Great Places to Stay.
Now and again we have uncovered some absolute gems on our travels, which is completely and utterly down to Alison. She spends hours plotting and planning our trips, making sure we find interesting and unusual accommodation. It is tempting to keep them a secret, but that wouldn't be fair, so here is a list of some of the more memorable places we have stayed in. They all offer something unique, and get the 5 star thumbs up from Alison and me. However, since our tastes may not be too everyone elses, I have also included a more traditional star rating to set your expectations! All of the hotels, guest houses and hostels below are firmly located in areas of outstanding beauty or cultural interest.
This hotel is jaw droppingly gorgeous. It's more of a village of bungalows set in open large grounds, centred around an elevated restaurant with extended views towards Sigiriya Rock. Their basic bungalow is a deluxe suite. Wow. It comes with an outdoor plunge pool, your own private screened garden, four poster bed, stone walled lounge, floor to ceiling windows, and the works. It was the artist's easel and binoculars which did it for me. We were fortunate to stay in a Romantic Suite which came with all of the above plus an indoor plunge pool. The food and service was amazing, we let the Chef bring us whatever he recommended; it was so good I wanted to take him home with us. This is the most perfect place for luxury, tranquility, and once in a lifetime indulgence.
A huge Geoffrey Bawar hotel built into the cliffs, with the most perfect infinity pool, stretching across the bushland and towards the lake in the distance. This hotel was built around a traditional monkey habitat, and perfectly blends into the cliffs behind. It has open air corridors on either side - so you get to share space with its original wildlife residents. We were woken one morning by a monkey staring at us through our balcony windows, and you're never alone on your evening walk back to your room. It is a big complex and it can get over-run, but it's still worth it for the unique experience, and it is an ideal base to explore Sigiriya Rock or to join an elephant safari from.
Homestays are the traditional means of accommodation in rural India and a speciality of Kerala, but like anything they can be a little hit and miss. The Olivebrook is an absolute rustic gem. It's a short fifteen minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Munnar village, nestled in a quiet hilltop location amidst the tea plantations. The home made Indian food served daily is heavenly, and they offer free guided walks and cooking demonstrations. The rooms are excellent, service first class, and tranquillity assured. Roaming around the plantations before returning for a sumptuous Indian banquet is pretty much my idea of heaven. Amen.
This is a beautiful example of a restored authentic Riad. The rooms are positioned around the central and majestic courtyard, shaded by fragrant orange trees. All the rooms are individually designed in traditional Moroccan colours and textiles, and ours had the most incredible stone fireplace. The Riad is conveniently close enough to Djamaa El Fna to walk to, but far enough away to escape the noise. It's also far enough away so that you can lose yourself for an hour in the narrow lanes of the city, whether intentional or not.
A wonderfully cosy guest house set on a several acres of olive groves and vineyards to the front, and woodland and bush to the rear. Margaret River is famous for its luscious countryside, idyllic coast and abundant wineries, and this is the ideal base to explore from. There are only a couple of guest rooms which makes it an intimate affair, and the owners will go out of their way to make you feel at home. There is a beautiful breakfast room with a large window opening onto the back garden where you can enjoy the views and bird life as you eat. It will remind you of how guest houses should be, the perfect home from home. If you're lucky the owners might sneak you a bottle of their home made wine.
Our first skiing experience was made memorable by this fine but unpretentious hotel on the hill overlooking the town of Engleberg. The rooms are large and somewhat basic but the grand dining room and generous hospitality are what makes it so memorable. By the time it came to reluctantly saying farewell, it was like leaving new found friends and family behind. The excellent food, cosy bar for apres ski and hot tub with a view over the village had a lot to do with that. As a bonus, the management will drop you off at the ski lift each day and organise off piste action and more for the adventurous, including night skiing.
Described as a ‘stylish and contemporary alternative to Rome's budget hotels’, I would go as far to say this is as cool and funky a place as you could find, deserving of its own unique place in Rome’s B&B options. The American owners say that the hotel is merely an extension of themselves – they must be pretty fabulous people as each room has been created as work of contemporary art. It's a budget option so you share a kitchen and bathroom, but when sharing looks this good, who cares anyway? It’s small and homely and there is also a vegetarian cafe and shady terrace.
This is the kind of breathtaking place that you dream of uncovering. Transport yourself back in time, Berber style. Get picked up in Imlil village by a guide and donkeys to transport you and your bags two kilometres up to a remote and sleepy traditional village and the amazing Douar Samra, high up in the Atlas Mountains. Your hosts will come into your room each night to light the candles, while you relax in the lounge scattered with floor cushions and handcrafted rugs, an open fire, and delicious local cuisine. Or take to the rooftop to take in the stunning views of the mountains. The management go out of their way to help you; all you need to do is choose which route you want to explore each day, and what time you would like your dinner served. Simply put an unforgettable and magical experience.
This Hostel regularly scores in the top 5 best hostels in the world, which has everything to do with its stunning location rather than the facilities of the hostel itself, no matter how modern and welcoming they are. It is perched on a glorious beach on the North Antrim Coast with amazing views over the Atlantic Ocean, and stretching towards Scotland. Giants Causeway and numerous National Trusts sites are within 30 minutes drive of the hostel.
Cape Tribulation is one of the most gorgeous strips of coastline you can find, around 100km north of Cairns, accessible by crossing the Daintree River and onwards through the tropical rainforest. The cape is also notorious for being the home of some of the nastiest saltwater crocodiles around, and just about every kind of reptile known to man. Fancy sleeping out in the rainforest under canvas then? No? Wouldn't blame you at all, but then you would miss out on this once in a lifetime experience. The rooms here are merely partitioned canvassed shelters, with a bed and bug net. You really are at one with the sounds of the jungle and it's an exhilarating experience. Go one step further and explore the jungle on a guided night time walk, or just hang out in the very cool open bar and restaurant area. You will miss it once you have left, trust me.
Now and again we have uncovered some absolute gems on our travels, which is completely and utterly down to Alison. She spends hours plotting and planning our trips, making sure we find interesting and unusual accommodation. It is tempting to keep them a secret, but that wouldn't be fair, so here is a list of some of the more memorable places we have stayed in. They all offer something unique, and get the 5 star thumbs up from Alison and me. However, since our tastes may not be too everyone elses, I have also included a more traditional star rating to set your expectations! All of the hotels, guest houses and hostels below are firmly located in areas of outstanding beauty or cultural interest. 
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