Small hotels, sometimes in out-of-the way places can be a great option when you first start out traveling alone.  Recently, I stayed in a small hotel, just outside of Sorrento, Italy.  Located in Vico Equense, it was just a quick 11 minute train ride into Sorrento.   The Hotel Aequa featured all the advantages of a small hotel for solo travelers.

Hotel Aequa, Vico Equense

Hotel and Garden

“The true object of all human life is play.  Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground.”     Gilbert K. Chesterton        

The price included a European style buffet breakfast each morning.  I had asked for a double room with small balcony and view, thinking that the single rooms in Europe are still quite small.  It was a good choice, because the bed was bigger and the balcony provided access to beautiful views of the hotel property, Bay of Naples and the stunning Mount Vesuvius.

View from the Balcony

Small hotels can be both intimate and private, depending on how much you want to engage with the people around you.  Again, this can be ideal for those first venturing out alone.  The hotel clerks are there to help, the guests at breakfast and around the pool can sometimes be friendly and engaging.  But if you really just want to relax, read, sun yourself, etc. you can easily opt to do this without interruptions.

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady