12 Hotels Perfect for Travelers Flying Solo

You may think the surcharges, sympathetic looks, and stink-eyed waiters sneering, "Table for one?" are a sheer inevitability. Happily, that's not the case.
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If you're looking to explore the world with no travel companion other than your fabulous self, you may think the surcharges, sympathetic looks, and stink-eyed waiters sneering, "Table for one?" are a sheer inevitability. Happily, that's not the case. These celebrated hotels make solo travelers feel engaged, comfortable, and catered to, rather than up-charged.

Generator Paris
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The Hotel: The latest outpost by this highbrow hostel brand, where guests have the option to book into a whopping 199 stylish rooms—shared or private—in Paris' super-central 10th arrondissement.The Solo Spin: Whether you choose a private, balconied room at this next-gen hostel, or decide to bunk up with other travelers, the Generator experience is by definition a social one. The lobby cafe is always abuzz with creative types, the lounge is equipped with ping-pong and foosball tables, and the rooftop draws a crowd for its killer Montmartre views. For those flying solo, safety is a top priority: shared rooms can be booked on a female-only basis, and security guards and keycard-operated elevators ensure the party stays where it should.

Photo courtesy of Generator Hostel Paris
Anamaya in Costa Rica
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The Hotel: A beach resort on Costa Rica’s Montezuma coast best known for its active retreats, with plush quarters to rest up after yoga-filled days—think cliffside bungalows, decked out with open-air bathrooms and rainforest-shrouded terraces.The Solo Spin: Though it’s not a traditional destination spa, the focus here is on well-being: you can book in for yoga retreats, surf camps, art workshops, and more. Each retreat features a set group itinerary, though there’s room for personalization—guests can choose to be as involved as they want, or break away to the pool, beach, or spa on their own.

Photo: Bill Tipper
Riad Star in Marrakech, Morocco
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The Hotel: Once a guesthouse for the Pasha of Marrakech—and the onetime residence of French-American singer Josephine Baker—Riad Star is tucked away in a residential neighborhood within the walled Medina. Now owned by a British couple who spent two years restoring it, it has seven ultra-cozy (and completely unique) rooms.The Solo Spin: To help navigate the Medina's maze-like streets, the owners developed a GPS-equipped app loaded with info on recommended sites, shopping, and dining; each guest is also given a pre-loaded cell phone, so staffers can come find you if you get lost. Touches like these make exploring the city less intimidating—and when you return to mint tea on the rooftop terrace, you'll feel like you've come home.

Photo: Alan Keohane/Riad Star
The Boatshed in Waiheke Island, New Zealand
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The Hotel: A relaxed, foodie-favorite hideaway with five white-on-white, ocean-facing suites and a staff that's as chatty—or quiet—as you want them to be.The Solo Spin: A short ferry ride from bustling Auckland, Waiheke is a dreamy island dotted with sandy coves, noted vineyards, and intimate inns. The Boatshed has a particularly communal vibe, with rooms that flank a book-lined living room and open kitchen, where guests gather for the legendary breakfasts and dinners made with ingredients from the on-site gardens. But once mealtime draws to a close, things quiet down considerably, which means you can enjoy the ultimate “me time”: cuddling up with a book on your private terrace or in front of a fireplace, glass of wine in tow. Should you choose to wander, the manager is always a phone call away for a ride back home.

Photo: The Boatshed
Shangri-La Tokyo
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The Hotel: Gold-lacquered panels and silk embroidery set the tone for an opulent stay in the city center—the hotel is located just above Tokyo Station and walking distance from the must-hit Ginza shopping district.The Solo Spin: Though Tokyo's overall safety and the helpfulness of its residents make it a good option for independent travelers, it can sometimes be a tricky city to navigate. Enter Shangri-La, which sends red jacket-wearing attendants to meet and greet guests off the airport bullet train, and escort them through the bustle to the hotel. Also on offer are one-on-one, English-speaking excursions to help guests explore the city. Our favorite? The "Foodie Tokyo" walking tour, which takes you to markets, food halls, and street food stalls all around the city.

Photo: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
Hotel Vermont in Burlington
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The Hotel: A rustic-chic hideaway with 125 flannel-filled rooms on the banks of Lake Champlain, it’s an ideal launch pad for exploring both burgeoning Burlington—an up-and-coming food town—and the Green State's many natural charms. The Solo Spin: Solo guests can email the property's Activities Coordinator—a local expert who grew up on a nearby maple sugaring farm—to book one-on-one outings, such as kayaking on the lake in the summertime, snowshoeing in the winter, or even candle-making in the hotel lobby. Singles can also join other guests on a guided bike-and-brew tour organized by the on-site Beer Concierge.

Photo: Hotel Vermont
CasaSandra in Holbox, Mexico
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The Hotel: Created by painter, poet, and Latin Grammy Award-winner Sandra Perez, the dreamy CasaSandra is the epitome of barefoot luxury: each of the 17 TV- and phone-free suites is individually decorated in a laid back-luxe style, with thatched days beds and white sand beach access.The Solo Spin: It takes a two-hour drive and short ferry ride from Cancun to reach Holbox, so it’s no wonder you’re often greeted with the same phrase: "How do you know about Holbox?" But after a day or two, it's hard to tell the difference between local, expat, or tourist here—and activities like kite-surfing lessons, fisherman-led boating tours, and gallery-hopping ensure you’ll soon know everyone in town. Every Saturday, the hotel's poolside "Noche Cubana" drinks and live music event draws both hotel guests and locals—or "new friends," as you'll be calling them by then.

Photo: CasaSandra Hotel


--By Sandra Ramani

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