Top 5 Lodging Tips for Solo Female Travelers

As an experienced full-time solo female traveler, there are specific things that I look for when searching for my next home. From a convenient location to reliable internet connection, there are high-priority items that factor into one’s decision.

Whether you’re looking for a short-term or long-term stay, these Top 5 lodging tips are essential to your checklist.

Lodging Tips:

1. Convenient Location

Location, location, location! When it comes to location, picking the right one can make a huge difference in your travel experience. Locations should be convenient and close to the places and things you need the most during your stay.

For starters, if you’re not renting a car, your location should be close to public transportation or in walking distance to your desired destinations. If you are renting a car, a parking space nearby is needed. Also, necessary to have in the area is a bank/ATM to access cash, a supermarket, farmer’s market or convenience store for your food and cooking necessities, a restaurant or food stall for when you’re looking to eat-out, a laundromat if you don’t have access to a washer and dryer/clothes line, and a place to exercise. Moving your body in a deliberate way is important, so having a space to workout in, whether it’s at your place, your neighborhood where you can easily walk or run, a gym (not during COVID-19) or a park nearby, is essential.

2. Comfortable Stay

I’ve never stayed in a hostel because having privacy and my own space has always been very important to me. Therefore, you need to consider what type of traveler you are and what comfort means to you. However, being able to sleep is essential to everyone so having a space where you can do that comfortably is necessary, so is having a quiet workspace. If you work remotely or are a digital nomad like I am, you know the importance of being able to work without disturbance.

Also, you should take into account if your place has an elevator or solely stairs. Whether staying in a condo, building or house, the floor that you live on should be considered seeing that if there are only stairs and no elevator, you have to carry luggage as well as walk up and down those stairs, frequently.

3. Safe Place

A safe place is a non-negotiable. You need to be able to feel safe in and around your home. A place where there are locks on all the doors, windows that close properly and perhaps a gate that prevents easy access to the space is what you need. Considering a place in a gated community or a location that has a security system and cameras never hurt.

Finally, you need to make sure that no one comes into your space unless you’re there. This can be housekeeping, maintenance, etc. No one should be allowed in your place unless you’re present.

4. Reliable Services

Reliable services include customer service from the owner and/or host, internet service and utility service! If you’ve traveled to other countries, then you’re aware that hot water isn’t always a given. But if you don’t know, now you know!

Ensuring that the owner or host of your place has responsive communication is key and this can be gauged before you arrive. There’s nothing worse than trying to contact your host in a dire situation and they’re not responsive, or trying to work and not being able to connect to the internet, or needing to take a shower and there isn’t any hot water.

5. Adapt and Enjoy

Being able to adapt while you’re traveling is key. As long as you have what you NEED it’s ok to let go of your expectations. It’s important to understand that not every country does it like yours and not everybody does it like you. Cultures, people, traditions, languages, religions are uniquely different and beautiful and that’s why we travel; to grow in understanding, patience and LOVE. Experience, explore and build memories that you will have and cherish forever.

Now that you have your tips, you can add them to your checklist for your next adventure. Consider them during your search, communicate them to your host, and most importantly have fun and be safe.

Subscribe, share with family and friends and comment below. I look forward to reading about your experiences with these tips.

-Natali-

Updated: March 21, 2021

Photos sourced from Pexels