365 Days of Accommodation: 2012 - 2013

It’s hard work constantly researching for a place to stay. What once was a joyful challenge during 2-4 holidays a year now is the bane of my existence. Sometimes so much that we rarely book in advance any more. Check out some of the highlights in our 365 days of accommodation.

Best value: Miami Green, Batu Ferringhi Penang

Check the latest prices in area here. 

Our apartment in Penang was the most perfect place we have stayed in. A fairly new apartment with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a beautiful kitchen with jungle views and a comfortable lounge room with beach views. It had cable TV, wifi and housekeeping. The complex had several pools, one with a waterslide, a gym, a playground and a mini mart/laundry.

All of this for under $40 per night. We felt more at home here then anywhere else and loved the price.

Dreamiest: Xanadu Island Resort, Ambergris Caye Belize

Check the latest prices here. 

What could be dreamier then an eco resort on Trip Advisor’s voted number 1 island in the world? Located on Ambergris Caye, Belize is the beautiful Xanadu Island Resort. Eco friendly accommodation literally on the beach.

I have never been more relaxed then the 2 nights we spent here.

Cheapest: Libra Guesthouse, Chiang Mai Thailand / Tune Hotel, Angeles City Philippines

When we decided to visit Chiang Mai with friends last minute we went ahead with their suggestion on accommodation. Libra Guesthouse was $20 per night. And well, it was worth AUD$20.38 a night, uncomfortable beds, shower over the toilet, no TV/aircon, etc. We were happy to move on after a few nights.

Tied with this is Tune Hotel in Angeles City. Brand new hotel with TV, aircon, private bathroom, etc. It was such a good deal we got 2 rooms and shared one room with a child each for a grand total of $19.87 each.

Smallest: Waterfront apartment, Hong Kong

Check the latest prices here. 

Hong Kong was one of the most expensive places to stay and by far the smallest. The 2 bedrooms were big enough to put a double bed in each and that is all. The kitchen you couldn’t swing a cat in, but we managed to store our suitcases in there… just. The 5 nights we stayed there was borderline too long.

Of course we’ve stayed in plenty of hotel rooms that are just one room, but in comparison even they were bigger.

Largest: Rama III Bangkok Apartment, Thailand

Check the latest prices here. 

This was a beautiful spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment overlooking the river. The main living area had plenty of space for the kids - they absolutely loved it. The retractable dining table also saved space when it wasn’t being used.

If you need accommodation anywhere, below is a list of the places we have stayed in the last 365 days. Note: We have stayed in other places too, but this is just 5th May 2012 - 4th May 2013.

Bali, Indonesia

Family room (2 bed) @ Bali Dynasty Hotel, Kuta $$$$

Family room (2 bed) @ Harris Hotel, Kuta $$

2 bed open air house @ Bali T House Hibiscus, Ubud  $

3 bed villa @ Bali Montego Villa, Jimbaran $$$$

Singapore

Family room (2 bed) @ Festive Hotel $$$$

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2 bed condo @ The Maya Apartment, Damansara Perdana $$

Kota Kinabulu, Borneo

Suite (2 rooms) @ Novotel Kota Kinabalu 1Borneo, Sabah $$$

Manila, Philippines

2 bed condo @ Mandaluyong City $

Boracay, Philippines

Family room (2 rooms) @ True Home Hotel $$

Angelo City, Philippines

2 hotel rooms @ Tune Hotel $

Hong Kong

2 bed waterfront apartment @ Sai Wan $$$

Bangkok, Thailand

3 bed apartment @ Rama III $$

2 hotel rooms @ Rambuttri Village Hotel, Khoa San Rd $

Penang, Malaysia

3 bed apartment @ Miami Green, Batu Ferringhi $

Ipoh, Malaysia

Family Room (2 rooms) @ Lost World of Tambun $$$

Johor, Malaysia

2 bed suite @ Pulai Springs Resort $$$

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Large room @ Libra Guesthouse, Soi 9 $

Luxury room @ Sri Pat Guesthouse, Soi 7 $$

Shanghai, China

2 hotel rooms @ Shanghai Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel, Pudong Int'l Airport $

Hollywood, USA

1 bed apartment @ Argyle Ave, Hollywood Hills $$

2 bed apartment @ N Cherokee Ave $$$

Anaheim, USA

1 hotel room @ Park Vue Inn $$

San Diego, USA

2 bed penthouse @ Mission Bay $$$

Las Vegas, USA

1 hotel room @ Monte Carlo $$

Philadelphia, USA

1 hotel room @ Sky View Plaza  $$

Washington DC, USA

1 bed apartment @ Dave’s Place, Van Ness  $$

Virginia Beach, USA

1 hotel room @ Clarion Inn & Suites $$

Charleston, USA

1 hotel room @ Comfort Inn – Historic Centre $$

Fayetteville, USA

1 hotel room @ Super 8 $$

Jacksonville, USA

1 hotel room @ Clarion now Jacksonville Airport Hotel (soon to be a Hilton Doubletree hotel) $$

Cocoa Beach, USA

Family room (2 bed) @ International Palms Resort $$$

Miami, USA

2 bed apartment @ North Miami Beach $$$

Orlando, USA

1 hotel room @ Comfort Inn (by the airport) $$

Mexico

Family room (studio) @ Ambience Suites, Cancun $$

2 bed condo @ Pelicanos, Playa Del Carmen $$

Family room (1 bed) @ Maison Tulum $$

Ambergris Caye, Belize

3 bed apartment & 2 bed apartment @ Xanadu Island Resort $$$$

3 bed house @ purple house, next door to AJ’s $

2 bed apartment @ Ambergris Lake Villas $$$

Guatemala

1 hotel room @ Peten Espidindo Hotel, Flores $$

2 bed house @ La Gravelias, Antigua $$

1 hotel room @ Don Rodrigo, Panajachel $$$

Fort Lauderdale, USA

1 hotel room @ Comfort Inn Airport $

Puerto Rico

King Suite (studio) @ Verdanza Hotel, San Juan $$$$

2 bed apartment @ Bills VRBO, Rincon $$

All our accomodation pictures can be found in our photo journal if you are keen to check them out.