October 2004 -- Checking-in to alternative lodgings is a great way to check out another life. Whether just a few degrees removed from hotel accommodations or a whole different universe, there are great options for travelers seeking adventure, more authenticity or just more space.
Travelers seeking more amenities for less money often prefer the most common types of hotel-alternatives, private rentals and house swaps. For the same cost as one small room in a hotel, a traveler can have at least three rooms, one of which is a kitchen -- saving the cost and hassle of room service or eating out three times a day. An added benefit is authenticity. By staying in a residence travelers interact with locals putting them one step closer to a native's experience.
Homestays are a way travelers can make a deeper connection to the people and lifestyle of a destination and save money. This is the ideal solution for students or others who count themselves lucky just to have a free bed -- even if that "bed" is a tent in a backyard or a lumpy couch shared with the slobbering dog.
The term "agritourism" or farm stay encompasses a range of accommodations. In some cases, travelers can stay on a real farm and do real farm work: from milking cows and collecting eggs, to picking fruit and stomping grapes. In other instances, especially at the high end, this is just a different way of selling country Bed & Breakfasts.
Private Rentals
One private apartment or home may be offered on a short-term basis of a day or more. The entire property is rented to only one group at a time and the owners do not stay within the unit.
Pros
- On a per foot basis, often more affordable for larger groups or families
- May have amenities or features not readily available in a hotel room (e.g. a computer, a stereo)
- Saves time, money & hassle of eating out 3 times a day
Cons
- Dependent upon owner's integrity and taste
- Often no significant recourse should something go wrong during your stay.
Tips
- Make sure the advertiser has the right to rent the space to others. In many cities renters and some condominium owners cannot legally sublet. In such cases, landlords can force you to leave the residence immediately.
- Pay any upfront-required costs by credit card or put the money into an escrow account. If the residence is significantly different from what was promised you want to ensure all money won't be lost. This is especially true in countries where legal recourse may be difficult or non-existent.
- Do not give more than a 25% deposit in cash.
- Have a back-up plan. If the apartment isn't habitable, know where you will stay and how to get there.
- Agree in writing upon logistics such as features and standards of the property, number of residents, and how any damages/wear and tear will be handled.
How To
When it comes to finding an apartment the rule is go local. There are four good ways to look for local rentals other than contacting your travel agent or friends.
- Look for vacation apartments on the destination's Convention & Visitor's Bureau website. If the accommodation section does not have any listings, chances are a call to their representative will lead you to other places to look
- Use keywords, such as "[Name of destination] vacation rentals," in a search engine such as Google. Alternates to try are apartment, flat, self-catering. Avoid "short term" unless you are seeking three months or more.
- Figure out what events are taking place around the time you will be visiting the destination. See if there is a message board section of those event websites dedicated to vacation rentals. For example, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has a forum dedicated solely to people seeking or needing self-catering accommodations.
- Use the web to search for local real estate agents. Call and ask them if they are aware of good ways to find day or weekly vacation rentals.
House Swaps
In a house swap, the residents of two homes living in different locations trade residences for free. Typically the switch will take place simultaneously: each group lives in the other one's home at the same time.
Pros
- Stay in an apartment or home for free.
- Renters are typically allowed to have someone stay in their homes for free -- so no need to worry about a landlord evicting you
- Lowered chance of property damage because of shared risk.
- Easy access to facilities not available without cost in most hotels (e.g. kitchen, washer/dryer, at-cost telephone services).
Cons
- Requires mutual trust and integrity
- Finding the right swap can be time consuming and often involves an agency fee.
- No hotel services (e.g. room service, maid service, concierge).
- Proper etiquette demands leaving the host house very clean and tidy.
Tips
- Confirm your homeowner or renter's insurance provides adequate coverage.
- Trust your gut. If there are problems up front, most likely there will be problems later.
- Be very specific about any requirements you have about their home and double check the occupants will meet your requirements as well (e.g. non-smoking, no kids, dates of exchange).
Have a plan B. If the swap turns into a disaster, be sure you have immediate short-term accommodations and a longer-term exit strategy.
- Put valuables away where no one can access them (in a safe, vault or friend/family member) to prevent unwanted misunderstandings or accusations.
How To
There are numerous agencies that facilitate connections between people seeking to exchange their homes.
For a set fee, typically under $120, an agency will provide full access to its member website or send a catalog. Both will have photos of other member's residences, contact information and their preferred swap details including destination and dates. You have to take it from there.
A good first place to start is Frommer's Message Boards:
www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX?13@@.ee6b2cc
Some established agencies with a very large database of members includes:
There are several house swaps focused on people with specific interests or lifestyles. For example:
www.sabbaticalhomes.com
Homestays
During a homestay, the traveler and residents live in the home at the same time. Homestays can a be a great opportunity for travelers who want an "authentic" travel experience, and they're also an ideal way to immerse yourself in a new language or culture.
Pros
- Cheap -- sometimes even free!
- Significant intimacy with host family who will often treat resident like a friend.
- Very informal atmosphere.
Cons
- Less discretion over your accommodations, and little recourse for dissatisfied "customers."
- Poor interpersonal fit can sour the stay.
- Requires significant respect and careful consideration of host families' unspoken rules of etiquette.
Tips
- Find out exactly what your accommodations will be-and don't be picky should they change at the last minute. You are becoming a family member not a hotel guest.
- Make sure both parties are clear on the duration of the stay and the number of guests
- Recognize your own requirements and limitations and find a host family that can meet your needs. If you are a five star traveler who can't a lot of noise don't stay with the 7-person family.
- Try to get references and be ready to provide references if the situation warrants it
- Even if it is "just a thought" leave a thank-you gift
How To
The internet has increased popularity of homestays as more people are able to connect directly through the internet. A few of the most popular ones include:
Farm Stays
The actual accommodations on farm stays are similar to rural hotels or B&Bs. Typically you'll receive a private room or suite, along with a private bathroom or one down the hall. The main difference is the opportunity to participate in farm activities and potentially get to know the proprietors.
Pros
- Country setting
- Chance to experience a different way of life and do "farm" activities like milking a cow.
Cons
- If accommodation or farm is not as promised, rural location may mean fewer alternate options
How To
Each nation has its own terminology for farm stays. The best place to start is with the website of the Convention & Visitor's Bureau for that area. Many will list farm stays. If not, a call to their representatives can often lead to other resources.
In the United States, the Dude Ranchers Association (www.duderanch.org) has listings of, you guessed it, dude ranches. Pamela Lunier has a good listing of Canadian and US farm stay opportunities (www.familytravelguides.com/articles/farms).
In Europe, Agritoruism.net (www.agritourism.net) has an extensive list of links to European farm stays. Read the descriptions closely as many are just rural holiday accommodations without opportunity for farm activities.
The French tourist board has an official site for farm stays (which are called Gites): www.gites-de-france.fr/eng/index.htm
Once in a Lifetime Accommodations
Truly alternative accommodations give more adventurous travelers the chance to have an out of body experience. Spending the night in some of the following places is a great way to try out a genuinely foreign lifestyle.
Prisons:
Ever wanted to say you've spent the night in jail? Well, many old jails have been converted into hostels. They're also generally a good bargain. A few such locations include:
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Ottawa Jail Hostel (Ottawa, Canada, tel. +1 613/235-2595; www.hostelz.com/display.php/2107+HI+-+Ottawa+Jail+Hostel): Formerly the Carleton County Jail, this hostel is centrally located (though there are reports of bug problems).
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Den Gamle Arrest (Denmark, tel. +45 75 42 37 00; www.dengamlearrest.dk): Translated as "The Old Prison," it's no surprise that it's located in Ribe, the oldest city in Scandanavia.
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Lowengraben (Lucerne, Switzerland, www.precisionreservations.com/ph-aspx-hotel_id.2731-db-hoteldatabase/HotelDisplay.htm): Built in 1860, this two-star hotel is located in the city center.
- Langholmen (Lucerne, Switzerland, tel. 08-720 85 00; www.langholmen.com/en/default.hftml): Another one of Lucerne's converted accommodations, guests here have the option of hostel or hotel level amenities.
Treehouses
Remember as a kid how you had grand designs for a monstrous treehouse in your backyard? Even your imagination couldn't match these locations. Ariaú Amazon Towers Hotel (Brazilian Amazon, tel. 888/GO-ARIAU (46-27428); www.ariauamazontowers.com): Featuring 70-foot high catwalks along with plentiful flora and faunae, this architectural marvel is truly stunning. Other treehouses include:
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Treehouses of Hana, Maui (Maui, tel. 808/248-7241; www.maui.net/~hanalani): These treehouses are a bit rustic, but beautiful if you're one who likes to rough it on vacation.
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Parrot Nest Lodge (Belize, www.parrot-nest.com)
- Lodge Roche Tamarin (Madagascar, tel. + 262 262 44 66 88; www.villagenature.com/index2.htm)
Icehouses
If you're tried of tropical getaways, then you can't get much father away then icehouses. Though the conditions can be a bit trying, it's an enjoyable (and unusual) alternative to the everyday.
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Ice Hotel (Sweden, tel. +46 980 66 800; www.icehotel.com): This most unusual hotel is re-created early every winter on the frozen steppes near the iron mines of Jukkasjärvi. Despite its temporary state, it manages to attract more than its fair share of visitors.
- The Ice Hotel in Kangerlussuaq (Greenland, tel. 299 84 11 80; www.greenland.com/Adventures/Ice_and_Snow/Ice_Hotel): Though the temperatures can drop to -35°Celsius, the candles inside the hotel glow so brightly that the scene resembles a cluster of giant ice crystals.
Lighthouses
Staying in a lighthouse can put just the right spin on your usual beach getaway. This great site has an extensive list of worldwide lighthouse with overnight facilities (www.lighthouse.cc/links/overnight.html)
VW Bus Rentals
Have a flashback on the summer of love by touring in a luxury Volkswagen. More compact than an RV these are ideally suited for a couple that wants the camping experience without those pesky tents or sleeping bags.
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Europe: IdeaMerge (tel. 503/484-8416; www.ideamerge.com/sub_motorrental.html)
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California: Califorina Campers (tel. 650/216-0000; www.californiacampers.com)
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Hawaii: Imua Camper Company (tel. 877/773-4682; www.imua-tour.com)
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Northeast US: Northeast Camper Rentals (tel. 781/825-5625; www.northeastcampers.com)
- Southwest US: Southwesties (tel. 505/242-0930; www.roaminholiday.com)
Castles
Chivalry may be dead, but its castles remain. And there's certainly no dearth of them across the pond in Europe. Here are some recommended providers.
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Celtic Castles lists many of the castle accommodations in the United Kingdom including hostels: www.celticcastles.com
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French Chateaux: www.ila-chateau.com
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Spaninsh Parador: www.parador.es/english/index.jsp
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Italian Castelli: www.icastelli.net
- Eastern Europe offers fewer options but a few good ones to try include Poland (www.polhotels.com/Walbrzych/PalacKraskow), in Estonia the Sangaste Castle Hostel has 99 rooms, each with a unique window and Hungary's Five Star Sasvar(www.sasvar.hu/english.html).
Not content to get just a room? For a few thousand dollars an entire European castle can be yours when you click www.rentvillas.com/PropertyListing.aspx?CategoryId=9
Horse & Carriage
If rustic and romantic is what you're craving, consider a journey by horse and carriage. For example, a novel way to explore County Mayo, Ireland is by driving and living in your own horse drawn covered wagon. Check out Mayo Horsedrawn Caravan Holidays (http://horsedrawn.mayonet.com/MayoHorseDrawn.htm) for more details.
