We stay 7-10 days in each key location, your base. That means bland hotels, rough around the edges apartments and certainly hostels just wouldn't cut it.
Staying longer and travelling further means a few things are non-negotiable: your own room as default, air conditioning when it's hot, wifi to power seeking out your next adventure. And where we can, we love those things that make a difference: incredible shared spaces, somewhere to cook if you choose to, a swimming pool for a cool dip after a hot day's travel.
There's no standard tour accommodation here! No tour group hotels, no cruises cabins and zero all inclusive resorts. Just great places to call home whether we're in design-led villas in Bali, practical lodges in Patagonia or boutique hotels in Laos.
SIMPLE trades boutique amenities for a lower price point. You get your own room, a hot shower, somewhere that works.
You're less likely to get pools, design-led shared areas, or places that photograph well. But the accommodation does its job. And more of your money goes into the experience itself.
LAVISH is accommodation you'll want to spend time in. Boutique hotels with pools. Villas with courtyards. Places with character and shared spaces where hanging out makes sense.
Better design, more comfort, locations that elevate the experience. The accommodation becomes part of the trip, not just somewhere to sleep.
Yes. Safety is non-negotiable when we choose accommodation. We look at the neighbourhood, how well-lit streets are at night, proximity to other people, and whether locals recommend the area. Hotels have 24-hour reception or staff on-site. Your host will stay nearby throughout the trip—if something feels off, you tell us immediately.
We've visited most places ourselves. The rest come recommended by people whose judgement we trust—other travel operators, expats who've lived in the region for years, locals who know what works. We look at location first (can you walk to things?), then safety, then character. Most Pioneers book trips that haven't run yet, which means some accommodation is still being finalised. But the standard stays consistent and we'll rely on your feedback to keep improving it.
From day one. Your host picks you up from the airport and brings you together on the first night for dinner. Before that, you'll all be on WhatsApp—in our experience, people start connecting before they even arrive.
Shared spaces matter. Most accommodation has a pool, courtyard, or communal area where people naturally gather. Adventure days bring the group together weekly. And people tend to sync up—someone suggests dinner, a few others join, it becomes a regular thing.
Your own room means privacy when you want it. It doesn't mean isolation. Most Pioneers end up spending time with the group because they want to, not because they're forced to share a dorm.
Someone comes in every 3 days for a full clean (and often, honestly, daily). Bedding gets changed weekly, or every 5 days if we're there for 10 days+. Another big plus is that most places either have laundry facilities on-site, or you can pay a local service to do it—usually costs less than a coffee back home.