To our great delight, King 13 B&B turned out to be a lovely surprise. We were more than satisfied with our stay there.

The building itself is an odd shape, but the rooms and dining area are tastefully decorated, and the effort that has gone into making the exterior beautiful did not go unnoticed. We really liked the multi-frame windows and the beautiful fish pond outside the B&B. The dining area is very inviting and was softly lit in the evening with music and a house barista/bartender on call. Several guests were seated downstairs enjoying the free wi-fi when we walked in.

Our rooms were located on the top floor and to get to them we had to ride a two-man elevator that was slower than the hills. Seriously, I was able to walk up five flights of stairs before the elevator arrived and I did it without breaking a sweat. And I don’t do stairs! Still, the elevator and charm lent a certain charm to the experience and we didn’t mind the walk-up.

Elevator aside, once we got in our rooms I think we were all happy to close the doors and relax. John and I had the VIP Queen Room on the top floor, which included a soft, comfortable bed, a red velvet couch, French wall paper, a full bathroom and a giant TV with English movie channels. Simply put, it was a great room! My parents had the room next to us and they had just as much space with a bathroom half the size of ours.

Breakfast was a simple affair: toast, fruit, corn soup and coffee in the dining area on the first floor. The swank little night time chill out zone that we had walked through the night before had been transformed into a sunny front parlor with long, velvet curtains, a beautiful little chandelier and some truly terrific pop culture memorabilia to give the room a kitschy feel to it.

Staying at King B&B was a really nice experience and it has moved to the top of my list for Hualien hotels. Book it on Agoda, and you can nab a comfty room for yourself for between $52 and $65USD per night.

King 13 B&B, Hualien, Taiwan

Hualien Hotels – King 13 B&B, Hualien, Taiwan is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

New Siam II

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50 Trok Rong Mai, 10200 | Chanasongkram, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

If you’re looking for a guest house in Bangkok that offers good value for your money, the New Siam II is worth considering. We’ve had the unfortunate luck to arrive late in Bangkok late in the evening with no options for accommodations except the massive roach-infested guest houses on Khao San. This is not the case at New Siam II. The best thing about it is its central location. Situated near Soi Rambuttri and Khao San Road, the New Siam II is set far enough away from the action on Khao San to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep. The Chao Praya Pier is also nearby, allowing instant and easy access to locations across the city.

Rooms start at around 840 Baht per night. The rooms are clean, comfortable and bright, but very basic. The New Siam II as it is a popular guest house with backpackers and we’ve learned to book ahead during high season.

Each room is equipped with either a fan or A/C, but be aware that the electricity goes off when you leave the room, so if you’re expecting to return to an icy-cold room after a full day of shopping in the heat and humidity, you can forget about it!

We also like that each room comes equipped with a scale for weighing luggage.

We found the staff at New Siam II to be quite friendly and efficient. We have never had any problems in our dealings with them. Our requests have been met with patience and a friendly smile. We don’t, however, use the travel desk there. We have found cheaper deals elsewhere.

The New Siam II Restaurant is a bit on the pricey side, but it’s a nice option for breakfast. There is even a small swimming pool for guests. Laundry services and Internet are available for a fee, as are left luggage services (15B per piece per day), which are a nice option if you need to store your luggage short or long term. We recommend New Siam because it is a safe and secure place for travelers of all ages.

www.newsiam.net/

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The New Siam II, Bangkok, Thailand is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

EDITOR’S CHOICE – OUR RATING 10/10

The beautiful islands of Penghu are just waiting to be discovered. If you’re looking for budget accommodations that offer services and activities in English, then the Sunrise B&B on the main island of Penghu is the establishment for you.

Jan Hou and Syliva Lyu, a Taiwanese couple who moved to Penghu six years ago to start their own B&B, can help you with all your travel needs in Penghu. The Sunrise B&B is located in Guoyeh Village, Huhsi Township on the main island of Penghu. This quiet fishing village is just a short drive from the airport and a twenty-five minute drive from Makung City.

The Sunrise B&B offers simple, clean, and affordable budget accommodations that offer travelers a relaxing break away from the main island of Taiwan. Rooms here range from $40 to $100 dollars a night. Enjoy the beautiful harbor view from your room or from the third floor communal lounge area. Your room rate includes breakfast, pick-up and drop-off.

Sunrise B&B also offers a number of activities for adventure travel in Penghu. Owner Jan Hou is a master windsurfer and offers lessons to his guests. If surfing is what you are interested in, Jan can put you in touch with Greg Nolan, an experience Australian surfer who will have you surfing by the end of your first two-hour lesson.

Biking is also a popular activity here. The official Huhsi Township bike route runs through the area and will lead you to some stunning secluded beaches that are well off the tourist trail.

Ocean kayaking is another unique activity that is offered at Sunrise B&B. Jan and Sylvia can also help you book a variety of tours and activities in Penghu. Drop by the Sunrise B&B web site and book your budget accommodations today. You won’t find a better deal in Penghu.

THE SUNRISE B&B, PENGHU, TAIWAN is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

Our first guest post is from Anastasia Fiatmita, author of Bali Travel Blog.

Legian Village Hotel is a budget hotel suitable for flashpackers or tourists looking for a cheap yet decent and comfortable accommodation. It is located in the heart of Legian. Legian, being a part of Kuta’s district, is considered one of Bali’s famous tourists destinations with its famous beaches and scenery.

If surfing and hanging by the beach is part of your plan, Legian Village hotel will be the right choice for you! This comfortable budget hotel is just stones away from the famous Kuta beach and it’s about a 2 minute walk to reach the beach with creamy waves. This hotel is very near to the hustle and bustle of Kuta yet far enough away for you to have a peaceful night of rest. It is only 200 meters walk to Kuta beach, a 30 minutes drive to the capital of Bali, Denpasar and a 15 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Legian Village Hotel contains 3 types of room, with 39 superior rooms, 26 deluxe rooms and 5 bungalows ranging from USD $27 – USD $42. All the rooms are decorated in delicate Balinese style with airconditioners, en suite bathrooms with hot and cold water, cable television, a complimentary Mini Bar, IDD phone and a private balcony or terrace. They also provide free wireless internet which will definitely come handy (Emails and blogging about your enjoyable trip, yes?)

With their cozy and comfortable superior room going at only USD $27, it’ll be an excellent choice for tourists on budget yet looking for a comfortable and convenient accommodation. I bet you won’t regret staying in this lovely budget hotel!

LEGIAN VILLAGE HOTEL – KUTA, BALI is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here