The Omni Montreal Gets Mornings Right. How much money do you think you need to spend for a hotel to wake you up each morning with a silver carafe of homemade hot chocolate and fresh orange juice? Turns out, not nearly as much as you think!
I had never stayed at an Omni brand hotel before I visited their property in Montreal and it couldn't have come at a better time. I was beginning to think that all hotels were basically just about the same and it was time to shake things up. So when the Omni staff offered to register me as a senior loyalty member in order to more fully experience the Omni brand, I was appreciative but not necessarily overly enthused. That is, until I heard about the breakfast drink program. It's time to sound off on snoringThe first thing my father said about me after I was born was that my ears looked "interesting". Gee, thanks! Fortunately, my otolaryngologist disagrees and tells me my ears are both perfectly healthy and utterly unremarkable in appearance. But sometimes I wonder if my 'interesting' ears aren't hearing just a little too acutely, as it seems impossible to drown out the sounds around me and get some decent sleep when I travel. I've slept in some mighty interesting locations and situations, all in the name of value travel, from 5 star resorts to the filth covered floor of the Nairobi airport. But some recent trips have been less than restful and I'm noticing that where I'm sleeping is less important than what I'm hearing.
In London, my favourite hostel became a nightmare when a dorm-mate snored so loudly she actually drowned out the police sirens coming from nearby Kings' Cross. On an overnight trip from Singapore to Sydney, the most luxurious flight of my life was almost ruined by a man who snored so loudly that his buzz saw cacophony boomed through my foam ear plugs, which I had covered with noise cancelling headphones, which were in turn playing loud music. I'm not exactly proud of this, but I may have, um, oh so gently kicked the man in the head. And still he snored on. So how's a girl to find a good night's sleep in a noisy world? Sometimes a chain hotel is the best idea. This is why we loved the Holiday Inn in Singapore.Singapore is home to some of the most gorgeous and unique hotel properties in the world. They offer stunning views, amazing roof top cocktail bars, and the chicest of design. So why on earth did we opt for the Holiday Inn Express on Orchard Road?
In short? We didn't think we'd be in any hotel long enough to appreciate any special features. Arriving late at night from Bangkok, we'd literally be in the room just long enough to sleep before heading out to explore early the next morning. We needed something that was centrally located, close to public transit, clean, safe, convenient, and EASY. It didn't exactly scream hip Singapore style, but it included free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and rang in at around $150 - not our greatest deal ever, but still a respectable bargain for the city. Here's how to maximize your travel savings.Tents, yurts, hostels, and couches- value minded travellers have seen it all! And when it comes to hotels, well, it's fair to say that no two trips are the same. A 2 star budget chain hotel in the American Southwest, a gorgeous 4 star suite in downtown Montreal with rock star heritage, and a 3 star in Paris (with a no-star bathroom and a 5 star address) - these are just some of the hotels I've called home recently.
When you're planning your big trip it doesn't matter if you're eyeing the bare basics or sweet, suite stars. You just want to get the best bang for your buck. Here are some best practices to get the best value on every hotel, everywhere. You've hit the travelling mother-load at Mother Land Inn 2Have you ever been so happy to see a place that you nearly cried? In truth, it wouldn't have mattered what Mother Land Inn 2 looked like, or how friendly the staff were, or how comfortable the rooms were. We rolled into Yangon after the worst travel experience of our lives, 20 hours of pure misery on the overnight train from Bagan. It was a bone jarring, flesh bruising, filth accumulating experience and MLI2 appeared to us like a mirage, then an oasis.
5 star location, 3 star room. And the bathroom? Oh my stars!Every writer - and perhaps every single visitor - dreams of a cozy nest to call their own in Paris. Even the most humble of Parisian hotels can't help but be romantic. All you need to do is look out the window and you'll find a reason to swoon! I've been searching for a while for a "go-to" hotel in Paris and therefore, with a few romantic flutters in my writing soul, I was keen to try the Hotel Academie.
A Review of San Francisco's Hostelling International Fisherman's WharfA huge sign asking "Where in the world are you sleeping tonight?" greets us when we enter San Francisco's Hostelling International Fisherman's Wharf at Fort Mason. It turns out this remarkable building has worn many hats over the years, including being an army barracks, a pharmacy, and part of a national park. If you like some history and character with your accommodations, this is the place to be!
I have never stayed in a hostel like Sydney Harbour's YHA "The Rocks".As a solo female backpacker in my early 20s on my first trip through Europe, hostels were an invaluable component of my budget travel strategy. I was studying in England and I would use learning breaks before my trip to read and re-read Let’s Go Europe’s hostel reviews. This was back in the dark ages, before there were online booking sites or many travel blogs, so I accepted Let’s Go’s information as the gospel truth. They never once steered me wrong and, despite having a minuscule budget, I always had a clean, safe, friendly place to stay.
Do you think hostels are just for kids?
When you think about Sydney, what do you picture? The beautiful harbour and the famous opera house? The fantastic zoos and unique animals? Or do you just picture price tags, dollar signs, and credit cards? While Sydney may be one of the most expensive places in the world, but there's no need to spend a fortune on accommodations.
No need, of course, if you're willing to stay at a hostel! It's a challenge we were eager to take on at Sydney's BIG hostel on Elizabeth Street. |
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