problems immediately.

But staying in a hotel can also often be an uninspiring experience that leaves you feeling like you haven’t really got a proper understanding of the place that you’re visiting. Not only that, but the majority of hotels aren’t really equipped for larger groups or families and require you to book multiple rooms for more than two or three people, which isn’t ideal if you’re travelling with your friends or relatives.

The good news is that there are a range of brilliant alternatives to staying in a hotel out there, if you’re willing to do the research to help find the ideal place to stay. In this article, we kickstart your search by suggesting five of the best alternatives to staying in a hotel.

Luxury Villas

Our first suggestion is to ditch the hotel to stay in a holiday villa instead. This is a particularly good idea if you’re going on holiday with a large group, whether that’s friends or family members, as you’ll want to have your own private space to spend time together and also enjoy time alone to relax.

Luxury villas are available in many popular holiday destinations and are perfect if you’re planning a trip where you want to spend a fair amount of time in your accommodation as well as exploring the area. Plenty of villas come with large gardens, hot tubs, balconies, barbecues and even outdoor swimming pools, which are great if there are children in your group who need entertaining whilst you’re all at home.

You might think that holiday villas are reserved for beach destinations, but you’d be surprised at where else you’ll find them around the world. From luxury holiday villas in France overlooking vineyards to rustic Italian farmhouses surrounded by countryside, a villa gives you plenty of space to properly relax.

Glamping

Another great option instead of staying in a hotel is to look for glamping accommodation in the area you’re visiting. This will be a far cry from a flimsy tent in a soggy field, and instead allows you to feel close to the surrounding landscape without compromising on luxury and comfort.

Glamping options range from compact but cosy pods in the countryside to one-of-a-kind treehouses and eco-friendly cabins in remote locations. They’re a brilliant option if you’re planning a romantic holiday where you want to enjoy peace and privacy with your partner, or you’re booking a trip with kids and want to stay somewhere fun.

Another benefit of glamping is that it often means you can stay somewhere pretty unique, which is a far cry from identical, corporate hotel rooms. If you want to be closer to your surroundings and also stay somewhere unexpected, glamping accommodation is a brilliant option.

Boutique Hostels

Hostelling used to bring to mind images of youthful backpackers, crowded, shared dormitories and poorly managed shared spaces where you’d have to fight to get access to a kettle. But modern hostelling has definitely had a facelift, and just because there are options on the more basic, budget-friendly end of the scale, doesn’t mean that this is the case for every hostel.

Nowadays, you can find boutique hostels in cities all over the world that offer an experience for travellers that feels more communal than a hotel but doesn’t scrimp when it comes to luxury touches. Think shared kitchen and social spaces, but also private rooms and even the option to have an ensuite so that you’re not having to worry about wandering the halls in your towel.

If you’re planning a city break then it’s definitely worth looking into boutique hostels for somewhere to stay, especially if you want to be somewhere central. Not only can they be just as nice, if not nicer, than a hotel, but they’re also a great way to meet people when you travel and discover personal recommendations that can enhance your experience.

Historic Properties

A great idea for an alternative to staying in a hotel is to look into whether there are any historic properties in your chosen destination that offer holiday accomodation. Not only is this a really unique experience, but it can be a brilliant way to stay somewhere really central and feel more connected to the place that you’re visiting.

In the UK, places like the National Trust, Landmark Trust and English Heritage have properties that have been lovingly restored and maintained and now welcome guests to come and stay in buildings that have been standing for generations. Another option in some English cities is to look at whether universities rent out rooms for travellers over the holidays, which means you can stay the night in ancient academic buildings.

Further afield, there are similar options around Europe where historic properties have been restored and designed as holiday accommodation. A benefit of staying somewhere like this is that the cost of staying there often goes right back to the charity or organisation that looks after the property, meaning that you’re supporting the area that you’re staying in.

Castles

Our final suggestion for an unforgettable alternative to staying in a hotel is to look into renting a castle. No longer a property only reserved for royals and nobility, there are plenty of castles in all kinds of locations that are now available for the public to not only visit but also stay the night.

Staying in a castle is a brilliant option if you’re celebrating a special occasion or planning a sightseeing holiday that focuses on finding out more about the history of a location. Options range from castles that rent out rooms to guests to getting the chance to rent a whole castle to yourself for a holiday, which is perfect for an unforgettable family gathering.

When it comes to where to find places to stay like this, Scotland is a country that is teeming with castles. You can rent a castle in Scotland that once belonged to a famous historic family, in locations that range from hilltop encampments to rural positions overlooking the coastline.

Don’t settle for uninspiring accommodation on your next holiday. Opt for something alternative and enjoy staying somewhere unique and exciting that enlightens you about the destination that you're visiting.