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BritBound's Homestay's: - this is 4 weeks accommodation arranged to be near or within easy travelling distance of your place of work. You will be placed with a local host (can be a single person, couple or family) who will provide a welcoming, homely and comfortable base for you to feel at home. All the Homestay accommodation is assessed to ensure it meets with the British Council standards. We will send you photos of the accommodation before you arrive.
Positives : Provides a residential address for you to open your bank account with, join the library, get an NI number, as well as most importantly someone to point you / show you where everything is. Gives you a base that you can use to source your own accommodation / meet others who want to share with you. You won't need to budget for your stay when here as you pay for it in advance - all bills, linen, and use of washing facilities are included. A HalfBoard basis provides breakfast & dinner so you won't need to think about cooking or buying food. Many of those we have placed remain at their Homestays for much longer and very often stay in contact even after they leave.
Negatives: Homestays are never uniform - what you have with one host can be pretty different to what your friend has down the road! You have to be fairly easy going, enjoy meeting new people and not be set in your ways with any firm convictions or prejudices- go in with an open mind and it will be a rewarding experience - go in with a negative attitude and it will be far from comfortable.
Prices: (£135 per week - HalfBoard (Breakfast & Dinner), Breakfast £105, Room only £95)
BritBound says - if you are single or a couple then this is an ideal way to begin your stay, just don't expect to be waited on hand and foot - its all very informal and everyone chips in with the washing up!!
Studios: We work with a company that arranges short-term studio accommodation. A studio is where you have one room with an adjoining bathroom and kitchen. The sofa usually doubles as a bed or there is a fold down bed from the wall. It is proving a very popular option for those who want their own space. On a short-term arrangement they are quite expensive but if there are two of you, a couple or friends willing to share, then the price is a lot more attractive.
B&B: A more formalised version of a Homestay. Bedrooms normally have tea & coffee facilities, and a TV, which means that if you don't want to socialise with the host(s) you don't need to. Works out more expensive than a Homestay as they are run as a business, but usually feel more professional in terms of the service provided and the quality of furnishings/decor.
Hotels: A very popular short-term solution, easy to arrange in advance of arrival but can be expensive for stays of more than a couple of weeks. Guest Houses offer a similar stay but tend to have a dining room with a set evening meal rather than a restaurant. Find a Hotel using BritBound's Booking Engine on our website.
Hostels: More sociable than hotels, lots of communal spaces such as the kitchen and TV / restaurant / bar areas. Rooms are geared toward the backpacker market, 4 - 10 people in bunk-bedded rooms so single double rooms are very few and far between. If you are going to have work to do as soon as you arrive then a hostel is probably not a good idea as they are definitely more 'late night party' orientated!
Hostels are very affordable especially if you don't mind sharing with others, however it really takes a certain type of person to enjoy the hostel environment so do think carefully. Find a Hostel using BritBound's Booking Engine on our website.
BritBound says - B&B's & Hotels can work well for families but can prove quite costly. Hostels are geared more for the backpacker market and rooms are mainly shared. Standards often fairly basic. However if you do your research before you arrive then you can substantially reduce the length of time you need to book for. Ask us about our special rates for hotel & hostel bookings.
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