Travelling solo - Accommodation options

[xsquared]

A friend has had to drop out from our plans to travel to Boston over Easter, so I need to make a decision on what to do with our current accommodation booking. It's not been paid in full yet, and there is a cancellation fee.

I could of course just keep the double room with two beds to myself which is in a very convenient place, but I have also looked for cheaper alternatives a little further out and requires a little bit longer on public transport to get to the marathon on Monday.

I am torn. I've not been abroad on my own before and feel a bit odd having that much space to myself. What do solo travellers normally do? I am wary of going with an Airbnb, as I have heard horror stories of them cancelling and relisting at 3 times the price in the last minute because of the marathon.

An apartment has come up on booking.com which I'm really tempted by as it will be saving me a big chunk of the costs. Am I probably overthinking this but is it odd to have a whole apartment to yourself on holiday?

It’s not odd to have any accommodation you want - you are on holiday, so go for what’s right for you. An apartment is often nicer than a hotel room.

I like Boston so have a great time.

Solo Travellers go in Hostels, they sound alot worse than they are. The truth is, they're full of young solo travellers like yourself with a common area to socialise. Oftern have organised trips in the day or activities at night.

Booking through hostelworld, you'll get access to a chat with all travellers in Boston so will meet people.

Edit: I've Solo Travelled in > 50 countries. Done Hostels, Hotels & Apartments. Hostels are by far the best experience as you meet people

Follow up on the previous message, Its also not a problem to have a full apartment, why not.

Also, just so you know airbnbs and booking.com apartments are practically the same.

Travelling solo should not affect the type of accommodation you book. Consider cost, location, convenience, comfort.
Personal preference but I wouldn't want to stay further out and travel in again, I'd rather pay the extra and stay somewhere closer to what I'm doing - marathon in your case.

I've happily travelled solo all over the world. Sometimes in hostels as a pp says, sometimes private apartments, sometimes in a luxury hotel when I've wanted to treat myself, and all sorts of in-between. Book what you feel drawn to, just make sure you read reviews first.

p.s. Your friend should be covering the cancellation fee as it's her change of plans causing the cancellation.

Be wary of cancelling and rebooking accomodation over Marathon time in Boston - it gets very very expensive and in very short supply.

If you are happier to go further out and Somerville and Cambridge are good places to look. Both are well linked to the centre of Boston by a tube/light rail. We stayed in an Airbnb in Somerville for the marathon last year and it was a really nice place. If you are running the marathon be aware you have to be in the centre of Boston really early to get the buses to the start.

You will be fine going alone. Boston is a fairly small city and easy to navigate on foot and by public transport. The Marathon is a great is time to visit, it is over a public holiday as well so the city is very livrey and people are in a celebratory mood - you'll have grest fun.

I travel alone all the time, have done for years. I book what accommodation I like; in the past (when I've had more money) I've booked whole suites with a king-sized bed....just because I enjoyed it, and because it's a holiday and who doesn't want a bit of luxury when on holiday?
Doesn't matter one jot that you're travelling solo, relish the space you have and enjoy.

I usually travel solo and book hotel rooms, the size depending on how long I’m going to be there. There’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t have space & privacy if you want to & can afford it.

Thank you all for your input.

Cambridge is a good shout, and doesn't seem much further from the start line than where we were staying in London for the London marathon. There are a few guest houses type options that are priced fairly.

I will continue to look around and hopefully make up my mind by tomorrow when I see my friend!

Cambridge is nice, it's dominated by Havard so very attractive. It takes about 20 mins to get to Boston on the subway (red line) from there. It's nice area as well, good bars and restaurants.

Also, the marathon start line is not in Boston. It's in Hopkinton - about 24 miles away. Don't worry they bus you there!

Thanks @Ginmonkeyagain. Irving House and Cambridge House Inn are amongst my shortlist options.

I have also done a lot of googling of distances and directions from the accommodation to Boston Common where the buses are.

Great!! Enjoy, it's an amazing event and congratulations for getting a place.

@Ginmonkeyagain Just want to pick your brains about travel insurance, I have found a quote with Sports Cover Direct that covers marathon running for £88.38 - Bronze, £101.50 Silver or £123 Gold.

Which travel insurance company did you and you dh go for and were they good?

The beauty of having a flat/house is that you can cook your own food or buy from a deli or get your meal delivered.

@xsquared We just got single trip insurance from whoever was cheapest on Go Compare - as we usually do. It was £57 for both of us.

We are both fit with no pre existing health conditions.

There was a bit of a heart in mouth moment at the end of the race when Mr Monkey was dehydrated and vomiting and a steward was muttering about the first aid tent, but he recovered quickly after a sit down and some flat salted lemonade (which I always have with me post marathon for these instances)

Thanks for your reply @Ginmonkeyagain . I've looked around and I think I know which to go for now.