When you first think of going away anywhere, the main priority in your mind is likely to be finding a great place to stay. You’ll search through websites to find the right hotel with all the amenities you might need. This is probably going to be the costliest item on your holiday list, even over and above any transport, so of course, you’ll want to make sure it’s right. 

But is a hotel really the right option for you? No matter what you think, it’s definitely not the only option. Before you book something and pay your deposit, it’s well worth considering the other ideas that are available when it comes to accommodation; it could be that something else would be a better fit for you. Read on to find out more. 

Photo by zvika shmaya

An RV Or Campervan

Why not forego the hotel and sleep in a recreational vehicle (RV) or campervan instead? Although they might be a little more cramped than a standard hotel room, the mobility and flexibility that come with them can make your trip a much more interesting one. Rather than being stuck in one place, you can easily make your holiday into a road trip. Alternatively, you can stay in one place, but since campsites are much cheaper than hotels, even with the campervan rental, you’ll be saving money. 

Whether you want to explore what’s on your doorstep or drive miles away, you can have complete freedom and flexibility in an RV.

A Villa 

No matter how long you stay, a villa is your home. You can treat it like that too, which means you’ll feel instantly at ease and comfortable, and if you have kids with you, that will help them settle in as well. You won’t have to deal with housekeeping knocking on your door at odd hours, curfews in the evening, or loud resort entertainment. Do whatever you want whenever you want because you have a home away from home. 

Most people don’t know this, but villas are actually very affordable. Even luxury villas to rent usually have room for a lot of people, so you can split the cost with your friends and often pay less per night than at a hotel. That means I’ll have more money for day trips and other fun things.

House Sitting 

This idea won’t be possible for everyone, and it’s not an ideal solution for all, but if you are happy to do it, you can get a great place to stay away from your own home for no money at all – in fact, you might even get paid to be there. 

If you area house sitter, people will pay you to take care of their home and the things in it (including plants and sometimes pets) while they are on holiday. Although this is a responsible job and you need to take it seriously, it could also be your opportunity to experience living in a different place and enjoying what a new town has to offer. At the very least, it’s a good way to make some extra cash to save up for a hotel room somewhere when you want one.