“Unfortunately, the trip is cancelled” read the text from a friend less than a week away from our planned arrival in Miami, Florida this past June. Soon after digesting her message I found out that our 3rd friend also could not make the trip. The world seemed to pause as I started to process the fact that I might not be sitting beach side with a margarita a few days later. As the haze of the shock started to fade It was time to make a decision. I could either lose the money I paid for my flight and not go to Miami or go alone and find my own hotel accommodations.
As an only child I am pretty comfortable with doing things alone but was I ready for a solo trip? Do I love me that much?
The next day I decided that I was still going to go. Even though I had already purchased my plane ticket, I still had to book a hotel for my 4 night stay. This made me a little nervous because I know how pricey hotels can be when you book them close to the check in date. But then I remembered that my friend LJ had been raving about how awesome Hotel Tonight app was so I figured I’d give it a try.
Hotel Tonight provides discounted rates because they partner with hotels to get unbooked rooms for the low...tonight or for future nights. Hotel Tonight has a sleek and user-friendly interface with high quality images of the rooms and hotel property , detailed descriptions and a thorough list of the amenities and check in/out info.
I was able to search and book a hotel in minutes. To jazz up my solo trip experience I decided to hotel hop and stay at 3 different hotels over the course of my trip. I really like hotels so I figured this was the best time to try out a few.
Hotel Tonight has made is super simple to search on the app. First your destination and then your travel dates and within seconds you can browse multiple curated options within a range of price points from budget to BALLING! being that I was traveling alone I thought it would be cool to stay at a different hotel every night.
Hotel #1: Chesterfield Hotel & Suites: Convenient location,Dated Decor
This hotel was my least favorite of the 3 hotels I stayed at during the trip although I appreciated that they offer a complimentary airport shuttle which was great because I didn't have to take a car service saved money to get there form teh airport. The hotel is a small boutique style space with an old hollywood feel. For me the decor and atmosphere simply wasn't my style. The rooms were clean but it felt dated and a bit dark s I was excited to head to my next destination. Of all the hotels that I stayed at during my trip, this onw had the best location as it was steps away from ocean drive and the beach.
Hotel #2: YVE Hotel: Chic, Sleek & Sexy
YVE hotel is what one thinks of when they think Miami. Modern decor, lots of white and an easy breezy atmosphere. When I walked into my room at YVE I felt like I had walked into an oasis. All white linen and the most comfortable bed. I loved this hotel so much that I extended my stay for one more night.
Hotel #3: Hotel Gaythering: Unique, Corky and fun!
Yes “Gay” is in the title so you know that this hotel was a rainbow loving, glitter throwing good time! The design of the hotel reminds me of a small motel but the decor is super cute. I felt very comfortable and the service was great. They also has cool amenities like a steam room and complimentary breakfast.
The theme of my trip was rest and rejuvenation. I had just finished up an academic year as teacher and administrator and I was ready to chill and re group.During my trip I went to the beach, ate lovely meals, checked up a club one night, jogged along the shore line, went shopping and even ran into a friend who happened to be in Miami at the same time!
I am so happy that I still decided to go on that trip because I put my fear of change aside and went with the flow and the results were wonderful. Now I think I want to travel alone at least once a year.
3 Benefits of a Solo Vacation
You are working on your own schedule, you pick the agenda and there is no one to answer to if you want to cancel
Get in tune with yourself. Traveling alone forced me to focus on internal thoughts and goals that I don’t usually think of when I’m so busy being social with other people. This
Explore and find new things. Being alone gives you the mobility to try new things more easily, You can walk around, get lost, meet new people at a bar and lay on the beach for hours without worrying about what's next.
Have you ever vacationed alone? If so where did you go?