Looking for Alternatives to Hotels? Try These Lodging Ideas
Posted on: 26 March 2020
For years, if you traveled out of town, you stayed in a hotel. That was the only option, and most people booked a hotel room without giving it a second thought. Well, over the past decade, all of that has changed. There are now plenty of lodging options all over the globe. If you're ready to try something other than a hotel stay, here are some options to explore.
1. Short-Term Vacation Home Rentals
Thanks to various rental apps, more people are renting out their houses and apartments to vacationers. Imagine having a whole house or apartment to yourself during your stay. Each person could have their own room, and you could cook in the kitchen to save on dining costs. Many of these rentals also include garages and yards, so you can keep your car safe and have a place to enjoy the outdoors.
2. Hostels
Hostels have been popular for young people traveling in Europe for a while, but they are becoming more popular among older travelers and in other countries, too. At a hostel, you pay to rent a bunk bed in a shared room. This is a very affordable form of lodging, and it is a very social one. You will meet other travelers as you will share accommodations with them. Staying in a hostel is not for everyone and may not be your preferred choice if you value your privacy, but for extroverted travelers, it has lots of perks.
3. Academic Institutions
There are colleges across the country that have empty dorm rooms in the summer since the students have all gone home. They will often rent some of these dorm rooms out to travelers at an affordable rate. Staying at a college is a great choice if you want privacy, but don't need anything fancy. Some colleges will even let you buy meals in the dorm dining halls and utilize amenities like the laundry room when you stay.
4. Couch Surfing
Couch surfing is a space-sharing trend that really picked up a few years ago. Basically, people volunteer to let others come and stay on their couches (or even in a spare bedroom) for free. This is a good way to meet people in your destination. Just make sure you take precautions to keep yourself safe, such as only staying with hosts that have good reviews and traveling with a trusted companion.
Hotels can be great places to stay, but they are no longer your only option. Broaden your horizons with some of the alternative lodging choices above.
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