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Imagine… Your skipper calls you on deck as your private yacht glides into a picturesque bay in the afternoon. You lean back on the deck as the warm sun sets over the sea and the glowing beach below you sets the scene for the night ahead. You close your eyes and listen to the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull of your yacht, while you can already anticipate a delicious seafood dinner from the kitchen. A perfect moment that is impossible to recreate in a hotel.
There are many aspects to consider when choosing between a boating vacation and a hotel vacation.
Learn more about why your next vacation should be a boating vacation instead of a hotel vacation, especially in the discussion about boating vacations vs. hotel vacations.
So when you’re thinking about a boat versus a hotel vacation, you need to consider the advantages of a sailing vacation.
Gone are the days when sailing was only a hobby for rugged sailors and the elite. Today, sailing vacations are becoming increasingly popular with all kinds of travelers, and they are becoming more and more sought after than a regular hotel stay. Have you ever sat in a dusty hotel room and dreamed of sailing on one of the boats you see from your window, but didn’t know how to go about it? Well, it’s easier than you think.
A vacation at sea combines the charm of the mainland with white sandy beaches and the opportunity to sail peacefully through breathtaking coastal towns, islands, and bays. Many people wonder why a boat vacation is a better choice than a hotel vacation. Recently, sailing vacations have been attracting people from all over the world, and the debate about boat versus hotel vacations is becoming increasingly relevant.
Not convinced yet? Then read on:
Choose a boat vacation over a hotel vacation to experience a new way of traveling.
Unlimited freedom
The decision between a boat vacation and a hotel vacation couldn’t be easier once you realize the advantages of a sailing vacation.
This freedom and flexibility make a boat vacation an ideal choice compared to a hotel vacation, especially when comparing boat vacations vs. hotel vacations.
When you charter your own boat, you have complete freedom to tailor your dream vacation exactly to your personal preferences. No tour guides, no schedules, no rush to catch the train, and no late check-out fees. Just you, your skipper, the boat, and the open sea—the possibilities are endless. You can set sail whenever you want, visit any place you like, and design your itinerary completely yourself—and change it at any time.
You still have the opportunity to explore destinations on the mainland, but instead of traveling from hotel to hotel or being pushed from place to place in a tour group, you can call at a new port or bay every day. Want to stay an extra day? No problem. And you don’t have to worry about additional hotel costs. A sailing vacation is one of the most flexible adventures there is. The only difficult part is deciding which magnificent destinations you want to sail to!
Travel in style
What could be more appealing: sailing from island to island, diving in crystal clear waters and sunbathing on deck, or lugging your luggage around on hot and sweaty public transport, renting a car and packing and unpacking your already bulging suitcase every day? Traveling on your own private boat is a completely relaxing experience, and you’ll feel glamorous, comfortable, and completely carefree every day. Plus, you don’t need to pack as much: just a few comfortable clothes and a bikini! Check out our ultimate packing checklist for a complete list of things to bring on a sailing vacation.
The privacy you experience on a boat vacation is particularly valuable compared to a hotel vacation, which further fuels the debate about boat vacations vs. hotel vacations.
As visitors look out to sea from the mainland, they will see your beautiful white yacht gliding quietly through the water and feel like a real celebrity. But you’re not a celebrity, you just booked with Borrow A Boat.
Undisturbed privacy
An important point in the debate about boating vacations vs. hotel vacations is the opportunity to be at a new beach or in a new bay every day.
When you spend your vacation on your own private boat, you and your group—whether friends, family, or both—have the ultimate privacy. Hotels are usually crowded, and it’s rare to find a place where you and your loved ones can be alone outside your hotel room. It’s different on the open sea, and when you sail on your own boat, you have the privacy to do whatever you want.
You can sleep on deck and admire the starry night sky or have a picnic in a secluded bay. And if you feel like enjoying the company of others, you can anchor in a stunning harbor and explore the local restaurants and nightlife before returning to your comfortable home on the water.
Boat versus hotel vacation
The idea behind a vacation is to explore destinations you’ve always dreamed of, right? With a boat, you can set sail whenever you want and have the opportunity to explore these destinations even further. When staying in a hotel, you are often forced to spend money on a rental car or a taxi and ferry if you want to visit places of interest, otherwise you are limited to the city center.
However, when sailing along the coast, you can visit these cities as well as new beaches or bays every day without having to worry about the cost or how to get back to the hotel. Imagine how exciting it is to explore the Greek islands from the sea! You can spend every afternoon on a new beach and every night in a different place.
The landscape and nature
Take a look at the advantages of a boating vacation vs. a hotel vacation to make the best decision.
There is nothing better than gazing out over the ocean and admiring the breathtaking backdrop of your next destination. From the sea, your dream destination reveals itself in its most beautiful and impressive form. And from here, you have a unique perspective. From pine-covered mountains to miles of white sandy beaches, everything is within reach. Of course, you can also go ashore to experience the impressive landscape on the mainland, but when you’re at sea, every mile you travel is beautiful.
When considering a boat versus a hotel vacation, you should also consider the cost and value of the experience.
Analyzing boat vacations vs. hotel vacations can help you make an informed decision that suits your needs.
For many, the question arises: boat vacation vs. hotel vacation—which is the better choice for me?
In the end, when you weigh the merits of boat vacations vs. hotel vacations, you will find that sailing vacations have much more to offer.
It’s more environmentally friendly
When staying in a hotel, most people don’t think about the environmental impact. For example, how much fuel do you use when driving or flying from one place to another, and how much electricity is wasted on all the lights and electronics in your hotel? On a sailboat, fuel consumption is low, if any, and electricity consumption is minimal. So while you enjoy your incredible sailing vacation and harness the power of the wind, you are also doing your part for the environment.
It never gets boring
The decision of whether a boat or a hotel vacation is better for you is entirely up to you and your preferences.
A trip on the sea opens up a world of activities. You can still go ashore and participate in everything the mainland has to offer, but now you also have all the activities on the water at your disposal without having to pay extra. You can spend a leisurely afternoon with your favorite book while gazing at the horizon, or participate in exciting activities such as swimming, water skiing, surfing, snorkeling, diving, stand-up paddleboarding, and windsurfing.
You can sail to hidden ancient ruins and secluded coves that no one else visits. Plus, a sea full of islands awaits you without having to book a day trip or ferry crossing. You won’t waste time sitting in a hotel room or waiting in line for a taxi, and there will always be something to do.
You can afford it
If you think that a sailing vacation is expensive and completely unaffordable, you are mistaken. Renting a boat is cheaper than ever before. We have made it our mission to make boating vacations accessible and affordable by offering boats and yachts together with skippers and other crew members. Hotels are extremely expensive during peak season. So if you go on summer vacation with your friends or family, the cost of a sailing trip during the same period is usually significantly lower. And when you factor in all the hidden fees and additional costs that come with traveling by land, the total price quickly adds up. When you book a boat, most of your costs are already included.
For example, if you want to sail in Split, Croatia, renting a boat will cost you around €1,138 per week. The boat can accommodate seven people. If you divide the total by seven, the cost drops to just €23 per person per day. If you’re still not convinced, take a look at the cost of sailing in Marmaris, Turkey. A week on a sailboat in Marmaris costs around €2,148. This beautiful boat can accommodate eight people, which means the cost per person is only €38 per day. Cheaper than you thought, right?
If you look at the boat offers on Borrow A Boat, you’ll see how affordable it really is, and you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking an affordable sailing destination.
No need for mass tourism
At a time when many people are avoiding crowded tourist destinations, a boating vacation offers the opportunity to escape mass tourism. You can visit places that are only accessible by boat and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
So what are you waiting for? Choose a sailing vacation instead of a hotel!
When you charter your own boat, you have the freedom to explore intimate beaches, small coves, and the dense forests and rivers that line many coastlines—all at your leisure. No dusty hotel rooms or bad hotel breakfasts; just you, the sea, the sun, and endless possibilities. Don’t have a boating license? No problem. Our friendly and experienced skippers are just waiting to take you out on one of our excellent boats. We want to make sure that booking your sailing vacation is as relaxing as the trip itself, so we’ve put together everything you need. Just click through and start planning your dream sailing vacation now.