Like most travellers, I am always on the hunt to book great value accommodation when planning a trip.
I will use multiple booking sites to shortlist properties I want to stay with – and also visit the property website to see if they offer any deals themselves.
I am quite price driven, but also won’t settle for poor quality to save some cash! I do like to plan ahead when going away for short periods… but for longer periods, I am happy to walk into a new destination, get a feel for the place and go off local recommendations… it’s part of the adventure!
Sometimes, I am fortunate enough to have accommodation offered for free or at industry rates. Other times, the accommodation is part of a conference or an organised tour…. and sometime I gotta pay like everyone else!
Either way, I recommend you always research where you’re headed and find out what is included for the rate you book. You can also book your accommodation off my blog – I am affiliated with an OTA I have worked with for years, who list over 20,000 properties in 3,500 destinations worldwide!
Here is a list of the properties I have stayed with as part of Ryans-Air-Adventures! The list is updated regularly and in alphabetical country order. See the world for less!
Happy travels!
- Melbourne
I’m from this awesome city… so never had the need to book accommodation. If I was a traveller I would probably want to stay in St. Kilda, so would choose BASE. For a budget city stay, consider Discovery or Space. I am happy to give any tips or advice if you travel to my city… just get in touch!
- Sydney
BASE: Was here for a work trip – looked after by the excellent chain BASE. Infamous saxophone busker is an early morning wakeup call! Good private rooms and central enough to walk to all points of interest. On site tours desk. Great bar! The ‘Scary Canary’ staff and punters will get you into all sorts!
Sydney Harbour YHA: Was here for a work trip – this accommodation had recently opened. A jewel in their crown! Multi-award winning accommodation and built around a heritage site. Stunning harbour views from huge terrace. This ‘hostel’ really is something else! Located in the ‘Rocks’ district and close to ferries to Manly, Coogee etc
- Brisbane
BASE: Was here for a work trip – looked after by the excellent chain BASE. Award winners. Close to main train station. Simple, clean, big rooms. The other BASE is up the road and has a cool bar / cafe to mingle with guests.
- Cairns
Calypso Inn Backpackers Resort: Work trip. Brett Claxton owned this back then. His new venture is Havana Cafe. This hostel was really cool, chilled, reggae vibe… great bands and musos come to stay and play. Nice pool area.
Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel & Resort: Has a great outdoorsy bar, nightclub and pool that everyone comes to party at. Big accommodation on the main drag. Young crowd that stay here. Hotel and hostel wings.
- Byron Bay
Belongil Fields Caravan Park: Festival time! Campground accommodation. Was here for ‘Blues and Roots Festival’ over an Easter break with mates. Ticket price of festival included pitch for a tent. If back in Byron I would stay at a YHA or Nomads.
- Vienna
Meininger: They now have three properties in Vienna – hard to miss! Stayed here my last visit in Vienna. Reputable chain in great locations across Europe. Very popular design hotels / hostels. Check to see what offer they have if travelling around Europe
- Salzburg
YoHo International Youth Hostel: Brilliant choice, super friendly staff, clean and modern enough interior. Located really well, in-between the train station and the Old Town. Easy to meet other travellers in the cool bar… very good value and a popular choice with most.
- Brussels
Crowne Plaza Brussels: work trip to attend ‘HEM’. Great hotel and rooms. A popular conference hotel and an excellent choice for business travellers.
Hotel Belmont: my own budget choice for a well located hotel in Brussels. An updated, comfortable place with a great breakfast dining area with atrium. Does also have a ‘business’ feel to it so kept in good order. Stayed a few days and was happy
- Bruges
St. Christopher’s at the Bauhaus: You’re going to need beer drinking buddies in Bruges! I stayed at one of the better choices you can make for accommodation in this small city. Good chain, good value and fun times.
- La Paz
Hotel LP Columbus: Nice accommodation. Was placed in one of their suites. More in the business district, but about a 15 minute slow walk to Witches Markets and tourist hot spots etc. High altitude! The start of a quick three week backpacking adventure, so a bit of comfort while I adjusted to the thin air was needed!
- Rurrenabaque
Oriental Hotel: About five minutes’ walk from ‘airport shuttle bus’ drop off point. Opposite navy school. Very safe, clean and reputable. This is a small town you usually only stay in for a night either side of your tours. This was pre-tour. Definitely recommend seeing the Pampas in the wet season, so you can see and swim with the pink river dolphins.
Los Tucanes de Rurre: This was post-tour. Simpler accommodation in private room – adequate for a night to get clean and properly wash up after the Pampas!
- Copacabana (Lake Titicaca)
Hotel Perla del Lago: Stopped off for a few nights to chill beside Lake Titicaca. Big hotel hostel accommodation with great rates. Nice rooms with all the mod-cons you maybe would not have expected to get! Be sure to check out the simple row of food stands in front of the lake – very cheap trout fished daily and served fresh, heaps of different flavours.
- Varna
Residence Royall: Bit of a treat, stayed in this mid-range hotel for a joint birthday. Right in the Golden Sands area. Good, slightly dating hotel with all the frills. A different part of Varna altogether but one of the most popular areas to stay in. Great beaches, cool outdoor bars and dj’s to really get your night started.
- Burgas
Panorama Kraimorie Hotel: Little bit old school, but comfy all the same. Up in the hills with view of the ocean. Beach is a twenty minute walk away. Great price, more of a guesthouse. The resorts can get a little expensive in comparison. Good hosts.
- Sunny Beach
FourFifteen Hostel: When I was in Sunny Beach, it was starting to be largely developed by EU investors… you could easily see why – an amazing stretch of beach in this area and the UNESCO listed Nesebar close by… there is now heaps of accommodation to choose from… a really cheap holiday option! Apartments split between mates cost nothing
- Vancouver
Comfort Inn Downtown: Came for a ‘Gomio’ conference, flew in a few days early to see the sights. Got a great deal in a suite…even got upgraded! Right in the heart of the action. Great breakfast (waffles!) in the attached bar / venue. I did hang out at Samesun next door a lot, for the cool bar atmosphere and friendly team who were involved in the conference.
- Hvar
Villa Seputic: Hvar is pretty cool – all the super yachts pull in and the bar and club scene has kept travellers coming back for more! Lots of accommodation options keep opening every year… proper hostels too. I liked the accommodation I had with mates in a cool apartment overlooking the ocean. Good views, private, adequate holiday facilities.
- Dubrovnik
Villa Klaic: Croatia has been booming for a good decade now. Entry into the EU officially from 1st July 2013. Heaps of ‘pension’ style guesthouses… not a plethora of hotel options as such. You don’t really need to book ahead off-peak. If you catch ferries between ports, all the pension owners are there to try and whisk you to their property direct off the boat!
- Zadar (Diklo)
Neven Basioli: Holiday – festival time! Went to the first ‘Stop Making Sense‘ in nearby Petrcane. Check out the latest line-up! Stayed here in a large private apartment across from the local’s only beach. Quiet and chilled area between between Zadar and Petrcane. Perfect short-stay holiday apartment. You can also easily get to Plitvice lakes from here.
- Korcula
Apartments Lenni: Right on the water, were lucky to have a nicer apartment with sea views… was perfect for a few days. Nice hosts and in a quiet enough area, but backing onto the walkway and a few cafes and bars etc. Inside the Old Town wall. This island is full of couples and nice and relaxed.
Prague – I lived here. No accommodation was required. However, I would recommend Fusion Prague or St Christopher’s Mosaic House. Also – Equity Point Prague opens Spring 2013 in a great area. Spoiled for choice! A beautiful city with numerous UNESCO heritage sites.
- Cesky Krumlov
Travellers Hostel Soukenicka: Was lucky to walk in here and get a private room, their last available. Knew the brand from living in Prague (they have a hostel there) so was confident of their fun reputation. Used them again in Trebic… really easy to meet people and organise some nice days out beside and on the river of this magical UNESCO town.
- Frenstat
Hotel U KOCIÁNA: Drove here with Czech friends who grew up in this village – their family own this nice hotel, a great stay! The property was really well located right near the National Park. This is also where I tried Tequila shots (gold, from the freezer) with a wedge of orange sprinkled with cinnamon. Still one of my favourite pick me ups today!
- Trebic
Travellers Hostel: The only cool place in town worth staying if you want to meet other travellers. Really liked this quirky, beautiful accommodation – they are part of a small chain mentioned above. The hostel is in the old Jewish Quarter, of huge historical significance. It is a UNESCO protected area… nice little town and Czech hospitality at its best.
- Pisek
Hotel Cadillac: The hotel was kind of funky in an 80’s way… good bar, games and a local’s hotspot. Pisek also has the oldest bridge in the whole of Czech Republic. Pretty cool – but nothing on Charles Bridge in Prague!
- Liberc
Hotel Pytloun: Came here to get out of Prague a few nights and see the town where famous Czech artist David Cerny has some of his artwork…. it is a useable bus stop, named ‘The Giant’s Breakfast’. Check it out… he is one of my favourite Czech artists by far. Our accommodation was simple and cheap, served its purpose – plus good food.
- Copenhagen
Generator: Great chain, huge entertainment areas and bar. Well located, close to transport needs. Reputable, fun, funky, safe. Was here for work and play. Small functional private rooms. Bespoke furniture in the common areas…. trendy!
All these destinations were part of a nine day tour through Egypt, organised by Travel Talk.… I put in a cheap bid to acquire / win this tour when at a TNT travel expo – score! Money went to charity… and I got to see the pyramids, sail down the Nile on a felucca and stand outside the magnificent Abu Simbel on my thirtieth birthday! All the hotels were of a similar standard and all had pools! You don’t always get to relax though, as there are a few very early starts, meaning early nights! Pool needed for hotter months.
- Cairo
Cataract Pyramids Resort:Cairo – the designated hotel and meeting point for all tour participants. Good, kind of basic five star – but had a great pool to kick the holiday off in! Nice al-fresco bar and restaurant area with a selection of western styled food…. don’t eat salads (washed in water)… tummy bug is unavoidable, even in 5 star resorts!
- Hurghada
Sunrise Le Jardin Resort Hotel: On the Red Sea, has a pool. Typical ‘all inclusive’ style 5star hotel, used overnight for the tour.
- Luxor
Steinberger Hotel: Typical ‘all inclusive’ style hotel, used overnight for the tour. 5star, with pool and close enough to where the hot air balloons are arranged for take-off!
- Aswan
Iberotel Hotel Aswan: Used overnight for the tour. Great outdoor area on the river. Typical ‘all inclusive’ style hotel, a bit more business like though
- London
I live here, so no accommodation required. I would recommend Palmer’s Lodge (either), Clink (either) or Safestay
- Brighton
The Grapevine Seafront: Right on the main seafront road, noisy, prepare to pull an all-nighter! Low ceilings… but great views of the sea.
- Manchester
Copthorne Hotel: Salford Quays location, a few stops on tram from central Manchester… right near Trafford stadium. A slightly dated 4 star hotel, big rooms, some good breakfast deals if you’re lucky. Very good value.
- Cambridge
Best Western Plus Cambridge Quy Mill Hotel: About a five minute cab ride from Cambridge centre. Quiet, gym, gardens. Good all-rounder, pleasant bar, restaurant and staff.
- Dover
Best Western Plus: Dover Marina Hotel & Spa: Renovated in and out, great accommodation, right on the ‘beach’. Close to ferry terminal if crossing with car to Calais, France. Were in the process of launching their Day Spa Treatments. Great restaurant – a ‘destination’ venue for locals.
- Bournemouth
Days Hotel: Nice hotel, recently renovated… raised cliff location with sea views, opposite the really beautiful and interesting Russell-Coates Museum. Good bar and functions area for weddings etc… And still close to all the action. Another good value choice for mid-week stays (my second stay), close to a quiet stretch of the beach and containing an on site health spa is The Queens Hotel & Spa
- Rye (Camber Sands)
The Ship Inn – an easy choice of stay. Really cool renovated rooms above a fantastic little pub / restaurant at the bottom of Mermaid Street. Make sure you book one of the larger rooms. The breakfast is included and it’s unbelievably huge and delicious. Great preperation for a full day at the sand beaches of Camber Sands – one of the closest sand beaches to London!
- Tallinn
16 EUR Hostel: This place was pretty well located, just across the road from the old town of Tallinn. It was also across from a main Sight-Seeing Bus scheduled stop, so pretty convenient if wanting to discover more. Good prices and pulled a lot of groups. This is a more modern ‘hostel’ accommodation… there are heaps of quirky hostels in the Old Town.
- Paris
Hotel Luxia: First time in Paris, stayed here… right in Montmartre. From the street you could see the Sacre Couer! Hotel is a good value, budget choice… if pressed for time and needing somewhere central.
Republique Hotel: Second time in Paris – grabbed a small private room in this funky, clean and affordable hotel. Easy walk from Gare du Nord, good location to see the sights easily enough. Recommended for short stays.
St Christopher’s Canal Paris : Also stayed here for part of my second visit to Paris. Quite liked this accommodation. Big private room. Great social area and bar. The area can be a bit dodgy and away from the real action, but easy enough to get to and also on the waterfront. Very busy with multiple group bookings – daily. They are opening their second Paris hostel at Gare du Nord Spring 2013!
- Biarrtiz
Residence Biarritz Ocean: a nice treat, huge room, great deal off peak.. 4star property… definitely a winner for the price.
- Bordeaux
Teneo Suites: had a great room / suite. Really liked this property. It was automated check in… So we arrived, swiped a credit card and our room key-card popped out. There is sometimes someone on reception, but otherwise it’s mostly just the guests who are in their private rooms / apartments. Close to the main rail and located on the road that leads from the station to town. Great budget choice.
- Berlin
PLUS Berlin: This is a really cool accommodation in an old textiles factory. I have stayed a few times when attending ‘ITB’ or just for a cheeky weekender. Cool part of town near Kreuzberg and its quirky art and cafe scene… as well as all the best clubs! Great restaurant and bar, tasty pizzas. It is also a five minute walk to the biggest stretch of the Berlin Wall – the East Side Gallery. Very popular hostel-hotel. Groups are pumped in and out of this fun factory.
- Munich
MEININGER: How can you not love staying with this brand / chain?! Cool properties, attract all sorts. Very stylish private rooms, nice communal areas and a small bar. Easy walk into town centre, where you find all the beer houses to drink to your heart’s content!
- Hamburg
Arcadia Belmondo Hamburg: Excellent budget choice – classic bedroom interiors, slightly modernised public areas. Good breakfasts and dining room… had a sauna which was great in winter. A quick five minute walk to the main train station
- Dresden
Guesthouse Mezcalero: What a find! Organised by Czech friends… they had stayed before and loved the place! Cool, funky interiors with mosaic features, comfy rooms… and their famous breakfast option of plums wrapped in bacon! Wow
GREECE
- Athens
InterContinental Athenaeum Athens Hotel: Bit of luxury for Travel Trade Athens 2013, thanks to ETOA. Beautiful 5 star hotel with hotel rooms as big as some apartments! On the other end of the spectrum, if backpacking and on your way to the Greek Islands, try the chilled Athens Backpackers (owned by Aussies) or the boutique City Circus Hostel. I’ve visited both and would stay.
- Budapest
On a train travelling from city to city, got approached on the train by ‘hostel/uni reps’… I actually can’t remember where we stayed – only that it was not a permanent hostel, but empty student housing that needed filling in the summer holidays (like Bratislava below). If I was headed to Budapest tomorrow, I would stay at Maverick Hostel
- Dublin
Barnacles Hostel: One of the best budget Dublin accommodations right in the centre of The Temple Bar. Bring earplugs – really central location, great common areas and easy to meet new drinking buddies. Cosy rooms, both private and dorms.. great staff. Recommended.
- Jerusalem
Abrahams Hostel: Was here for Gomio conference 2012. Cool hostel, great communal space…easy to meet people… tours! One of the best hostels to make your home for a while. Super cool staff and owners. Multi award winners and still reasonably new!
- Tel Aviv
Hayarkon48: Good hostel right near the main beach. Not in the centre of nightlife, but that is a short taxi / bus ride away. This hostel is in need of a small revamp and has huge potential! Stayed after the Gomio conference… would happily return with mates. The private rooms are big, with private bathrooms and TV’s etc. Good social terrace.
- Eilat
Arava Hostel: Was recommended to me through networking with property owners at the Gomio conference. Needed a place to stay in Eilat, which is where you do day trips from when heading to Petra, Jordan. Family owned and run, really nice and basic rooms. Good outdoor areas out the front of property, which is raised so semi-private. Literally a few minutes’ walk around the corner to the main tourist bus depot. Convenient. Cheap taxi into the main strip of shops, entertainment and beaches.
- Rome
Cristina Hotel: Definitely an excellent budget option when staying in Rome. Had a standard room, still cheap in comparison to the budget rooms. Far better to opt for these as they are a lot more spacious. Really comfy, had a view across the garden too! Easy access to Termini Station. Check out their sister properties too, good value.
- Florence
PLUS Florence: part of the chain, great accommodation, really super staff… contender for best party hostel in Europe! Loved it here
- Venice
Locanda Barbarigo: Had a room right on the canal, view from my window! Really liked the accommodation – it was simple with an old world charm. Very comfy, safe.. well located and easy to walk around and see all the sights with ease. Saint Mark’s Square was close, as well as some cheap local espresso houses / cafes en-route!
- Milan
Hotel Panizza: A very popular choice, great value… cheaper than similar accommodation in Milan and much better located too! Simple renovations in a nineteenth century building, the hotel has an understated class and is kept very presentable. Near main train stations and within a ten minute walk to the Duomo Cathedral and notable sites.
- Cinque Terra (Vernazza)
Room Elisabetta: located in Vernazza and in a perfect part too! Up off the streets, so was elevated with great views off the path that lead to the property apartments. The path also led to the main walking track which connects the famous five cities – very convenient! Also, had a private balcony with sweeping views across the town and sea – in fact, all the way down the coast to the next few towns! Cute set up they have in one of the more ‘happening’ towns in Cinque Terra.
- Bologna
Hotel Il Guercino: Very close to main railway in a nice part of town. Easily connected to a main road that leads right through the middle of town, past all the shopping districts and sights. Hotel was lovely and artfully decorated. Good breakfasts… was upgraded into a larger suite and managed to use the Spa facilities. Are cheaper options, but very good!
- Verona
B&B Ai Leoni: super cute accommodation in a central part of Verona, right near the House of Juliette and Piazza delle Erbe. Lots of bars, cafes and nightlife all around. Great value, huge rooms, a central communal kitchen at its heart and a lovely family vibe with friendly staff. Recommended.
- Riga
Friendly Fun Franks: A big hostel right on the river, on the peripheral of the Old Town. Cool and will stocked bar great views of the river. Frank (Aussie owner) hires the most beautiful Latvian girls! Very well known, cheap and popular budget accommodation in Riga. Stayed here on a work trip.
- Vilnius
Youth Hostel Filaretai – was staying here when on a work trip. Basic, just a place to stay a few days. Very quiet area, suburban. Safe bed for the night! Look in town for some options, as there are good deals in some of the big hotels.
MOROCCO – to be updated
- Amsterdam
Hotel Van Gogh: a hostel hotel – great location opposite museums and galleries. Airport bus around corner! Convenient and in a nice area… the hotels rooms are of an excellent standard and very comfortable. Popular choice for many different types of travellers.
Blue Orange Apartment: stayed here with my parents when they came to visit the EU… nice, comfy, cheap… opposite canal. Good to have an apartment to relax in after seeing the sights. Great alternative to hotels and hostels.
- Belfast
Premier Inn Belfast Titanic Quarter: simple, clean and modern accommodation. Everything you expect from a Premier Inn. Ten – fifteen minute walk into centre. Close to airport, passing through after a work trip from Dublin to Belfast (Meitheal).
- Cusco
Ecopackers : Love this hostel… they really looked after me with a beautiful private room overlooking their central courtyard. Great vibe, great staff… excellently located in a nice, safe part of town. They are also now mutli-award winners and still quite new. They are also opening their next hostel really soon! Good tours desk onsite to make sure you are put with the better, reputable tours and guides. Check them out
- Machu Picchu
Was on a 3 day adventure tour organised through Ecopackers. The hotels are pre-booked and the guide will take you straight to the property after a few hours walking, following the train track into Machu Picchu. All the accommodation used was of a good, 3star hotel standard. Rumour has it that Ecopackers is opening here too, in 2013/14!
- Krakow
Mama’s Doubles (Mama’s Hostels): Part of Mama’s Hostel (in the main market square). These apartments are actually a ten minute walk away from town. However, you have full access to the hostel if you need to use common areas and tag along on the pub crawls and events. Basically one big apartment with separate bedrooms and bathrooms. Common area is the kitchen. Modern and clean. Good if a group of friends wanted to hire the whole thing. Was here on a work trip, so they looked after me!
- Porto
Pensao Estoril: Porto has boomed for budget accommodation in recent years, off the back of the success of Lisbon. This was a great hotel choice at the time… really cheap, clean and comfy in a central area. We lengthened our stay as we loved Porto and felt right at home in this small hotel.
- Lisbon
Oasis Backpackers Mansion: This was a great choice for Lisbon back when I stayed there. Up high on the hill, great views, behind the Barrio Alto. There are a few sections to this property and we stayed in all of them. Modern, funky, great common areas and a courtyard to mingle with guests. A favourite city of mine!
- Lagos
Rising Cock – Hostel & Apartments: famous accommodation in the heart of all the action. Like staying in a big beach house… great place to meet heaps of people easily. Back then, mama was making her special crepe breakfasts!
- Edinburgh
Jurys Inn: Part of a ‘Hogmanay’ New Year’s Eve package booked through PP Travel. Paid a little extra to have the better accommodation option with private rooms. Great hotel, just off the Royal Mile. Big bathrooms, flat-screen TV and an onsite restaurant made this a comfortable choice to bring in the New Year!
- Bratislava
When I stayed here, it was in a university dorm. The students all move out for their holidays and the campus is filled up with travellers… kind of like a ‘pop-up’ hostel. However, there are good hostels in Bratislava these days. Try Hostel Blues.
- Barcelona
HelloBCN: The first hostel I ever stayed at when in Spain! Cool property, good location about five minute’s quick walk to Las Ramblas. Lots included for the price you book. Good common areas, easy to meet people and socialise.
- Madrid
RC Miguel Angel – cheap and very central accommodation, right in the heart of everything. Fine for a few nights. If you are looking to stay longer and want a funky and modern alternative, try U Hostels Madrid. That would be my new pick!
- Granada
Oasis Hostel: Stayed up in the Arabic quarter and surprisingly close to the Alhambra. I loved Granada… free tapas with every beer bought..amazing! This is one of the coolest places you could hope to stay in… they book out fast!
- Valencia
Hotel Sol Playa: Right on the beach! Great break… a bit far out of the main city attractions, but still easy to get in and out of. Stayed here for Las Fallas…the second time I visited Valencia. A good choice, we could actually sleep as were away from the constant fire crackers and trumpeting from festivities throughout the night. Can easily hire bicycles and ride the beach promenade and also into town. Good bar and club attached.
Home Youth Hostel: first time in Valencia, wandered around town with our backpacks until we stumbled into this place. Had a big room mostly to ourselves for a few days, as the season had wound down. Good, safe, secure accommodation. No bunk beds, just normal single and double beds in a room. The staff were all amazing and had excellent tips for what to do and see.
- Malaga
Melting Pot Hostel: Malaga is a really beautiful little city. Lots of nice walks, views from the hill down into the bull ring, great promenades and shopping strips and restaurants… and beach! This accommodation is right on it – you couldn’t ask for a more funky vibe, location and memorable stay. Good crowd, comfy beds. Very well run.
- Seville
Samay Hostel: Was really new when I stayed there and still going strong! The best feature was the top floor, outdoor terrace and bar – with amazing views to the Cathedral. Rooms were excellent… private, big dorms with quality bedding and private attached ensuites! Also under the ‘FeetUp’ brand, definitely worth a look!
- Bilbao
Petite Palace Arana: Excellent chain of boutique hotels at budget prices. Great location in Bilbao, right beside all the action but still nice and quiet. Excellent breakfast room and offerings. Easy to walk everywhere, including the Guggenheim – the main reason most travellers stop by to say hi.
- San Sebastian
Pension Goiko: cute little pension above the best old-school Churros shop in the whole of this awesome town! Loving San Sebastian, the gourmet capital of the world! Rooms at Goiko were a good size. We had a street facing room, not too noisy.
- Canary Islands (Gran Canaria)
Apartamentos Don Diego – in Playa del Ingles. Scored with this choice. Good apartment with balcony and small kitchen. View of ocean. Very close to the Jumbo shopping district and all the nightclubs and nightlife. Pasha is around the corner. Great big sandy beaches close by. Maspalamos is a nice, long walk away but do-able and rewarding!
- Canary Islands (Tenerife)
Tenerife Ving – Puerto de la Cruz. Thank god we also booked some time up north of the island. Not a fan of down south. The hotel seemed popular with Germans. Good price. Easy walks to beaches, through town and to Loro Parque.
Hacienda Del Sol Apartments – Playa de las Americas. This accommodation was basic and clean. If you are here to party, then this is a great location right near the main strips of bars and clubs… and endless reps trying to drag you around
- Gibraltar
Emile Hostel: Apparently the only ‘hostel’ on the whole of the island. Pretty basic, stayed just a night as I couldn’t get off ‘The Rock’ in time. Wish I had of made it to Vejer!
- Istanbul
Cordial House Hostel: Great location off the main stretch of town… right near the tram stop. These guys have been here for years. The tram now runs all the way from the airport, to both sided of Istanbul. Couldn’t be easier. The first leg of my Turkey adventure and was gifted a private room for a few nights
- Bodrum (Bitez)
Hotel Cavus: So happy to have stayed in this area on the beach. Avoid ‘Gumbet’… Bitez is just 15 minutes from Bodrum! It is the nicest part of this immediate coast.
- Selcuk
Wallabies Aquaduct Hotel: Best ever host, family run, with an amazing restaurant pumping out great quality local food sourced with local ingredients. Just look for the old Aquaduct (raised) and the stalk nests… in town centre. You can’t miss it. They also do free shuttle transfers to the front gates of Ephesus!
- Cappadocia (Goreme)
Dora Motel & Pansion: Got off the overnight bus very early in the morning and headed to the first accommodation that looked familiar. Very typical style of accommodation for this unique region. Safe, secure and clean. Excellent terrace to watch the hot air balloons from. Can see the Rose Valley from the property too!
- Fethiye
Bostan Hotel: right on the water’s edge, had a good room overlooking the boulevard with views across the bay to the port. Nice stay, excellent Turkish breakfast in the morning from the part al-fresco restaurant. Good part of Fethiye to stay in.
- San Francisco
USA Hostels San Francisco: Really cool, friendly, clean accommodation – a few minutes’ walk down the hill to Union Square. Great private rooms, modern and funky. Part of what is considered by many to be the best hostel chain in America – definitely cool places to stay when in California.
- San Diego
Hilton San Diego Airport / Harbor Island: Was here for work, part of ‘WYSTC’… a lot of the delegates stayed at the Sheraton (official conference hotel & venue) just down the road. The Hilton was a lot smaller, a lot cheaper… and comfy.
HI San Diego Downtown Hostel: Great location, right in the Downtown / Gaslamp District. Solid HI accommodation. Great renovated kitchen. Stayed a few nights after ‘WYSTC’ came to an end. They have nice, basic private rooms that are suitable for business travellers on a budget too.
- Los Angeles
Sunset Marquis – West Hollywood:Won a competition to meet ‘Stone Temple Pilots!’ Luxury off ‘the strip’ – thanks Warner Music! Was walking distance to the Viper Room. Classic hotel and back then – full of celebrities!
- Cardiff
Ibis Cardiff Hotel: Came for the Fenchurch store (clothing label) opening and was put up by them, right in the centre of this small fun city! Right near their main mall.
**Some countries / cities I have not included. This is due to sometimes having stayed with family & friends. If you are after a recommendation, get in touch. Working in the industry, I have good knowledge of accommodation providers.
Ryans-Air-Adventures! 