May 2025 Blog Highlights – Your Quick Guide to Travel, Stays & Green Living

May was a busy month on the Loch Ness Retreat blog. We covered everything from how to catch a few Z’s at the airport to building a cottage that’s kind to the planet. Below is a fast‑track look at the most useful tips we shared, so you can grab the ideas that matter most to your next trip or project.

Smart Ways to Save on Accommodation

If you’re hunting for a cheap night’s sleep, our "Cheapest Version of a Hotel" post broke down the real low‑budget options – hostels, micro‑hotels and even pay‑by‑hour rooms. We showed you where to look, what to expect, and how to avoid hidden fees that can turn a bargain into a bust.

Business travelers got a separate guide on commercial hotels. We highlighted fast‑check‑in, solid Wi‑Fi, and on‑site meeting spaces that keep work smooth without pricey extras. The take‑away? Look for hotels in business districts that bundle these perks into the base rate.

For romance seekers, we posted a deep dive into love hotels and romantic hotels. You’ll now know typical price ranges, the difference between short‑stay and overnight rates, and a few tricks to get extra value – like booking during off‑peak evenings.

Eco‑Friendly Building & Cottage Living

Our eco‑focused pieces answered two big questions. First, “What building materials work best for sustainable cottages?” – we compared natural insulation, recycled panels and emerging bio‑composites, pointing out which ones give the best energy savings for the price.

Second, we explored where to build the cheapest eco‑friendly cottage. The “Least Expensive State to Build a House” article listed the top U.S. states with low land costs, lower permit fees and good solar incentives, plus budgeting hacks for using reclaimed wood and modular design.

If you’re already living in a cottage, the “How Many Bedrooms Can a Cottage Have?” guide clarified zoning limits, septic capacity and practical floor‑plan ideas, so you can expand without breaking local rules.

All of those green topics tie back to our core message: you don’t need a huge budget to build or live in a sustainable home. Small material swaps and smart site choices add up quickly.

Travel Hacks Beyond the Cottage

Long layovers? Our airport sleeping rooms article showed the difference between sleep pods, nap lounges and full‑service airport hotels. We gave tips on finding free lounge access, booking day‑use rooms, and packing a compact sleep kit.

All‑inclusive vacations were another hot theme. We answered the classic “Does all‑inclusive mean all you can eat and drink?” question, explained when bars are truly free, and revealed which months deliver the deepest discounts on all‑inclusive resorts.

For those who prefer to book themselves, the “Best Places to Book All‑Inclusive Vacations” post compared top platforms, highlighted hidden fees, and suggested a quick checklist to avoid overpaying.

Finally, the "Cheapest Months to Book All‑Inclusive Hotels" piece gave you a ready‑to‑use calendar of low‑price windows, so you can plan a getaway without draining your wallet.

All these articles share one goal: give you clear, practical advice you can act on right away. Whether you’re planning a stay in the Highlands, building a green cottage, or just trying to catch some sleep on a long flight, the May 2025 archive has a tip that fits.

Ready to dive deeper? Browse the full list of posts on our archive page and pick the topics that match your next adventure.