Accommodations

Paris at Night

A common question we are asked is how we find the places we stay, and how do we get them for so cheap. For stays of a week or more we try to find apartments or houses to rent and for shorter stays we get hotel rooms. Apartments are great as they have much more space than a hotel room and have kitchens where we can prepare our own meals. And oftentimes, apartments/houses are the same cost, or even cheaper, than staying in a hotel. We have also had some luck with house sitting.

Here are the sites we commonly use to find accommodations:

Apartments/Houses

Hotels and Apartments

Booking.com

Housesitting

Trustedhousesitters.com

Listed below are links to the apartments and hotels that we have actually stayed in while traveling around the world. A lot of time and research went into finding these places. We hope they help…

Africa

Morocco

Fes: We only stayed one night in Fes in order to catch a flight to Ireland. We stayed at the Diamant Vert and actually wished we could have stayed longer as it had tons of hiking trails and a park nearby. The place was very roomy, but is on the outskirts of town. So you would need to use a taxi or bus to get around. To view the accommodation CLICK HERE.
Moulay Idriss: The easiest way to reach the UNESCO site Volubillis is to stay in Moulay Irdriss. We spent one night in Moulay Idriss and enjoyed the change in scenery. The hotel was clean and basic. Breakfast was included in the price. To view the accommodation CLICK HERE.
Rabat: We stayed for one month in the capital city of Rabat. Rabat is noisy and very busy. Fortunately, we had a nice apartment with kitchen that we rented through AirBnB. To view the apartment CLICK HERE.
Tangier: We arrived too late to catch our train to Rabat and stayed the night in Tangier at a hotel we cannot remember the name of. You can search for nice hotels in Tangier by CLICKING HERE

Europe

Bulgaria

Plovdiv: We stayed a few days at a hotel/hostel named My Guest Rooms. The location was great, the rooms, clean, and the owner was really nice guy with some funny stories. To view the hotel, CLICK HERE
Sunny Beach: We rented an apartment in Sunny Beach for a week through AirBnB. Unfortunately, we were there in October when the entire town was shutdown. I mean EVERYTHING! The apartment was really nice and the shower even had a stereo. To view the apartment, CLICK HERE
Varna: We stayed one night at the Hostel Casablanca City. The room was clean and large, but wifi was a bit spotty. To view the hotel, CLICK HERE

Czech Republic

Prague: We were invited to stay with some expat friends living in Prague and had a great time while there. Thanks guys!

England

Bath: We rented an apartment in Bath for 3 weeks and had a nice stay. Unfortunately, the apartment has been sold and is no longer available.
London: We stayed in Central London for 10 days and had a free place to stay with two really friendly cats through Trusted Housesitters

France

Arles: We rented a really cool and really old house in the center of Arles through HomeAway.co.uk. The owners were great and we would love to go back someday. To view the house, CLICK HERE
Montpellier: We stayed in Montpellier one night in order to catch an early train. We stayed at the Abbeliss Polygone Hotel, which was the cheapest w could find for being within easy walking distance to the train station. Not the nicest place we have stayed at, but it worked for one night. To see the hotel, CLICK HERE
Paris: We rented a studio apartment with loft in the 15th arr. for a month through SabbaticalHomes.com. It was cheap, for Paris, but really small. It is no longer listed, but you can find many others available.

Germany

Berlin: We rented a one bedroom apartment though AirBnB.com. It was cheap and a little funky, but worked well. You can see the apartment by CLICKING HERE

Greece

Athens: We rented an apartment for 2 weeks over Christmas through AirBnB. This was one of the nicest places we have stayed and it really felt like home and was in a great location. To view the apartment, CLICK HERE
Kiveri: We rented a 2 bedroom apartment through VRBO for 2 weeks in order to explore some of the amazing Greek ruins of the Greek Peloponnese. The apartment was large and had an amazing view of the Argolic Gulf and Nafplio. To view the apartment CLICK HERE
Delphi: We spent 2 nights in the Pan Hotel in order to see the famous ruins of Delphi. The hotel was one of the nicer hotels we have stayed at with a great view and a quick walk to the ruins. Breakfast was included in the price. To view the apartment CLICK HERE

Ireland

Bantry: We rented a 5 bedroom farm house just outside of the town of Bantry through Airbnb for 3 weeks. It was a lovely house with more room than we needed, the view was beautiful, and owners were incredibly nice. Bantry has been one of our favorite destinations with a lot to do. To view the house CLICK HERE
Dublin: We spent 3 nights in the Regency Hotel in Dublin. It was clean and had a swimming pool. Unfortunately the internet was spotty. It was also a quick bus ride to downtown Dublin. To view the hotel CLICK HERE
Kilkenny: We just arrived in Kilkenny without a reservation and stayed one night in one of the many B&B available in town. Unfortunately we cannot remember the name of the B&B. You can search for hotels and B&B CLICK HERE
Trim: We stayed at the White Lodge B&B for a night. The room was clean, modern, and spacious and we had an excellent breakfast. It was in a good location with an easy walk to Trim Castle. To view the B&B CLICK HERE

Italy

Florence: We stayed in a very nice large apartment for 7 weeks, which we found through sabbatical homes. The apartment was in a great location within walking distance of the market, the city center and a park. The only drawback to the apartment was that it was noisy if the windows were open and it had no air conditioning. To view the apartment CLICK HERE
Pompeii: We stayed 1 night at the Hotel Imperial. The hotel was clean and cheap, but was difficult to find. Breakfast was included in the price and was a typical Italialan breakfast of Italian Coffee and hard toast. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Pisa: We spent 3 nights in the Aida B&B. The B&B was in a good location with an easy walk to the bus station, airport and also the center of Pisa. We liked it so much that we booked an additional night before flying out to Poland. Breakfast was typical Italian style with Italian coffee, hard toast and a pastry. To view B&B CLICK HERE
Rome: We spent 1 night at the Hotel Capannelle. Although the hotel is on the outskirts of Rome, it offers a free shuttle ride to the metro station and included in the price is a large Breakfast. The room was large, clean and very modern. To view the hotel CLICK HERE

Netherlands

Amsterdam: We stayed 1 week in a farmhouse located outside of Abcoude. The farmhouse was within biking distance to Amsterdam. Unfortunately the house is no longer listed on Sabbatical homes.

Poland

Krakow: We rented an apartment for a month through AirBnB. The apartment was clean and modern. It had a great green space common area and was easy walking distance to the square, a great market and a mall. To view apartment CLICK HERE

Romania

Brasov: We rented an apartment for one month through AirBnB. The apartment was clean and had very fast internet. However it was a fair walk to reach the city center, but taxis were cheap. To view apartment CLICK HERE
Bucharest: We rented an apartment for our week stay through Airbnb. The apartment was large and roomy and was a quick walk to the metro, market and a mall. It also overlooks a great green space. The owner was incredibly nice. To view apartment CLICK HERE

Spain

Denia: We rented an apartment for one month through Sabbatical homes. The apartment was large, roomy and had an amazing view. To view apartment CLICK HERE
Granada: We spent 2 nights at the Hotel Saray. The hotel was very nice and modern and within easy walking distance of many of the sites and restaurants. To view apartment CLICK HERE

Turkey

Çirali: We spent 1 night at the Hotel Fire Pansiyon. The hotel was nice place to spend the night within walking distance to the trail head for the eternal flame of Chimera and the beach. Breakfast was included. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Fethiye: We rented a 2 bedroom apartment for one month through Ownersdirect.com.uk. The apartment was large, clean and was close to the beach. To view apartment CLICK HERE
Goreme: We spent 4 nights at the Blue Moon Motel. The room was large, clean and the owners were very nice. It was within walking distance from the bus station and the Goreme National Park. Breakfast was included. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Istanbul: We rented an apartment for a week through Airbnb. The apartment was spacious, but was a fair distance from any of the sites. It also smelled strongly of smoke. To view apartment CLICK HERE
Izmir: We spent one night at the Orty Airport Hotel before flying out to Athens. Although it was one of the more expensive places we stayed, it was very convenient. The room was modern, clean and the bed was very comfortable. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Pamukkale: We spent 2 nights at the Allgua Hotel. The hotel was clean but basic. The hot water is solar so showers during the winter months can be on the cold side. Breakfast was included. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Selçuk: We spent 2 nights at the Tuncay Pension. The hotel was clean, but basic. It is within walking distance to many of the sites of Selcuk and restaurants. Breakfast was included. To view hotel CLICK HERE

Ukraine

Lviv: We rented an apartment for 1 week through Airbnb. Although the location was great the apartment was not. The apartment is no longer listed on Airbnb. To see other apartments available in Lviv CLICK HERE

Middle East

Israel

Jerusalem: We spent 5 nights at House 57. The owner was very helpful providing lots of information about Jerusalem and the room was clean, large, had a refrigerator and kettle. There was also a shared kitchen available to help save money by being able to prepare meals. Breakfast was included in the price. To view the guesthouse CLICK HERE
Eilat: We spent 2 nights at the Little Prince Hostel in Eilat. The room was okay and within easy walking distance to the beach. However it was pretty noisy at night with the Irish bar next door playing music until late. Like most of Isreal it was very expensive for what we got. To view the hostel CLICK HERE

Jordon

Aqaba: We spent one night at the Cedar Hotel. We wished we had stayed longer on the Jordan side of the Red Sea versus the Israeli side. We got so much more for our money here than we did in Israel. The room was very comfortable and breakfast was included. To view the hotel CLICK HERE
Dead Sea: We spent 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea. This by far was one of our biggest splurges and was very plush. Sydney loved swimming in the pool while we floated in the Dead Sea. To view the hotel CLICK HERE
Mudaba: We spent 1 night at the Salome Hotel. The room was clean, basic room and was an easy walk to the sites of Madaba. Breakfast was included. To view the hotel CLICK HERE
Wadi Musa: We stayed at the Alanbat Hotel for 4 nights. The hotel though was not within walking distance to Petra, it provided a free shuttle. the room was very spacious and modern. Breakfast and dinner were included. Both breakfast and dinner were ample and delicious. To view the hotel CLICK HERE
Wadi Rum: We spent 2 nights in a Bedouin camp through Rum Stars. This was an amazing experience for us and our only regret is that we did not stay longer. To view the Bedouin camp CLICK HERE

SE Asia

Cambodia

Phnom Penh: We rented an apartment for a week through AirBnB. The apartment was large, clean and modern. It was also near the Russian market, but a distance from other sites of Phnom Penh, but tuk tuks are cheap. To view the apartment CLICK HERE
Siem Reap: We spent 3 weeks at the Downtown Siem Reap Manor. Initially we were only going to stay 3 days, but the pool and being able to meet up with other families kept us there for 3 weeks. The rooms are clean and basic. It is also a quick walk to the market and restaurants. To view hotel CLICK HERE

Indonesia

Ubud, Bali: We rented a house for a month through Airbnb. The house was just outside Ubud set in the beautiful rice terraces. It was very peaceful and we really enjoyed our stay. Just as a word of warning though, the living room is in the typical Balinese style, open air. These means that the wildlife can get into the house. So, if you don’t like wildlife this would not be the place for you. To view the house CLICK HERE

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur (Hotel): We spent 1 night at the the Rainforest bed and Breakfast. The rooms were clean and basic and included breakfast. It was also within walking distance to the Petronas Towers and lots of restaurants. However, it was rather noisy at night due to the music from the bar next door. To view B&B CLICK HERE.
Kuala Lumpur (Apartment): We rented an apartment for 1 month. The apartment was modern, clean and roomy. It was easy walking distance to KLCC Park and lots of shops. The complex even had a pool and gym. To contact the owner about apartment CLICK HERE
Kuala Lumpur (Hotel): We spent 1 night at the Youniq Hotel before flying out to Bali. The hotel has a fun funky vibe it and was a great place to stay as a layover. It was close to the airport and they provided shuttle service for a reasonable price. Including in the price is a small breakfast of toast and coffee and tea. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Kuching, Borneo (Hotel): We spent 9 nights at the Place2stay@citycenter. The room was cheap, basic, clean and in an okay location. It was close to restaurants, the river, and other tourist attraction. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Bako National Park, Borneo: We spent 2 nights in Bako National Park in a cabin. The accommodations are very basic and expensive for what we got. For example, don’t expect hot showers. But the cost is worth being able to spend the night in the National Park. Our only regret is that we did not stay longer. To view cabins CLICK HERE

Thailand

Ayutthaya: We stayed 2 nights in the Somjai Place. The room was basic clean room. It was within walking distance to the temples of Ayutthaya. Breakfast was not worth the price charged. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Aranyaprathet: We stayed 1 night at the Market Hotel before crossing over the border to Cambodia. The room was clean and basic. A nice stop after a 12 hour train ride from Bangkok and they even had a swimming pool. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Bangkok: We rented an apartment for 1 week while in Bangkok through AirBnB. The apartment was simple, but nice and had a great pool. It was outside the city center so either needed to take a taxi or sky train to reach many of the tourists sites. To view apartment CLICK HERE
Koh Phangan (Hotel): We stayed at the Coco Garden Resort for 3 nights. The room was clean and basic and had a great view of the ocean. The restaurant had good food at a reasonable price and the owners were very nice. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Koh Phangan (Bungalow): We rented a bungalow for 2 weeks while on Koh Phangan. We found the bungalow by just walking around. The bungalow had a great patio and view of a tranquil pond. To view the bungalow CLICK HERE

Vietnam

Da Lat: We stayed at the Cam Tu Cau hotel for 8 nights. The room was large, bright and clean and was a steal at $9 a night. The owners were also incredibly nice. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Cat Ba Island: We stayed 7 nights at the Phuong Mai Family Hotel. The room was okay, but had a great view of the harbor. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Hanoi: We stayed 7 nights at the Rising Dragon Legend Hotel and really liked it. The room was very plush and comfortable. The hotel was in a great location and walking distance to many of the tourists sites and the staff were incredibly helpful. A huge breakfast was also included. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): We spent 3 nights at the Tuan Anh Hotel. The room was nice, clean and relatively quiet. It was in a good location easy walking distance to a large park and many of the tourist sites. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Hoi An: We rented a 2 bedroom house for 2 weeks. The house was large and clean and had a great courtyard. It was also located outside the city center on a quiet residential street. To view house CLICK HERE
Hue: We spent 5 nights in the Star Binh Duong Hotel. The room was clean, large, had a balcony and a bathtub, which is a rarity in SE Asia. The hotel was also in a good location near many of the tourist sites and the river. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Nha Trang (Hotel): We stayed in the Thien Ma Hotel for 3 nights. The room was a basic and clean, but cheap. It was also a quick walk to the beach. To view hotel CLICK HERE
Nha Trang (Apartment): We stayed at the Canary Hoang Yen boutique Apartment for 7 nights. The apartment was nice and modern and had a great view of Nha Trang. It was a quick walk to the beach and about 15 minute walk to the supermarket. To view apartment CLICK HERE