The way we travel — and live — is evolving. At SocialStay, we’re introducing a new kind of accommodation: the social stay.
From hostels and coliving spaces to retreats and surf camps, travelers are increasingly looking for more than just a bed. They want community, connection, and an experience they can be part of.
A social stay is a long-term, community-driven accommodation that blends local living with shared experiences — ideal for people who want to connect, stay awhile, and make the most of their time in a new place.
🏡 What Is a Social Stay?
A social stay could be:
- A coliving space for remote workers who want community without the chaos
- A hostel with curated events, tours, and chill spaces (without the all-night ragers)
- A retreat with workshops, wellness activities, and shared meals
- A surf or language camp where people connect over shared goals
What ties all these together is the desire for connection without pressure — a space that supports socializing, collaboration, and local discovery, especially for travelers staying longer and living intentionally.
👥 Who Are Social Stays Designed For?
Unlike traditional hostels aimed at 20-something backpackers looking to party, social stays tend to attract older or more intentional travelers:
- ✅ Digital nomads and remote workers
- ✅ Creatives, entrepreneurs, and freelancers
- ✅ Couples or solo travelers looking for depth, not just drinks
- ✅ Guests staying a few weeks — or a few months
These travelers may still enjoy group dinners, music nights, and excursions — but they’re less about partying and more about connection, wellness, and community.
They’re also planners: many social stay guests schedule activities in advance to balance social time with their work or personal routines. Unlike vacationers who wing it, these guests often want visibility on what’s happening during their stay before they arrive.
🏨 Social Stay vs. Hotel: Why People Prefer It
Hotels are private, convenient, and easy — but they often feel sterile or isolating, especially for longer stays.
In contrast, a social stay offers:
| Feature | Social Stay | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Social connection | Built-in community through shared events and spaces | Rare; guests usually keep to themselves |
| Local immersion | Integrated with local businesses and culture | Often detached from the surrounding area |
| Long-term appeal | Designed for weeks or months | Primarily short stays |
| Remote-work friendly | Coworking areas, reliable Wi-Fi | May not support working travelers |
| Planned experiences | Activities posted in advance, often curated | Guests must research and book separately |
📣 What SocialStay Does
We’re not just a travel app. SocialStay is a platform that helps hostels, colivings, and retreats position themselves as social stays.
Our tools help accommodation providers:
- 🗓️ List and schedule events — so guests know what’s happening and can plan ahead
- 🧭 Highlight local experiences and partnerships with guides, surf instructors, wellness coaches, and more
- 🪪 Build their identity as a social stay, standing apart from party hostels and traditional hotels
- 💬 Foster real-time community engagement, even before guests arrive
SocialStay gives properties a way to communicate their vibe, so they attract the right kind of guests — and so guests can make the most of their stay without scrambling for info after check-in.
🔮 The Future of Travel Is Longer, Slower, and More Social
As remote work becomes the norm and people spend months abroad instead of days, the old categories of “hotel” or “hostel” no longer fit.
Travelers want to belong, not just visit. They want spaces where they can connect without pressure, work without isolation, and experience a place through its people.
That’s what social stays offer.
💡 Final Thoughts
If you’re a traveler tired of transactional stays or loud party hostels — you’re not alone.
And if you’re a host who knows your place is about connection, not just beds, SocialStay is your partner in building that identity.
This is travel reimagined. This is the social stay.