Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Beyin Beach Resort, Beyin, Ghana
Nominated By: Matt Beatty, Provo, Utah, December '09

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Price Range: # of Rooms: 7 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Beyin Beach Resort so Darn Good? Gorgeous and tidy, the Beyin Beach Resort has oceanside bungalows with doors that open wide to the sea. Seashells and sand dollars wash up all day, and an abandoned 18th century fort, Fort Apollonia, lies a few hundred yards down the beach in Beyin, where young boys play football nearby.

Location: The small resort sits in a coconut grove alongside a beautiful white sand beach on the Atlantic coast of southwestern Ghana. Six hours from Accra, the tiny beachside village of Beyin is close to the famous Nzulezo Stilt Village and the Ankasa Nature Reserve.

Rooms: The resort has four "luxury" chalets with flush toilets (royalty in Ghana!) and wide bamboo doors that open out to the ocean, as well as three "economy" rooms with a shared bath. We slept soundly to the swishing of the sea all night.

Food: An open-air restaurant serves delicious traditional Ghanaian dishes, as well as standard American and Italian staples.

Vibe: Beyin Beach Resort is mellow and low-key, and Patrick and Nina, its proprietors, are kind and soft-spoken. In an effort to raise awareness and provide protection for the endangered marine turtles that nest along the shore, they have joined with local fishermen to found the Beyin Turtle Conservation Project . From August through March, guests who book a "Turtle Conservation Holiday" can assist in the gathering and re-nesting of eggs, the monitoring of hatcheries, and the releasing of baby turtles into the sea.

Keep in Mind: Definitely keep the doors open at night. Nothing beats the curtains billowing in the sea breeze. Also, ask to eat breakfast or lunch in the small concrete "room" down *in* the beach.

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Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Mayoka Village, Nkhata Bay, Malawi
Nominated By: Anonymous, Brooklyn, New York, USA, June '08

Price Range: US$4-$25 per person # of Rooms: Kid-Friendly: Yes

What makes Mayoka Village so Darn Good? Mayoka Village is the kind of place you come to planning on staying for a few nights, but end up staying for weeks. It's incredibly fun, cheap, and laid-back. Mayoka sits right on the shores of Lake Malawi and the views are amazing.

Location: Mayoka Village is located in the warm heart of Africa. The clear, tropical fish-filled waters of Lake Malawi are perfect for snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking, and equipment can be borrowed or rented right at Mayoka. Mayoka Village is within walking distance of the mellow resort town of Nkhata Bay, known for its highly reputable scuba diving school and white sand beaches.

Rooms: During my two years in the Peace Corps, I visited Mayoka Village no less than seven times and stayed in almost every type of room. My favorite was a chalet built on stilts with a balcony overlooking the lake. Other options include traditional mud huts and the more newly built stone cottages with private bathrooms and stone bath tubs. Those on a super tight budget can stay in a dormitory or camp out in the garden. All accommodations at Mayoka Village are built using traditional Malawian materials, such as bamboo, stone, mud, and thatch, and are spread out on a rocky hillside by the lake.

Food: The outdoor bar and restaurant serve great food using fresh, local ingredients and offer plenty of choices for vegetarians. Plus, the beer is really cheap. Gary and Katherine, Mayoka's friendly owners, host huge weekly barbecues and Malawian buffets.

Vibe: Mayoka Village has a chill, backpacker kind of feel. It's most happening on Friday nights when Gary and Katherine's famous barbecues merge into all-out dance parties, with local musicians providing the entertainment. Gary and Katherine built the lodge with the support of the community, and Mayoka continues to provide jobs and raise funds for local improvement projects.

Things to Keep in Mind: It's a bit tough to get to Mayoka Village, but well worth the journey. Also, be careful of bilharzia when swimming in certain parts of Lake Malawi.

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Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Riad Numero 9, Fez, Morocco
Nominated By: Nadia Latif of Travel Intelligence, London, England, June '10

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Price Range: 100-200 Euros (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 3 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Riad Numero 9 so Darn Good? It looks – as with most traditional riads - like nothing from the outside, but through the metal-studded door lays a mosaic-tiled oasis of a boutique hotel. Meticulously restored by its owner Stephen, Riad Numero 9 is furnished with antiques and curios from Morocco, Europe, and the Far East.

Location: The riad is a ten-minute walk from Bab Boujeloud, the main entrance gate to Fez's medina. The city is notoriously difficult to navigate and a guide will be sent to meet you (at no extra charge) from the airport.

Rooms: Riad Numero 9 has just three suites (though there are plans to expand). I stayed in the Master Suite, which takes up an entire floor, and is split over two huge rooms connected by a birdcage-adorned walkway. The first is a bedroom/dining area and the second is a bathroom, complete with a pair of 1930s dentist chairs. The other suites are smaller, but no less lavish. All rooms have intricately carved cedar-wood ceilings, double beds and private, spacious bathrooms. The riad is very suited to exclusive rental, but rooms are also let individually.

Food: Stephen's French partner, Bruno, is a trained chef and oversees all things culinary. As is usual with these traditional Moroccan houses, breakfast is included in the room rate and all other meals are arranged on request. Take breakfast on the roof terrace, which boasts the best view of the medina that I could find. I have very fond memories of eating home-made banana jam, French toast, and hot waffles while listening to the hustle and bustle of Fez drifting up through the latticed fencing.

Vibe: The vibe at Riad Numero 9 is intimate and exclusive. I felt like I was staying in the home of a very rich, cultured friend.

Keep in Mind: Don't expect the staff to wait on you hand-and-foot; you're urged to treat the place like your own (gaspingly gorgeous) home. A selection of CDs, books, and comfy seating is positioned around the sunken Japanese table in the courtyard, and a mini-fridge stocked with wine and beer is tucked away on one of the upper levels. You're also at liberty to explore the kitchen for snacks.

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Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Mosetlha Bush Camp, Madikwe Game Reserve, NW, South Africa
Nominated By: Gerald Draper, Johannesburg, South Africa, June '08

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Price Range: R1350 per person (includes 3 meals & 2 daily safaris) # of Rooms: 9 Kid-Friendly: Over 8

What makes the Mosetlha Bush Camp so Darn Good? The Mosetlha Bush Camp is a family owned and run, unfenced eco-lodge in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve. The field guides are exceptionally knowledgeable, the staff is friendly and accommodating, and the service is brilliant. Birdlife at the camp is amazing and you just might get some odd visits from bigger things!

Location: Madikwe, located in North West Province on the border of Botswana, is a 4 hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria. This is Big Five country and on your morning or evening safari, you might spot elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and leopards, as well as African wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hyenas, and much more!

Rooms: Mosetlha's nine open wooden cabins are simple, comfortable, and raised on platforms to keep out the crawlies! All cabins have twin beds with good mattresses and proper duvets, and shared bathrooms are just a short walk away. The eco-lodge doesn't have electricity, is lit up at night by paraffin lamps, and has safari showers heated through a donkey boiler - we're talking a true bush camp experience!

Food: Cooking at Mosetlha is done over the open fire. The traditional South African meals are fresh and plentiful, a must because you are always so hungry in this environment! Guests dine together at a huge table under the open sky, and the Bush Camp has a bar and gas fridges to keep your beer cold!

Vibe: Mosetlha is down to earth and REAL! The Lucas family goes out of their way to make you feel at home.

Things to Keep in Mind: Remember your toiletries, torch, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, cash to settle your beer bill, tips, and reserve fees, and a good book - you'll have leisure time between game drives! Also, advise in advance if you are a vegetarian.

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Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Banda Inns, Kampala, Uganda
Nominated By: Jenny Drezin, Seattle, USA, June '09

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Price Range: 20-50 Euros (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 9 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Banda Inns so Darn Good? Staying at Banda Inns is like staying with your favorite relatives - you feel instantly at home! With its large common living room and lovely terrace overlooking the extensive gardens, the inn is a wonderful base to explore the city. Steve, Asteria, and their entire staff are very welcoming and truly make an effort to get to know their guests.

Location: Banda Inns is located in the residential neighborhood of Muyenga, Tank Hill, and is a ten to fifteen minute cab or scooter ride to downtown Kampala. Kampala's highlights include the World Heritage Kasubi Tombs and the city's many bustling open-air markets. Kampala is also the starting point for excursions to any one of Uganda's ten National Parks, including a gorilla tracking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Rooms: The inn has nine comfortable rooms, two with a shared bathroom, and all with mosquito nets.

Food: Rose, the inn's lovely cook, serves a simple, but hearty, breakfast of eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and yogurt on the terrace. She will also prepare a Ugandan or Western-style lunch or dinner upon request. If you would prefer to eat out, the Muyenga neighborhood has a lively pub and restaurant scene, with several popular spots within walking distance.

Vibe: Like a home away from home, Band Inns is laid-back and comfortable. Staying at the inn is also a great way to meet local people. Over the weekend, Steve lit a large bon-fire in the garden and invited his friends. Within minutes, we were invited to a wedding and several parties!

Things to Keep in Mind: The inn can help with everything from picking you up at the airport to arranging trips to see the gorillas, as we did!

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Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Green Tree Lodge, Livingstone, Zambia
Nominated By: Zimba Mission Team (Joan, Joan, and Janet), Lusaka, Zambia and Memphis, Tennessee, December '09

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Price Range: US$50-$95 (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 5 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Green Tree Lodge so Darn Good? Hector, the owner and manager of Green Tree Lodge, is an amazing and gracious host. He makes each guest feel at home and gets to know everyone personally. Hector's crew makes a scrumptious breakfast, and the Lodge provides a peaceful setting with clean and modern rooms. The Lodge is within a fifteen minute drive of Victoria Falls, considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Location: The Green Tree Lodge is in a secluded location just off the main roads through Livingstone - removed from the town's hustle and bustle, yet just a fifteen minute walk to town center. The Lodge is an excellent base for excursions to Victoria Falls and the Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park, or a white water rafting trip on the Zambezi River.

Rooms: The individual guest chalets are simple but modern and provide basic luxuries such as air conditioning, television, and hot showers. Lush, tropical fruit trees supply shade in the garden so guests can relax in comfort by the lovely swimming pool. We were delighted by the guinea fowl, guinea pigs, and bunny rabbits roaming the grounds.

Food: A tasty English-style breakfast, served with fresh fruit and fruit juices, is cooked to order and served on the back veranda overlooking the pool. Guests may also order lunch and dinner at the Lodge's restaurant and bar, which is exclusively for guest use.

Vibe: The Lodge offers friendly and personal home-style service in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

Keep in Mind: You might want to plan to stay awhile, as it is very peaceful here.

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