Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

First stayed at Augusto's Hotel in Copacabana. Had good room with AC and bathroom, excellent buffet breakfast and a small swimming pool on the roof a few minutes walk from the beach. The room was US$66 per night plus you had to pay 4 Reals extra for the room safe which in Rio you do need.

As we were planning another week we organised to rent an apartment which is almost always better value in Rio for a week. We found a fantastic, modern and exceptionally well decorated through apartment through Vacation Rental by Owner which was US$60 per day. It was also in Copacabana, 1309We had our own separate kitchen, lounge with cable TV and Region 1(US) DVD player and bathroom. There are also beach towels and deck chairs for the beach. Andre is the concierge available on the telephone and his mother comes every few days to clean the apartment and do laundry! We tipped both as they were excellent. It was so nice to have our own space at the end of our trip. We took our rental agreement, passport and credit card to Blockbusters so we could get a contract to rent moves (Only Region 1 encoded films though but there were a few). Our only minor complaint with the apartment was that it was so well presented we had to be so extra careful with all the owners beautiful posessions. Not really the place you can invite people over for a party but then you're in Rio and should be outdoors!

Chile, Santiago

Had a real problem finding somewhere to stay in Santiago.
We hadn't prebooked but called at least 15 places from the bus station andbut no-one seemed to have double rooms or they were very expensive.
Eventually got through to Residencial Mery in Barrio Brasil who said they had a room. We lugged our huge pile of stuff (it was getting to the end of our trip so we had lots extra) to be told they didn't actually have a room. Thanks a lot!
We then landed up staying at the City Hotel which was very central but a lot for what you get. Had oldish but clean double room with local TV and poor breakfast. It was cheaper to pay in US$ than local pesos as you don't pay a 15% tax. We payed US$49 for the room per night.

Chile, Vina del Mar

We decided to stay at Vina del Mar rather than Valparaiso as it seemed easier to walk around and more interesting and Valparaiso is only a bus, taxi or train away.
First stayed at Residencial Ona Berri. Had huge double room with attached bathroom and cable TV for 20,000 pesos.
Breakfast was included. Bit of a funny place though. Seems as though it was an old age home. You didn't get a key and had to buzz the door and wait for someone to let you in which often took some time. Was very central though.

Then moved to Hotel Quinta Vergara right next to the park of the same name which was really nice and friendly and you didn't need grey hair to stay. Had smaller room with TV and bathroom for 16,500 pesos. Very friendly staff and good breakfast.

Argentina, Mendoza

Friends of ours we met booked a room of us at the very friendly Winca's hostel.
We shared a fan cooled room between four near the pool with a private bathroom for the four of us nearby for 22 pesos each per night.
Clean and very organised, a very well run hostel in the center of town with great restaurants a few meters away. A serve yourself breakfast is included.

We then moved just around the corner to (can't remember!) for one more night. OK double fan cooled room but quite noisy with attached bathroom and local TV for 65 pesos.
Breakfast included

Bolivia, Sucre

Stayed at Residencial Bolivia, San Alberto 42
Had huge double room with good electric hot water bathroom with cable TV and simple breakfast for 85 bolivianos.
Great place to stay.

Bolivia, Potosi

Stayed at Hostal Santa Maria, Serruda 244.
Had twin room with poor electric shower bathroom for 90 bolivianos. Very overpriced for what we got but it was late and a walk up a hill to look for somewhere else.

Bolivia, Uyuni

Stayed at Hotel Avenida. Diagonally opposite the train station.
Had nice double room with electric hot water shower bathrooom, lots of blankets and local TV for 80 bolivianos.

Bolivia, La Paz

Accommodation seems more expensive in La Paz
We stayed at Hotel Majestic on Calle Santa Cruz just up from the Witches Market.
Had smart double room with private hot water bathroom with great shower and cable TV for 100 bolivianos. Continental breakfast included.
Visited lots of other hotels which were offering dark, damp or gloomy rooms without TV for 100-120 so this seemed good.
Laundry available from reception for 8 bolivianos/kg. Very friendly staff.

Bolivia, Copacabana

Stayed at Hotel Colonial del Lage right next to Plaza Sucre where the buses arrive/depart.
Had big double room with private bathroom and hot water shower for 50 bolivianos.
Very sunny room, the sun streamed in all afternoon keeping the room warm at night.

Peru, Puno

Stayed at Hotel Arequipa on Calle Arequipa.
Had big sunny twin room with very comfortable beds and private hot water bathroom and local TV for 40 Soles.
Hot water didn't seem to work all day but when we told the reception staff they turned something on and in 15 minutes we had hot water again.

Peru, Aguas Caliente (Machu Picchu)

Stayed for 1 night at friendly Hospedaje Aguas Caliente on the right up the hill towards the hot springs. Had small but very clean double room with new hot water bathroom for 30 soles. Unfortunately there didn't seem to be any hot water (despite the name) at 5am when we needed it before taking the bus to Machu Picchu.

Peru, Cuzco

Stayed for 2 nights at Hostal Inti Wasi.
Arrived at the airport and spoke to the hotel booking desk to see if there were any deals. They offered to show us a few places. We went to Hostal Inti Wasi, right next to the Plaza del Armas. The airport hotel agency negotiated a rate of $25 a night, the normal rate is $40. Had a great room with hot water bathroom, cable TV and breakfast. Perfect for relaxing in as we weren't feeling well and the altitude didn't help.

We wanted to spend a little less so then moved to El Mirador de la Ñusta right above Plaza San Blas. First room we saw was quite dark so asked to see another. Took a big very bright double room with extra bed with hot water bathroom for 55 soles ($16). Very friendly staff. We organised to leave our big packs here when we went to Maccu Picchu for a night and was able to get the same room back on our return.

Peru, Puerto Maldonado - Amazon Basin

Stayed for our first night in the town at Hospedaje Royal Inn on Ave de Mayo. Very basic dirty run down but big room with cold water bathroom for 35 Soles.

Then decided to go for it and spent 3 nights at excellent jungle lodge Corto Maltes.
Had fantastic wooden bungalow with hot water bathroom. All meals and great guided jungle excursions were included.
This included a dawn walk to a clay lick to see parrots eating, a trip through the jungle to see medicinal plants, a trip by boat to Monkey Island, a boat trip and walk to Lake Sandoval, a walk to see a lookout point over the jungle and a boat to a local farmer who showed us around his fruit orchard. Transport to and from the airport is included. Drinks and water are extra. We went to their office in Puerto Maldonado and booked directly so didn't have the transport from the airport. The owner, George, who is French from Bordeaux like Maria took pity on us lowly backpakers and charged us for 2 nights (US$170) instead of 3. Really great service and a fantastic place.

Peru, Lima

Had a big problem with accomodation in Lima.
We were arriving on a midnight flight so wanted to organise something in advance as we would be late. We wanted to stay in Miraflores

First called Flying Dog Backpackers who would´t take a reservation by phone.
We then made a reservation at Inkawasi. The person on the phone spoke good English, we explained we would be arriving late and the reservation was confirmed.

We then arrived in Lima and made our way to Miraflores to find Inkawasi closed and no-one answered our repeated ringing of the bell and banging on the door. This is pathetic service. If you don't want people arriving late at night, then just don't take the reservation.

Luckily the friendly bus driver from the airport didn't just abandon us and took us to Hostal Turistico Eiffel at Jr.Juan Fanning # 550. He asked us what we were going to pay at Inkawasi (US$25) and organised the same rate at Hostal Eiffel. The friendly English speaking receptionist said the usual rate was $30 but don't know what they actually charge as there are no prices on their website.
We had a comfortable matrimonial room with hot water, cable TV and breakfast. The hostal is near the sea and walking distance to the center of Miraflores.

It it all worked out in the end but you don't want to be hunting for accommodation at 1am in a new city in a new country. Very poor marks for Inkawasi.

Mexico, Mexico City

Stayed at Hotel Isabel.
Grand old colonial hotel within walking distance of the metro and the Zocalo.
Had enormous double room with big bathroom and cable TV for $27. The first room we looked at didn't have any windows so ask to see another if you're in the same boat.
Room also has a safe - definately store all your valuables here as Mexico City isn't the safest place.

Mexico, Oaxaca

Stayed at Hotel Posada El Chapulin, Aldama 317.
LP and Guide de Routard gave it rave reviews, we think they were bein gquite generous. It is a friendly family run hotel but rooms are very ordinary. Had double room with bathroom and local TV for $20.

Mexico, San Cristobal de las Casas

Accommodation
Stayed one night at Posada Las Casas
Madero 81
Friendly place with lots of character but about a 10 minute walk into town.
Had small but cosy, clean and quaint double room with local TV and bathroom for US$20.
Then decided to move to La Media Luna.
Ave Hermanos Dominguez off Insurgentes.
They gave us a flier at the bus station when we arrived.
A bit closer to town and had big double room with cable TV and bathroom for US$25. We stayed in San Cristobal for a few days and so wanted somewhere nice to relax for a few days - this was perfect.

Mexico, Palenque

Accommodation
Stayed at Hotel Maranatha
20 de Noviembre 19
Had good value clean big double room with fan, cable TV and bathroom for US$15.
Palenque is very hot and the fan didn´t have a chance to cool us down. Room was also next to a church which was very loud on Sunday evening but wouldn´t be a problem any other evening and you´ll probably be out for dinner anyway - just don´t plan to have a sleep between 5 and 10pm!
Good room though for the price.

Another option is to stay near the ruins. There are a lot of places on the road to the ruins set in the jungle and can be quite atmospheric. We were only here for one night so just stayed in town.

Mexico, Merida

Accommodation
Stayed at Luz en Yucatan. Payed US$30 / night.
Had basic mini flat with bathroom and coffee making area separated from the bedroom by a small outside sitting area. Had cable TV and fan in bedroom.
Great old hotel building, lots of character with outdoor garden area and pool. Big lounge area and kitchen inside and an open bar. Owner, Madeline is very friendly and welcoming with parrot perched on her shoulder.

Mexico, Chichen Itza

Accommodation
Stayed one night at Posada Olalda in Piste, the town next to Chichen Itza
Calle 6 between Calles 15 & 17 - two blocks south of the main road
Had large, clean, double room with fan and bathroom for US$25.
Friendly, quiet place with only a few rooms.
The toilet as in many other places in Mexico doesn´t have a seat but it´s clean.

Mexico, Tulum

Accommodation
Stayed one night at the Weary Travellers sister hostel, Ranchita Tranquila.
Chilled out place with classical music playing.
Had basic cabaña with mosquito net and fan for US$20. Shared bathroom.
Breakfast was included which had made your own pancakes, eggs, cereals and toast.
You can buy a "burn your own" barbeque meal at Weary Traveller which has cook your own burgers, chicken etc. with salad stuff for a reasonable price.

If you had more time, it would be better to stay on the beach. The beach accommodation starts about 600m south of the ruins. There´s a great beach and a large choice of accommodation.

Mexico, Playa Del Carmen

Accommodation
Stayed one night at Hotel Casa Tucan
Calle 4 between 10 & 15 Ave.
Had a big nicely decorated double room with fan and bathroom for US$32 bargained down from US$35.
The hotel has a nice pool area and restaurant which we didn´t eat at.

Mexico, Cozumel

Accommodation
Stayed at Hotel Pepita.
Av 15 Sur between Calles 1 Sur and Rosada Salas
Cozumel has expensive accommodation but found a very friendly safe budget hotel in the center of San Miguel.
Had big room with bathroom, cable TV, aircon and fridge for US$30. There were other budget places that were more expensive but without aircon or TV so this was a good place.
You can leave valuables at the front desk which are locked away.

Mexico, Cancun

Accommodation
Stayed at Hotel Margaritas in downtown.
Great hotel room with 2 double beds, aircon and cable TV with English channels. Hotel has pool and good restaurant. They also run a free shuttle to the beach.
They had a discount price through their website of US$37 but the hotel normally goes for US$80. Only problem was we initially booked 2 nights through their website which uses Hostelworld to do the actual booking. We wanted to extend another night but they couldn´t give us the same rate and said we needed to book another night through the website. This can´t be done the day before however as Hostelworld can´t book something so soon. So we rushed what we wanted to do and left. Don´t plan to extend at the hotel, book all your days via the internet to get the rate.

USA, Key West

Stayed at Caribbean House, 226 Petronia St, Key West.
Full of character hotel 2 blocks from Duval Street for $78.05 incl Tax.
Had mostly clean room with cable TV, aircon and fridge. Free breakfast of coffee and doughnuts and free parking.

USA, Key Largo

Stayed at Stone Lodge between Key Largo and Islamorada.
Huge room with kitchenette, aircon and TV but very overpriced at $98.12. Had little choice as everything else was full for Labor Day Weekend.

USA, Miami

Stayed at the Clay Hotel.
Right in the middle of Miami Beach on pedestrian only Espanola Way. Scenes from Miami Vice, The Specialist and other shows have been filmed here.
Had clean double room with aircon and TV for $58.75 incl Tax on a Wed and then $67.80 on Thursday and Friday as it was Labor Day Weekend. Had to ask to change room as the first one reeked of cigarette smoke and they happily obliged.
They have a kitchen and laundry.

Returned to Miami for 1 night before a flight and stayed at the Days Inn Miami International Airport for $57.72 incl tax. Not to be confused with the other Days Inn which is called something like Days Inn Airport North but is more expensive.
Huge massive spotless room with 2 double beds, cable TV and leather lounge chair. Free internet downstairs. It´s not near anything other than the airport but cheap and very comfortable. Another cheap chain hotel that is much better value than hostels or other budget hotels but is out the way.

Barbados, St. Lawrence Gap

Stayed at Rostrevor Apartments.
Great standard pool deck studio. Had big double room with kitchenette, cable TV and fan for summer rate of US$55 / night plus 7.5% tax. We initially booked for 5 nights and landed up staying for 10. We asked for and received a 10% discount for the nights we extended.
They have a range of accommodation and have some newer apartments that have recently been renovated but for more money. Our studio was basic but right next to the pool and perfect.
There is a small beach right at the hotel but if you head onto the road and turn right, you can walk through the parking lot of a run down apartment block and get to bigger Dover Beach which is beautiful.
There´s a convenience store near the hotel and two larger supermarkets about 15 minutes walk. The front desk staff were helpful.

USA, Los Angeles

Stayed at the Seashore Motel in Santa Monica. Had large room with 2 double beds and TV for $120 /night incl tax for 4 people. Free parking. Very convenient and 2 blocks from the beach.

USA, Monterey

Had originally booked at Downtown Days In Hotel. We couldn't get through to confirm on the day even though they had credit card details. When we arrived we were told that the room had been given away. Very poor service. They then sent us off to another Days Inn hotel where the desk clerk Robert was very helpful and spent ages phoning around to try and find something. Still, a chain hotel like this should never just give away rooms, definately boycott for bad customer service.

Eventually we found a room at Discovery Inn. 2 double beds for $74 incl tax.

USA, Mono Lake

Stayed at the Tioga Lodge in Lee Vinning on Mono Lake.
Had quaint room with two double beds and lakeside view for $120 / night incl tax for 4 people.

USA, Las Vegas

Stayed at Sahara Hotel and Casino on the end of the strip. Had big comfortable room with two double beds in which we slept 4 people. Rate was $80 / night and we were meant to pay an extra $15 each for the other two people but as we arrived a day before them this seems to have slipped through. Total was $284 including tax and phone charge(you need to pay the phone charge even if you don't use the phone!). They have valet parking and you tip $2 to take your car in and out which still works out as very cheap parking. In Vegas there are definately more fancy places to stay but the Shahara was perfect on a budget especially with 4 sharing a room.

USA, San Francisco

First stayed only 1 night at the Red Roof Inn San Francisco Airport as we arrived late and had an early flight. $64.99 incl Tax.
This is a chain hotel but you can´t knock the cleanliness. Free transfer to/from the airport.
Had huge room with 2 double beds which can sleep 4 for a small surcharge, cable TV and bathroom.

When we returned with our two friends we stayed two nights at the Travelodge . Had room with 2 double beds and cable TV for $90 / night incl tax for 4 people. Parking was $14 / night incl tax. Small coffee / doughnut breakfast included.

USA, Hawaii

Stayed at Big Surf, 1690 Ala Moana Boulevard for $75 incl. Tax
We arrived in Honolulu to find a hotel convention on so everything was full
Fairly near Waikiki and Ala Moana Shopping Center. Had comfortable room with fan, cable TV, fridge and bathroom. Daily maid service and supermarket nearby. Laundry in basement.

Thailand, Koh Phangan

Bongo Bungalows on Had Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach) one road up from the beach.
Had really nice big bungalow with large double bedroom. Had aircon and hot water shower for 600 Baht. Had a hallway with fridge and cupboards.

Thailand, SuritThani

Ban Don Hotel at 268/1 Thanon Namuang
Had taken the train from Malaysia during the day and missed the last ferry to Koh Phangan. Sawngthaew driver knew of a hotel we could stay at and take the boat in the morning. Don't know if the ferry was deliberately 'missed' to get a group of us to stay at the hotel but was actually quite nice. Very clean large double room with fan and cold water shower for 300 Baht. Only issue was that the beds were the hardest we've ever slept on, felt like a board covered with a sheet but otherwise a good option.

Malaysia, Pulau Perhentian

Stayed at Mohsin Chalets on Perhential Kecil (Small Island) on Long Beach
Really nice and clean big double room with 2 big beds and cold water bathroom for 60 ringgit. Up a hill with a great view of the beach from our balcony. The restaurant serves good food and has the best view of the beach.

Malaysia, Taman Negara

Teresek View Motel
Had clean, comfortable double room with hot water shower for 50 ringgits down from the usual 70 as the 50 price chalets had all gone. Didn't even have to bargain for the guy to offer us the room at the lower rate!

Malaysia, Cameron Highlands

Stayed at Cameronian Inn
Had comfy, cozy double room with hot water shower and bathroom for 45 ringgits. You don't need a fan or aircon as it's a hill station and so cooler.
They have an easy honesty system where you fill in a piece of paper for internet, food etc. and then it all gets added to your bill for payment when you leave.
Nice restaurant with unbelievable good scones with jam and cream - you have to have them!

Malaysia, Georgetown, Penang

Stayed at Waldorf Hotel
Big double room with TV, aircon and hot water bathroom for 57 ringgits a night.
Room is clean but hotel a little run down and old. In Chinatown.

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Stayed at Travellers Palm Homestay
Friendly clean backpackers in the Golden Triangle within a 20 minute walk to the Petronas Towers and 10 minutes to the monorail.
They didn't have a double room but gave us a dorm to ourselves with shared bathroom for 65 ringgits.
Very helpfull and friendly staff.

Singapore

Penang Hotel
Used to be called Cactus Hotel
Fantastic recently renovated hotel in the northern part of Little India on Jalan Besar with super clean room with TV, aircon and hot water bathroom for $55. 10 minutes walk to Boon Keng MRT station and Lavender Road MRT nearby as well. Bus 65 takes you straight to Orchard Road.
One of the best hotels we've stayed in a great value for expensive Singapore.

Indonesia, Padang

Stayed at Hotel Benyamin
Basic and slightly grubby room with TV, aircon and cold water shower for 77 000 rupiah including an attempt at breakfast, coffee/tea put out hours before you wake up so they're cold and a bakery bun.

Indonesia, Jakarta

Stayed at Hotel Tator on JL Jaksa

Small rather grubby room with fan and cold water bathroom for 85 000 including breakfast. Mosque nearby.

Indonesia, Yogyakarta

Stayed at Hotel Monica.
Small but very clean room with fan and cold water bathroom for 65 000 rupiah a night breakfast included. Very central on a small lane off Sosrowijian. Friendly staff.

Indonesia, Gili Trawangan

Stayed in Trawangan Cottages. Big clean room with 2 huge double beds, fan and cold salt water bathroom (fresh water is very rare and expensive on this small island) for 60 000 rupiah breakfast included. Had nice front porch. Normal rate is 100 000 but we were there before the season started.

Indonesia, Bali - Kuta

First stayed in Sanjaya Hotel off a small lane 30m from Poppies Lane II near the Bali Bomb Memorial. Very central with big room with TV, fridge, aircon and hot water bathroom for 180 000 rupiahs, breakfast included. Had small swimming pool and friendly staff. A little dissapointed as for what we were paying we expected a little more luxury and the room was a little run down but clean. For Kuta though it seemed a good price.

On our second stay in Kuta we stayed in Masa Inn which had big super clean room with TV, fridge aircon and hot water bathroom for 200 rupiahs breakfast included. Big swimming pool and a little more luxury than Sanjaya but for 20 000 rupiahs more.

Australia, Cairns

Cairns Beach House
Great hostel about 20 minutes walk out of the center.
Huge ensuite double room with fridge, sink and TV for $54. Very friendly staff and excellent outside bar area with food. Good tour desk. Kitchen a bit small but OK.

Australia, Airlie Beach

Backpackers by the Bay
Great location up on the hill with a excellent view over the bay. About 5 minutes walk into town. Nice enough clean double room for $53 but dirty bathrooms and underequiped and dirty kitchen. Charge $3 per person per day for luggage storage even when you're taking the bus the evening after checking out. Friendly staff though.

Australia, Hervey Bay

Billabong Beach House
Fantastic value near the beach. $50 for our own apartment with huge en-suite double room. Separate lounge, full kitchen, dining table and TV. The owner Tony was very friendly and helpful, he even cooked us a kangaroo and crocodile barbeque on the house! Don't think of staying anywhere else if you want some space.

Australia, Brisbane

Tourist Guest House
Old Queenslander house, a bit far out of town but really nice. Splurged and had a big double en-suite room with TV and fridge for $75. Very clean and comfortable. Staff not so friendly and kitchen very basic.

Australia, Sydney

Original Backpackers. In the middle or Kings Cross. Friendly social hostel. Had big double room with TV, fridge, shower and hand baisin for $65. Clean enough. Can be noisy though with people coming back at night and chatting outside your room even though there's a curfew. Have organised evenings such as Friday barbeque with beer and food and a drink at the pub afterwards all for $5. Great value. Free airport pickup if you stay at least 2 nights. Lots of young longterms working in Sydney.

Australia, Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Ayers Rock Outback Hotel & YHA Lodge.
Resort accommodation is your only budget option in Ayers Rock. No choice really. Expensive at $37 for a dorm bed. Great facilities though, clean showers and toilets, good kitchen, pool area. Barbeque where you can get an outback combo (kangaroo, crocodile, emu etc) and cook yourself.

Australia, Fremantle

Backpackers Inn Freo YHA in the center of Fremantle, very close to Perth
Very basic double room for $48 a night. Didn't spend much time here as we were with friends. Grotty bathrooms and toilets. Big kitchen and free breakfast with big outdoor area. Coin internet.

Australia, Melbourne

Elephant Backpackers. Right in City Center opposite Flinders Street Station.
Rooms are in a converted building with partitions that don't go up to the ceiling so even though you have a private room, you can hear everyone else. Had double room with lockers for $50. Manager was friendly and helpful. Kitchen and bathrooms were dirty though. Most people staying are working rather than travelling backpackers. Dump!

New Zealand, Christchurch

Charlie B's Backpackers.
Big friendly backpackers within walking distance of the city center.
Only here for a few hours so had dorm beds for NZ$20. Big kitchen, coin operated internet and 2 big TV lounges.

New Zealand, Geraldine

Geraldine Motels. The Olde Presbytery Backpackers was closed so we found the Geraldine Motels and decide to splurge. Had fantastic studio with kitchenette, Sky TV and huge bed for NZ$90. Very clean, luxury!

New Zealand, Te Anau

Barnyard Backpackers. BBH Hostel
Out of town, 9km south of Te Anau. Excellent views across the valleys and next to a deer farm. Big kithcen, lounge area, slow coin internet but rooms are in separate buildings about 100m away. Shared 5-bed dorm for NZ$22 each.

New Zealand, Queenstown

Alpine Lodge Backpackers. BBH Hostel
Had big double room in modern and clean apartment shared with a dorm room upstairs for NZ$56. Room was freezing though and there were no heaters.
Downstairs has TV room and coin internet. Manager a little unfriendly.
If we had a little more money and they weren't full we'd have stayed at Discovery Lodge. Brand new, looks big, bright and in the middle of town.

New Zealand, Fox

Ivory Towers Lodge. BBH Hostel.
Great hostel walking distance from everything in the small town. Had big double room with TV and heater for NZ$55. Huge kitchen. They have some groups of rooms that have their own lounge and kitchen. Coin internet terminals.

New Zealand, Greymouth

Global Village Travellers Lodge. BBH Hostel
Best backpackers in New Zealand! All should aspire to be like this. Payed NZ$48 for a great double room with reading lamps and heater. Lonely Planet reviews it and says the decor is over the top but we think it's very well done - they've made a lot of effort to make it confortable and cozy. Big modern and spotless kitchen.
Free tea, coffee and morning bread with butter and jam. Huge lounge area with fire. Internet terminals where you can burn your own CD's with card readers.
The manager came around after dinner and had freshly baked chocolate muffins!
Wish we could have stayed here for much longer.

New Zealand, Abel Tasman

Stayed at The Barn in Marahau. BBH Hostel.
Great location, right at the start of the walk. Big double room for NZ$52 - BBH Hostel. Warm with a logfire and heating in the outside loos. Clean and comfy.

New Zealand, Taupo

Action Down Under YHA. Usual very clean YHA Hostel. Had very small twin room for NZ$48. Good big clean kitchen area. A bit sterile but nice.

New Zealand, Rotorua

Planet Nomad Backpackers. Big clean, friendly hostel right in the middle of town. Had big clean double room for NZ$45
Big kitchen and lounge area.

New Zealand, Paihia

Stayed at Mayfair Lodge. BBH Hostel
A bit out of town. Payed NZ$55 for a smallish double room but clean. Right next to Woolworths. Good kitchen and open areas.

New Zealand, Russel

Stayed at End of the Road Backpackers. Great view over the harbour and only 2 rooms.
Very relaxed backpackers, had sign up saying "Come in and make yourself at home and I'll be in tomorrow to get payment!"
Had double room with shared bathroom for NZ$44

Vietnam, Hanoi

Stayed at Mai Phu'ong Hotel
Address: 32 Hang Be Street.
In the middle of the old quarter. Very average room but cheap for a big city at $6. Two double beds and satellite TV but not very clean.

Vietnam, Hue

Stayed at Phu An Hotel
Address: 42 Nguyen Tri Phuong
3 bed room bargained down from $15 to $10. (We had 3 people) Spotless room with double bed and two single beds. Huge bathroom. Satellite TV and fridge.

Vietnam, Hoi An

Stayed in Grasslands Hotel, also called Khach San Thao Nguyen.
A little further out of town but close enough to walk and they let you use bicycles for free.
Very new, clean, luxurious room with satellite TV, fridge and bathroom for $6 (down from $8-$10)a night. They have a roofstop restaurant, indoor pool and internet.

Our best hotel in Vietnam.

Vietnam, Nha Trang

Stayed at Hotel An Hoa

Great location near the beach up a small alley near Blue Diving.
Had big double room with satelite TV, fridge and big bathroom for $8 a night
Very clean and comfortable

Vietnam, Dalat

Stayed at Minh Xuan hotel. Dropped off here on open bus tour.

A bit out of the centre of town (15 mins walk) but in the middle of the student area which makes it lively at night. Lots of bars and restaurants around.

Big room with bathroom and two huge double beds for $7. A little cold at night as there's a gap under the door but Dalat is cooler anyway and there are warm duvets.

Has a TV but only locals channels!

Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Stayed at Vu Chau hotel on D Bui Vien Street in Pam Ngu Lao area. Very central

Very clean double room with TV, fridge and fan for $10.
Good room but annoying thing was they tried so hard to sell you tours and outings that every time you walking into the hotel someone asked what you were doing tomorrow to sell you something even after you had booked a tour with them for the following day!

Thailand, Mae Hong Son

Stayed at Joe's Guesthouse, near the lake. Big double room with fan and bathroom for 200 Baht. Towels and blankets included. Very good value.

Thailand, Pai

Stayed at Villa de Pai near the river. Had good size semi-detached bungalow with private shower and little balcony area for 350 Baht. Also looked at Rim Pai which had very overpriced bungalows for 600 Baht.

Thailand, Chiang Mai

Stayed one night at Smile Guest House.

Big double room with fan and private bathroom for 350 Baht but seemed a little old . Was a bit noisy with all sorts of animals making noises during the night. The outside looks nicer than the rooms

Smile Guest House does have a nice swimming pool and big outdoor sitting area.

Moved to a nicer place, Rendezvous Guest house which had a much nicer super clean room also with private bathroom and with TV and fridge for the same price. Aircon is an additional extra. No pool though but towels changed daily.

The best backpacking place we've stayed anyway so far. Cheap and great value!

Thailand, Bangkok

Stayed in a few different placed on Khao San Road

Stayed one night at D&D Hotel. Big double room with aircon, TV and private bathroom for 750 Baht a night. We were late arriving and many others were full so checked in here.

Huge hotel with pool, internet cafe and massage/beauty center on roof.
Breakfast is included. Not the cheapest place but nice.

Then moved for 5 nights to Khaosan Palace Hotel.

Payed 480 Baht a night for double room with TV, aircon and private bathroom. Good enough value but there are others we saw which looked nicer. Our room had a window but felt like it didn't, quite dark and pokey. Room a little grubby.

Stayed on next visit for 4 nights at Rambuttri Village Inn on Chakraphong Road near Khao San Road.
Usual bunfight to get a room or change one - see below.
First had super-clean big twin room with satellite TV and bathroom for 650 Baht. Then managed to move to 500 Baht room which was a double room and slightly smaller but otherwise identical. Great roof-top pool.

Most places don't take reservations unless you book more than 3 days in advance and then often only for their most expensive rooms.

Check outs are at 12 and you need to sit and wait at somewhere you want to be during the morning until a room becomes available if they're full. This is even if you want to change rooms which wastes a lot of time, they won't keep on for you.

Best bet is to arrive before 12 if you can and look around. Don't just stick to Khao San Road though, there were nicer places on roads heading towards the river.

India, Cochin

Stayed at Royal Grace Tourist Home.

Smallish Room in budget hotel with not much character.
Had private bathroom with cold water and balcony for 350 Rs.

We also had a look at some other places. Spencer Home looked very good but more expensive at 600Rs. Nice outside sitting area.

India, Allapuzha (Alleppey)

Stayed in Cherukara Nest Guest house.

Huge very clean room with private bathroom in old house for 400Rs. Bucket hot water and cold shower.
Outside sitting area. Relaxing place. One of our best accommodations in India.

India, Hampi

Sudha Guest House

Had very basic room on first night with shared bathroom 200 Rs. Then moved for another night to bigger room with private bathroom, cold shower and sit down loo. 400 Rs. Basic but good enough. Both rooms had Mosquito nets. Friendly staff. Hampi generally has basic accommodation. Also available autorickshaw to Hospet for train / bus connections for 100 Rs.

Dubai

Dubai Grand Hotel

Absolute luxury! 4* hotel taken as part of an Emirates Airline Bargain Break. Not quite a bargain though at $285 for 3 nights but the cheapest we could get. Bargain Break prices are much cheaper than giong to the hotels direct. Visa and airport transfer included but no meals. Great room, TV, bathroom et al.

If you are looking for an Emirates Bargain break book early as the cheapest option, $50 per night for a 3* hotel gets booked out very quickly.

Also Emirates advertise that you can book a hotel on arrival. This is a lot more expensive than the brochure price and you may have very limited choice. We saw people paying $400 for 3 nights for a 4* hotel. They weren't happy. You've been warned!

India, Mumbai

Stayed at Pals Hotel. Big room with TV and private bathroom for 900 Rs. Mumbai is very expensive for accommodation. Room grubby and overpriced. A little way out but nearer the airport so suited us. Bus directly into town.

India, Goa

Sameer Coco-huts. Along the beach on the left as you go down the main shopping drag to the beach.

Had bamboo hut with private bathroom with cold water for 500 Rs a night. Basic but clean and idyllic. The perfect beach holiday place. Good restaurant.

India, Ahmedabad

Stayed in Hotel Serena for about 500 Rs. OK room had TV and bathroom. Pillows cases had black stains but in India, it doesn't mean it hasn't been washed! 24-hour check out though.

India, Udaipur

Lake Ghat Guest House
Near the lake on Lal Ghat. Big, clean double room with small couch and big bathroom with hot water shower.
Excellent reataurant on the roof (good views of the lake) and very good laundry, rare in India
Had double room for 450 a night.

India, Pushkar

Hotel VK Palace
OK room but prices in Pushkar shoot up over for the Camel Fair Payed 800 for a room that is normally 175. Good location but grubby room. Friendly Staff

India, Jaisalmer

Hotel Shahi Palace

Great hotel just outside the fort with excellent view of the fort from the rooftop restaurant.
4 extremely friendly brothers run the place. They say you arrive as tourists and leave as friends which is true. Ask Papu to do his European language imitations!
The rooms were clean, with stone walls, good bathrooms and great decor.
The best room in the place has a carved stone bed. We had another room for 450 a night.
They organise a camel safari which was great. They own the camels so it's all in house. It's more pricey than some of the other offerings but we didn't see another Westerner during the whole time. Many others do a tourist route that is very busy.

India, Jodhpur

Yogi's Guest House

Only here for 1 night. Had simple room with shared bathroom for 150 rupees. OK restaurant on roof but excellent view of fort.
Owner (Yogi) very friendly and eager to please.

India, Jaipur

Hotel Pearl Palace

Nicely decorated room with TV and good shower for 350 rupees a night. Friendly and attentive owners and staff.
Restaurant on the roof was a highlight. Excellent food at good prices with an amazingly clean kitchen. Restaurant decor was some of the best we've seen with an amazing view over the city.

India, Agra

Travellers Guest House
Good sized room with TV and fan but mozzies could still come in through the window.
Chilled out restaurant on ground floor.

India, Varanasi

Stayed at Alka Hotel in double room with bathroom for 400 rupees a night
Right on the Ganges, at Meer Ghat
OK room with geyser and fan but no view. They do have quite a range of rooms though. Great location with super view of the river. Good but slow restaurant

Nepal, Kathmandu

First stayed at Red Planet
OK room but ours was very damp and dark, shower in bathroom which had hot water in the evening but luke warm in the morning (this is the norm for most places in Kathmandu as the water is solar heated) Cost 450 Rupees but there is a 12% service charge above this.

Then moved to Tashi Dhargey which was 500 rupees and negotiated no tax as we were staying for 5 days. Much nicer room, had sun facing room with TV cable! (first outlook on real news since China) and small sitting area. Good restaurant downstairs that can send up food.

Overland to Nepal

4x4 trip across some very barren land.

Gyantse - can't remember hotel name. Four bed dorm with no shower.

Sakya - brand new hotel, huge dorm room with 7 beds and luxury bathroom. Freezing cold though but good bedding. Restaurant is dirty and freezing but food is good.

Everest Base Camp - dormitary room in hostel across the road from monastry. Cheap beds but filthy rooms. Need all your clohes and water bottles as it's freezing (you're above 5000m)and some bedroom windows are broken. Must have a sleeping bag and something to cover the pillow(yuck). Cozy sitting room with good food. Don't go near the loos (disguting hole in the ground) for your health but you have the great outdoors with awesome views of Everest.

Tingri - Amdo accommodation. Very basic 2 bed room. Also need sleeping bags as it's dirty and cold. Squat loo outside (yum)

Tibet, Lhasa

First stayed at Pentoc Hotel
Had small tibetan-style room. Comfortable but a bit cold and damp. Had communal shower which didn't have reliable hot water and was open to the outside - a bit of a pain in the cold.
Had great restaurant / sitting room which showed English movies at night.

Moved to Banak Shol Hotel

Had Tibetan style large double room with en-suite and hot water! Also had TV.

Good reasonable restaurant upstairs. Excellent reliable travel agency. Organised our overland trip to Kathmandu through them. Had recommendation from other travellers and were very happy with their service and tour.

Would stay here again

China, Chengdu

Stayed at Sims Cosy Guesthouse

A little out of the center near the Wenshu Temple.

Great outdoor sitting area. Very friendly staff with brilliant travel office including flight to Lhasa for 1900 Yuan including transport to airport and permit.

Big spotless room, private bathroom with TV and DVD (you can choose copy DVD's from their library to play for free). We heard other hostels in Chengdu were grotty but this was great.

China, Yangshuo

Stayed in Fawlty Towers, yes, that's the name. It's even owned by someone called Basil. Unfortunately Sybil is nowhere to be found.

Ask for either room 403 or 404 which have good views of the limestone peaks.

Big Room, TV, shower, two huge double beds. Laundry, tour booking. Very slow internet. More of a hotel than hostel vibe but there are so many places around you never feel left out.

All for 80 Yuan a night (bargain if you're asked for more).
One of the best places we've stayed

Hong Kong, Causeaway Bay

Wag Fat Hostel

Great location just around the corner from Causeaway Bay Metro.
Small rooms (all rooms are small in HK) but clean and with great shower.
Free internet and local calls. Able to organise Chinese visas and get train / bus ticket information.
Causeaway Bay is on Hong Kong island very near Central, full of shops, restaurant, bars, shopping centres etc. Tram line very close as well.
HK is expensive for food but look for the small Chinese places and you can get great meals for much cheaper than the bigger restaurants. People generally speak good English and are very helpful.

China, Shanghai

Shanghai Maggie International Youth Hostel

A little far out of the centre but the cheapest we could find at 80 Yuan a night each in a double room. Shanghai is very expensive! It's a 10 minute walk to the Metro and there is a bus direct from the airport. There are also buses direct to the Railway Station and the Bund.

It's in an old age home! Means it's fairly quiet at least. Doesn't have much of an atmosphere but the rooms are squeeky clean with shower. There is internet and a washing machine available for a charge. There is a kitchen and room to sit and watch TV.

Maggie runs the place and speaks perfect English and can organise everything you need. Very helpful.

China, Xi'an

Xi'an Shuyuan International Youth Hostel

Good location within the city walls next to the south gate.
Free pickup from train station if you call in advance.
Very backpacker friendly with bar, restaurant, outside seating area. Great to meet and chat to people.
Rooms were OK but a bit damp. Had double room with TV and shower for 140 Yuan a night
Restaurant is good and has Western Food as well. Egg sandwiches (Omlettes) are excellent.
Very good travel office able to organise flights and train tickets anywhere.

China, Pingyao

Tian Yuan Kui Hotel

Good location in the middle of the main shopping street.
Good rooms with TV, shower and comfortable beds but can be noisy if you get one on the street side - wear your earplugs! Had booked in advance but was told when arriving that no room was available but only a more expensive one. Put our foot down and something was sorted out.
Free pick up from train station if you let them know.
Able to book hard to get Pingyao to Xi'an train tickets but you may need to ask several times, we were told no a few times and then when asking later in the day were told yes.
Pingyao residents are a bit strange so expect a few things to seem a little weird!
Restaurant is very good. Dumplings are excellent and the pork and green beans are great if you're missing your green veggies in China!

China, Beijing

Far East International Hostel

Central location, 15 minutes walk from Tianamen Square in an old Hutong neighbourhood.
The hotel and hostel are across the road from each other.
We took a double room which happened to be in the hotel part with bathroom for 110 Yuan per person per night. You need to book on the internet to get this price. The room was excellent, huge with TV, fridge, airconditioning and bathroom cleaned daily. Tours can be organised through the travel desk in the hotel or hostel.
Very lively neighbourhood with lots of restaurants (some very cheap and very good)and shops nearby. Internet access in hotel and hostel. Laundry available as well. Hostel has good book swap and a great courtyard for relaxing and meeting people. Best accommodation we've had so far.

Mongolia, Ulan Bator

Zaya Guesthouse

Very central and homely three bedroom apartment with shared kitchen / bathroom. (She also has other apartments available)
Zaya is very helpful with organising tours (take the day trip to Terelj) and has recommendations of where to eat.
$9 for a big double room.
Laundry is available for 2000 Togrog per load. There are many internet cafe's and international phone calling centres nearby (international phone calls are very cheap).

Russia, Listvyanka

Next to Lake Baikal in Siberia
Don't actually know the name of the hotel as we found it when we arrived.
It's up Galina Road, just north of the center, Staff don't speak English.
Very comfortable double room for 1500 Roubles a night, including breakfast. Brand new toilet and shower shared with 2 other rooms.
Dinner available for 200 Roubles.
About 15 minutes walk to the centre. Has bar area, banya (sauna).

Russia, Moscow

Sherstone Hostel

North of Moscow on the grey line, about 20 minutes walk from the metro.
Old Soviet style hotel with very old rooms but bedding is clean.
Not much vibe, no internet, laundry. Room had TV
We had a double room with bathroom for 22 Euros per person per night.
Didn't have included breakfast as it was just cereal.

Russia, St. Petersburg

Nord Hostel

The hostel is very central, just 3 minutes walk to the Hermitage and just off Nevsky Prospect.
We stayed in a dorm room for 24 Euros per person.
There is a computer with fast internet access and free international phone calls to most countries.
It was very clean and had a good continental breakfast included.