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The single supplement has long been the bane of the solo traveller's life.
But now an accommodation website has come up with an unusual solution that allows singletons to save money while seeing the world.
Easynest offers travellers the chance to split the cost of their hotel bill - providing they are prepared to share with a total stranger.
Globetrotters set up a profile on the site, indicating their preferred destination and travel date.
'Hosts' - fellow solo travellers who have already booked a room - can then get in touch to see whether they would like to share.
Users of the site are encouraged to create interesting and colourful profiles in order to ensure a timely response, and must pay the host directly for their share of the room.
According to the website, the service provides 'the opportunity to meet new friends, build your network, create new opportunities, exchange on the city and learn.'
But it would seem that not everyone is convinced, including Mail On Sunday Travel Editor, Frank Barrett.
'The idea of making friends on the internet in the interests of thrift has all the appeal of sharing a shower with Psycho's Norman Bates in order to cut down on the water bill,' he said.
'It would be nice to think that the internet was a friendly community of benevolent people keen to help you out. But we know from experience that it's as likely to be populated with people as mad as a French mini-roundabout.'
The new trend for sharing hotel rooms is the latest in a line of purse-friendly solutions for travellers.
Couchsurfing, where hosts offer their sofas and spare beds to travellers, has become increasingly popular among younger travellers - and according to Couchsurfing.org, was used by 10.4 million globetrotters last year.
Other popular ways to save cash on accommodation include home swapping, where travellers switch homes for a week, and trips based in hostels, monasteries and even pub gardens.
But now an accommodation website has come up with an unusual solution that allows singletons to save money while seeing the world.
Easynest offers travellers the chance to split the cost of their hotel bill - providing they are prepared to share with a total stranger.
Holiday heaven...or hell? Easynest allows you to split the cost of a hotel room by sharing with a stranger
'Hosts' - fellow solo travellers who have already booked a room - can then get in touch to see whether they would like to share.
Users of the site are encouraged to create interesting and colourful profiles in order to ensure a timely response, and must pay the host directly for their share of the room.
According to the website, the service provides 'the opportunity to meet new friends, build your network, create new opportunities, exchange on the city and learn.'
But it would seem that not everyone is convinced, including Mail On Sunday Travel Editor, Frank Barrett.
'The idea of making friends on the internet in the interests of thrift has all the appeal of sharing a shower with Psycho's Norman Bates in order to cut down on the water bill,' he said.
'It would be nice to think that the internet was a friendly community of benevolent people keen to help you out. But we know from experience that it's as likely to be populated with people as mad as a French mini-roundabout.'
Saving: The website could be the difference between having to plump for a tent (left) instead of a luxury hotel
Couchsurfing, where hosts offer their sofas and spare beds to travellers, has become increasingly popular among younger travellers - and according to Couchsurfing.org, was used by 10.4 million globetrotters last year.
Other popular ways to save cash on accommodation include home swapping, where travellers switch homes for a week, and trips based in hostels, monasteries and even pub gardens.
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