The today's world is constantly changing and evolving. Every day, hour, minute and even every second an infinite number of things are happening. Adventures are being experienced, memories are being created and new concepts are being developed. The tourism industry is a particularly diverse and exciting part of this rapidly changing world, especially the hospitality industry. A few years ago, there were quite clear boundaries between the different types of accommodation, but nowadays these boundaries are becoming more and more blurred and new creations and hybrids are emerging.
In the past, social meeting places were mostly only found in hostels, the preferred accommodation for backpackers and bargain hunters. Those were often associated with a grubby image, but this has changed in the last years.
The days when a hotel or hostel was just a place to sleep, are over. Today all kind of accommodations are offering more space for creativity, authenticity, atmosphere and social connections. At Secretplaces, we are all about authentic places to stay. We know that holidays are not just about travelling to a different place for a few days, but also about meeting like-minded people and sharing special stories and experiences. Guests will come home not only with unforgettable memories, but also with enriching, special experiences and perhaps some new friendships.
Soul Spaces are not defined by a specific type of accommodation, it can be a hotel, a hostel, a holiday home, a houseboat, a lighthouse or even a campsite. This category cannot be forced into a certain box. The places are filled with a warm atmosphere, marked by uniqueness, creativity and a collective surrounding. The social aspect is kind of the new centre of attention, there is a special kind of magic happening when you are far away from home and connect with new people. The places offer communal areas, certain activities and other ways to mingle with others. The concept of soul places is best illustrated by examples, so here are a few of our favourite accommodations that have been build with a special focus on uniqueness and fresh vibes:
The Noah Surf House is basically a social hub for like-minded people to come together and share their passion for the world, the sea and humanity. Their concept is to creat a special place with creativity, comfort, sustainability and hospitality, and it's almost impossible here to not have an amazing time. The perfect stay for happy moments with your family, friends and strangers (who will soon become new friends)!
Manon les Suites the place for dreamy experiences you'll never forget: bohemian luxury, authentic design and festive atmosphere combined with delicious food and drink such as plenty of hip places to hang out. You can basically transport yourself straight from the bustling city centre right into the middle of a tropical rainforest.
3. 25hours Hotel – The Royal Bavarian
The 25 hours hotels are such special places! You can't compare them to anyother accommodation. With the philosophy "You know one, you know none", the founders created a creative and unique concept of guest accommodations. At 25 hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian in Munich, the royal bavarian historical design was combined with funny and stunning highlights. It is a meeting place for travellers and urban explorers in the heart of Munich.
La Divine Comédie is a mansion in the historic medieval centre of Avignon. It is a real oasis where you can feel the loving commitment the owners put into the accommodation. Amaury and Gilles' passion for art and design has led them to acquire some stunning objects of art over the last years. Such as an incredible collection of 17th century paintings of the history of Avignon, as well as some eclectic artefacts. The absolutely gorgeous decor is a clever mix of antique furniture and modern art and makes this place very special and unique.
This insider-tip is situated in the “Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano". A land of gentle rolling prairies bathed by the blue sea and stunning beaches. Casas da Lupa is surrounded by a protected natural habitat. The purity of the local architecture on the outside combined with the modern comforts on the inside create a welcome surprise to all those who visit this place.
The boutique hotel "La Indiana" is a small accommodation with only 5 rooms. Due to its excellent service it generates a comfy feeling of a 5-star hotel. La Indiana is located in the historic centre of Begur in the heart of the Costa Brava, 45m from Girona and an 1:30h drive north of Barcelona. The small seafaring town is a true jewel, full of white houses and pedestrian streets. It is very popular for its beaches, such as Aigua Blava and Playa Fonda (with their turquoise and crystal clear waters).
Find yourself surrounded by palm trees, the forest and exotic birds. Right when you arrive to this magical place, you'll see the bungalows' roofs emerging from between the trees. The beautiful Casa dos Arandis, your home for the next few days. You'll be welcomed with fresh fluffy towels and welcome drinks. All you need to start your perfect holiday - Welcome to paradise.
8. BomBom
The BomBom holiday house is located in the hills above the town of Melides, in the village Sobreiras Altas, an area surrounded by beautiful cork oaks. BomBom was lovingly restored in 2020 by the owners of Secretplaces. After visiting thousands of accommodations, they decided to restore this little gem, maintaining the original architecture, with the charm and authenticity of a "Monte Alentejano".
This is a romantic boutique hotel in the old town of Pals in Baix Empordà. This true gem offers six individually designed rooms having in common a lot of comfort and cosiness. Some of them come with vaulted ceilings while others have wooden beams painted in light colours. The charming rooms feature a cozy country house design which makes you feel at home from the very beginning. From the spectacular rooftop terrace, you will enjoy beautiful views over the medieval town of Pals. Arkhé is located only a few minutes from idyllic beaches of the Costa Brava.
An authentic winery house dating back to 1860 located in the beautiful Sicilian countryside. Discover the wonderful Baglio Occhipinti eco resort. Surrounded by vineyards and organic olive groves, the property and its rooms offer breath-taking panoramic views. Baglio Occhipinti is the kind of magical place that has managed to keep all the charm and authenticity of its original winery house, in part by maintaining the typical antique Sicilian furniture, whilst combining this with all the modern comfort you could wish for.
These and many more Soul Spaces are waiting for you to let your soul fly free and experience a unique way of travelling. Get inspired by our Soul Spaces collection on our website here.