Lodgings by Country

Whether you like to book ahead or just find a place to sleep upon landing in a foreign land, we hope our lodging list helps you out should you find your own travel plans overlapping with ours. On this page, we list the lodgings we paid for while traveling, and also provide the price per night so you can decide whether an accommodation is within your budget or not. Of course, we have also highlighted the most salient pros and cons of every hotel and hostel we frequented (what’s important to us may not matter to you, and vice versa!), and rated each one, so that you can seek out our favorite places and avoid our flops. When available, we’ve provided a link to an online booking option (alas, some of the smaller guesthouses we stayed at do not have an online presence, but at least you’ll have a name to give when you arrive in town!). Sweet dreams!

Ratings and icons

= this place will give you nightmares! = a better night’s sleep can probably had elsewhere = neither outstanding nor ghoulish, all things considered, this is middle of the road accommodation = a place you can comfortably rest your head at night & even enjoy during waking hours = there are no sweeter dreams than the ones you’ll have here! = Hotel = Hostel. Prices for dorm beds are per person, while private rooms are listed at their total price.
  • Cambodia
    Europe Guesthouse Phnom Penh http://europeguesthousepp.com/ + central location (riverfront); friendly staff – rooms were run down; value for money wasn’t great; bathroom was grotty $17US/night; aircon room w/ en-suite bathroom, in May 2012 Papa PipposOtres Beach http://www.papapippo.com/index.htm + on the beach; great (but expensive) food at their restaurant; nice grounds; plenty of comfy chairs – relatively poor value; first room smelled strongly of urine; accommodations are basic; staff was mildly apathetic $25US/night; fan room w/ en-suite bathroom, in May 2012 Pepper GuesthouseKampot + friendly staff; second floor rooms are spacious and breezy; free wifi; nice, quiet location convenient to center of town and riverfront; decent restaurant – aircon rooms are triple the price of fan rooms $9US/night; fan room w/ en-suite bathroom, in May 2012 The Boat HouseKep + beautiful grounds; second floor rooms are large and airy; peaceful and quiet atmosphere; close to the crab market; friendly staff; willing to haggle on price; free wifi – frequent power interruptions; no screens on the windows $12US/night; fan room w/ en-suite bathroom, in May 2012 Guesthouse KiyoPhnom Penh http://www.guesthousekiyo.com/ + friendly staff; secure parking for motorbikes; in a nice local neighborhood with good restaurants; close to genocide museum – room was basic; bathroom was run down; fan room was unacceptable; far from riverfront area (maybe a pro too?) $13US/night; aircon room w/ en-suite bathroom, in May 2012 Mekong SunriseKampong Cham + third floor rooms were large and airy; room had a huge private balcony with hammock; secure parking for motorbikes; female manager was very nice; food was good, cheap and seemed to be the only place that had beer on tap – room was basic, some things did not work; bathroom was dirty; stairs to third floor were perilous $7US/night; fan room w/ en-suite bathroom, in May 2012 Arunras HotelKampong Thom http://arunras-hotel.com/ + friendly staff; secure parking for motorbikes; clean rooms; nice western bathroom; free wifi; elevator; good location – karaoke on fifth floor can be noisy; restaurant is unacceptably expensive $8US/night; fan room w/ en-suite bathroom, in June 2012 Passaggio Boutique HotelSiem Reap http://www.passaggio-hotel.com/ + extremely friendly staff; great location near restaurants and pub street; relaxing atmosphere; nice pool; clean rooms; nice, western bathroom – a bit pricey (but well worth the splurge!) $28US/night; aircon room w/ en-suite bathroom, in May 2012 Click here for our full review with photos! →
  • China
    Sunrise Hostel (Tianenmen Square) Beijing http://www.sunrisehostel.com/ + central location, easy metro access, restaurant reasonably priced, cute puppy! – attached bathroom had strong sewage odor, spotty wi-fi access $37.86US/night; private room w/ en-suite bathroom, in 2012 Jinjiang Inn (South Ring Bridge) Datong http://www.agoda.com/asia/china/datong/jinjiang_inn_datong_south_ring_bridge.html + amazingly comfortable bed, one of the nicest bathrooms we experienced in China – inconvenient location (outskirts) with nothing around, staff spoke no English, only wired internet access, lots of street noise despite remote location $29.57US/night in 2012 Pingyao Yuchengyuan Hotel Pingyao http://www.agoda.com/asia/china/pingyao/pingyao_yuchengyuan_hotel.html + beautiful central courtyard, good location (right on main tourist strip) – “upgraded” to 2 twins rather than king bed we booked, beds were like sleeping on bricks, disinterested staff, owner lied about buses to next destination, lots of street noise $25.25US/night in 2012 Han Tang Inn Xi’an http://www.itisxian.com/En/ + excellent location, dorms are clean & quiet, each dorm has own bathroom, nice rooftop patio, staff very helpful and friendly, many tours on offer at reasonable price – staff mildly pushy about getting you to sign up for hostel-arranged tours $6.35US/bed in 2012 Guilin Backstreet Youth Hostel Guilin http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/china/guilin/7970/ + good location, excellent staff who are incredibly helpful, restaurant is good value – bed was like sleeping on a board, wifi ridiculously slow and frequently not working $17.44US/night (private room w/ en-suite bathroom); $11.10US/bed (dorm) Dragon’s Den Hostel Dazhai http://www.dragonsdenhostel.com/ + views from the private rooms are STUNNING, extremely comfortable bed (memory foam!), fantastic location (though quite a hike), excellent restaurant (tasty and very reasonably priced), reliable wifi – thin walls (interior & exterior) so if visiting in winter, be prepared to bundle up (and you will hear every little thing your neighbors get up to); bathroom a bit ghetto $15.86US/night (private room w/ en-suite bathroom)

  • Hong Kong
    Yesinn@Causeway Bay Causeway Bay http://www.yesinn.com/cwb/e_yesinncwb_aboutus.htm + excellent central location that was convenient for dining & transport; privacy curtains for bed; large lockers – only 1 bathroom (toilet+shower combined) per 9-person dorm; rooms had doorbells which was weird (& annoying at 1 am) $24.86US / bed in 2012

  • Indonesia
    Pollock & LeMayeur Hotel Sanur, Bali + location convenient for catching ferries to the Gili islands or to Nusa Lembongan; decent WiFi; right on the beach – area is pretty dead (not many restaurants and difficult to find motorbikes); standard/economy room was very basic and quite grubby $22.40US/night in July 2013 Kenta HomestayNusa Lembongan + rooms were new and clean; decent WiFi access; extremely friendly hosts; free dinners provided; reasonable motorcycle rental provided; convenient location for main strip – bathroom was cold water shower only $18.40 / night in August 2013 Keprabon Ubud, Bali + included breakfast was quite good; good Wifi; convenient location; friendly owners; cavernous bathroom with hot water shower – room felt a bit tired and musty; hot water did not work properly; would not accept 1 night stay; slightly expensive for what you get $20.30US / night in August 2013 Solaluna Homestay Amed, Bali + included breakfast was quite good; good Wifi; air conditioning; convenient location to restaurants and dive shops – across the street from rooster farm; no hot water $21.75 US / night in August 2013 Saimai Residence Kuta, Bali + convenient location to airport; room was clean; hot water shower; air con – room was rundown (doorknob came off in hand); location down side alley was a bit seedy; not great value for money $26.70 US / night in August 2013 Gardena Hotel Labuan Bajo, Flores + breakfast included was ok; one of the cheaper yet acceptable options in Labuan Bajo – economy room was very basic & shabby; no wifi; no hot water –> bathroom was very basic and sketchy; did not feel like good value for money $20 US / night in August 2013 Komodo Indrah Hotel Labuan Bajo, Flores + bed was clean and good quality mattress in the queen bed room – included breakfast was a joke; shared bathroom only (and very dirty and basic at that –> squat toilet, bucket shower, cold water); very rundown and shabby; no wifi $17.83 US/night in September 2013 Santa Maria Convent Ruteng, Flores + included breakfast was quite good; possibility for hot water; rooms were clean & comfortable (but basic) – difficult to find; given the price, rooms are more run down than expected; no wifi $24 US / night for VIP room; $18 / night for standard hot water room in August 2013 Rima Hotel Ruteng, Flores + included breakfast was fine; possibility for hot water; rooms were clean & comfortable (but basic); wifi – entire establishment is a bit rundown; wifi is unreliable; expensive for what you get (budget room would be much cheaper but shared bathroom was positively dreadful) $22.30 US / night for business room (private bathroom) in September 2013 Edelweiss Bajawa, Flores + breakfast included was ok; wifi (and it actually worked, though not in room); location convenient – economy room was very basic, shabby, and kind of dirty; cold water shower (hot water rooms way too expensive); bare-bones lodging $17.83 US / night in August 2013 Christin Homestay Moni, Flores + included breakfast was fine; hot water shower; room was basic but clean; convenient location; good price for Moni given amenities (willing to haggle if staying more than 1 night) – no wifi; staff difficult to find and not the friendliest $17.83 US / night in August 2013 Lena HouseWodong, Flores + cheap!; bungalows were thoughtfully appointed & clean (if basic); attached restaurant very cheap; owners very friendly; perfect place to get away from it all and RELAX; included breakfast was ok – unreliable electricity & wifi; limited menu options at restaurant; mosquito infestation in bungalow (though net provided); very basic cold-water bathroom $10.25 / night in August 2013 Guesthouse Alhidayah Ende, Flores + breakfast included was ok; price was good for Flores – super basic cold water bathroom (bucket shower); room felt quite grubby and run down; no wifi; inconsistent eletricity $13.37 US / night in September 2013 Hotel 88Surabaya, Java + western-style bathroom with hot water; room is very well-apointed and clean; air con; breakfast buffet is fantastic; great wifi; friendly staff; good location – maybe a bit of a splurge, but not really given prices we encountered in Indonesia –> great value for money $27.70 US/night for standard room in September 2012 Lotus Losmen Yogyakarta, Java + good free breakfast w/ many choices, friendly owners, convenient location, free wifi – room was very basic, wifi only worked in common area, air conditioned rooms were MUCH more expensive than fan rooms, no haggling for any rooms in Yogya $11.60 US / night for fan room in September 2013 Max One Hotel at SabangJakarta, Java + close to train and bus station, room was very clean, stylish & modern design with impeccable furnishings – pricy (but perhaps unavoidable in Jakarta), room was teeny tiny $17US (+$25 in Agoda points) / night in September 2013


  • Laos
    Savanbanhao Hotel Savannakhet http://www.agoda.com/savanbanhao-hotel/hotel/savannakhet-la.html + convenient location, large rooms (and huge bathroom!), decent bed, free wifi, quiet location – wifi signal was spotty from the room, hallway smelled faintly of pee, room slightly expensive (cheaper rooms were not nice) & no discount for multiple nights $12.50 / night for VIP room in 2014 Southida Guesthouse ThaKhek + convenient location, room was bright & clean, good hot water shower, mini fridge – wifi never worked for a single second, bathroom a bit dingy, street noise $12.50 / night for cheapest room in 2014 Riverside Hotel Vientiane http://www.riversidehotel-vientiane.com/ + good wifi, convenient location for sightseeing, good price for Vientiane, soft bed, mini fridge, powerful A/C, quiet, free breakfast, discount on walk-in – room smells vaguely of stale cigarettes $20 US / night for double bed with window in 2014 d’Rose Resort Vang Vieng http://www.drosehotelvientiane.com/jp/d-rose-resort@vang-vieng/overview.html + quiet but convenient location, beautiful bungalows with A/C and hot water and private porches, friendly staff, WiFi accessible from bungalow – WiFi is turned off at night $12.50 US / night for a mid-tier bungalow in April 2014 Mekong Riverview Hotel Luang Prabang http://mekongriverview.com/ + excellent location, amazing breakfast buffet, complimentary mini bar in room, free shuttle around town, complimentary airport pick up & drop-off, free use of bicycles – WiFi a bit spotty at times, no swimming pool Rooms start at $160US / night. To read a more thorough review of our stay at the Mekong Riverview (complete with photos!), click here! Tephavong Guesthouse Luang Prabang + convenient location (close to night market), friendly staff, free drinking water/tea/coffee, quiet, cheap, decent wifi, hot water shower – room (& attached bath) was small, fan squeaked while oscillating (& could not turn off the oscillation), A/C had no batteries in remote $10.00 / night for cheapest room in 2014

  • The Philippines
    Calypso Resort Bohol + swimming pool, free motorcycle included with room rate, freshwater showers, free wifi, room above bar gets a great breeze – located at Danao beach (~5 km from Alona Beach & main tourist stretch) so not very much nearby (but you have a free motorcycle!) $19US / night in 2012 Harold’s Mansion Dumaguete http://haroldsmansion.com/ + convenient location to ferry and heart of city; fast (free) wifi; hot showers – staff not very attentive/helpful; not much charm; restaurant is overpriced & not very good; even on higher floors you get a lot of street noise $19 / night (private room w/ en suite bathroom) in 2012 Royal Am Rei Bacolod http://www.royalamreihotel.com/ + convenient location for sightseeing; free (tasty & very filling) breakfast – wifi only available in public areas (which do not have air conditioning!) $24 / night in 2012 Sulu Sunset Sipalay (Sugar Beach) http://www.sulusunset.com/ + some bungalows have hot water; no roosters but adorable dogs!; restaurant serves great food with best prices on the beach; plenty of hammocks; really relaxed atmosphere; nice gardens and surroundings; free boatride from Sipalay to the beach – although there is wifi it is ridiculously slow so as to essentially be unusable; boatride back to Sipalay not complimentary even for lengthy stays $24 / night in 2012 Anthurium InnCebu http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/cebu/anthurium_inn.html + great location if heading to airport; excellent, friendly staff – wifi only available in public areas; location not great if you actually want a base for touring around Cebu (also, hotel is quite difficult to find) $17 / night in 2012 Nature’s PensionneCagayan De Oro + central location; rooms have cable tv & air conditioning; rooms are clean but tired – no wifi; not much character $18 / night in 2012 Park View HotelCagayan De Oro + central location; free wifi; good price – rooms very basic & quite run-down (really just a place to lay your head at night) $14 / night in 2012 Jasmin By the SeaCamiguin + friendly staff; seafront rooms have amazing view of the ocean; free wifi; motorcycle rental available (very reasonable rate); convenient location; hammock! – wifi quite slow (and only available at the bar); seafront room gets quite a lot of ocean noise which some may find disruptive; rooms are very basic (cold shower) $12 / night in 2012 Manny’s GuesthousePuerto Princesa http://www.intothespace.com/mannysguesthouse/guesthouse/ + cheap; free wifi; shared kitchen available for self-catering – smelled like garbage; very local neighborhood was not convenient to anything & felt like we were in the middle of the slums; building felt very rundown & shanty-esque $12 / night (private room, shared bathroom) in 2012 Together PensionEl Nido + very good value for El Nido; free wifi; room was clean & quiet; nice communal terrace; ~ 5 minute walk from main tourist strip meaning you are close enough to the action but can escape it when you want – not on the beachfront; owner not the friendliest of Filipinos $14.50 / night in 2012 Besaga Cottages Port Barton + right on the beach; large bungalow; hammocks; grounds were quiet and pretty; friendly & helpful staff – no wifi; very basic bathroom (bucket flush) $14.50 / night in 2012 SoGo Monumento Station Manila http://www.hotelsogo.com/branch/lrt_monumento.html + near the metro – probably a brothel; not the safest neighborhood; room only had a red lightbulb; sheets had cigarette burns & someone else’s hair on them –> very dirty! $24 US/night in 2012 Tune HotelAngeles City http://www.tunehotels.com/my/en/our-hotels/angeles-city/ + convenient to airport; room was extremely clean and comfortable; staff were very friendly and helpful (I mistakenly made our reservation for the wrong night but they still honored it when we arrived); nicest hotel we stayed at in Philippines – most expensive stay during our entire time in the Philippines $28 US/night in 2012

  • Sri Lanka
    Villa Templeberg Galle http://templeberg.com/ + free in-house cooking classes (only have to purchase the ingredients), incredibly warm staff and owners, beautiful grounds (perfect for relaxing), good wifi, great beds and amazing shower with luxe toiletries, adorable security dogs – relatively pricey (certainly a splurge hotel), not within walking distance to Galle historic district, no a/c in the rooms Rooms start at $95/night in 2014. To read a thorough review of our stay at this property, check out this post. Minara Guesthouse Mirissa http://www.tripadvisor.com/Minara_Guest_House-Mirissa_Southern_Province.html + adorable bungalow, fantastic value for money, incredible food, close to the beach, amazingly friendly and warm family runs this place – no air conditioning, hot water a little touch & go $15 US/night including breakfast for a private bungalow, April 2014 Lake Edge Hotel Tissamaharama http://www.yalasafarilakeedgehotel.com/ + beautiful serene location near a marsh/lake but still accessible to town, good value Yala safari, friendly staff (and high likelihood of attending on site festivities & parties during the day), 2nd floor rooms are not too bad value (and have great views) if you opt for no air conditioning – cooking at on site restaurant is hit & miss, packed breakfast provided for safari is pretty grim, the 1st-floor budget room is very dark and dank $23US / night for 2nd floor room (no air con), May 2014 Little Cottage Ella + run by a wonderful local woman who really takes care of you & insists you call her “Mummy” (she is a great cook!), wonderfully cozy and newly constructed bungalow, very serene location but still convenient to walk to town or the nearby tea plantations, hot water, excellent value for money – no wifi, potential for family drama, no view $15 US / night for private bungalow, May 2014 Sandy Beach Hotel Arugam Bay http://www.arugambay-hotel.com/ + right on the beach, quiet end of town but still convenient to restaurants & facilities, clean and newly constructed bungalow, hot water, no air con – wifi did not reach the room, front patio of bungalow had issue with sandflies, onsite restaurant very expensive, disinterested staff $23 US / night for private bungalow, May 2014 New Land Guesthouse Kalkudah http://welcometobatticaloa.com/new-land-guesthouse/ + great value, meals were tasty and good price, hot water, wifi, friendly owner – not within walking distance to really anything (too far from beach to walk… might have bikes available?) $11.50 US/night fan room, May 2014 Blinkbonnie Inn Kandy http://www.blinkbonnie-tourist-inn-kandy-sri-lanka.lakpura.com/ + amazing views, friendly owner, room was spacious and airy and had private balcony, great bathroom (hot water), decent location especially given the view, wifi – high-risk of monkey burglars, staff could be hard to find as property was very large, onsite restaurant a bit expensive $23 US / night for fan room, May 2014 Summer Side ResidenceNegombo http://summersideresidence.com/ + new construction so very fancy and clean, blazing fast wifi, very soft bed, aircon!, small pool, breakfast included was ok – pricy, not especially close to the beach/main strip $0.39 US / night for deluxe room (using Agoda reward points…normally more like $35US /night), May 2014

  • Taiwan
    Miyi Hotel Taipei http://www.miyihotel.com.tw/ + right in the heart of Taipei –> very convenient to Main Station and public transport options; fabulous staff; room was very posh –> incredibly soft bed, amazing shower; free wifi – relatively expensive (definitely a splurge hotel) $65 US/night in 2012 (Note: We cashed in hotel points & only paid $15) JV’s Hostel Taipei http://www.jvs.comeze.com/ + good location (just steps away from an amazing local night market); within walking distance to several major sights (Taipei 101); blazing fast wifi; friendly owner – dorm room smelled (likely due to the occupants); 15-minute walk (rather convoluted route) to get to closest public transportation $13.50 US / bed

  • Thailand
    Sawasdee Guesthouse Nong Khai http://www.sawasdeeguesthouse.com/ + good location—very close to bus station (5 minute walk), incredibly helpful & friendly owner, rooms are bright and clean, very fast internet, very charming property – walls a bit thin $12.50 / night in 2014