SA Footy

Accommodation for me is always an interesting point when it comes to travel. To me, where you stay is merely a function of getting out and about to see some cool bits and bobs in whatever place you have chosen to visit.

I have never seen the point of spending hundreds of dollars per night for a place to sleep. Sure there are some magnificent hotels around the place and I must confess to having been to the Burj Al Arab for dinner to check the place out.

Personally, give me a (clean) social hostel or campground any day of the week. I'd rather save my cash and indulge in some once in a lifetime experiences, as opposed to sit around an overpriced pool in a rip off hotel chain.

Thoughts?

For me, it's finding that right balance between cost and comfort.

No point staying in a dive because it's dirt cheap, but you don't want to pay top dollar for a somewhere where you're just going to sleep.

I stayed in St Christopher's Hostels all around Europe and thought they were brilliant. You meet people from all over the world and become instant friends with them and get hammered. Rated it highly

Depends where you are and for how long.

There's no need to stay at really expensive places and often Bed and Breakfast places are really good.

Trip Advisor or Booking.com are excellent sites for accommodation.

mighty hounds wrote:I stayed in St Christopher's Hostels all around Europe and thought they were brilliant. You meet people from all over the world and become instant friends with them and get hammered. Rated it highly

What sort of $$$ we talking mh?

redandblack wrote:Depends where you are and for how long.

There's no need to stay at really expensive places and often Bed and Breakfast places are really good.

Trip Advisor or Booking.com are excellent sites for accommodation.

True to an extent. And I should have added a disclosure that for a honeymoon / dirty weekendaway with the neighbours wife or receptionist that a nice, swanky hotel is the way to go.

But a good example is Hawaii - Oahu. There are only 3 hotels on the north short out of the bright lights. You're much better either camping in a national park or finding a local who's renting out a room/granny flat and going el-cheapo.

I also had a couple of mates who roughed is through central America from Mexico down to Panama. They explained that there were a bunch of amazing beaches where the locals had a hut or a room (generally no power, running water etc) for rent for 50c per night. Sounds like heaven to me. I bet you'd meet some cracking people too.

Finally, central / remote Australia. Give me a swag and a capfire any time over a 'swanky' hotel!

devilsadvocate wrote:

mighty hounds wrote:I stayed in St Christopher's Hostels all around Europe and thought they were brilliant. You meet people from all over the world and become instant friends with them and get hammered. Rated it highly

What sort of $$$ we talking mh?

I was in London's St Christopher's Village hostel for around 22 pounds a night. Paris for about 44 euro a night and the Winston, Amsterdam for around the same price. The Paris and Amsterdam Hostels were 10 times better then the London one and they all have extremely ridiculous low alcohol prices.

mighty hounds wrote:

devilsadvocate wrote:

mighty hounds wrote:I stayed in St Christopher's Hostels all around Europe and thought they were brilliant. You meet people from all over the world and become instant friends with them and get hammered. Rated it highly

What sort of $$$ we talking mh?

I was in London's St Christopher's Village hostel for around 22 pounds a night. Paris for about 44 euro a night and the Winston, Amsterdam for around the same price. The Paris and Amsterdam Hostels were 10 times better then the London one and they all have extremely ridiculous low alcohol prices.

Good tip!
If I ever get off the leash, I'll keep those in mind.

I agree with you about Europe and Hawaii accommodation, da.

Unfortunately I've got a bit softer as I've got older. My first trip to Europe was hitchhiking and a small tent on the ground, no air mattress or similar. Then I graduated to 1 star hotels and pensions, before gradually upgrading as I could afford it. I've stayed at some very up-market places, but now I tend to go for the B & B's and smaller places, much less sterile and nearly always nicer.

One year it cost me zero for accommodation in Europe, through an organisation called SERVAS, although I hosted other people here in return. That was good both ways, as you met nice people and stayed with them in their homes, sometimes sleeping on the floor, but it was always good.

redandblack wrote:One year it cost me zero for accommodation in Europe, through an organisation called SERVAS, although I hosted other people here in return. That was good both ways, as you met nice people and stayed with them in their homes, sometimes sleeping on the floor, but it was always good.

That is a brilliant idea. Great way of meeting like minded people.

Pity we live in SADelaide

devilsadvocate wrote:

mighty hounds wrote:

devilsadvocate wrote:

mighty hounds wrote:I stayed in St Christopher's Hostels all around Europe and thought they were brilliant. You meet people from all over the world and become instant friends with them and get hammered. Rated it highly

What sort of $$$ we talking mh?

I was in London's St Christopher's Village hostel for around 22 pounds a night. Paris for about 44 euro a night and the Winston, Amsterdam for around the same price. The Paris and Amsterdam Hostels were 10 times better then the London one and they all have extremely ridiculous low alcohol prices.

Good tip!
If I ever get off the leash, I'll keep those in mind.

From memory is was 2.75 pound for a standard vodka but if you where staying there it was 2 pounds. Same cost in Aus is about $7. I drank vodkas for 10 days

Accommodation all depends on the circumstance.

When I did Europe it was by myself so I stayed in B & B's, Backpackers, Lodges, the odd Train Station etc etc. I didn't care.

When the missus and I backpacked through Thailand, Laos & Vietnam we mainly stayed in low cost hotels & B & B's.

Now we have 3 young kids we stay in 4/5 star hotels as those facilities are the best for the kids for optimal enjoyment IMO.

If we didn't have kids I'd save the money and stay cheap....

Anywhere with a hammock. Have stayed in some extremely basic places (no a/c, cold water only and a hole in the floor as your toilet), but it's all forgotten when you're kicking back in hammock with a local beer and other local produce

I used to camp as a kid, so these days whenever we travel its in style, stayed in 6 star accom in Phuket and a penthouse for the AFL GF.
An absolute minimum of 4 star for me.

Location, Location, Location DA it is the spot/ambience/views/convenience/culture/etc, that makes it for me...... sometimes I pay more sometimes I pay less.
I hope Wedgies recommendation of Kata Beach Resort and Spa works, in two weeks, as it had the "bits" of location I was after!

Alaska wrote:Location, Location, Location DA it is the spot/ambience/views/convenience/culture/etc, that makes it for me...... sometimes I pay more sometimes I pay less.
I hope Wedgies recommendation of Kata Beach Resort and Spa works, in two weeks, as it had the "bits" of location I was after!

Ive stayed in 2 better places in Phuket but we did enjoy our time there.

Alaska wrote:Location, Location, Location DA it is the spot/ambience/views/convenience/culture/etc, that makes it for me...... sometimes I pay more sometimes I pay less.
I hope Wedgies recommendation of Kata Beach Resort and Spa works, in two weeks, as it had the "bits" of location I was after!

Agree it's all about location. I do hate to see a beautiful spot ruined by a stonking great hotel with attached Startbucks, Maccas, etc.

Wedgie wrote:I used to camp as a kid, so these days whenever we travel its in style, stayed in 6 star accom in Phuket and a penthouse for the AFL GF.
An absolute minimum of 4 star for me.

I'm with you Wedgie

all about location

this xmas holidays example
eg, paid $280 for a nice room in the port lincoln hotel (inc breakfast) over new years. it was good.

however the next two days we camped at memory cove, right on this awesome secluded beach. It had one long drop toilet, no water.
evenings spent with our deck chairs, fishing rods and BBQ on the beach. unbeatable.
Cost $16 per night.

as long as you are prepared with water, ice, wine, food, tent and prepared to piss under a tree, no better place to spend a night.

devilsadvocate wrote:Accommodation for me is always an interesting point when it comes to travel. To me, where you stay is merely a function of getting out and about to see some cool bits and bobs in whatever place you have chosen to visit.

I have never seen the point of spending hundreds of dollars per night for a place to sleep. Sure there are some magnificent hotels around the place and I must confess to having been to the Burj Al Arab for dinner to check the place out.

Personally, give me a (clean) social hostel or campground any day of the week. I'd rather save my cash and indulge in some once in a lifetime experiences, as opposed to sit around an overpriced pool in a rip off hotel chain.

Thoughts?

100% Agree with this BTW -
however, we will only stay in a private double room in a hostel.
guesthouses, BandB's are great overseas, so much better than chain hotels. usually you get a get a better perspective of the place your visiting in a better location.