Today, many people are already on holiday and some of us are still dreaming about it. We both have in common the search for a destination and, most importantly, the search for accommodation. In addition, as we are looking for more and more fulfilling experiences when we go on holiday, this summer we will give special importance to this key element of the holiday. The aim now is to seek authentic and unusual experiences, and if they allow us to blend in with our surroundings, so much the better. This has led to a growing interest in alternative accommodation, a growing trend for summer holidays which, until recently, were not at all traditional, but are now an essential part of any Spaniard’s travel plan, to such an extent that for this summer they already account for 30% of bookings, according to data from the online travel agency Rumbo.
Apartments, 5 star hotels near me, villas, rural houses, Bed & Breakfasts, guest houses and even options for an authentic cultural and natural experience such as riads and ryokans, or something more exclusive such as boats, are some of the non-hotel solutions that have progressively gained ground, especially in these times of Covid, in which people are looking for greater intimacy and freedom when it comes to organising their holidays.
The 5 most popular holiday accommodation
There is a wide variety of extraordinary accommodations that over time have gained the trust of tourists due to their very particular characteristics. Some are quite new and others have been in the pipeline for a long time, but it is only now that they have experienced a significant upturn.
- Apartments and hotels, a growing alternative. This holiday option, by no means unknown, is one of the fastest growing in Spain. They are a success in almost all destinations, but where they really triumph is undoubtedly in the coastal areas, specifically in the Balearic and Canary Islands.
- The charm of guest houses. The houses adapted to receive tourists are an attraction for many who are looking for a quiet, but at the same time traditional and homely experience. This has meant that guest houses continue to gain popularity, now accounting for 15% of sales in the alternative accommodation category. Madrid and Barcelona are the cities where tourists are most looking for this type of house, especially in historic areas.
- Resorts, for those looking for more complete services. These resorts and their concept of offering a wide range of leisure and recreational services in one place (and for the whole family) are the most popular in beach areas. They currently account for around 5% of bookings. Tenerife is the destination par excellence for enjoying a resort, while those who prefer to travel further afield look for them in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
- Hostels and Bed & Breakfasts are the traditional alternative. Many of them, being located in central and traditional areas, and even in historic buildings, make them the perfect option for those looking for something cheap, but with charm. Where? In iconic cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Florence, London and Marrakech.
- Cottages, campsites and villas are also on the rise. Nature tourism is still on the rise. People are increasingly interested in mimicking their surroundings and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. This interest has given an important boost to alternative forms of accommodation such as rural houses, which are very successful in the mountain areas of Majorca, Lanzarote and Tenerife, while villas are in great demand in Fuerteventura and the Costa Blanca. Campsites are very popular in both rural and urban destinations, thanks to the gradual development of special areas for camping enthusiasts. The Costa Dorada and Venice are where they are most popular.
The 2 most alternative accommodation for summer holidays
The growing demand for increasingly immersive experiences has led to the emergence of highly original and rather curious alternatives that have won over thousands of people. Riyads, those iconic traditional houses or palaces in Morocco, have crept into the preferences of Spaniards, already accounting for around 3% of bookings. Some of them are luxury hotels with an impressive décor, with attention to detail that creates an atmosphere of elegance and exclusivity.
- The ryokan. It is a type of traditional Japanese accommodation created hundreds of years ago to receive visitors for a short time, but nowadays they conquer the tourists who go to Japan, specifically in cities such as Koyasan, Kyoto and Takayama. Those who want to do something Japanese, as Lisa Simpson said on her trip to Japan, should experience the adventure of sleeping and eating in these modest but fascinating structures.
- Lodging on boats. Beyond the crossings that can be made on them, boats adapted with all kinds of comforts have become one of the preferences of those eager to have a different kind of holiday. Budapest, Prague and Stockholm are the cities that most attract this type of travellers who love the sea.
