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4 Amazing Alternatives to Hotels

Finding a place to stay when you’re away from home may be an exciting and stressful experience. On the one hand, there’s the concept of staying somewhere new and taking a break, whether for work or pleasure; on the other, there’s the stress of finding somewhere good that’s also affordable.

While hotels have been the standard option for decades, they may be costly. Fortunately, there are lots of accommodation options for everyone, from families to lone business travelers. Here are four hotel selections for both long and short visits.

1. Serviced Apartments

(Longonot Place Serviced Apartments, Nairobi)

If true luxury and quality service is desired, look no further than the serviced apartment. A mid-to long-term alternative accommodation to hotels, serviced apartments provide five-star hotel-like service and amenities for both single travelers and groups, alike.

While serviced apartments come in at the high end of the budget spectrum, the comfort, security and relaxed luxury are second to none. Sometimes called aparthotels, as a portmanteau between an apartment and a hotel, serviced apartments are expansive, private spaces that provide a true home-from-home for your stay.

With multiple rooms, including a fully fitted kitchen and a separate living area, a serviced apartment is particularly suitable when the stay is extended beyond a few days. Living in a hotel beyond a few nights can be somewhat oppressive for many.

Despite the comfort of a hotel room itself, the smaller space and lack of a kitchen can make travelers yearn for their own homes. By contrast, a serviced apartment provides a larger area that can easily accommodate guests, allow for personal meal preparation, and deliver the kind of relaxed comfort that soothes the mind.

Like a hotel, serviced apartments are focused on their individual guests’ needs. Many have concierge and security services for convenience and safety and all will have modern amenities, and be cleaned regularly to a high standard with regular housekeeping services.

Good for:

• Business travelers looking for longer-term accommodation

• Guests looking for a luxury experience

• Families visiting a city for a quality time

Looking to Stay in A Serviced Apartment? View Our Luxury Apartments

2. Vacation Rentals

With the rise of Airbnb, vacation rentals offer a huge range of options for travelers. Vacation rentals function by individual landlords offering their property for short-term rental via one of the service sites.
As an alternative to a hotel, vacation rentals can provide a good budget alternative both in cities and across the country, however, there are no guarantees of quality, and care must be taken to fully research and read reviews.

The individual and unique nature of each vacation rental also means that care must be taken to ensure the booking is satisfactory. Parking, WIFI, supplied bedding, nearby facilities, and other factors should be checked before finalizing.

Good for:
• A huge range of options and locations
• Budget to suit
• Confident travelers

3. Bed and Breakfasts

Also called guesthouses, bed and breakfasts are family-run businesses where a larger home has been converted to provide private bedrooms as a hotel alternative. Typically, with fewer than ten bedrooms on offer, B&Bs are small and cozy but tend to offer little in terms of luxury.

Modern bed and breakfasts may provide en-suite facilities, but older ones typically have shared bathrooms. As the name suggests, breakfast is included, with full English available (as well as uncooked fare like cereal and yogurts) in the breakfast room each morning.

Though a budget option compared to higher quality hotels, B&Bs tend to be priced on a comparative level to chain hotels, such as Travelodge or Premier Inn. Their locations tend to be quite good, with city guesthouses readily available.

Due to their smaller family-business ethos, B&Bs are typically quite flexible and offer both short- and long-term stays.

Good for:
• Business travelers on a budget
• Short stays in desirable locations
• Weekend getaways

4. Hostels

Another budget option, hostels provide a reasonably priced, no-frills bed for the night in a range of locations, including city centers. London has a wide range of hostels that offer good, cheap alternatives to hotels.

Although some hostels do have private bedrooms and even en-suite bathrooms, the budget option is typically with dorm-style rooms where guests share space with others. While great for young adults traveling with a desire to meet others, hostels are typically unglamorous and lack privacy.

Good for:
• Young adults traveling on a budget
• People who wish to meet others and socialize
• Inexpensive short-city stays

What Can You Do if You Don’t Have a Hotel?

One thing a hotel offers that is typically superior to most of the alternatives is its walk-in nature. If you find yourself unexpectedly in a city overnight with no plans, then hotels do provide a safe room for the night at no notice. Alternatives, though they may be kinder on the budget or a better long-term option, do typically require booking in advance.

Look to bed and breakfasts as one of the hotel alternatives that are equally willing to accommodate no-notice guests. Similarly, hostels can be good for backpackers or other solo travelers. If you do have some time, check sites such as Airbnb to see if there are any short-term options nearby that can be booked for that night.

But, when all else fails, short notice means you may find yourself in a hotel after all!

Choosing the Best Hotel Alternative

Location, budget, and size. These three factors affect accommodation bookings more than anything else. Take the time to research the options that suit those three requirements and you will find a hotel alternative to suit. Perhaps this list has provided some extra inspiration for a unique holiday idea for the future, we certainly hope so.

Here at Longonot Place, we offer the finest quality Nairobi serviced apartments – perfect for an enjoyable luxury stay in the capital. Contact us today for more information.