Single traveller affordable luxury

[ladymacbeth]

I'm in the position of going away alone, and am lucky enough to be able to afford to splash out a bit on holidays (few £k maybe and can go in term time) However because of the cost of double rooms for one, this seems harder.

I want to go somewhere where I can just relax for a week or so and not feel hassled, bored, or one of a 1000 guests.

Anyone got any tips for 'affordable luxury' as a single traveller?

I stayed in Seminyak (Bali) at "Metta Spa Villas and Wellness at The Ulin Villas – by Karaniya Experience" (long name!) in one of the small 1 bed villas with a small private pool. It was perfect! I was left alone as much as I wanted but there was a spa onsite as well as a restaurant. It was quiet and peaceful but actually only a few mins walk to the main street through Seminyak with all the shops, restaurants, bars etc, and only a little further to the beach (I'm not a beach fan so preferred my villa for lounging in). To me it was the best of both worlds - peaceful and private but everything I needed on my doorstep.

Search on booking.com for The Ulin Villas in Seminyak. A one week stay is approx £1k upwards.

We are going on a camping safari in Botswana next summer. If has 6 on the trip. It’s double your budget but it would be far more memorable than a hotel in your own. Therefore I would look at small group tours. Far better for singles and great destinations.

Thanks both. The Bali think is exactly what I'm looking for, but not sure I'm brave enough to go that far the first time I travel alone!

Ditto the safari, plus I've done the Serengeti and Ngora already so as much as I'd love to do Botswana, I guess there's other 'firsts' first if that makes sense!

How about Madeira? Lots of 5 star hotels, many with good offers outside school holidays. It's a lovely island with lots to see if you want to hire a car for a couple of days and explore.

I can recommend The Cliff Bay - very good standard, great views, lovely pools and sunbathing areas. A 20 minute walk into Funchal, which has lots of interest.

Ooo Madeira is a great shout!

Some ideas here:

www.thetimes.co.uk/travel/destinations/best-solo-holidays

Friendship Travel are worth taking a look at, they do luxury holidays as well as more mainstream, always a double room to yourself and the opportunity to eat as a group. Bali isn't as glamourous as it sounds from what I've heard, it sounds exotic to us Brits but it like Spain for Aussies

Would you be up for a yoga retreat in India?

It depends where you go/stay in Bali - as is the case with most places. I used to live in Asia so have been to lots of places that are considered 'glamorous' and full of couples having expensive once-in-a-lifetime holidays that really aren't 'all that' (but easy to say for me when I lived nearby).

Im sure you're right, for people coming from the UK I think there is a big draw because its so far away and considered exotic. I don't think a mega long flight is that pleasurable unless you're flying first class of course..there are so many other places in the northern hemisphere that would be easier and quicker to get to that would fit the bill