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13 October 2014

Breaking The Hotel Habit With Alternative Lodging

By Estelle Larsen


The cliche of traveling are staying in hotels which could offer luxurious accommodations and state of the art amenities. They empty wallets and become the majority of expenses of the common traveler, even more than the cost of transportation. But when the lure of the lush suites becomes monotonous, there are better and cheaper ways to stay during your vacation.

Bed and breakfasts are the next best thing to hotels because they offer more value and cost less. Although they are generally found in rural areas, there are many tourist spots that have them nearby popular hotels, like when you look for Washington Coast lodging, inns and all can be found around the vicinity. With this choice, you can get gourmet food for free along with other amenities. They also have a more personal approach, making the experience unique according to the preference of the guest.

Short term housing rentals are also a new trend in the traveling community. This is where you can get the chance to live in castles, penthouses, igloos, and many one of a kind real estate properties offered for rent. Good research and clear communication with your host before you rent the property can save you from all the possible vacation horror stories.

During school vacations, students leave their dormitories and are open to travelers who want budget lodging. If you are totally cool with a shared shower room across the hallway and simple yet cozy beds, then academic housing might be your choice this summer. However, you can only book the place when school is out.

For free lodging, enjoy religious housing if you love serenity sans curfew. Many churches and monasteries with spectacular architecture and spartan rooms offer bed and bath. Do not do this if you are a night owl, or have noisy companions.

Farmhouses also offer free bed and bath if you are keen on trying something new like feeding the ducks or helping in a harvest. Home stays are also available in which a local family shares their home with you for a time being. If you are willing to help out with a few chores and bask yourself in their culture and society, it is totally a worthwhile rent free experience.

House exchange is also a lesser known practice among frequent travelers. Based on mutual trust and agreement, types vary between a simultaneous swap and a non simultaneous exchange. This is not for everyone and require careful arrangement and frequent communication. Because both parties reciprocate the hospitality, problems with this kind of accommodation is very rare.

Holiday ownership may come with a price, but if you are a frequent traveler who likes to return to the same paradise each year, you can purchase a timeshare resale where prices are more than seventy percent less and you get to own a spacious resort villa for a week or two a year. There are maintenance fees to pay up, but it will cost you less than paying a hotel you frequent to per night. Many timeshare companies also offer bonus weeks where you can get a vacation week for free or with a discounted price.

These housing choices may not be for everyone, but each person and family deserve remarkable trips. Hotels offer activities, house exchange allows you to step in the other shoe, and so forth. Every trip is personal experience, and whether you stay in a luxurious hotel suite or put up a tent in the woods, the memories are still up to you.




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