If you were planning a solo holiday …

[JMSA]

Would you prefer a smaller, friendly, family run hotel where you might have people looking out for you?

Or would you rather go to a large hotel/resort that’s a bit more anonymous, where you’re less likely to stand out in the dining room, for example?

I am thinking of booking my first solo break and I am interested in your views. Both hotels are abroad, but in different countries (both by the beach, as that’s a priority for me).

Thanks ☺️

Ive just booked my second solo holiday and am staying in a private apartment, not on a complex so I don't have to interact with people...but I'm a miserable bugger!

I went back somewhere I knew for my first solo going self-catering. Ate out for a big lunch and had mezze snacks in the evening.
The indulged myself on what I wanted to see somewhere new - small pension e for 2 trip, large all inclusive for the other. Both worked well.
I've realised now I like a mix of trips to historical sites and lazing doing nothing. So this year start and finish at big hotel for the lazing and airbnb for the middle bit with long day trips.
I do have my eye on the Mistral hotel in Crete for next year.
Don't expect to get it perfect 1st time and there will be highs and lows. Think more about what you want to do on the trip.

I've travelled solo a lot, I FAR prefer it & being single (now) I'm not upsetting anyone.

ive been to little beach huts right in the beach that were part of a larger complex on an island, huge hotels, small hotels, & lots of AirBnb. Especially in a village I love to go to in France. I like to have a fridge & a washing machine (so I can travel light, but still have clean clothes 🤣🤣) & good WiFi is essential to me. I like feeling like it's 'home' & tend to mostly buy food from the fabulous market. I have stayed in the hotel there too on a trip with my Mum (& solo), it's nice as it has a pool & they were brilliant when my mum was really unwell, organised the Dr & the Ambulance for me, but I really missed the fridge & WM.

on your description alone, the location of the small one sounds better and as it's a hotel (not a b&b) it should still be somewhere you can 'introvert' 🤣🤣 ( that's what I prefer too, I can't abide forced socialising)

Whatever you choose, have a fabulous time! 🌷

I go on a lot of solo trips. Based on what you’ve said about the locations, I would pick the smaller hotel with more to do near the hotel. I’d definitely want to try local food vs resort food, so that would also sway me!

What about self-catered apartment e.g. booking.com or airbnb? I've done this in a few countries (Portugal, France) and enjoy exploring local food markets and supermarkets, doing a batch cook at the start so that I don't have to cook often and feeling like I'm living in the place rather than staying in a resort. You can find day trips to meet people whilst out there, e.g. on TripAdvisor, find a local MeetUp group for one of your hobbies or try something new!

I’d prefer the smaller one, but am more extroverted

I think it all depends on what you want and what you are like as a person!

When I go alone, it's not for beaches and pools at all, it's for exploring historical sites and other interesting things like local markets, little cafes and shops etc. For that and safety reasons I always book a hotel slap bang in the centre of the action. That way I don't have far to go to get back, and buses and taxis are usually around somewhere close to explore further afield.

I would absolutely hate to be in a resort outside of a town. I'd feel trapped if I needed to walk some distance to get to the main square, or needed a taxi every time I left the reception area!

As I said, we are all different, and what I need/want is not necessarily what you and others need or want.

Base your decision on that.

Neither.... I'd rather a cabin in the mountains and complete solitude.

I'm not a people person.... Can you tell? Lol

Me too

I prefer to be anonymous and left alone.

Have you never watched a horror movie? That’s where all the mad axemen hang out

Not if the mountain is on an otherwise uninhabited island that gets cut off for weeks at a time! (Though you need to make sure you bring enough food, otherwise you start eyeing up the sheep...)

Me too, nothing worse than being befriended by annoying folk who pity me for being there alone, as in Shirley Valentine

I prefer the anonymity of a Large Hotel. Where people I don't know just ignore me rather than Family friendly, someone trying to get too friendly and having to negotiate a difficult situation. I would much rather be a number in a Large. Well run public Hotel, where nobody expects me to be social. Or make conversation. God forbid a male person misinterpret something said and starts pursuing me.

This is a tough one given the update. I went alone recently and purposely chose a large complex for the anonymity. Someone coming up and talking to me really would ruin my holiday. But given what you’ve said about the location of the smaller one, I’d prob choose that just so I wasn’t so isolated. Or find an alternative that offers both

In my teens and later solo life I used to go on coach tours. I was with people if I chose but I am very independent and would happily go off exploring when we were dropped off in places. Everyone would rush off to the Tourist Information kiosks, I would hide until they'd all go off in their groups/couples and then I would go to the kiosk when the coast was clear. That way I wasn't lumbered with anyone and I could do what I liked and go where I pleased without anyone setting the narrative. I loved it.

If I go to London on my own I stay in a Travelodge, nice and anonymous.

Normally I prefer the anonymity of a large hotel, but in this instance would go for the smaller one

I've done both, and had great experiences. I've done both and had difficult experiences. It's hard to predict.

3 years ago I went to a small boutique place that was hyped as friendly, inclusive etc. Everyone else was couples, the owner and staff chatted to them and virtually ignored me. I felt lonely and quite pissed off (but lovely place). Last year I went to a big resort hotel, paid for all the upgrades and loved it. Other guests chatted to me in the 'exclusive' lounge, one even found me 'exotic and brave' for holidaying on my own 🙄But I felt safe and happy and included and there was lots going on (yoga, pilates etc). Waiting staff treated me as an honoured guest, not someone to be sat at a side table.

Also last year I had 4 days in a small place in Sorrento. When the staff realised I was there on my own they really went out of their way to look out for me. They saved a special table for me at breakfast and gave me 'treats' like a free glass of wine or some biscuits after dinner.

Earlier this year I went to a different big resort hotel. It felt a bit soulless. Had a nice time, but neither staff nor guests interacted with me.

Go with your gut, be prepared for whatever happens, enjoy your holiday.

Another introvert here, and I go for small apartments on AirBnB. All the place to myself and no people to put up with. Why on earth would you want to be "looked out for"?

I didn’t say I wanted to be looked out for. But I’d imagine some solo travellers might find it comforting.

Hell no. If I wanted someone to look out for me, I wouldn't go solo.

I LOVE solo holidays ! I like city breaks most, where there's loads to do and I can explore. I've been to Singapore, Australia, Berlin, Athens, Las Vegas (twice) San Francisco (wasn't a fan), Dubai(hated it) I love that you don't have to plan anything or impress anyone. Just do what you want to do and go with the flow . Have fun!

Depends what country/how safe it was. But I’d usually prefer my own space, an air b&b to myself or somewhere with minimal rooms/huts without the owner being too over friendly/not residing on the property themselves would be my preferred option if the country itself was relatively safe.