Accommodation Around the World

We’re often asked for hotel recommendations or the name of the hotel where we stayed, which we can never remember because we’ve stayed at so many. So I’m going to slowly list below all the apartments and hotels we’ve stayed at or especially recommended but didn’t get to experience ourselves. The accommodations listed below will be from our 6-month world trip as well as other travels we’ve done over 9 years. I hope the suggestions will help you plan your trip.

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AFRICA

Egypt

• Cairo: Marriott Mena House is an iconic 5-star hotel. It is not in Cairo but a bit away in Giza. You can see the Pyramids of Giza from its lush gardens and from some rooms, of course, but you should know that this historic property is a royal lodge built in the 1880s that has historically hosted royals, presidents, and celebrities.

• Aswan: Basma Hotel was a decent enough hotel with good views of the Nile and dunes. It put us off that they didn’t offer free wifi but it also wasn’t a deal breaker.

• Luxor: We stayed at the Pavillon Winter Luxor, which is permanently closed. We chose it because it was the sister hotel to the iconic Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor. It shared the same grounds and pools and had access to the main palace’s facilities without the price tag.

• Sharm El Sheikh: Renaissance Sharm El Sheikh Golden View Beach Resort is located right by the Red Sea. We stayed in apartment-style rooms overlooking the hotel’s pool and gardens and the sea beyond. It was a last-minute booking and we loved our time here.

Morocco

• Tangier: Bel Appart Cosy plein coeur de Tanger vue mer– We found this beautiful apartment to stay in Tangier, but we didn’t end up staying in Tangier eventually.

• Fes: Dar Borj– an excellent riad in the medina of Fes. We loved it!

• Merzouga: Zahra Luxury Desert Camp is a camp right by the dunes. The staff was friendly, and the facilities were great!
  Sunrise Palace Merzouga is an excellent, Instagram-famous luxury hotel that we would have loved to experience. However, if this is above your budget, check out Kasbah Du Berger & Piscine. Our camp was very close to the hotel, so we spent an entire afternoon here chilling in the pool with a view of the dunes. It was perfect!

• Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate: The Riad paradise of Silence is very close to the picturesque Aït Ben Haddou. It is a very traditional-style riad, a bit away from the actual town. So make sure you reach here during the day.

• Marrakech: The Bohemian Jungle is the riad where we stayed in the Marrakech medina. It is small, but the decor is quite grand, and it has plants all over. Very aesthetic. Other excellent options in Marrakech are Riad Helen, BE Marrakech

South Africa

• Johannesburg (outside the city): Wild Tree Lodge – This is a beautiful guesthouse if you want to stay in the outskirts of Johannesburg. The city centre is not particularly known to be safe so unless you’re exploring the city and its sights, it’s best to stay away and I can’t think of a nicer place than Wild Tree Lodge. It’s very well done up and breakfast is superb. However, staying at an airport hotel (City Lodge Hotel or Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport) might be more time-saving and convenient.
  
  
• Kruger (at Marloth Park): Dream of Africa Bush Lodge is run by an old couple who’ve literally built the place themselves right by the river bordering Kruger. The entire area is unfenced so animals often roam around their property as well as the whole of Marloth Park. The hosts are super helpful, make the most delicious food, and pack the heartiest breakfast for your self-drives in Kruger. The only two things to be aware of are that the AC in their rooms isn’t very powerful, as Marloth has electricity issues. Also, there is no door on the bathroom/toilet, so you need to be comfortable enough with the person you’re sharing the room with.
  
  
• Leopard Sands Kruger Park (near Paul Kruger Gate): For a luxury stay near Kruger, we chose Leopard Sands, as we could use our Mariott Bonvoy points to book an all-inclusive stay. So this makes for a fab option if you’ve been collecting points because luxury stays in Kruger can be extremely expensive.
  
  
• Franschhoek: Petit Ermitage – Another must-stay. Again a super nice and helpful host. This place is located within walking distance of the wine tram as well as the city centre. So you can park your car safely there, go on the wine tram all day and return by foot. The owner even helped us figure out which tram line is best, dropped us to the wine terminal and helped us figure out timings and such. The BnB itself is so well done up and you have a pool as well that is private.
  
  
• Oudtshoorn: La Pension Guest House– Another highly recommended stay. It’s a beautiful guesthouse with gracious hosts you’ll love chatting with. They have a wonderful garden and pool area and a cute and friendly dog you’d love being around. They also give a free beer as a welcome drink to have with them and chill by the pool.
  
  
• Plettenberg Bay: Calm Waters Guesthouse– The Robberg room (queen room with balcony) we stayed in had everything we needed, but the space was quite cramped. Besides that, we loved our stay here and the hosts were fab. It didn’t have an AC (which is the case with most places in Plett) but the fan was good enough.
  
  
• Knysna: Overmeer Guest House– This place has a beautiful view over the lagoon and a huge room, which is why we chose it. But the rest of the guesthouse was just okay and the breakfast wasn’t great either. I wouldn’t stay here again.
  
  
• Hermanus: Milky Way Executive Suite– This is a huge suite with a large living room, bedroom and bathroom. It doesn’t have a kitchen but you don’t really need one. The lady who owns and runs the place is quite old and slightly strange but she tries her best to make you comfortable. She arranges for your breakfast in the morning as well. The price is great for what you get. Just remember that this place is in Sandbaai and not Hermanus but Hermanus is not far.
  
  The places we stayed in Cape Town are not worth mentioning, unfortunately.

Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls: Self-Catering Garden Guesthouse is an air-conditioned, 1-bedroom cottage located on the same premises as the host’s house, who is super friendly. It is super spacious; it could’ve spent days and days in the huge living room, which has so much light coming in from all the big windows. You can also use the pool, which is shared with the host. The only downside was that the cottage is a bit away from the town, so you have to call a cab each time for meals and such. But we would happily stay there again.

ASIA

Japan

Accommodation in Japan can be overpriced and rooms super tiny. When booking accommodation, ensure you check the room size and the location (should be within 700 metres of a metro station/public transport stop). Another thing, almost all hotels in Japan have washing machines for laundry, smoking rooms, and vending machines for snacks. Bathrooms will mostly have a small bathtub. The hotel might also have an onsen (public spring water bath) depending on where you’re staying.

• Osaka: We stayed at the Four Points Flex by Sheraton Osaka Shinsaibashi, which has an excellent location. It’s a super trendy area with lots of cool shops and bars around and also walkable to Dotonbori. However, the room was extremely tiny (more so than others in Japan) and the staff wasn’t very helpful.

• Kyoto: Four Points Flex by Sheraton Kyoto Oike had quite a decent location with slightly bigger rooms than Osaka so we were happy. No complaints. However, we stayed at these Four Points properties only for achieving loyalty status with Marriott and would probably look for other stays if we went again

• Fujikawaguchiko: We stayed at the Noborisaka Hotel. It is a 3-star hotel with spacious Fuji-view rooms (if you book it). Basic but not lacking anything. They also have a public onsen. The only thing to remember is that you will not be able to get here by public transport. You will need a car, and they do have a big car park.

• Hakone: I wanted to stay at a Ryokan (traditional Japanese lodging with tatami beds and futons) for one night, try the traditional meal served at such ryokans, and take a dip in an onsen. But here’s the thing: ryokans can be super expensive and onsens require you to be totally naked in a public gender-segregated bath. So I chose Mizu No Kaori – a small, no-fuss, family-run ryokan which was expensive but much better priced than all other places I checked for my dates; served traditional dinner and breakfast, including vegetarian (at extra cost); and had an option to book their outdoor onsen for private use at extra cost. We stayed here only one night and loved the experience.

• Tokyo: We stayed at Ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza for 5 nights, which we booked through Accor points. The area is nice and quiet and well connected, and the staff were nice too. The room is small but okay compared to standard Japanese rooms.

EUROPE

We spent 70 days in Europe and have listed down all our hotel and Airbnb stays for you to refer to. These are mostly budget- to mid-range options.

Croatia

• Zagreb: Centre City Apartment: At a very good location in the heart of the city and very well done up. They have paid parking right outside as well.

• Zadar: Greta Residence: Everything is within walking distance from this really spacious apartment.

• Split: Apartment Anny: Excellent apartment in the downtown area.

• Hvar: Apartment Tomas 2, Hvar: Spacious apartment close to downtown Hvar. It is up a hill, so you will have to take your luggage all the way up, but you can totally expect such things in Hvar.

• Dubrovnik: Cosy Apartment with beautiful Garden/Terrace is an apartment close to the old city of Dubrovnik. The host is very kind and has really ensured that you have everything you need. Highly recommended.

France

• Paris: Studio Saint Quentin Paris 10 is an apartment with a full kitchen. It is quite spacious and has a proper bed instead of the sofa bed that we saw in so many other listings. It is close to two train stations and several metro stations as well, but it is in an immigrant area, so it doesn’t feel very Parisian. However, if you’re Indian, you’ll find plenty of Indian restaurants and stores in the area. Here are some other Airbnbs I’d bookmarked for our Paris trip.

Iceland

In all the places we stayed in Iceland, the rooms were tiny. Keep that in mind while going through the list.

• Near Reykjavik: private room in Hafnarfjordur. We stayed here in a town near Reykjavik because we had a rental car, so we didn’t really need to stay in the city where accommodation is more expensive. They have two cats, so do not stay here if you’re allergic to cats.

• Near Selfoss: Simple, cosy double room is on a farm near Selfoss. There are 3–4 rooms, which are separated by paper-thin walls. We thought that was one big downside of this property, along with there being only one bathroom to be shared between all the rooms, but otherwise it was all fine. The living area and kitchen are big and have everything you need. The bathroom also had a washing machine, which was also very helpful.

• Near Skogafoss: Room-4 Bus guesthouse by Eyjafjallajökull is a guesthouse with beautiful surroundings. Again, there is only one bathroom per floor, so getting to use it is a time-consuming task.

• Near Hofn: Brekka Loni Apartment was the best place we stayed in Iceland. It is on a farm with the most spectacular views of Vestrahorn. It had a private kitchen, toilet, and huge room—very luxurious for Iceland.

• Near Egilsstaðir: Eiðagisting Guesthouse has extremely small rooms in a farmhouse. It’s okay for a night. The host is friendly!

• Husavik: B&B Rooms Husavik 3 has a very friendly host. The room was very well done. There were two bathrooms to be shared between extremely few people, and one of them even has geothermal water. The kitchen was stocked with a variety of foods that were free to have, and breakfast was also nice. An excellent stay!

• Between Husvik and Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Twin room & a geothermal hot tub is a hostel setup with shared bathrooms and a geothermal hot tub which is nearly always occupied.

Italy

• Rome: CasaValentina – It is a bit away from the main sights and hence more affordable than hotels in the city centre. However, it has everything you will need and is very close to public transport of all kinds, including a train station.

• Naples: Luna Rossa Apartment—The place was okay. I would recommend looking for accommodations closer to a metro stop, though.

• Florence: Allogio Home7 is a bit old and up a few floors, plus it has a staircase inside the house. But the location is excellent, and the apartment has a view of the Duomo. We would stay again, despite the bad reviews.

• Saturnia, Tuscany: B&B 8380 Saturnia Terme – The room was a bit small, but the location is excellent (less than 500 metres from the hot spring). Plus, they served a huge breakfast, which was just what we needed.

• Near Siena, Tuscany: La Loggia Villa Gloria– It’s a nice property in the Tuscan countryside, very close to Siena. It has nice views, a pool, and a restaurant.

• Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre: Banchi is up a very steep staircase. But the location was quite close to the train station and had everything we needed.

• Milan: Big and bright room zona Navigli is an Airbnb. We stayed in a room in an elderly couple’s house. The location is quite far from the main tourist sights but very well connected to public transport.

• Alta Badia, Dolomites: Chalet Planvart is a town in the middle of the east and west Dolomites. So if you’re not planning to change hotels in the Dolomites to stay on both sides, this is a superb option.

• Venice: CA’ MARTINA **** S.Margherita is an Airbnb at a reasonable price compared to others you’ll find in Venice. The only downside is that it is a bit of a walk from the main sights, but close enough to the bus station.

Netherlands

• Amsterdam: Sir Albert is a luxury hotel in an old diamond factory. We booked this through Mariott Bonvoy Points.

Slovenia

• Ljubljana: Aparthotel Cross Street 4 has nice rooms, with everything just a short walk away.

• Bled: Apartmaji Pri Kokolu is a bit of a walk from the lake itself, but it has parking, spacious rooms, and the sweetest hosts I’ve met.

Spain

• Barcelona: Great location Plaza España is a room in the host’s house but in a separate section that has two rooms. The two rooms have a shared bathroom, which is very tiny. However, the room is quite big and has a separate kitchenette and dining area, as well as a balcony.

• Granada: Casa Vestali was the perfect stay in Granada. Very close to everything and very good value.

• Seville: Hostal Hom Museo is a bit of a walk from the main sights of the city, but it had everything we needed. However, our initial choice was Room00 Salvador Hostel which we had to cancel due to a change of dates and couldn’t rebook due to unavailability.

• Ronda: Apartamento Venus is a beautiful apartment. Unfortunately, we did not end up staying here, as we had to cancel our plans to spend the night at Ronda.

United Kingdom

Manchester: The Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel is housed in an old building and has plenty of character, but the stay itself didn’t really stand out. It’s also a little away from the city centre.

Newcastle: Hilton Newcastle Tyne Bridge: Loved this hotel. The rooms were spacious, the views of the bridge were fantastic, and the location couldn’t have been better. I could walk pretty much everywhere I wanted to go. The service was great too. If you’re looking for a hotel in Newcastle, I’d happily recommend this one.

London: Pullman London St. Pancras: The rooms are starting to feel a little dated, but I’d still stay here again because the location is excellent. It’s a short walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras, which makes getting around London incredibly easy. I arrived around 11 PM and felt completely comfortable walking to the hotel, as the area was still busy and well-lit. If you’re lucky enough to get a room facing St Pancras, the view is a lovely bonus.

London: Threadneedles Autograph Collection was probably one of the more memorable hotels from the trip. Set inside a former Victorian bank in the heart of the financial district, it feels much more boutique than your typical London hotel. The stained-glass dome in the lobby is absolutely stunning and worth looking up the moment you walk in. I’d recommend this one if you’re after something with a bit more character. However, the area is pretty dead at night.

London: Novotel London Paddington: I booked this hotel because I needed somewhere convenient for an early Heathrow Express the next morning. The hotel itself is nice, the rooms have been refurbished, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. What surprised me was that the walk from Paddington Station felt longer than I’d expected, especially with luggage. The biggest issue was the lack of proper air conditioning. During the heatwave, the room was uncomfortably warm and I ended up requesting a portable fan, which the hotel kindly provided.

Weymouth: The Ocean Guest House has so much personality. The owner has clearly put her heart into it and she’s one of those people you instantly enjoy chatting with. The rooms are small but charming, and the whole place feels warm and welcoming. The only downside was a damp smell in the bathroom, but it didn’t take away from what was otherwise a lovely stay.

Bath: DoubleTree by Hilton Bath is a great option in Bath if you want somewhere central without spending a fortune. It’s within walking distance of all the main attractions, making it a very easy base for exploring the city. I’d happily stay here again. Just note that parking isn’t included if you’re driving.

Oxford: Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel: A little outside the city centre but still close enough to get around easily, especially if you have a car. What I liked most was how peaceful it felt. The gardens and grounds are lovely, and after staying in busy cities for days, it was nice to have a bit more space to relax.

SOUTH AMERICA

We spent over 3 months in Central and South America, staying in mid-range hotels and airbnbs across several countries listed here.

Peru

• Lima: Ayenda La Luna Inn—a basic but excellent and very affordable hotel in Miraflores (where most tourists stay). The staff were extremely friendly (we loved chatting with them) and the breakfast was excellent. We stayed here four nights and eagerly waited to have breakfast each morning.
  For one night, we needed a really basic, affordable, and safe hotel near the bus stop. We booked the Serenzza Hotel for this purpose. Everything turned out perfectly!

• Huacachina: Banana Adventure Hostel– We stayed in a private room at Banana Adventure Hostel. Everything was perfect here. The room was clean and aesthetic and the food and drinks at the hostel were excellent. We wish we’d stayed one more night. Just beware that there will be loud music until 10 pm. It didn’t bother us at all!

• Nasca Travel One Hostel– It’s a very basic hotel but the staff is friendly and helpful. The location is not the best but it really wasn’t a big worry.

• Arequipa: We stayed at this Airbnb. It wasn’t the cleanest or the most comfortable, but we had a good time here, as they had a garden and a cute dog, and they were very sweet themselves. However, I would recommend staying at a hotel closer to the centre, like Hotel Tierrasur. We had actually booked this initially but it wasn’t available when we had to change our dates of stay.

• Cusco: We stayed in a private room in a hostel called Brother’s House. I found it to be dingy and wouldn’t stay again as a mid-range traveller but it’s not a bad option for budget travellers. This is the place we initially booked but it wasn’t available on our new dates.

• Puno: We had initially booked the Hotel Titicaca Dora because the room was stunning and located in the middle of Lake Titicaca on a reed island. However, they were very unresponsive when we tried to contact them two weeks in advance and then they went on to cancel 24 hours prior. We then booked Titicaca-Uros-summa-Puno at the last minute and we loved our experience here. Very friendly hosts and a stunning room!

Bolivia

• Copacabana: Hotel La Cupula is a cute hotel with dome-shaped buildings on a hill. While we didn’t love the free breakfast, we thought that the restaurant was excellent for lunch and dinner, so we had every meal there.
  
  

• La Paz: We stayed at an apartment, Feels Like Home, in La Paz. The apartment was excellent—very spacious with everything that you may need. So much so that we really wanted to extend our stay.
  
  

• Uyuni: In Uyuni, we did a 3-day tour with Andes Salt Expedition!

Chile

• San Pedro de Atacama: Cabin /Full House Anis del Desert was not our first choice of stay in San Pedro but it has everything we needed for a few days of stay. No complaints.
  
  
• Antofagasta: This beautiful ocean-view apartment has such a fantastic location near the ocean with the perfect views from the balcony at a really affordable price. I highly recommend booking this!
  
  
• Santiago: Modern apartment in downtown Santiago is an excellent apartment, perfect for spending a few nights. It has a grocery store downstairs and everything possible to make one feel right at home. After we got here, we didn’t step out for 4 days!
  
  
• Punta Arenas: I see some bad reviews for Carrera Pinto apartments but we thought it was perfect for our needs.
  
  
• Puerto Natales: Shepherds Croft 2 is a very tiny cabin. But besides the tiny space, we can find no fault with it. However, if it fits your budget, I highly recommend staying inside Torres del Paine itself at Rio Serrano.

Argentina

• El Calafate: Monoambiente in Calafate definitely has a few issues but nothing that can’t be overlooked for a night or two. The location was excellent, right in the middle of El Calafate town yet very quiet and serene.

• El Chalten: Lo de Álvarez” Minicasa en El Chaltén Patagonia is located on the hill above the town. The location isn’t the most ideal but everything else was fine.

• Buenos Aires: While Palermo is undoubtedly the best area to stay in in this city, Walking to the museums in Recoleta was absolutely fab. There is a reason the host has a 5-star rating! Everyone is super friendly, the apartment is so well done up, and if Buenos Aires hadn’t been as amazing a city as it is, we might’ve not stepped out.

• Puerto Iguazu: I felt like everything was breaking apart in Mandala, but the location is right by the bus stop, which is the main reason you should consider this place.