Budget hostel site goes against luxury — HovelStay offers stays under NT$3,000

By Rita

Many people usually turn to platforms like Airbnb, Agoda, or trivago to find accommodation, but seasoned users might find it actually takes some effort to locate truly affordable options. If you’re a budget traveler, you absolutely must try the "budget hostel site" HovelStay, which offers unbelievable prices, averaging no more than NT$3,000 per night.

According to messynessychic.com, HovelStay promotes an "anti-luxury" philosophy, andits lodging categories are also pretty unique, including "bare minimum," "decent," and "clean & comfy." You’ll notice that the accommodations here are not your typical glamorously photographed stays — they champion a hippie spirit, allowing you to experience all kinds of adventures on the tightest budgets.For as little as NT$360, you could stay in a grand estate, or for NT$2,000, bed down on an alpaca farm. Here are seven great picks:

▲ Israeli Alpaca Farm (Photo / hovelstay.com, the same below)

1. Israeli Alpaca Farm — NT$720 per night
This studio is a large and spacious hall that can accommodate 20 people, suitable for workshops or gatherings with family or friends.

▲ Crete Smurf Cottage

2. Crete Smurf Cottage — NT$1,950 per night
This is a house without power outlets; oil lamps are used inside (but phones can be charged at the front desk).

▲ Colorado Mermaid Cottage

3. Colorado Mermaid Cottage — NT$3,000 per night
This cottage was hand-built, featuring vibrant interiors that make guests feel like they’re inside a kaleidoscope. It’s surrounded by stunning scenery and a 35-acre solar-powered farm.

▲ Guatemala Forest Yoga Cabin

4. Guatemala Forest Yoga Cabin — NT$1,200 per night
Overlooking Lake Atitlán, it offers daily meditation and yoga sessions in a volcano-surrounded environment.

▲ A Charming and Rustic Cave in Spain

5. A Charming and Rustic Cave in Spain — NT$3,000 per night
Selected by The Sunday Times as one of Europe’s best holiday accommodations, this cave ranks among the top 50. It includes nine rooms and two rooftop terraces with bathtubs and sunbathing spots.

▲ Bosnia Art Forest Cabin

6. Bosnia Art Forest Cabin — NT$480 per night
Actually a small art gallery, it now also offers lodging. Its summer jazz festival attracts travelers from around the world, making this hidden gem well-known in the jazz community.

▲ Williamsburg Loft in New York

7. Williamsburg Loft in New York — NT$1,950 per night
5% of the booking fee goes to youth service programs.