Worldwide hostel and hotel reviews

bac_ha_sunday_market.wmv

2010-05-07T11:36:00.000+01:00

A slice of Local life at the Bac Ha market in Northern Vietnam.

Peter Smith May 2010

www.theworldtraveller.net

Expert Travel Advice

Nam Ou Guesthouse and Restaurant, Muang Khua, Laos

2010-05-07T06:36:00.005+01:00

Arriving by boat or bus this is definately the place to stay in Muang Khua!

Either way you will be at the bottom of the village, look up to your left for the wooden steps and the guesthouse veranda is there.

Cheap rooms are available with fans (ask quickly as they only have a few), they are clean and secure however the bathrooms are a bit dark and smell somewhat. This is just the way it is here as the heat in unrelenting. Just suck it up for great views, cheap cold beers and tasty budget oriented food.

They are a friendly bunch and are very laid back, not much spoken English though so be patient.

On a practical note there are two banks for currency exchange, no ATM and the boats had south at 9am when full (you may need to wait a day).

Resevations are probably not needed here but you can try to book using the link below.

Rate for a twin room wih private bath, shower and fan was 50,000 Kip (May 2010)
Boat from Muang Khua to Nong Kiaow (also no ATM) 120,000 Kip per person (5 hours)

Book through Hostelworld

Peter J Smith May 2010

www.theworldtraveller.net

Expert Travel Advice and Tailor Made Itineraries

Hanoi backpackers

2010-04-30T05:47:00.002+01:00

Feeling like a bit of a party? Want to get your head down cheap and cheerful in Hanoi?

Well it may not be the quietest place in town but it suits the budget and the Hanoi Backpackers in under good management with Mark at the helm.

A top notch staff, both local vietnamese and expats, are on hand to take care of all travel arrangements including Halong Bay trips (these are def more expensive than can be found elswhere but you need to balance that with the activities and the private island). They will also offer cheaper alternatives if the budget is too tight!

Some reviews have slated the cleanliness of the hostel, alright the bathrooms do get a bit grungy but blame your roomates for that! Clean sheets, duvets and firm beds with lockers are spot on. Staff clean daily and take care of the AC and fans so you keep cool.

Rooftop bar open until 9.30pm after which it's off to Bia Hoi corner or a slew of bars in the old town. Free beer on Sundays for a couple of hours and a daily happy hour eases the Dong splurge burden but I do think that their regular 20,000 for a small beer is too expensive.

Breakfast is simple but the eggs and bacon paid option is yummy!

Internet access in the main building (wifi to first floor rooms only) is BUSY!!!

Great location though and easy to meet new friends so give it a whirl and have some fun in Hanoi!

Book through Hostelworld

Peter J Smith April 2010

www.theworldtraveller.net

Expert Travel Advice and Tailor Made Itineraries

Hue backpackers, Hue Vietnam

2010-04-24T07:30:00.005+01:00

Hue, a stop along the way from Hoi An to Hanoi, or the otherway round, has plenty of of bed space.

Budget travellers will be satisfied with the Hue Backpackers hostel on Pham Ngu Lao.

Reception staff at the Hue Backpackers

A great staff, clean rooms and an active social scene will get the most jaded of backpackers excited. Not too crazy but just the right mix of fun and rest, a nice locale in Hue and close to all the sights.

Book through Hostelworld

Peter J Smith April 2010

www.theworldtraveller.net

Expert Travel Advice and Tailor Made Itineraries

Dai Long Hotel, Hoi An, Vietnam

2010-04-22T12:46:00.002+01:00

A great little place in the main tourist area.

Air con with a double bed, TV, fans, clean large bathroom and a fridge in the room.

Very good service from the staff, visa extension done in two days at a good price, bus booked no hassle.

Cost for a double room $15.00, not the cheapest but very good value!

book here Book through Hostelworld

Peter J Smith April 2010

www.theworldtraveller.net

Expert Travel Advice and Tailor Made Itineraries

Pura Vida Hostel - Tamarindo, Costa Rica

2010-01-24T18:50:00.005Z

Location

The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the most attractive locations in Costa Rica, its lack of a very efficient transportation system just adds to the remoteness of it all and is a perfect spot to find secluded beached and great surfing spots.

Getting in and out

Although you can fly here from San Jose most travellers will be coming in to Tamarindo by bus from Liberia. The journey can be up to three hours so bring water and patience to enjoy the scenery.

Pura Vida Hostel

Tamarindo is a surfer town for sure but that shouldn't put off visitors not enamored by the surf as the natural beauty of the peninsula is fantastic draw. Turtles nest on protected beaches, and the shores around the town provide excellent beachcombing possibilities.

There are many hostels in the town however I chose Pura Vida for its position slightly away from the noise of the main drag and the relaxed atmosphere.

The rooms are arranged around a circular courtyard with rocking chairs and the usual hammocks. There are two kitchens and plenty of fridge and freezer space as well as a bbq pit. A very homely and friendly atmosphere is generated by the young Swiss owners and everyone, surfer or not, is made to feel welcome.

The regular dorms were adequate if slightly musty however the private rooms looked excellent, some with AC.

Free WiFi is available throughout and there is a computer for non laptop toters.

I really enjoyed my time at Pura Vida, I met some great people and loved the howler monkeys in the trees above!

You can book the backpackers through my website, which will cost you no more but will help pay for these reviews a little by clicking on the link below.

BOOK A HOSTEL ROOM
Click here to book a hostel bed

If you have enjoyed this article you can read more of my travel stories on either my website The World traveller.net or the excellent publication Travel Generation.

Enjoy your travels

Peter J Smith
theworldtraveller.net expert travel advice and tailor made itineraries

Pedro's Backpackers and Pedro's Hotel

2010-01-03T14:42:00.012Z

Location
San Pedro is situated on Ambergris Caye, one of the few inhabited islands off of the coast of Belize. It is a tourist mecca for those wishing to dive the barrier reef and the famous Blue Hole and a great place to get away from it all while sampling some great seafood and soaking up the sun.

With a good assortment of restaurants and bars and easy access from the mainland it is not surpising that it recieves visitors from all over the world.

Island Time

Don't expect huge beaches or perfect swimming though, the important seagrass is one reason the islands are still here so swimming pools or swimming off of the small piers is the way to go to cool down. Better still is to take a diving or snorkleling trip as the reef here is spectacular!

The hostel and hotel are located just south of the town centre and easily walkable however if you have luggage take a minivan from the street. The property is set off of the street and away from the ocean, sea views come at a price, the budget prices reflect this.

Author waiting for a boat

Getting in and out
There are a few ways to get to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

By Air

Click here for Tropic Air

Click here for Maya Air

By Boat

Click here San Pedro Belize Express

Click here caye Caulker Water taxi

Click here for The Thunderbolt

Hostel Review
Pedro's has two properties, a backpacker building and a Hotel style house just across the street.

Pedro's Backpackers
Built above the famous bar the backpackers is a simple affair with lockable rooms 2-3 beds to a room, all with a fan and most with a window. Shared bathrooms are the norm, split male and female. If you are on your own you should be able to get the room to yourself. Wifi is available although there are no plugs in the rooms, only on the balcony or in the bar. The rooms are kept clean as are the bathrooms and there are small locker spaces below each bed. Rooms at the back are closer to the airstrip and the 7.00am flight may or may not disturb you depending upon the amount of jaeger consumed the night before!

Ringing the bell at Pedro's backpacker bar

Prices for the beds may vary seasonaly so be prepared to book well ahead at peak times.
The bar below is a great place to hang out and meet locals, expats and fellow travellers and is a reliable spot to guarantee a hangover.

The Backpackers at Pedro's

Pedro's Hotel

Staying on the beach is an expensive option in San Pedro although a few budget places do exist the quality is pretty poor. Pedro's Hotel has aimed at the middle market, backpackers with a bigger budget or travellers who want privacy, safety and a few comforts.

The Hotel is really a big wooden style island house with two to three bedded rooms all with private bathrooms, TV, AC and cleaning service. There is a nice freshwater swimming pool and deck, as well as a bar and an office where Cindy will help book any tours or help with restaurant advice.

For a single traveller it probably is on the pricier side but for two of three people it provides a great way to stay on the island and keep within a reasonable budget.

Roads are mostly sand off of the main drag and after it rains, as it will sometime, flip flops or sandals are the easiest way to negotiate any puddles. Leave your Jimmy Choos at home!

San pedro is a fun island to spend a few days and is good as a base for the many trips available, if you are heading through Belize the island makes agreat diversion so do not miss it!

You can book the backpackers through my website, which will cost you no more but will help pay for these reviews a little by clicking on the link below.

BOOK A HOSTEL ROOM
Click here to book a hostel bed

Click here for Pedro's Hotel Website

Swim off the dock

If you have enjoyed this article you can read more of my travel stories on either my website The World traveller.net or the excellent publication Travel Generation.

Enjoy your travels

Peter J Smith
theworldtraveller.net expert travel advice and tailor made itineraries

Poc Na Hostel, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

2010-01-02T21:53:00.002Z

Location

Isla Mujeres, a beautiful island off of the coast of Mexico near Cancun.

You will find the Poc Na Hostel at the end of Matarroros on the Northern side of the island with its own beach and plot of nice white sand.
The location is ideal with a cooling breeze coming off of the ocean most of the time. Swimming off of the hostel beach is not allowed due to the rough seas and rocks however it is only a few hundred yards to Playa Norte with excellent swimming and brilliant white sand.

The town is very small and the hostel is only a minute or so walk from nearly everything you will need.

Strolling the beach in Isla Mujeres

Getting in and out

Easy access is provided by Ultramar Ferries from Puerto Juarez roughly every half hour in the day to every hour in the evening. The journey is safe and takes about 25 minutes with a cost of $70 Pesos each way. Free internet access is available on board some of the vessels.

Click here for the Ultramar website

Street on Isla Mujeres

Hostel Review

I have to say I love this hostel, it's not the cheapest, cleanest, most comfortable but it scores high on so many points across the board it is no wonder it's a favourite for backpackers and travellers of all ages.

Let's look at the bad points first, it will get better!

Reception

*** UPDATE DECEMBER 2009 ***

Rooms

Drinks

Noise

Okay now lets see the facilities and what makes Poc Na such a great place to stay when in the Cancun area.

Pallapa bar

Crisp white sand beaches of Playa Norte

Free Wifi

30 mins free a day on the computers

Free welcome drink after 11pm @ the Beach Bar

Food

Rooms

I could go on forever here but it is time to stop. This hostel gets an A for location, price, entertainment and atmosphere, a B for staff (that's not personal but an observation on stress somewhat), a C+ for rooms (get rid of those cheap ass mini matresses).

If you are thinking about coming to Isla Mujeres with it's crystal waters and white sand beaches and don't mind a little rough around the edges, with the best bar in town and ALL the backpackers you can shake a stick at then Poc na is for you.

You can book through my website, which will cost you no more but will help pay for these reviews a little by clicking on the link below.

BOOK A HOSTEL ROOM
Click here to book a hostel bed

If you have enjoyed this article you can read more of my travel stories on either my website The World traveller.net or the excellent publication Travel Generation.

Enjoy your travels

Peter J Smith
theworldtraveller.net expert travel advice and tailor made itineraries