7 Alternative Forms Of Accommodation

You don’t have to stay in a hotel when travelling. Choosing a different form of accommodation could add some extra novelty to your trip. Here are 7 alternative forms of accommodation that could be worth trying if you want a change from hotels.

Go camping

Going camping isn’t for everyone – unless you’re glamping, it generally isn’t very luxurious. It is however very cheap, plus you can pitch up a tent practically anywhere (within reason). For many people, camping also provides a connection with nature and an escape from the digital world. Whilst you may still have wifi and a TV screen in a hotel room, going wild camping in a forest can free you of these distractions and can allow you to bond with the people around you and take in the natural sights. The most basic tents are known as swags and are ideal for hikers, whilst fixed glamping teepees can offer a more luxurious experience for those on vacation.

Stay in a caravan

Caravans are a step up from camping, offering the cosiness of a tent with better amenities such as cooking facilities and an actual bed. You can buy your own caravan and drive it wherever you like, giving you your own hotel on wheels and saving you money on accommodation (although you may still occasionally want somewhere to hook up so that you have electricity). Camper vans are a more luxurious version and are generally easier to manoeuvre than caravans. You can also find parks with fixed caravans such as these caravan parks in Wales. There are also places to hire caravans if you don’t want to buy one.

Book a hostel

For those travelling to a city on a budget, hostels can be a good option. Hostels generally have more basic facilities than hotels and you may have to share a room with strangers. They are however cheap and are great places to meet fellow travellers if you’re travelling solo. Many hostels provide breakfast and have good wifi.

Try homestay accommodation

You could also consider homestay accommodation – which is essentially staying in a local family’s home. On top of getting your own room, the family may be able to provide free meals, whilst giving you the experience of living life like a local. Many people looking to learn a foreign language may opt for this kind of accommodation. Of course, there are also many English-speaking families that you can stay with such as these homestay opportunities in China. Homestay accommodation is generally much cheaper than renting a room in a hotel, although some people may feel that they’re missing their personal space.

Rent out a holiday home

It’s also possible to rent out a holiday home. This could be a villa or an apartment. Holiday homes can be more expensive that hotels, but you get a bigger space and you can save money by preparing your own meals. There may also be cases where you share a holiday home with another family such as this shared villa in Southern France.

Stay on a boat

You don’t even have to stay on land. Cruise ships are technically giant luxury hotels on the water. There are ocean cruises which take you from port to port via the sea and there are river cruises which stop at various cities along the river. Cruise prices can vary depending on the level of luxury available on board. On top of cruise ships, there’s also the option to sleep in a yacht. It’s possible to charter a private yacht, which you can sleep and explore in. This isn’t cheap, although it’s a darn sight cheaper than buying a yacht.

Stay on a train

There are also trains across the world that you can sleep on. These are often referred to as sleeper trains and tend to only be available for long distance journeys. Some of these trains come with luxury cabins similar to a hotel whilst others may have more basic bunks more reminiscent of a hostel. Taking a sleeper train can be a great way of resting your head whilst travelling across land.