The Best Places to Stay That Aren’t Hotels

At times accommodation can be claustrophobic when you’re abroad. When you’re in a foreign country it may be tempting to just go and book into a hotel, just because you can trust that you will be given a bed, toilet, cleaning facilities and an understanding of the local area.

It doesn’t do any harm to venture out of your comfort zone every now and then, anyway, and there are many non-hotel accommodation possibilities that are readily available and not too expensive.

Below are some non-hotel places where you can stay on your travels.

1. Treehouse

Quirky accommodation is becoming more and more popular around the world, and treehouses have benefitted from this.

With many able to provide the comforts and amenities and that a normal apartment or house could provide along with a magnificent aerial view of wherever you’re based, it’s a win-win situation.

2. Houseboat

The ultimate choice for water lovers, houseboats are available in every degree of luxury, so you should be able to find one within your price range.

It might be difficult to master driving your home if you have no experience with boats, but it is a skill that you should be able to learn relatively quickly!

3. Overwater Bungalow

A pricier option, overwater bungalows have stunning bird’s-eye views of the beach and ocean all from the comfort of their own.

Having direct access to the lovely water is also a wonderful feature, because who in their right mind would place an overwater bungalow anywhere that isn’t lovely?

4. Yurt

A posh, glammed-up tent, yurts are increasingly in vogue with outdoors enthusiasts.

Ranging from a variety of yurts all over the globe, they are a legitimate choice for those who wish to be out in the open but aren’t quite adventurous enough to go for a tent!

5. Airbnb

The most obvious answer, booking an Airbnb is a great way to truly experience life in whichever part of the world that you’re in.

Ranging from a single bedroom to an entire house, Airbnb offers freedom to travelers that not many other places can give.

6. Van

Now I don’t say the back of a Kombi van, I mean a converted van with a proper bed and excellent storage room.

Less expensive than the regular RV, converted vans are perfect for people who don’t desire a “home base” per se, and you’ll always carry everything you own with you, reducing chances of leaving something behind!

7. Tiny House

For rent or purchase, a tiny house is just that, small, as they are usually less than 400 square feet in size.

Some tiny homes have everything that a standard home would, and others can be loaded up in a trailer and moved to the next destination. There is something for everyone no matter what your intentions are!

8. Academic Housing

A more viable option in the university summer break, if you’re visiting a town or city that has university residence it’s worth checking their website to see if they rent unoccupied rooms to travelers.

Because of the heavy student lives that are lived there it will probably be basic, but it will also probably be cheap.

9. Hostel

Hostels have a bad reputation for not being very safe and only catering to young travelers who enjoy a party scene.

This is not so however, hostels are a cheap way of staying that allow you to mix with and get to know other travelers from all walks of life, and exchange tips and stories on previous, current and future holiday destinations!

As with all things though, there are some fantastic hostels and some terrible hostels, just research it!

10. Camp out under the stars

Clearly not a possibility if you’re staying in the center of a large city but load your home on your back and sleep where you can find space in nature.

It’s best to be on a tour if you do this but it’s incredibly rewarding and means you can really enjoy the great outdoors.

11. Igloo

Clearly not available in anywhere hot, sleeping in an igloo overnight is in fact much warmer than you imagine!

Don’t worry about needing to construct one yourself, there are numerous ice hotels across the globe that can offer facilities as diverse as ice bars and hot tubs, so you can endure this strange activity in comfort and without turning into a human popsicle!

12. Home Exchange

There is a manner of staying in a lovely house for virtually no cost. The twist? A stranger is also occupying your house.

Home exchanges are on the rise and there are websites specifically aimed at providing you with peace of mind so that you can get on with your holiday in the knowledge that your house isn’t being destroyed.

13. Mushroom Dome Cabin

One of the most sought-after Airbnb rentals, a mushroom dome cabin is ideal for individuals who wish to stay close to nature but still be able to indulge in the comforts of home.

Because these rentals are so popular you need to book your trip months before, particularly during the summer!

14. Cottage

A great way to provide freedom and a “home away from home” feeling is to rent a cottage on your next holiday.

A great way to properly experience wherever you’re staying, a cottage can give and authentic, homey feel to a foreign country.

Most can comfortably fit a family and give children plenty of space to play, so a cottage is a great option for the next family holiday.

15. Motorhome

These monsters have become synonymous with driving across rural America.

A home and vehicle combined, these huge vehicles are difficult to master driving but provide freedom in the sense of where you would like to be lodging, as well as some minimal comforts and amenities.

You will have to reside in caravan parks at times in order to maintain yourself in tip top working order, but those are found scattered about most nations fairly conveniently.

Sources:

Livingly – The Best Places To Stay When Traveling That Aren\’t Hotels
Money Cashers – Living Tiny House Movement Plans
Thrifty Nomads – 10 Cheap Alternatives To Hotels
Go Glamping – Glamping Yurts
Lonely Planet – How To Stay In An Igloo And Live To Tell About It
Inhabitat – Airbnbs Most Popular Rental Is A Tiny Mushroom Dome Cabin
Saga – 5 Reasons To Go Self Catering
Sandals – Over The Water Bungalows