Last Updated on March 30, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa

Solo female travel is a rising trend, and as more women venture into the world alone, accommodations are evolving to cater to their unique needs. From capsule hotels to community homestays, sustainable, ethical, and solo-friendly lodging options are becoming increasingly available. Here’s a guide to unique accommodations that prioritize safety, sustainability, and meaningful travel experiences for solo travelers in 2024.

What is Not Considered a Sustainable Accommodation?

A non-sustainable accommodation is a place that harms the environment, local communities, or both. Big resorts and hotels that use too much water and energy, especially in dry areas, are not sustainable. Some places damage nature, like all-inclusive resort hotels built on beaches that hurt coral reefs and provide everything so that guests are not encouraged or inspired to explore the neighborhoods “out there”, where they will spend their money. Others don’t treat workers fairly, paying them too little or making them work in bad conditions.

Chain hotels that import everything instead of buying from local businesses take money away from the community. If a hotel creates too much waste, hurts wildlife, or doesn’t protect the area from too many tourists, it’s not truly sustainable.

Is AirBnB ethical?

There was a time when AirBnB seemed ethical and supporting local sustainability, but that was the past. Since, it’s grown into a tool for commercial gain and unethical standards. Some people rent out their own homes, but big companies and investors have started buying houses just to rent them on Airbnb and make money. This has made rent more expensive and forced locals to move away. Many neighborhoods don’t like having Airbnb guests because tourists can be loud, messy, hog the street parking and don’t always respect the area.  I would be one of those neighbors, cause there’s a secret Airbnb house on our block. Unlike hotels, neighborhoods are meant for families who want a safe, quiet place to live—not a place for strangers coming and going all the time.

Sustainable Accommodations for Female Travelers

Some budget conscious travelers claim that a hotel is just a pillow to lay your head, and that it’s not as important as the activities you do during the day. I disagree. Your pillow can be an activity and experience.

1. Capsule Hotels or Sleeping Pods

Compact, efficient and sometimes, budget-friendly, capsule hotels are an ideal accommodation for solo travelers seeking privacy, affordability, and convenience. Many of these stays have small ecological footprints, using minimal space, shared amenities, and fewer resources compared to large hotels and resorts.

The idea of capsule hotels originated in Japanese culture as a place for male company workers to sleep and refresh themselves after missing the train home. This was once, a male-only convenience but over the years, Japan has opened up more for co-ed and female-only visitors.

Read my guide to Japanese capsule hotels.

My favorite capsule hotels are in Japan, which offer both capsule hotels that are either sci-fi looking sleep pods or pod rooms complete with desk some even loan you bedtime smocks and free toiletries (see photos above)!

Another derivative of a capsule hotel in Japan is a manga cafe. Manga cafes are internet cafes which house manga magazines and movies and they are 24 hour spaces you can rent to view manga and read.  They may not be the ideal type of comfort and safety for women as you cannot lock your space. But there are impressive shower facilities and some spaces can have couches. Read more about staying at a manga cafe.

The concept has become a novel trend over the past few years, and now you can find this concept outside Japan.  particularly popular in urban areas, or in boutique hostels with capsule themes. You can also find sleeping pods in some airports as a place to get quick rest and refreshment during a layover.

2. Community Homestays

Community homestays offer immersive authentic experiences and cultural exchange, while directly supporting local communities. These stays often feature family-run operations, giving travelers a chance to experience authentic culture in a safe, family-oriented environment, while contributing to the local economy.

These are best for female solo travelers who want to experience cultural exchange and local connection.

During my stays, I learned about the family I stayed with and their community, helped prepare some meals and explored their way of life.  Some homestays are part of a community program to bring enterprise to local communities that are marginalized and do not receive the profit of tourism. Check out my guide on Community Homestays

Homestays of India and Himalayan Homestays offers a network of women-driven cooperative homestays offering cultural immersion.

Meanwhile, Community Homestay Network in Nepal offers women-led accommodations that empower rural communities. I did two rural homestays and learned about the culture, farming, cooking and my stay offered employment to the women, the community program and their town.

3. Boutique Hostels

Hostels have evolved from party dorms to sophisticated, boutique and eco-conscious spaces that are ideal for solo travelers.

Many boutique hotels and hostels now focus on sustainability, with green practices, recycled materials, and community-driven design and cultural integration. They are budget-friendly, with options for private rooms and female-only dorms are available in many hostels.

Lub’d hostel in Bangkok is from a Lub’d chain spanning throughout Thailand,  Manila, Osaka (near Dotonbori), Siem Reap (near Ankor Wat). Note: you can book them on Hostelworld and Agoda.

The boutique hostel brand encourages guests against plastic use, participates in weekly beach cleanups, tree planting, social welfare efforts and offers eco-friendly tours and activities. It’s a whole bunch of good!  Each dorm bed has it’s own reading light, and you can wash your clothes at the coin laundry.

4. Boutique Hotels

Boutique hotels are a slightly more budget friendly version of a hotel. They are small concept hotels- often locally owned- that can have very trendy designs and unique, personal character. The offer quality services similar to that of a five-star hotel, but with a slightly friendlier air.

These hotels are great for solo travelers who want comfort, chic and low/no single supplement fees!

Read how to avoid paying single supplements

5. Women-Only Lodgings

For solo female travelers, women-only accommodations provide an extra layer of safety and comfort. These spaces are designed with women’s needs in mind, offering amenities such as secure locks, private bathrooms, and opportunities to connect with like-minded women where you can make travel buddies.

When I was in San Juan, I stayed at Juliet Hostel for Women Only. The female same-sex hostel experience feels like a safe and empowering experience, where you don’t worry about opening doors when changing clothes. It offered free tea and coffee in the lobby and it was easy to befriend other female travelers to sightsee San Juan.

My experience at Akihabara Bay Hotel in Tokyo was a female only capsule hotel. I love that it offered female guests a pampering experience such as night smocks on loan and free toiletries such as skin oil and lotion, hair blow dryers, toothbrushes, and more! It was definitely a safe space.

6. Agrotourism:  Farm Stays

Farm stays allow travelers to immerse themselves in rural life while learning about and participating in sustainable agriculture. These accommodations often include learning about organic farming, maybe preparing a meal with your host and farm fresh meals. Accommodations are very similar to homestays in that you’re staying in the family’s house.

These are wonderful for slow travelers and nature lovers seeking digital detox.

You get hands-on experiences at farms and often they are in rural and tranquil environments, which are an ideal getaway for reflection and relaxation. It also supports local farmers, sustainability programs and eco-tourism initiatives. But the cool thing about it is that you spend a day in the life of a local and the work and insight feel enriching and meaningful. You get an alternate perspective of a culture.

Some rural farm stays can be community homestay programs. I did a few homestays in Nepal-  Panauti and Hemjyakot, where both families had farms. I also stayed at a farm in Bhekundebesi – my guide Nabaraj’s sister’s farm. It was known for making yogurt and khewa in Nepal.  See the photos below.

• Agriturismo Il Rigo in Tuscany, Italy: Organic farming meets boutique charm.

• WWOOF Stays (Worldwide): Opportunities to work on organic farms in exchange for accommodation.

Tip: you can also do Google searches like “volunteering at a farm in ______ ”

7. Eco-Friendly Lodges and Green Hotels

For an off-the-beaten-path experience, eco-lodges and green hotels often provide unique stays in natural environments, while prioritizing mindful and eco-friendly practices. Accommodations may integrate renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation, zero plastics and community partnerships.

Eco-lodges offer immersive experiences in remote, tranquil locations which is a nature immersive gateway for solo travelers. Often, there is much thought and care put into the design of these hotels as they strive to bridge traveler to the community and its authentic environment in a way that reduces negative impact of tourism, while giving you maximum enjoyment in their environment.

 I find eco-friendly hotels much more thoughtful and personal in feeling than staying at a big commercial chains. I love that they make you think about your impact by guiding you through their practices. It certainly taught me to be a more thoughtful and eco-conscious in my travels, especially in developing countries.

They are wonderful for mindful travelers and earth lovers wanting to minimize their carbon footprint

In Sri Lanka, I enjoyed staying at Jetwing hotels, a popular chain of eco-conscious resorts throughout the country, where the use of plastic is discouraged, toilet paper is upcycled, posted room signs reminding you of energy and waste conservation and on some properties, the kitchen sources food from their garden. Check out my video below.

Watch my video review of an agro-resort hotel in Sri Lanka- Jetwing Kaduruketha

One of my favorite Jetwing stays was Jetwing Kaduruketha, an ago-resort in the rural area outside of Ella, where meals were prepared from their farm, and I could participate in river snorkeling in their forest, a night safari, and a morning bird watching walk. It was an all-around uh-mazing experience I’d happily do again!

Watch my video review of Kantipur Temple House, a green hotel in Kathmandu

Another favorite green hotel stay was Kantipur Temple House in Kathmandu. The Newari hotel was ornately designed to feel like a temple and was built over a landfill. It implemented eco-friendly practices: no plastic water bottles were allowed on the premises; instead, you got an in-room copper water pitcher and water refill station in the lobby. They used recycled toilet paper and you got a room fan instead of air conditioning. The restaurant food was locally sourced from their garden and prepared Newari style; meanwhile, there was free morning yoga. The hotel owner was a strong advocate of wanting travelers to experience Newari hospitality and culture. I surprising to me that I experienced this in Kathmandu, Nepal.

8. Bed and Breakfast Lodgings

Locally-owned bed and breakfasts (BnB) and guesthouse lodgings vary in experience- some offer a homestay-type of feeling, while others can be a little more like a low-key lodgings.  But they are regulated businesses with service and standard check-in desk.

With BnBs, travelers book a room in a family house that’s been converted into a traveler’s lodging and the owner/host offers a breakfast meal in the morning. They are different from AirBnB in that they are a licensed business, following regulations and health and safety codes.

Guesthouses operate from a similar structure but they tend to operate like a budget friendly lodge, where you have more privacy and independence. Some can offer morning breakfasts too.   I tend to stay at a lot of guesthouses in India, Nepal and Pakistan and they operate as low-key lodgings where I can come and go as I please but have at least one person at the check-in lobby to provide local information.

9. Heritage Hotels:  Historical Dwellings

Heritage hotels are local landmarks with historical value that have been passed down through generations and converted into a hotel-like experience for travelers. They can range from palaces, mansions, and historical lodgings that offer a unique perspective to the notion of a “hotel”

India has a good deal of heritage hotels often known as havelis (traditional palaces and mansions). They are family owned and/or operated and converted into a hotel for travelers who want to experience an authentic stay in traditional luxury.

I stayed at a hundred year old renovated haveli in Udaipur; it had a boutique hotel feeling but the family still resided in it and would welcome and play host to guests.

In Bologna, Italy, I saw an advertisement to spend a night in a medieval tower! Towers were once a symbol of family wealth. Italy has lovely palazzos  (family mansion, with incredible breakfasts. Each room has its own character and feels homey.  Check out my hotel in Ravenna (my review) and Bologna (my review)

Watch my video tour of staying at a Turkish cave hotel in Cappadocia

In Goreme, Cappadocia, I stayed in an authentic cave hotel as Christian families originally used caves as a way to escape persecution.

10. Liveaboard stays: Dive into ocean life

For marine life lovers who want to dive or snorkel all day doing a liveaboard stay will take you into the watery dimension. Maybe your dream is to be like Jacques Cousteau, you just got your PADI certification and want more dives under your belt or perhaps you just love the silence and alien marine life below.

A liveaboard program is staying on a boat, where your schedule consists of eat-dive-sleep-repeat, anywhere from 3-4 times daily. Your boat will take you to varying locations known for its diverse terrain and marine life. Sometimes, you do night dives. But living on a boat and relaxing as you sail to exotic dive spots is wonderful.

Tip: Choose operators with strong eco-friendly practices for a more meaningful and informative experience. I did my liveaboard experience with Wicked Diving in Southeast Asia. They’re an ethical operator who informed us about ethical practices when dealing with marine visit, did trash pickup on beaches and underwater, and stocked our showers with gentle marine conscious soaps and shampoos.

Watch my Liveaboard experience in Thailand (Part 1)

11. Spiritual stays: A mindful reset and deeper learning

For solo travelers craving quiet reflection and spiritual growth, an immersive stay at an ashram or temple might be your calling. I’ve stayed at a meditational center in New York and yoga ashram in India to deepen my spiritual learning and to escape the toxicity of urban living. 

I’ve experienced Buddhist and Confucian temple stays in temples like Haeinsa and Musangsa in South Korea to learn meditation, reflection practices and partake in Buddhist vegetarian diets, which adhere to a strict rule of eating root vegetables.  Buddhist temples are known to offer temple stays: Thailand, Japan, Korea come to mind immediately. Ashrams in India are a spiritual escape into yoga and meditation.

Spiritual stays offer a unique but disciplined schedule, which often entails meditational practices throughout the day. If you are not spiritual or not prepared to surrender your time to a regimen schedule, this option may not be for you.

12.  Retreats: Travel for personal growth

How about experiencing forest bathing in Korea, a surf retreat in Mexico, an sculpting retreat in Italy, a yoga teacher training program in India, a regenerative retreat for female creators in a Puerto Rican rainforest? Whatever your burning passion is, there is likely a program for it.

Special interest retreats are for travelers wanting to deepen their personal or spiritual growth with like-minded people in a destination they want to enjoy.   The retreat schedule is curated and all-inclusive from sleep quarters, to meals and activities. The goal is often to shift and advance your goals, leaving you with new tools and reawakened awareness to continue your passion. 

Are they all sustainable and supportive of local communities? Not always. Some retreat programs send money outside the destination hosting it.  So its up to you to do your research. Do they employ local residents in positions higher than groundskeepers and maids? Does the program integrate the surrounding local community and its culture and help respect and preserve its traditions? Or is the destination merely the host of the event?

Tip: Check out yoga retreats for a huge listing of various types of retreats around the world.  Research the program, where its revenue money goes and how much of the local community benefits.

Watch my experience of a regenerative retreat for content creators in Puerto Rico

13. A place that tells a story

Travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about where you stay! Choose places that offer cultural connection, historical value and authenticism.

When I started travel blogging, I was always looking for affordable yet unique accommodations that provided not just a place to sleep but an experience worth remembering. As a solo female traveler, I also prioritized safety and cultural authenticity while making sure my travel dollars supported the local economy. That’s when I discovered 24-hour local accommodations—places where locals themselves stay, work, or rest during transit.

These stays go beyond the typical hotel experience. They allow you to immerse yourself in local culture, interact with residents, and often contribute directly to small businesses. Many of these accommodations are locally owned and operated, ensuring your money stays in the community rather than going to large hotel chains. Also, by staying in alternative accommodations, you help ease the pressure on heavily touristed areas while experiencing places in a more authentic, offbeat way.

Korean jjimjilbangs (24 hour spas/saunas that locals love sometimes sleep in), manga cafes in Japan, love motels, capsule hotels, in-transit hotels, Indian yoga ashram, meditation retreats, overnight trains and buses, just to name a few.

Not all travelers will feel comfortable staying in a bathhouse, manga café, or overnight bus, and that’s okay. Some require street smarts and an ability to adapt to unconventional sleeping arrangements. However, if you’re an adventurous traveler seeking affordability, cultural immersion, and sustainability, 24-hour local accommodations can offer some of the most unique and memorable stays of your journey.

Tip : If trying a new type of stay, research beforehand and check reviews to ensure safety and comfort levels match your needs.

Watch my video playlist of off-beat and unique stays for ideas for your next trip

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14. Teach and Study Abroad Programs

If you’re looking for a life change and want to take a gap year or sabbatical, these programs offer cultural immersion and ways to contribute to the community you’ll be staying in.

Teach Abroad

Teach abroad programs offer cultural immersion and local live/work situations, housing and the opportunity to teach English. These programs let travelers travel, teach, and make a difference in schools around the world! Here are well-known ones:

English Program in Korea (EPIK) – I participated in this program and highly recommend it (here’s my apartment). The South Korean government hires English teachers for public schools to help students learn the language and understand different cultures.

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program – This Japanese program hires English speakers to work in schools and local offices to help students learn English and connect with people from other countries.

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program – Run by the U.S. government, this program sends college graduates to schools in different countries to help teach English and share cultures.
Check out the Website

Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) – The French government invites Americans to teach English in public schools, helping students improve their language skills while also sharing cultures.

North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) in Spain – This program places English speakers in Spanish schools to assist teachers and help students practice English.

Study Abroad in Sustainability

Study Abroad programs in sustainability teach students how to minimize their environmental footprint but also contribute positively to the host communities. Here’s a few I found in the internet.

The GREEN Program offers short-term study abroad experiences in countries like Iceland and Peru, where participants stay in eco-conscious lodgings, learn from local experts, and engage in environmental projects.

World Endeavors provides sustainability-focused programs in various countries, emphasizing environmental stewardship and cultural immersion. 

ISA’s Service-Learning programs connect students with community leaders abroad, facilitating projects that benefit local populations and ecosystems.

Work & Volunteer-Based Immersion Programs

These programs provide full cultural and language immersion, making them great choices for travelers looking to connect deeply with different cultures!

Peace Corps (Worldwide):  Volunteers spend 2+ years in a country, fully immersed in the local culture and language while working on community projects. 

Tips for Finding Ethical Solo-Friendly Accommodations

By choosing ethical and sustainable accommodations, solo travelers can have meaningful, safe, and enriching experiences while positively contributing to the destinations they visit. Here’s additional tips I recommend:

• Google your interest .

“Where can I experience liveaboards”, “liveaboard experince + thailand”… “best temple stays in Japan for travelers”. I’m curious by nature– so sometimes,  I have an idea of the type of lodging experience I want to have in a country. Other times, like when I was seeking to develop my meditation and yoga practice, I’d find a place that offered that experience and the city it was in became my destination.

• Read reviews from other solo female travelers for insights on safety and comfort.

I check out TripAdvisor reviews to see what travelers’ experiences were. You get a decent indicator of stumbling blocks a business has and if it’s a hiccup or a consistent pattern.

I also type in “(the name of the business) + reviews”. You might find blog reviews or the business is listed on other platforms where travelers can review them.

• Prioritize accommodations with clear community impact and responsible tourism initiatives.

I like to visit the websites of the businesses to research their mission statement or their “About Us” or “Story”. A responsible or sustainable travel-minded program, tends to have reasons of community empowerment, female empowerment or family business as their guide.

Beware of greenwashing.  Some businesses try to cash in on the feel-good vibes and pretend promises of positive impact. When the travel and tourism industries started to harden on elephant entertainment, many businesses pivoted and began pretending to be “elephant sanctuaries” when they merely repackaging elephant exploitation into something that appeased animal loving travelers.

• Do not assume that all Airbnb loddgings are sustainable or ethical accommodations.

AirBnB started off with a great concept with locals opening up their homes for travelers in a seemingly ethical way. Leave it to greed and capitalism to change a good thing. Today, business owners and management companies are turning homes into Airbnb rentals and hostel dorms, which drives up the cost of living in the neighborhoods, creates parking challenges, brings tourist trash into a neighborhood, which angers locals who experience the negative effects of tourism in their home life.

What’s your go-to solo travel stay? Let me know in the comments!