Hotels

A small luxury hotel can make a vacation truly spectacular, but they can be costly, too. Fortunately, there are alternatives to staying in basic hotels and motels. A trend toward small town inns, like a bed and breakfast hotel, has increased the options in unique lodging choices. There are other options as well.

Particularly in Italy, an often overlooked alternative to a hotel is staying in a convent or monastery. It is a centuries old tradition for these doors to open to travelers. Rates range from free will offerings to around $30 per night per person. It is important with this type of lodging to remember you are not in a hotel but are in someone’s home. You need to respect their way of life. Chances are the experience will be quiet and friendly, sort of like a bed and breakfast.

Monasteries and convents are not all in Italy, but that is the easiest place to find one. Other European nations contain some, and you can find several in the U. S. Monastery vacations are particularly appropriate for people who desire a quiet retreat from the rat race, and some offer spiritual counsel. In America, these religious alternatives to a hotel are often called abbeys.

A unique hotel alternative for the true adventurer is lodging at a dude ranch. This type of accommodation is not for people on a tight budget, though. A week for one person will probably cost over $1000, but will include activities like trail rides, cattle drives, and fishing. Swimming and canoeing are other likely activities. Can you imagine a more dreamy vacation for a family with children than a dude ranch?

Youth hostels are another type of unique lodging you can choose over a common hotel. These facilities are much more common in Europe than they are in North America. Hostels often feature dorm style facilities with bunks and shared bathrooms. The kitchen is often self-serve, but amenities like internet cafes are becoming more common. Lockers are usually provided for keeping valuables safe. People drawn to this type of lodging are often backpacking to see the country, and are living on a tight budget while they pursue this adventure. Really large cities, like New York City, also have hostels and accommodations at the “Y.”

Camping is a cheap alternative to a hotel. For a little classier version of camping, consider staying in the lodge or cabins at a state park. Camping is rugged but has an appeal for many nature lovers. For the real enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like camping in a tent. Cabins, though possibly rustic, at a state park are much more like the comforts of a hotel.

One more option that is a step beyond a hotel is lodging in a condominium. If you rent a condo for your stay, you’ll have all the amenities of a well furnished home. And, you won’t have to worry about your manners around the homeowners like you do at a bed and breakfast hotel. Condominiums are some of the nicest unique hotel alternatives out there.

Next: Unique Hotels Off The Beaten Path