Create a Fake Assignment

Solo travel gets all the more fun when you give yourself a mission. Maybe you’re putting together a list of the best pastries in town, scouring vintage bookstores, or creating an Instagram Reel to document your experience; maybe you’re filming the trip vlog-style to share in the bestie group chat, or saving your favorite spots on a Google Map to share with family when they ask for your recommendations in the destination (make sure to add a brief note to each save, like what to order or where to find the best view!).

Not to worry that you don’t have a companion to shoot photos for you; just prop your phone somewhere and use self-timer. Make yourself a fun “project” to focus on during solo travel and it’ll make even the mundane stuff feel meaningful and give structure to long, open days.

Stay Somewhere With a Scene

Hotels with lobbies you actually want to hang out in are a game-changer for solo travelers. Choose accommodations with a coffee bar, live music, or other organic gathering spots (especially if it’s favored by locals, too). You don’t even need to make new friends if you don’t want to—just being surrounded by ambient social energy can help you feel at ease. Of course, if you want to meet new people, put yourself in scenarios that make it easy, like sipping a glass of wine by the fire pits or striking up a chat by the pool.

And when you’re traveling solo, you’re not considering others’ budgets or negotiating preferences, so give yourself permission to book the room with the view. You’re worth it.

Befriend the Concierge

At a good hotel or resort, the on-site team can be your local guide, safety net, hype squad, and more. Ask them where they eat on their day off or what to do with two hours to spare. You’ll get solid local recs and feel like you’ve made warm connections.

Meet Others in Low-Pressure Social Settings

Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to be alone all the time (unless you want to be). Book experiences like a cooking class, group hike, or yoga session; many hotels and resorts offer these directly or can connect you to recommended operators. These are low-key ways to meet people while doing something fun, and you won’t be pressured to make aimless small talk.

Make Lunch, Not Dinner, Your Main Meal

Dinner can be the loneliest meal of the day if you’re on your own. You sit surrounded by couples and groups clinking glasses, and you’re the party of one with only a phone for company (a book is better, by the way). Instead, eat the nicest meals at lunchtime, when the vibe is brighter, more casual, and less likely to feel isolating. Plus, lunch menus are often less expensive for the same food.

Leave Room for Magic

Stay open to spontaneity. Trust your gut to keep you safe, of course, but otherwise, say yes to the weird museum, the boat tour with friendly strangers, or the invitation to an open mic night. Befriend the older woman with great jewelry or the guy reading the same book as you. Express yourself through what you wear to invite conversation and connection and you’ll find your people—think of your clothes and accessories as social cues meant to spark interaction. Don’t be reckless, but do be receptive. Half the fun is seeing what the world brings you when you’re off on your own but not closed off.

Explore solo travel worthy destinations across the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, a collection of more than 50 distinct, independent properties by Pyramid Global Hospitality. Located in diverse destinations across the globe, Benchmark’s resorts and hotels reimagine immersive travel, inspiring guests to create memories born from meaningful exploration, authentic moments, and innovative experiences – no matter the occasion. Benchmark guests can earn complimentary gift cards, on-property perks, and destination experiences through the collection’s signature Mosaic Rewards program.