Our tips

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Here’s a list of some businesses, organizations and experiences that we recommend. This page will be updated continuously. We’re very picky about accommodation and service – if you find that one of our listings didn’t treat you right, please let us know!

Please note that we have NOT received any money for posting these links…these are listed here based purely on our genuine opinion of the services we received.

Hotels, Hostels

Australia

Paradise Bay Island Eco Escape – Tucked away in a quiet cove on Long Island in the Whitsundays, this award-winning boutique resort delighted us on our honeymoon. Plan to do nothing but eat, drink and relax in a remote, national park setting and your own private bungalow (with extremely comfortable beds) . The staff here are amazing and you’ll be spoilt by their personal attention and all-inclusive fine dining. The food was a highlight, as were the daily skippered excursions on one of two boats owned by the property. No children are allowed on the island and you’ll never feel crowded with a 20 person maximum occupancy at any one time. We met a great group of like-minded travellers and had a wonderful time.

Europe

Aika Hotel – Please see our post on Bozcaada, Turkey

Aparthotels An der Frauenkirche (Dresden, Germany) – We stayed at the Munzgasse apartments but there are three locations across the city with differing levels of luxury. We couldn’t ask for much more out of our apartment, a clean, modern one bedroom with cable television, a fully equipped kitchen and WiFi in a perfect location.

Avondale B&B (Cork, Ireland) – Lovely B&B in short walking distance to the centre of Cork. Friendly, helpful hosts and a great breakfast. Parking, wireless broadband.

Get Ready Amsterdam – Look no further for short-term apartment rentals in Amsterdam. The pick-up service is a convenient bargain, especially from the airport.

Larkinley Lodge (Killarney, Ireland) – Great, modern B&B with warm, wonderful hosts, large-screen televisions and delicious breakfast choices. Parking, wireless broadband.

Town Hall Apartments (Budapest, Hungary) – Short-stay apartments in a fantastic location in Pest. These spacious, fully equipped apartments offer excellent value and are the perfect alternative to a hotel.

Youth Hostel Plakias (Crete, Greece) – This is where we met. A fantastic hostel in a remote, beautiful place.

Middle East

Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (Abu Dhabi) – We expect more Shangri-La hotels to be added to this list because during our stay here we got to know a little more about the brand and will definitely be trying out more of the hotels and resorts in this chain. Our stay was perfect and worth every penny. The warm, caring hospitality one receives at the Shangri-La really makes you feel welcome, pampered and like you’re at home.

New Zealand

Albatross Backpacker Inn – We should just post a recommendation for Kaikoura in general as it is a must-see town on the South Island of New Zealand. If you stay here, this hostel should be your top pick. Ben and Katie run a laid-back, friendly guest house that really fosters the community feel that a hostel should have. They have BBQs when the weather is nice, clean facilities and a great chill-out area.

Chalet Backpackers – Perched high on a hill in Dunedin, New Zealand, this hostel is worth the climb. It has a good set-up and kitchen with spacious rooms (and no bunk beds). The house used to be a private hospital and is rumoured to be haunted, though one of the managers told us he had never seen a ghost (nor did we).

Hippo Lodge – If you’re staying in Queenstown, New Zealand, this is an excellent hostel to consider. While we do love adorable hippos, the draw here is the friendly staff and two dollars off each activity booking you make through the hostel. Excellent value deluxe rooms will put you in the “White House,” where you have your own kitchen, common room and bathrooms that are shared by only three rooms. It is at the top of a steep hill, but the views this allows reward you for the climb. Campsites are also available.

Marlin House – This well-priced B&B in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands offers beautiful water views over Paihia, a delicious hosted breakfast and roomy accommodation. We had a lovely, relaxing stay here and the owners, Roger and Lynda are warm and wonderful hosts.

North America

Hotel Giraffe – We loved this boutique hotel in New York City. Great location, ambience, service and inclusions.

South America

Ankara Suites – We stayed at two different places in Salta, Argentina and this place was a much better value. Rooms are basically apartments with kitchenettes and large bathrooms. The showers are fantastic and everything is new, with plenty of storage space, cable television and free wi-fi. You can also do your laundry for free in the laundry room and the hotel also has a jacuzzi, gym and sauna. Our favourite touch: breakfast is served in your room at whatever time you want. Fill out a form the night before telling them what you want.

Colombia – please see our posts on Bogota, Medellin and the Caribbean Coast for specific recommendations

Ecocamp – Skip the refugios and treat yourself to luxury in this innovative environmentally sustainable camp in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. We felt completely pampered here and had some unbelievable meals. The ambience is relaxed and the showers hot. Just what you need after a tough day of trekking. The best part is that the standard domes cost about the same as the refugios, but you must book ahead.

Hospedaje Victor – This guesthouse in the resort town of Pucón, Chile is just a block or so from the bus station, but don’t let that put you off. It’s warm and cozy with fast free internet and two kitchens. We stayed in a private double with our own bathroom and cable television for less than we’ve paid anywhere else in Chile.

Regency Golf Hotel Urbano – We couldn’t find any fault with this chic city hotel in one of the nicest parts of Montevideo. Luxurious beds, flat screen televisions, turndown service with fine chocolates, free wi-fi and breakfast, mini-bar, room service and a business centre. Sounds expensive, right? The price will surprise you (in a good way).

Sacred Valley, Cuzco – please see our post on Aranwa Hotel and Wellness

Websites

Backpack Forever - BF Travel Guides help you travel smarter. Stay up-to-date with organic travel tips from backpackers on the trail.

Beardin’ Around – An adventure blog that reminds you not to overlook the fun things in your own area. Also posts from further afield.

Blog Catalog – Directory; lifestyle, adventure and outdoors site

Budget Travel Adventures – Jeremy is a budget traveler, father and husband, detailed trip planner, frugal finance and budget guru, and passionate traveler.  He shares stories and travel tips on budget, family, local, and international travel and wants to use travel as a way to make a difference in the world.

Chicky Bus – A unique blog that focuses on traveling off the beaten path and into the moment; shares tips, tales and vicarious videos.

Darn Good Digs – Guide to the world’s best independently owned accommodations for budget-minded travellers

De La Pura Vida – A US expat living, working, and traveling in Costa Rica – insider advice, travel tips, life, culture, food and photography!

Don’t Call Me Gringa – Emily’s take on expat life in Chile is engaging and humourous and she provides great insights into Santiago. She travels a lot too so be sure to check her blog out for great photos and stories.

Easy Hiker – A great guide to hikes around the world.

foXnoMad – An excellent comprehensive travel site to help you travel smarter.

Holes In My Soles – A travelling shoe-maker shares his experiences with a focus on conservation.

Kyle Hepp – Kyle is a brilliant international photographer featuring the weddings and portraits she shoots on her blog and often has excellent travel photography as well.

My Beautiful Adventures – Andi is a Chinese Medicine Doctor who doubles as a fearless travel writer and photographer. She takes you right into her world and along on her fabulous luxury travels around the world with gorgeous photography and wonderful stories.

No Vacation Required – An excellent blog about how to live your life to the fullest through travel.

Pollstar – Keep up with what concerts are happening worldwide.

Technosyncratic – Christy and Kali are two digital nomads who travel full-time and work online.  After spending a year traveling around the U.S. in a motorhome dubbed Mayhem, they’re now house-sitting and apartment-hopping across the world.

This Is My Happiness – Jenna shares her love of travel, art, living in the moment, and finding balance with a Brazilian husband and two small children.

Trains on the Brain – Rail enthusiast Jools Stone’s fantastic site for how to get the most out of train travel today.

The Travel Chica – Stephanie is traveling solo through Latin America.  She writes about her attempt to live simpler, consume less, and experience more. In addition to the stories, Stephanie details her budget and travel gear, and provides travel tips on each destination she visits.

Two Go Round-The-World – Two Go Round-The-World preserves the observations of Kathryn and Daniel as they plan, prepare and pack for a year-long RTW trip.

We Blog the World – We Blog the World is a culture and travel blog network with over 200 writers.

What’s on When – Your complete guide to events, festivals and shows around the world.

Wild About Travel – Simon is a passionate traveler, ready to throw a few things in her backpack to go and explore another little piece of our beautiful world. She loves wild, remote places but is also passionate about art and culture.

The Working Traveller – Articles and information on working and travelling around the world.

You can post your own recommendations in the comments below. Please note that Inspiring Travellers does not endorse any recommendations in the comments section.

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