Is an unusual stay really more expensive than a hotel ?
Published on 1 June 2026Presentation
Booking a family getaway, or a trip with loved ones, often starts the same way : a few online searches, accommodation comparisons, photos that catch your eye... and then some hesitation.
On one hand, a traditional hotel feels reassuring. The concept is familiar, the stay seems easy to organise, and there are few surprises. On the other hand, unusual accommodation immediately sparks the imagination. The idea is appealing, but it also raises several questions:
- Will it be comfortable enough?
- Is the experience really worth the price?
- Is an unusual overnight stay actually much more expensive than a traditional hotel?
These questions are perfectly understandable, especially for families looking to find the right balance between budget, comfort, convenience and overall holiday quality. When booking a trip, it is not just about choosing a place to sleep—it is also about deciding what kind of experience you want to share together.
For this comparison, we used family-friendly hotels around Poitiers as a reference, rather than budget or transit hotels mainly designed for business travellers.
And the conclusion is often more nuanced than many people expect.
Why does an unusual overnight stay seem more expensive at first glance ?
For many years, unusual accommodation has been associated with exceptional experiences and, therefore, with higher prices. This perception is reinforced by striking images of treehouses, uniquely designed lodgings, and cabins nestled in nature, all of which immediately suggest a premium experience.
As a result, many families instinctively compare only the advertised nightly rate with that of a traditional hotel room. However, this comparison often overlooks an important part of the overall stay.
In a hotel, the price generally covers the room itself, while meals, activities and leisure facilities are usually additional expenses. By contrast, unusual accommodation is designed as a complete experience, where guests enjoy not only the place they stay but also the environment and activities that come with it.
And it is often this difference that completely changes how the value of the stay is perceived once guests arrive.
Traditional hotel : what are you really paying for with a night for four ?
Hotels around Poitiers provide a comfortable and reassuring option for a short stay. Air-conditioned rooms, 24-hour reception, parking and breakfast services are all designed to make the experience as convenient as possible.
For a family of four, accommodation generally consists of a family room or a suite with multiple sleeping areas. Room sizes typically range from 25 to 40 square metres, with limited separate living spaces beyond those intended for sleeping and resting.
In terms of pricing, rates generally range from €120 to €200 per night, depending on the season and the services included.
These hotels are therefore well suited to travellers looking for convenience or a stopover stay. However, for families or groups of friends seeking more space, greater independence and a genuine sense of escape, expectations are often different.
In summary
These establishments are ideal for a practical and straightforward stay without spending much time at the hotel itself. However, once the trip begins, several additional expenses often increase the overall budget:
- Room reservation: between €120 and €200
- Breakfast: approximately €12 to €18 per adult and €8 to €12 per child, or between €40 and €55 for four people
- Dinner at a restaurant: approximately €70 to €120, depending on the type of restaurant
In total, a weekend stay with one overnight stay can quickly represent an overall budget of between €230 and €375 for four people, not including any activities or attractions enjoyed during the trip.
And what if the same budget allowed you to enjoy a completely different experience ?
At Domaine de Dienné, accommodations for four people are designed as true living spaces. For a budget similar to that of a traditional hotel, the experience is completely different: a private terrace, a natural setting, more spacious surroundings, and access to the activities available on the estate.
A Mongolian yurt, a traditional caravan, a wooden chalet, or a themed house — each accommodation offers its own atmosphere, designed to turn a simple stay into a memorable getaway to share with family or friends.
And here, the accommodation is an integral part of the experience. You can enjoy breakfast in peaceful surroundings, let the children play outdoors, and spend the evening together without feeling like you are simply “coming back to sleep” after the day’s activities.
A Mongolian yurt for the feeling of travelling far away
With its 27 m² of space and atmosphere inspired by nomadic traditions, the Mongolian yurt is often the perfect introduction to unusual family accommodation. Its circular layout, private terrace and cosy atmosphere immediately create a sense of escape and disconnection.
Priced between €120 and €170 per night for four people, it is one of the most affordable accommodations on the estate. The bathroom facilities are shared, in a style similar to high-end nature camping, but the experience more than makes up for it for families and groups of friends looking for something unique and memorable.
For many children, spending the night in a yurt quickly becomes one of the highlights of the entire holiday.
The caravan, a bohemian escape
With its bohemian atmosphere and intimate format, the caravan appeals to families and groups of friends looking for accommodation that is both unusual and comfortable. Despite its more compact space, it offers two sleeping areas, a fully equipped kitchen, a private bathroom, and an outdoor terrace.
It is priced between €145 and €200 per night for four people, and provides real independence, allowing guests to organise their stay at their own pace without depending on hotel or restaurant schedules.
In the evening, as the calm of the forest settles around the terrace, the caravan takes on a special character: that of a simple, warm and truly off-the-grid stay.
The chalet : the perfect balance between comfort, space and freelom
A night in the Chicken House : a truly unusual experience
With its striking architecture and instantly recognisable design, the Chicken House is one of the most memorable accommodations at Domaine de Dienné. Designed to host up to six people, it offers a comfortable and original setting for a family of four.
Priced between €230 and €285 per night, it is especially popular with families and groups looking for a more immersive experience, where the accommodation itself becomes a highlight of the stay.
From the moment guests arrive, the effect is immediate. Children start exploring, adults smile, and the accommodation fully contributes to the feeling of spending a weekend that feels completely different from everyday life.
The Hôtel des pins : hotel comfort in a natural setting
For families or groups who prefer the familiar codes of a more traditional hotel stay, the Hôtel des Pins offers four-person rooms located within Domaine de Dienné itself.
Priced between €145 and €165 per night, these rooms allow guests to enjoy the natural surroundings of the estate while keeping the simplicity and comfort of a hotel-style stay.
And unlike a traditional hotel, the experience doesn’t stop at the room door: an indoor swimming pool, a lagoon, outdoor spaces and various activities remain accessible throughout the stay.
In summary : the cost of an unusual overnight stay at Domaine de Dienné
Beyond the price, what does a night in an unusual accommodation really include ?
When you only compare the displayed price of a night, you realize that the gap is not as big as you might think. And that’s not all: once the stay begins, the notion of “value” completely changes. The available space, independence, on-site activities, natural surroundings, and the quality time spent together all bring a very different added value to the overall weekend experience.
A stay that is not limited to the room
In a hotel, a large part of the budget is focused on the room itself. Meals, activities, and leisure facilities are usually added throughout the stay.
At Domaine de Dienné, many elements are already included in the experience: a heated indoor swimming pool, a 3,000 m² lagoon, play areas for children, pétanque, fitness and beach volleyball courts, as well as dozens of hectares of nature accessible directly from the accommodation.
The lodging then becomes a true living space, where guests enjoy both the setting and the activities.
A completely different pace of stay
For families as well as groups of friends, this organisation changes the way the weekend is experienced. Children freely enjoy the outdoor spaces while adults finally take the time to slow down, share a meal on the terrace, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Without having to multiply trips or plan every moment of the day, the stay becomes smoother, more relaxing, and more sociable. This freedom naturally brings more comfort and simplicity to the experience.
An experience that continues after the day's activites
Today, a weekend is no longer just a single outing or visit. Whether it’s a day at a leisure park like Futuroscope, exploring the Poitiers region, or simply spending time reconnecting, accommodation is a full part of the overall experience.
At Domaine de Dienné, this feeling continues long after the day’s activities. Children keep exploring, evenings feel different, and the surroundings maintain that sense of escape right up until departure.
Activities accessible without taking the car
For those who want to enrich their stay further, several paid activities are available directly on site. Tree climbing, Mission Aréka, archery, bike rental, or nature adventure games allow guests to vary experiences throughout the weekend without needing to drive anywhere.
Days become simpler and more spontaneous. The stay becomes much more than just a night on site: a true break filled with leisure and shared moments.
Finally, which accommodation should you choose for your stay ?
So, is a night in an unusual accommodation really more expensive than a hotel?
At first glance, prices may seem similar or slightly higher depending on the accommodation. However, once there, the experience is completely different: more space, more freedom, a natural environment, and on-site activities all included within the estate.
Each accommodation offers a different way of experiencing your stay: the yurt for an affordable unusual experience, the caravan for a cosy atmosphere, the chalet for comfort and independence, or the Maison Poule for a memorable family experience.
Ultimately, the real difference is not just the price of a night, but the experience you choose to live.
And what if your next weekend started here ?
Choosing accommodation is not just about booking a night. It is also about choosing the atmosphere of your stay, the memories you want to create, and the moments you want to share with family or friends.
At Domaine de Dienné, each accommodation has been designed to offer much more than just a place to sleep: a natural break, on-site activities, more freedom, and an experience that lasts long after you return home.
Yurt, caravan, chalet, Maison Poule or Hôtel des Pins: now it’s up to you to choose how you want to experience your next weekend.
Discover the unique accommodations at Domaine de Dienné and book the stay that suits you best.