After more than a decade of traveling solo, I’ve learned that choosing a hotel is about much more than finding somewhere with a comfortable bed and a good rating.
When I’m alone, I pay close attention to the small details that can make a stay feel safer, easier, and more enjoyable, especially when it involves walking back late at night or spending time in a new city.
I’ve stayed in hundreds of hotels around the world and know which features are genuinely useful and how they actually make a solo traveler feel. A convenient location can save you from an uncomfortable walk after dinner, while a 24-hour front desk gives you peace of mind when you arrive late or need help.
These are the six hotel features I look for most when traveling alone.
In this article
A 24-Hour Front Desk
When I’m traveling alone, I want to know there’s someone I can turn to at any given moment, even if I never actually need to. I’ve arrived at hotels many times late at night in unfamiliar cities, and there’s something really comforting about seeing someone at the desk when I arrive.
There have been unexpected moments where my key card stops working, I need directions in the evening, or I just need something extra in my room, and it’s reassuring to not have to navigate those things alone. For me, a 24-hour reception is less about luxury and more about having a reliable point of contact when I’m traveling on my own.
Once, in Porto, Portugal, after an evening out, I returned to my hotel late and was so relieved that the front desk agent was still there. He assisted with tapping me in, but overall it was just nice to have a friendly face there when I came back.
A Restaurant or Bar On-site
As someone who frequently travels alone, I’ve become very comfortable eating by myself, but don’t always want to trek across a new city looking for somewhere to eat.
For me, there’s comfort in staying around my accommodations, where I may come across a familiar face, like the same guests or the bartender.
After spending hours sightseeing, I like knowing I can come back to my room, freshen up, and head downstairs for a meal without having to plan another outing. I can sit at the bar, order a drink or dinner, and chat with others if I’m feeling sociable, and don’t have to worry about finding my way back to my hotel in the evening.
I can make the evening as social or as quiet as I want, and an on-site restaurant gives me both options. On a solo stay at the Lincoln Hotel in Maine, I sat at the bar downstairs during happy hour and got chatting to the locals and staff. The people were friendly and asked me if I wanted to join in, but I also took some time to just work and listen.
A Secure Entrance
I’m extremely conscious of hotel security even when I’m with people, and naturally more so when I’m traveling solo.
One feature I really appreciate when I’m alone is a secure entrance where lobby access is limited to key-card holders only after certain hours, or room floors that require a key card to enter.
I’ve stayed in hotels in the past where anyone could just walk right in and take the elevator to any floor, which doesn’t make me feel particularly safe. I prefer knowing that my room isn’t easily accessible from the outside. It’s a small detail, but when I’m the only person responsible for my safety, these little layers of security make me feel significantly more comfortable.
Raffles in Boston is a great example. Whenever someone enters the hotel, there is a desk immediately upon walking in, and all rooms require a key card to operate the elevator.
Central Location
I’ve stayed at my fair share of hotels that were rated extremely well but were located on dark, quiet roads with barely any people walking around. As a solo traveler, this is a no-no for me.
I love a good evening jaunt and glass of wine as much as the next person, but have often found myself trying to get back to the hotel before the sun sets to avoid the eerie feeling of thinking you’re being followed.
I’d rather pay slightly more for a hotel near a train station or bustling area than save money and have to walk 20 minutes through an unfamiliar neighborhood alone at night. It also makes getting back after dinner or drinks much easier.
A Comfortable Common Area
Similar to having a restaurant or bar on-site, having a comfortable common area is just as important for me.
While I love spending time in my room, I also enjoy having a safe base to work, chill, or meet other people if I want. This can be a lobby, a lounge, a courtyard, a library-like setting, or any other communal space.
They make for a nice alternative to spending an entire evening sitting on the edge of the bed, which can start to feel isolating. Having somewhere to go inside my accommodations to sit and relax makes the hotel feel like part of my solo travel experience rather than somewhere I simply sleep.
Helpful Staff or Concierge Desk
This may sound like a no-brainer if you’re working in hospitality, but in the past, I’ve definitely encountered hotel staff who were unhelpful or lacked knowledge about the area.
When I’m traveling alone, having reliable people around who are actually willing to chat or give advice is important. It’s like having new friends on your side who are there to help.
I’ve needed recommendations for restaurants, help figuring out transportation, and advice about whether a neighborhood is best explored during the day or evening. When plans change unexpectedly, good hotel staff can suggest alternatives and make solo travel feel much less daunting.
The Shortcut
After more than a decade of solo travel and hundreds of hotel stays, I’ve learned that hotel features like 24-hour front desks, secure entrances, and a knowledgeable concierge can make a trip feel safer, easier, and more enjoyable.
An on-site restaurant or bar and comfortable common areas gives me the option to socialize, relax, or dine without having to venture out again.
Location matters enormously. I prefer hotels close to busy areas, transportation, restaurants, and other amenities rather than saving money, and it’s especially important when arriving late or navigating an unfamiliar city alone.
