Accommodation is one of the most important elements when it comes to travel. You need to make sure that you will be staying in a safe accommodation that can provide you sufficient necessities. Hotels have been considered one of the most used accommodation regardless of the travel type people take. They have been there for a long time to accommodate travelers. However, you can find more options of accommodation now, including homestays.
Why homestays are more interesting to stay at during travel
Homestay itself is a part of someone home converted into accommodation specifically for visitors. The cost can be varied depending on so many factors. The host is the local family who provide sleeping arrangements for visitors and add other services such as breakfast, travel arrangements, pickups, laundry, etc. It operates almost like hotel but more customized and personalized. And here are several reasons why homestays have attracted more travelers nowadays:
Embracing authentic local experience
When you choose homestays for the trip, you get authentic local experience better than when you stay in the hotel. It is because you stay with the local family who know better about the true essence of the place. You get to build a connection with the place through the insider’s help. You can also ask many things to the local family about the place you are planning to explore. Hence, you can see beyond the tourist trail.
Provide comfort when you are away from your home
During a trip, it is common to feel anxiety, nervous or uncomfortable. Added with staying in a hotel where everything looks stiff, you might start missing your home. Meanwhile, staying at homestays for the trip can help in easing up your discomfort. Homestays provide warm experience you can feel when you are at your own home. You can do what you always do such as strolling the house, enjoying a cup of tea in the balcony, etc.
Enjoy home-cooked meals
The local family as a host usually provide meals as well in their service. This is the best chance for you to fully taste the authentic dishes. Home-cooked meals by local residents are the best to experience the authentic taste. You can also learn more about the dish by watching how they prepare it, the secret recipe, the story behind, etc. Also, you may request it as you prefer. For example, you may ask to adjust the level of spiciness or sweetness of the dish.
Contribute to local economy
Another reason why homestays is better than hotel is that you can actually contribute to the local economy. Small and simple establishment might be a life-saving income for the host family who run it. This way, you also help the destination to grow and prosper. This is one of the ways you can give back to the community when travel. You might just stay for a few days but it could cause a greater good for the local community and economy. And this is how you travel sustainably and responsibly.