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3rd January 2020

DIFFERENT WAYS TO HOLIDAY (YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT)

Frugal City Guides - By Alexandra Stedman

Quick Read

The Air BnB apartment we rented in Sicily (Image: Christopher O’Donnell)

Over the last 15 years or so, the way we travel has really changed. With the rise of Tripadvisor, Boutique Hotels and bespoke itineraries, we rarely settle for bog standard anymore.  By booking separate stages of your trip, you can make a lot of savings (we usually book Hotels and flights separately to stagger our payments), and there are so many websites that offer something different for often less money, it’s the perfect time to try something new.

1. SONDER

Not sure why I had not heard of this site before, but now it’s in my favourites. Like Air BnB but more edited, it attempts to bridge the gap between hotels and the feeling of home.

Apartment in Edinburgh via Sonder, average price £69 a night

2. HOSTELS

I must admit, it has been a while since I stayed in a hostel (it was with Chris about 8 years ago in Berlin, I think!) but there is a bit of a trend for cool, affordable places to rest your head (and why not?). From places like Generator Hostels across the world to The Dictionary Hostel in Shoreditch, they can be a great affordable alternative and some even offer private rooms and ensuites. Obviously: do your research and read reviews, HostelWorld and The Budget Traveller is a good place to start, too.

3. AIR BNB  

Nothing new here but I can’t not include as it has probably changed the way most of us travel completely. The great thing about it is that there is something for almost every budget. I even know a few friends who rent out their flat in Brighton through Air BNB for a bit of extra cash when they go away. And it’s not just abroad, try it for a UK weekend minibreak – our Norfolk trip was made so much better via our gorgeous little cottage, but my tip is to try and find Superhosts for a more memorable experience.

Our Air BnB in Norfolk

4. VEEVE

Only available in London, Paris and Lose Angeles at the moment, however, their portfolio is exceptional and they’re all about service – they offer extra services such as airport transfers and maid service (if requested!).

Apartment in Paris from £132 per night via Veeve

5. ONEFINESTAY

Stay like a local, but with all the luxury and amenities of a Hotel/concierge. This is definitely the luxury version of bespoke stays, here you get something really different, living in THE most stylish homes whilst experiencing a city like a local. You’re welcomed in person, with a ‘concierge’ on hand 24/7 and they can help with babysitters, entertainment etc. It’s more expensive than your average apartment booking but might be cheaper than that hotel you were looking at…

This apartment in Le Marais, Paris is roughly $328 a night but sleeps 4

6. HOMESTAY  

Not for the introvert, you stay in local places, like locals, WITH locals. The places are vetted to give you the best hosts and the review system helps guide your decisions, we did this in Venice and had a wonderful time in a perfect location, we stayed in a lovely room with a shared bathroom (pre baby, obviously!). Not only do a lot of places prepare home cooked food, they can recommend places to visit, eat etc – a truly personal experience.

Our homestay in Venice was the second set of shutters on the right and cost from £66 a night

7. KID & COE  

I had never heard of this until a friend came over from Sydney a few years ago and was staying with her husband and two children in an amazing flat in Marylebone. She explained how hard it was to stay in Hotels with young kids, and you don’t always want to share a room –  but that this website is geared up for families, so all the places available are child friendly (and super chic).

A property in Camden via Kid & Coe

8. SWEET INN

We haven’t used this site yet, but mainly came across it as a few Air BnBs we stayed at (Rome and Sicily) were both Sweet Inn users (and excellent), so it’s definitely worth a look. I have always wanted to go to Tel Aviv and they have a lot of apartments there, so maybe this is the year…?

9. KIP

A gorgeous website set-up by two travel experts who saw a gap in the market for great little places to stay all under £200 a night. Their carfeully curated site offers an edit from their trained eyes – from an eco treehouse to a cottage in the country, all are styled to perfection. To get access to their edit of the best places, it costs just £10 a year, and you can sign up here.

One of Kip’s recommended hideaways in Devon

10. COOL STAYS

Focusing on the more quirky, interesting breaks, Cool Stays breaks down categories into boatels, treehouses etc as well as useful amenities like disabled access and dog friendly locations. It has expensive locations for groups as well as smaller places so you’ll have to do a bit of research to find your perfect stay but it’s a joy to browse.

Cabin from £69 a night via Cool Stays

And a little extra point to add, if you’re travelling with a little one, do look into renting a cot and equipment out there – we did this in Sicily and it made life so much easier!

By Alexandra Stedman

Fashion Editor, Blogger, Realist

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Comments

  1. Caitlin Louise says

    31st July 2015 at 12:20 pm

    Wow! I've never thought about travelling this way! Who knew it could actually be this cheap! The bail place looks incredible! I can't believe its only £8 a night! All you basically have to pay for is the flight! Totally doing this on my next holiday! Thank you!

    http://www.caitylis.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      2nd August 2015 at 7:31 pm

      I know – and the family you stay with in Bali look sooooo nice! x

      Reply
  2. Danielle Williamson says

    7th January 2020 at 8:48 pm

    Really enjoyed this as feel I spend my life going around in circles on booking.com. Couldn’t find much for this summer in Sardinia and Sorrento but will refer back in the future! xx

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      8th January 2020 at 12:03 pm

      I have often found when using some big booking sites that the better the deal is, the worse the room – the one on the ground floor by the elevator etc…! Love these sites as you know exactly the room/apartment you get x

      Reply
  3. Eve says

    8th January 2020 at 6:19 pm

    It would be good to find a site that focuses on places to stay that you can get to without flying. Family holidays can be had in style on beautiful places in Scotland, Wales etc or even abroad via train.

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      8th January 2020 at 9:37 pm

      Sure – I’ve shown a place in Scotland here and London and my air bnb was in Norfolk. Kip is also all UK based. We’re planning some city guides too this year via train x

      Reply
  4. Obdulia Vicente García says

    10th January 2020 at 10:23 am

    So interesting! Now I really have itchy feet! Need to go to London at the end of Feb with my 15 months old boy a husband so I will check your all the websites you mentioned. I am so excited now😁

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    10th January 2020 at 12:35 pm

    Amazing blog post, Alex. Have already found an amazing treehouse in Snowdonia I’d love to take our 3 year old to!

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      10th January 2020 at 4:34 pm

      Oh amazing – really want to do a UK outdoorsy break with Peggy! x

      Reply

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