When it comes to vacation accommodation, the touch of luxury afforded by hotels is still a top consideration for many, especially thanks to the promise of pre-cleaned rooms, time by the pool, and even all-inclusive catering. But, for keen tourists, it’s not unusual for hotel stays to fall a little flat. Here, we consider why that is, and even a few alternatives that could well provide a much-needed breath of fresh air for future trips.
# 1 – Hotels typically have tourist-heavy recommendations
Hotel meetings for fresh arrivals provide a fantastic opportunity to get a quick rundown of, and even book up for, the best activities in an area. The trouble is that, from swimming with dolphins to taking open-topped bus tours, hotels typically sway on the touristy side. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, of course, but if these often staged experiences struggle to quench your wanderlust, then you might be better off staying somewhere with more authentic suggestions. Hostels are a great example of this as they typically have leaflet stands with extensive activity options, or you could simply rent a room in a B&B that’s off the beaten track, and that may provide some more interesting suggestions either through first-hand conversations or a message board that’s overseen by locals instead of tourist reps.
# 2 – An inaccurate depiction of the landscape
The size of many modern hotels means they’re typically built in tourist resorts that, in most cases, don’t exactly provide an accurate idea of the landscape you’re visiting. In fact, it’s not unusual for these areas to have been entirely flattened to make way for hotels, tourist-heavy shopping centers, and more. Again, seeking locally-run B&B’s can be a convenient way around this. Equally, you could go all out with either a spot on a campsite that gets you right up close to the true nature of a location or even by booking a log cabin like those found at Oak Haven Resort, where you’ll be able to enjoy luxury and nature at its best. Either way, these options are far better positioned to help you understand your location of choice and to appreciate the best that it has to offer.
# 3 – Less chance to meet the locals
Typically tourist-filled hotel resorts can also make it difficult to meet and speak with locals which, as any keen tourist knows, is one of the main joys of traveling. By alternatively getting stuck straight into local life by looking for room rentals, etc. on a site like Airbnb, it’s far easier to ensure that you meet with plenty of locals during your trip. That way, you’ll be able to get a true taste of culture, and also provide yourself with an incentive to head back and catch up with your new friends!
If you feel like you need a hotel holiday then by all means book up but, if you fancy getting more immersed than ever in your vacation destination, don’t be afraid to try something a little different in the accommodation stakes.