Blair is Apartment Therapy’s Style Shopping Editor, where she covers the latest brand launches, need-to-buys, and anything related to her two unofficial beats — cane and rattan. Whenever she’s not perusing for the latest home finds (a rarity), you’ll probably find her reading, watching a horror film, or on the hunt for the best tacos in New York (recs are encouraged).
It’s no secret that many people are trading in office life for the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. A 2022 study found that 16.9 million Americans identified as digital nomads, and that number is only going to grow as remote work continues to transform the workplace. Countries like Croatia, Spain, Portugal, and Barbados offer specific digital nomad visas that allow you to live, work, and travel, usually for up to one year.
That said, although the experiences and memories that come with being a digital nomad are a huge advantage, this type of lifestyle would also take some adjusting to. From working through different time zones to language barriers and less-than-reliable internet connection, it’s important to remember that being a digital nomad isn’t just plain sailing.
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CoworkingCafe surveyed over 820 digital nomads to determine what they miss the most about traditional office setups. Many digital nomads are normally working from non-conventional spaces, like coffee shops or hotel lobbies that aren’t created with an office-use type in mind.
Add this to the fact that many other people will be trying to connect to the internet at the same time, 51 percent of respondents said that they miss having a reliable Wi-Fi connection. Printers and scanners were cited as the second most-missed office feature, with 38 percent of people saying that having frequent access to these things would make their jobs easier.
Bearing that in mind, when asked about their satisfaction levels with their current work setup, the vast majority (56 percent) of digital nomads surveyed were neutral. Only 18 percent said that they were happy with their setup, and 26 percent revealed that they were unsatisfied with their work environment. As a result, 38 percent of workers said that they were currently on the lookout for a coworking space to better cater to their work needs.
As for what options would enhance the coworking spaces, schedule flexibility was the most sought-after factor. Coworking spaces that are open late hours — or even a full 24 — are great options for those working on different time zones (for example, a digital nomad working in Spain whose main office is in Los Angeles).
Imagine peering out of an airplane window and seeing a stunning view of a cliff by the sea. Only, you’re not on a flight, you’re in an Airbnb!
In Bali, a decommissioned Boeing 737 is being turned into an Airbnb that hopes to turn dreaded long-haul flights into the ultimate tropical getaway. According to Insider, the plane was previously owned by Indonesian airline Mandala Air, which went out of business in 2014. 31-year-old entrepreneur Felix Demin then acquired the aircraft and is currently converting it into The Private Jet Villa.
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The accommodation is perched on a cliff near Bali’s Nyang Nyang beach, and features first-class amenities. The entrance will have a wooden gate and steps that lead to the wing, which will be turned into a patio. Inside, instead of cramped seats and narrow walkways, the plane will have two bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, a lounge and cocktail bar, and two bathrooms, with one having a stone tub in what was the cockpit.
Outside, there will also be an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Demin said that it took them a week to bring the plane to the location, having to transport the fuselage in sections before reconnecting all the parts up on the clifftop. “Externally and structurally, this is a jet aircraft that we have turned into a luxury hotel,” he said.
The accommodation is still under construction, but it’s already listed on Expedia for 114 million Indonesian Rupiah (or about $7,320 a night). Sorry, you can’t use your air miles here. It is expected to take flight in July 2023.
Arielle Tschinkel is a freelance pop culture and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared on Shape.com, WomansWorld.com, FirstforWomen.com, Insider, HelloGiggles, and more. She loves all things Disney and is making her way to every park around the world, and is a die-hard Britney Spears fan for life. She’s also obsessed with her Bernedoodle, Bruce Wayne.
Uniquely designed to cultivate friendships in addition to helping you save money, hostels may not be your favorite travel accommodation. However, they are the most underrated! With dorm bed curtains and lockers for luggage safety, hostels can take one hotel-sized room and make it manageable for six or more. Here are three small space hacks from hostels and how you can use them both on the road and at home.
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One of the best ways to maximize small spaces is to get every inch of use out of the walls. Many hostels have hooks in the ensuite bathrooms and on the walls in both dorms and private rooms. Toiletry bags with hooks can also act as hanging door organizers.
Other items, including belts, coats, and scarves, are all hangable. You can even tie your scarves, hang a purse around a bedpost, and use a portable travel clothesline that sticks to the wall for additional space. Utilizing the vertical space takes up much less floor space than storing them in bins or drawers, making your small space feel larger.
Packing cubes have a bigger purpose than just conserving space in your travel luggage. They are also helpful for storing clothes under a bed, in a closet while traveling, or at home when seasons change. First, give each packing cube a theme based on the article of clothing. For example, while traveling, you put all your undergarments in one, tops in the next, and bottoms in another. Or, if you’re using them to store your out-of-season clothes at home, you can put your short-sleeved tops in one, shorts in the next, and swimsuits in another until summer returns.
Take it a step further and label each cube with the theme. The labels and categories prevent you from digging through everything and making a mess when the seasons change again. Packing cubes can also double as bags for dirty clothes when you’re on the go. This way, when it’s time to do laundry in the hostel, you don’t need a basket that the hostel may or may not provide.
Sometimes, even when you’re not traveling, buying travel-size items can save extra space at home. Think about it, how easy is it to go overboard in the body and skincare aisles when you’re preparing for a trip or doing your regular shopping? How often are you going to use that insect repellent? And if you only wear makeup for special events, do you need a full-size bottle of setting spray?
Staying in hostels means little products can go a long way in shared dorms, bathrooms, and storage lockers. Before buying, consider you need the item every day just for special occasions and experiences. Those everyday items can be full-size, but the others can be travel-size. Once empty, you can reuse them when you take an actual trip and allow space for other necessities in your bathroom cabinets.
After becoming accustomed to living with less in hostels for months, I’ve found they’re more efficient than you think. Living on a broke college student’s travel budget has served me well as a now nine-to-five adult — I can pack light and make smart use of any small space.