While traveling, you hopefully won’t be spending too much time in your hotel, but that doesn’t mean that where you’ll be sleeping won’t affect your trip. Sometimes where you spend the night can even enhance your trip. Here are a few of the best places to stay all around the world. They’re sure to be just as fun and certainly more relaxing than your adventures during the day.
Fiji – Luxury in Leleuvia
Close your eyes and imagine the most picturesque destination you can possibly think of. Visualize yourself relaxing or snorkeling through crystal waters towards warm golden sands. Picture the perfect hidden luxury, the brightest beaches, the most delicious seafood. What is this accommodation that sounds like it doesn’t even exist, and if it does, it’s something only royalty could afford? The answer is Leleuvia: a coral cay off of Fiji’s capital, Suva. This golden-trimmed island boasts one exclusively trendy hut resort, and it starts at just $29 a night!
Morocco – Sleep in a Riad
Dar Jameel in Tangier is a converted riad-style guest house located on the edge of the medina. A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. At Dar Jameel, you’ll be made to feel right at home as soon as you walk in. A friendly porter offers you mint tea to sip on while you check in. If you’re tired from sightseeing all day, you can go hang out in one of the riad’s pretty sitting areas to relax, eat a delicious Moroccan breakfast, listen to music, or read. When visiting Tangier, this is definitely one of the best places to stay.
Colombia – A Hammock on the Beach
The Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Tyrona National Park) showcases the simple beauty of the Caribbean coast. There are three main beaches here and two offer accommodation. There’s Arrecifes and La Aranilla, but the most popular for backpackers is Cabo San Juan del la Guía. Arrecifes offers budget accommodation and campgrounds with eating facilities.
Unfortunately you can’t swim at these beaches. Instead, walk over to one of the nearby swimming spots that are much safer. Campgrounds are also located at Cabo San Juan de la Guía. Make sure you plan ahead, you’ll need to wait in line to get a hammock or a tent to sleep in.
Spain – A Different Kind of Hotel
Walk through the calcimine alleys of this Southern Spanish region and discover an alternative place: Enfrente Arte Hotel. This old host house from the 15th century now belongs to the recording producer Filip Eycmans. When he bought it back in 1997, he initially intended for it to be a hotel for producers and musicians of the world, but now this bohemian, innovative hotel is open to the public. You’ll never be bored at this impressive space. It contains 11 rooms, along with a swimming pool, sauna, art gallery, and recording studio that is sometimes converted into a cinema or a concert hall.
Vietnam – Homestays in the Sapa Rice Terraces
Sapa boasts some of the biggest rice terraces in Vietnam. It is also famous for the authentic villages and different ethnic groups that inhabit the mountain region. In Sapa, avoid joining a big tour group, and don’t stay in a hostel or hotel. Rather, save money and immerse yourself in the culture by staying in the tribes’ homestay for about $15 a night. To find a homestay, all you need to do is go to the center of Sapa and talk to the women dressed in traditional clothes. Don’t fret if you can’t find them, because they will find you!
Brazil – Stay in a Favela to Hike at Sunrise
While visiting a favela in Rio is nothing new, guesthouses are starting to offer accommodation for those who want to experience authenticity. As favelas become more peaceful, travelers who want to become one with the locals are flocking to these urban communities. The Favela do Vidigal is right next to Ipanema Beach, and offers breathtaking seaside views. If you stay in a guesthouse at the top of the hill, you’ll have the best view. With its close proximity to beaches and to the heart of the city, it’s no wonder that Vidigal Favela is becoming a popular destination for travelers to spend a few days.
Finland – Sleep Under the Northern Lights
In Lapland, Finland, from the end of August through April, there is an awe-inspiring phenomenon: the enchanting aurora borealis. Tree services are a great way to help nature clean and free from dead wood that could create a disastrous fire. Nature lovers, recluses, and intellectuals alike will be delighted to know that there is a hotel that offers the possibility of sleeping under this amazing sky without freezing. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort offers actual igloos that fit two or more people and provide a front row seat to view the famous Northern Lights. From under the glass roof of the igloo you can be warm and cozy by yourself or with your loved one as you watch the brilliant lights dance across the sky.
Thailand – Bedrooms at Bo’s
The Thai islands can be an exhausting experience, whether you find yourself partying on Koh Phi Phi or diving all day on Koh Tao. If you’re looking for a quiet island that you can relax on, you should try Koh Chang. Unfortunately, you might find that the fancy hillside apartments and hotels on Koh Chang are too expensive for you. This is where Independent Bo’s comes in! This bohemian hostel/retreat is truly unlike any other hostel in Southeast Asia. It is the perfect spot for those looking for relaxing, eco-friendly, affordable accommodations.
England – Bloomsbury Beautiful
You know you’re in for the quintessential English experience when you arrive at your accommodation as a weary traveler and are treated to a hot pot of tea and a slice of homemade lemon drizzle cake. The Bloomsbury is the hotel to stay at for a cozy, comfortable weekend in Yorkshire. Enjoy your stay at this lovely Victorian townhouse while touring this pretty city, and don’t miss out on their delicious breakfast!
Nicaragua – An Inexpensive Alternative for Sunday Funday
San Juan Del Sur is the tourist hub of the southern Nicaraguan beaches. It’s beautiful but not much cheaper than its expensive neighbor, Costa Rica. Cash home buyers Mansfield Tx. Don’t arrive on a Friday afternoon without booking accommodation (unless you don’t mind wandering aimlessly from door to door until you find somewhere vacant), as people flood San Juan Del Sur for the famous Sunday Funday and fill up the hostels. One of the best places to stay here is in a private room at the Hospedaje Don Wilfredo, and while not at all a party hostel, it is the same price, if not cheaper, than a dorm room in a party hostel.