in search of darn good digs

We recently published a guest post entitled “4 Hotels Under $25: Cheap, Yet So Amazing You Won’t Want to Leave!” on the Budget Travelers Sandbox blog. If super cheap hotels that are still extraordinary intrigues you, then definitely go check our article out.  We write about four of our favorite under $25 hotels: Mustapha’s Place on Zanzibar island, Le Rendez-Vous in southern Ecuador, Mayoka Village on Lake Malawi, and Soppong River Inn in Mae Hong Son, Thailand.

Last winter when we visited Walt Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center with our four-year old boy, we were looking for a quiet, friendly place to spend a couple of days nearby as a brief escape from the craziness of the Orlando-area theme parks. After researching a 100 mile swath of central Florida’s Atlantic coast looking for the “perfect” spot, we stumbled upon the Longboard Inn in New Smyrna Beach. Since anonymity is always our policy, we couldn’t let the owners know that we’re from Darn Good Digs, but we did have to use a little sweet-talking in order to get past their no kids policy. Here’s our Darn Good Digs review of the Longboard Inn:

What makes the Longboard Inn so Darn Good? This historic Craftsman Style bungalow has been lovingly restored by its friendly owners, John and Dee, with a surf theme and an eye for detail. Our room was fun and inviting and we enjoyed the delicious home-made breakfast served in the Inn’s colorful dining room.

Location: New Smyrna Beach is an old-Florida style beach town on the state’s northeast coast less than ninety minutes from Orlando. The Inn is within walking distance to historic Canal Street with a few antique shops and restaurants, but the real action is a five minute drive across the bridge to Flagler Avenue and the beach. Filled with ice cream shops, swimwear boutiques, and eateries, Flagler Avenue is an excellent place to stroll after a day of surfing or relaxing in the sun.

Rooms: Longboard Inn has eight lovely themed rooms and suites, each distinctly decorated with original fabric paintings, ceramics, and stained glass by local artists. The Sky Blue room, where we stayed, has cheerful blue walls, an enormous bathroom with soft towels, and French doors opening to the Inn’s impressive wrap-around porch. We dug the colorful bedspread and whimsical pillows.

Food: Breakfast is a real treat at the Longboard Inn. Ours started off with a selection of freshly baked breads, including pecan cherry, wild berry, and gingerbread, and ended with fluffy blueberry flapjacks draped in an apple brandy compote. For dinner, we want to give a shout out to Maloney’s Oyster Bar a few blocks away where we enjoyed an evening of steam kettle cooking, good beer, and live music.

Vibe: The Inn is laid back and mellow. John spent a good deal of time giving us the low-down on New Smyrna Beach, things to do, and places to eat. Even though the Inn usually has a no child policy, John welcomed our four year old off-season and was super-friendly to him.

Keep in Mind: While the Inn is not on the beach, it is in a historic residential neighborhood and makes for a great base for exploring Florida’s northeast coast.

Price Range: US$99-$150 (breakfast included)
# of Rooms: 8
Kid-Friendly: no (or not really)

Make an Inquiry/Book a Room at:

As always, if you’ve stayed at any extraordinary independently owned accommodations for budget-minded travelers, please nominate them today!

As the editors of Darn Good Digs, we can’t help but put together our own wish list of must-visit digs around the world. After all, that’s part of the fun of running our accommodations website. For our must-do budget safari that sounds absolutely amazing, we’re waiting three more years (when our son turns eight) to head to Mosetlha Bush Camp. Mosetlha is a rustic family-run safari in the Big Five Madikwe National Park, where you sleep in open air raised platforms, the cooking is done over an open fire, and the service is five stars all the way. Based on every review we’ve read, and every email we’ve received back from travelers who have booked Mosetlha through Darn Good Digs, this is the safari to join for the true bush-camp experience. Here is our review for Mosetlha:

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.

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

Make an Inquiry/Book a Room at:

As always, if you’ve stayed at any extraordinary independently owned accommodations for budget-minded travelers, please nominate them today!

Visitors to Minas Gerais, the Brazilian state bordering Rio de Janeiro, can step back in time by wandering the cobblestone streets among whitewashed 18th century houses in dozens of colonial mining towns dotting the region. The most famous destinations, Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, and Mariana, are closest to Rio, but true treasures await for intrepid travelers willing to follow the Estrada Real, or Royal Road, deeper into the heart of Brazil’s gold mining history.  Not too far from the exquisite and less touristed World Heritage city of Diamantina lies a small pousada with beautiful cottages, delicious food, and the warmest of welcomes. Lydia, from The Perfect Pantry, took a culinary adventure to Minas to visit her friend and trained chef, Peter Edwards, and his wife, Marcinha, at their Pousada do Capao.   Here is Lydia’s review:

What makes the Pousada do Capão so Darn Good? The Pousada has beautiful cottages and delicious food. Owners Peter and Marcinha make everyone feel like the most welcome guest in their home. In addition, they will arrange any sort of sightseeing, transportation, or guides that you need.

Location: Pousada do Capão is located on the outskirts of the small village of São Gonçalo do Rio das Pedras in the state of Minas Gerais, ninety minutes from the closest city, Diamantina. The town sits along the Estrada Real, or Royal Way, a road built in the 17th century by the Portuguese to transport gold and diamonds back to Lisbon. Today the road is still mostly unpaved, and the towns and villages along the way appear frozen in time with Baroque churches, cobblestone streets, and period buildings. The Pousada is located in the Cerrado, a tropical savannah home to waterfalls, caves, twisted trees, and petroglyphs.

Rooms: The Pousada has eight individual cottages, as well as four rooms with shared bath in the main house. All are decorated with local crafts and are surrounded by beautiful grounds, an abundance of lovely native plants, and mountain views.

Food: Excellent! Peter is a trained chef, and he uses many local ingredients to create inspiring meals combining Brazilian and American traditions. A gourmet dinner is included with the room rate, as is breakfast, which consists of home-made cakes, cookies, puddings, and granola, as well as local Serro cheese, fresh fruits, and juices.

Vibe: The pousada is a peaceful and friendly retreat.

Keep in Mind: Nights are quiet here, so be prepared for some serious relaxation.

Price Range: R$95-R$190 (dinner & breakfast included)
# of Rooms: 12
Kid-Friendly: yes

Make an Inquiry/Book a Room at:

As always, if you’ve stayed at any extraordinary independently owned accommodations for budget-minded travelers, please nominate them today!

We’re always on the lookout for original accommodations around the world for budget-minded travelers.  Holly Maguire, at Escapio.com, suggested a guest post about Paradores – the collection of historic properties scattered around Spain that have been converted into unique hotels.  Quite honestly, we assumed that paradores as a rule were out of our price range, but Holly convinced us otherwise.  Thank you Holly for your five recommendations – in particular, we were floored by the spectacular location of the Parador de Ronda in Andalusia!

Many budget travellers to Spain stick to the iconic cities or opt for a package beach deal to allow them to soak up the sun, but anyone craving a bit more history, culture, and countryside should consider road tripping to lesser known places to stay in Spanish Paradores. Paradores are historic properties – palaces, monasteries, castles, and royal residences – saved from ruin by a Spanish government initiative started in the 1920s.  Despite their stunning facades, restored ancient walls, and stylishly updated furnishings, many paradores manage to stay within a reasonable budget range thanks to being a Spanish state-run project. What’s more, 20-35 year olds and over 55s receive a bonus discount upon showing their ID on arrival. Here are five Paradores for indulging in Spanish landscape and history without going over budget!

Parador de Ronda, Andalusia
Ronda is a gem in the Andalusian crown, high up on a plateau and with a craggy gorge dividing the town. The old town hall overlooks the famous bridge and is perched on a cliff edge, with endless views of the arid countryside that define this Spanish region. The rooms are simply decorated, but the location is simply unbeatable. Doubles from $105.

Parador de Cangas de Onís, Asturias
Built as a Benedictine monastery in the 8th century, this Parador is a wonderful natural escape. A riverside location surrounded by green countryside, the stony ancient walls house a chapel, underground restaurant, and museum. Doubles from $102.

Parador de Zafra, Extremadura
A romantic castle hotel constructed in 1437 as a residence for the Duchess of Feri, this stunning towered monument is in the centre of Zafra and has kitschy canopy beds, enormous open fireplaces, and a beautiful inner courtyard. Doubles from $90.

Parador de Cruz de Tejeda, Gran Canaria
The panoramic views and hiking opportunities from 1560m above sea level are a world away from the crowded touristy beaches below. Fresh interiors, all the modern conveniences, and delicious regional recipes including rabbit and goat are something to look forward to after a day walking in the hills. Doubles from $90.

Parador de Artíes, Catalonia
Tucked up high in the Pyrenees and not far from Baqueira, road trippers, hikers, skiers and anyone craving a wild boar ragout should go out of their way to stay in this former country home of Don Gaspar de Portolá, said to have discovered California. The interior has been refurbished with simplicity, exposed woods, and traditional touches.  A long swimming pool runs from inside to outside, perfect for winter and summer. Doubles from $77.

Guest post by Holly Maguire for Escapio.com

For more original accommodations for budget-minded travelers in Spain – though we don’t have any Paradores reviewed yet – please visit Darn Good Digs!

Puerto Rico offers far more for travelers than just all-inclusive resorts and high rise hotels. A simpler, more laid back Caribbean thrives all around the island – in mountain retreats, island guesthouses, and beach-side inns. Here’s our starter list of original hotels in Puerto Rico for budget-minded travelers:

We had the good fortune to visit the first two spots ourselves. The first, Casa Grande Mountain Retreat, lies high up in the mountains far outside of the nearest town, Utuado. With its network of private cabins weaving through the lush mountains of central Puerto Rico, Casa Grande is green. We spent most of our time chilling – hanging out and reading on our own private balcony, taking a dip in the refreshing pool, and enjoying meals at the outdoor restaurant. We did manage to make a couple of day trips too though, including a boat ride on Lago Dos Bocas and a cave tour in the Rio Camuy Cave Park. (Rooms start at US$95)

The second truly original hotel that we uncovered during one of our Puerto Rico trips was Mary Lee’s by the Sea. Mary Lee’s felt like our own little hideaway on Puerto Rico’s south coast. We relaxed, did our own thing, and hardly saw a soul. Bright and colorful fabrics covered the couches, beds, tables, curtains, chairs, you name it, in our gigantic apartment. Most of the apartments, including our own, have several rooms and would be great for a family or a big party. When we felt like getting some fresh sea air, we relaxed in our private outdoor sitting area near the mangroves or we hopped on a boat to the nearby beach. (Rooms start at US$100)

Years ago we had considered going to Vieques for winter break, but instead we chose Culebra, one of Puerto Rico’s other Spanish Virgin Islands. While Culebra didn’t disappoint, we now have TWO good reasons to visit Vieques, because there are two Darn Good Digs on this small island. We added the friendly guest house Casa de Amistad based on a tip from Peg in Massachusetts. Peg writes, “Casa de Amistad is a true island oasis at a great price. If you want to feel so comfortable that you can get coffee in your pajamas, then this is the place for you! With their house just next door, your hosts, Owen and David, are at your call, yet completely unobtrusive. They have stocked their guesthouse with everything you might need for the perfect beach vacation, including snorkeling equipment, beach chairs, and coolers for a picnic lunch. We just came home from a seven day stay and already want to return!” (Rooms start at US$75)

The other hideaway we found on Vieques, thanks to our friend and teaching colleague, Matthew, is La Finca Caribe. Matthew writes, “La Finca Caribe is incredible! We loved hanging out with our fellow travelers and soaking up the beautiful scenery. This place really attracts great people and we made fast friends. Plus, the outdoor showers are amazing. The guesthouse sits on a hill in the middle of Vieques, and the views of the forest down to the Caribbean Sea are fantastic.” (Rooms start at US$90)

The last hotel on our list is Casa Libre, on Puerto Rico’s eastern coast. A scuba diving enthusiast from Hurley, New York wrote, “A bed and breakfast on a hillside overlooking a bay, a pool with a waterfall, a lovely bedroom and bathroom, any breakfast of your choice AND the absolutely best host and hostess you could possibly imagine… within hours you consider Josue and Patti friends. I was charmed with this little tucked away oasis. I enjoyed a day in the sun by the pool, an afternoon with the hostess walking two beaches, a local cafe lunch, and then cocktails. Casa Libre is an experience I will share with all my friends traveling to Puerto Rico, and I plan on returning there on my next dive adventure in the area.” (Rooms start at US$90)

We’re always on the lookout for more original hotels in Puerto Rico, and around the world. If you have any places that you’d like to nominate, please take a moment to fill out our Nomination Form, or join our email list to stay up-to-date on the new digs we add.

If you haven’t read our post about our summer Southwest trip, you may want to start at the beginning: A Taste of the Southwest in Two and a Half Weeks: Part I.  Part I includes our full itinerary and describes the first half of our adventure, from Phoenix to Taos.  In Part II we start with our drive into Colorado from northern New Mexico.

After stopping in Pagosa Springs for lunch and a swim in the San Juan River, we arrived in Durango.  Durango was the first and largest of the four historic Southwest Colorado mining towns that we visited.  We were excited about our hotel find, the Nobody’s Inn – a small, inspired self-service hotel right on main street – but unfortunately the love wasn’t all there.  Apparently the inn is for sale.  While we can’t recommend our Durango hotel, we can recommend rafting on the Lower Animas River, where we spent a perfect couple of hours with just enough white water excitement for our five year old.

The drive from Durango to Ouray is certainly one of the most picturesque drives in the U.S. – the San Juan Skyway, together with the Million Dollar Highway, offer stunning views and countless switchback turns all sans guardrails through the majestic San Juan Mountains.  We stopped in Silverton and Ouray, two late 1800’s mining towns with postcard-perfect main streets, and mountain walls rising up on all sides.  Silverton is over 9000 ft in elevation!  We ventured into one of the mountainsides on the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour, where our guide, a charismatic ex-miner, offered us the in’s and out’s of what mining life is really like.

We spent the night at the 4J+1+1  campground right in Ouray, and walked over to Ouray’s hot springs.  If you’ve never been to Ouray, it’s hard to imagine a more stunning setting, with imposing rust-stained mountainsides surrounding the small town.  But our favorite three hours in Ouray was definitely spent chest-deep in the 97 degree mineral water as the sun was setting behind those mountains.

Telluride was the last of the four spectacular Colorado mining towns we visited.  We were pleased to stay during the quiet Nothing Festival, when nothing special was going on and crowds were non-existent.  We camped out in Town Park, rode the free gondola to Mountain Village, and on our way south we took a dip in a hidden hot spring alongside the Dolores River.

Our next two nights were at the wonderful Lebanon Schoolhouse, a few miles outside Dolores town.   On the National Register of Historic Places, this magnificent schoolhouse-cum-bed-and-breakfast was our base to visit Mesa Verde National Park, the Anastazi Cultural Center, and the Dolores brewery for some live music and good beer at night.  We loved the breakfasts, the perfectly restored historic details, and Laura’s (the innkeeper) exceptionally welcoming vibe.   Benjamin fell head over heals for Laura’s dog, Roamer.  We will be posting our review of the Lebanon Schoolhouse soon on Darn Good Digs.

The drive from Dolores to Monument Valley was nothing short of spectacular: misshapen cliffs, striated red and gray hills, Martian-like buttes.  Still, we were unprepared for the awesomeness of Monument Valley.  Maybe it was because we arrived as the evening light made the red rocks glow.  Maybe it was because our Monument Valley Navajo guide, Bobby, gave us a fabulous private tour on the bumpy back roads behind the most famous buttes.  Or perhaps it was the expensive-but-worth-every-penny view from our hotel room at the Navajo-owned and operated View Hotel.  All I know is that we were dazzled.

We had one more night before returning to Phoenix – camping out at Mather Campground in the Grand Canyon.  Our Canyon highlight was walking along the Rim Trail between Monument Creek Overlook and Hopi Point.  Despite the summer crowds in the Village, we somehow felt like we had the trail to ourselves.  And as a lightning storm approached from the east, we were dazzled again by the play of colors and darkness in the massive, almost indescribable, canyon.

We then headed back to Phoenix to visit our friend, Charlene, and catch our flight back to New York.

Note: If you are interested in following our Southwest itinerary, or something similar, we recommend you fly into Albuquerque instead of Phoenix.  It will cut several unnecessary hours off of your drive time.

During our road trip this summer in the southwest U.S., we had the chance to spend three nights at Albuquerque’s newest boutique hotel, the fabulous Hotel Andaluz – as part of our search for the best independently owned hotels around the world for budget-minded travelers.

We were living in luxury for close to $100 a night, but we knew their summer rates wouldn’t last forever. When we got back to Brooklyn at the end of our trip, we contacted the Andaluz management to inquire if they would give our readers a discount – to keep the typical night’s price under $150. They came back to us with an exclusive promo code that earns Darn Good Digs readers 15% off the published rate.

Hotel Andaluz Promo Code: darn

We recommend that before you use our promo code, you should first search for special deals on the Hotel Andaluz website as well as on our affiliate link. If no discount rates are available, then use our promo code.

Read our review to find out what we liked about the Hotel Andaluz so much:

What makes the Hotel Andaluz so Darn Good? We knew from the second that we walked into the gorgeous lobby at the Andaluz that we were onto something good. Darn good. The huge two-tiered space was designed to resemble a Moorish palace, and we were seduced by the shimmering fountains, private casbahs, and striking artwork.

Location: The Andaluz is just off historic Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque, which is currently undergoing an impressive multimillion dollar revitalization. We enjoyed the location, as we had a choice of several restaurants and bars that were within easy walking distance. The hotel is a ten minute drive from historic Old Town and several renowned museums, including the fascinating Pueblo Cultural Center.

Rooms: The hotel was built in 1939 by famed hotelier Conrad Hilton in the Spanish Territorial style, and has since earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2009, a massive renovation was completed and the hotel was re-opened as the stunning and eco-friendly Andaluz. Our room, though less dramatic than the lobby, was no less impressive. Its contemporary touches such as the streamlined lime-green couch and wall-mounted flat screen tv perfectly complimented the vintage wooden furniture and Buddha statue blessing our bathroom.

Food: The hotel has a downstairs restaurant and bar, the Lucia, and a second floor tapas bar with rooftop terrace, the Ibiza. While both restaurants looked tempting, we opted for some of the more budget options in the neighborhood. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the Gold Street Café one block from the hotel and dinner at the Standard Diner, a former Route 66 service station.

Vibe: The Anduluz is a stylish and inviting downtown boutique hotel. One of the many beautiful (and friendly) staff members even took a moment to hang out with our five year old boy as he checked out the fish swimming in the fountain.

Keep in Mind: For parking, we opted for a $10/day parking garage pass to self-park in the garage next door.

Room Rates: US$109-$285

Do you ever read those glossy travel magazines and think to yourself, ‘Oh, how I’d love to stay in a fabulous ice castle or undersea lodge – if only I had a gazillion dollars?’ Sometimes it’s fun to live vicariously through sleek photos, but we at Darn Good Digs have put together a list of intriguing hotels and hostels that are priced right for budget-minded travelers.   What makes these digs so special is not just that they are housed in unusual spots, but also that they are so thoughtfully designed and welcoming to guests.

Behind bars at Hostel Celica

Spend the night in prison, and then wake up to go sight-seeing: FadedGray from Austin, Texas tells us, “The Hostel Celica is a friendly, colorful converted prison that offers clean and simple cells for its guests to lay their head. Parking is included too.  The Hostel Celica is in Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana and within walking distance to most of the city.  The rooms are small, former prison cells and still have bars on the windows and second door. The property includes an outdoor patio/small yard and dining area.”

Af Chapman Hostel in Stockholm, Sweden

Toss and turn on a 19th century sailing ship: Mark from Travel Wonders writes, “Af Chapman is a hostel with a difference. You can stay on a 19th century rigged sailing ship close to both Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s old area) and the Royal Palace.”

Sleep in a bank, don’t break the bank: Sarah Christenson from The Urban Rebellion writes, “The Ramsdell Inn is a lovely, converted bank building in Manistee’s historic downtown. My husband and I were intrigued by the old woodwork, polished marble lobby, and hospitality. There is a tiny gift shop in the old brass vault, and long, elegant corridors to wander, complete with brass radiators and dark woodwork. Each room has its own decor theme, but all are comfortably shabby chic. Our room had ornate stonework right outside our window and a lovely view of the Manistee River. The Inn’s lobby is utterly gorgeous, and even has an area where the corporation of old used to hold their meetings – complete with an ancient letter of recommendation for an employee and some photos of the staff! When we left, I honestly had to shake off the feeling that I was stuck in the 1920s!”

Rikitikitavi in Kampot, Cambodia is in a renovated rice barn (used with permission from Cary Lehman)

Shack up in a Cambodian rice barn: Andrea from Queensland, Australia, writes, “Situated in a renovated wooden-framed rice barn, Rikitikitavi has well appointed rooms decorated with Khmer silks and pillows, rattan furniture, and local art. The beds are comfy and the showers are hot. But what makes Rikitikitavi so good is the service, which is simply the best we have ever come across in our travels through Southeast Asia! With their welcoming rooms, delicious food, and helpful suggestions for what to do around town, Denise, Dom, and their staff ensure that their guests are well taken care of throughout their stay. Staying at Rikitikitavi is like visiting old friends, and this is one reason the hotel is so special.

Domus Maria, housed in a former monastery in Vilnius, Lithuania

Lie down in a Monastery: Lisa Lubin from LLWorldTour, writes that the “Domus Maria, a former monastery turned hotel, is no dark, eerie place. It’s bright, clean, and peaceful right in the heart of Vilnius’s Old City.  The top floor rooms have great charming roof lines. The rooms are carpeted and painted in cheerful yellow with modern, clean-lined furnishings. There are TVs and internet cables in each room.  The walls are solid and the carpeted, bright hallways are super wide. I am staying here now and it’s super quiet…I haven’t heard another soul!”

Have you stayed anywhere original lately that you’d like to recommend as one of the best hotels for budget-minded travelers?  If yes, please visit our Nomination Page and let us know!

When Lena from Amman, Jordan stumbled upon Darn Good Digs, she noticed a gaping hole in our guide to the world’s best independently owned hotels for budget-minded travelers.  Where were all the hotels in the Middle East?  Well, thanks to Lena, we will be adding a fabulous small hotel in Damascus, Syria, the Beit Rose Hotel, in the coming days on Darn Good Digs.  We hope to add more extraordinary, locally owned hotels in the Middle East soon.  In the meantime, we’re sharing Lena’s description of the Beit Rose here, along with her own personal photographs:

Why is the Beit Rose so darn good? This charming bed and breakfast is small and intimate with amazing customer service.

Location: The location is tucked on a side alley just off Straight Street within the walled Old City of Damascus.  Thousands of years old and the capital of Syria, Damascus is a wealth of bustling markets, Roman-era walls, and the world-famous Umayyad Mosque.

Room: The Beit Rose has six rooms and one suite, and the decor throughout this small hotel is so tastefully Arabic with antiques, lanterns, and hanging plants abounding.  Beds are comfortable, bathrooms are modern, and rooms even have an inconspicuous flat screen television.

Food: We were greeted with delicious Arabic tea upon arrival. Later we enjoyed cocktails on the rooftop terrace with views of old Damascus, and savored a sumptuous Arabic breakfast by the fountain in the courtyard near the centuries old Damascene fruit tree.

Vibe: The vibe at the Beit Rose is intimate and unobtrusive, yet the staff is very helpful.

Keep in Mind: Most hotels in Syria do not allow unmarried couples to share a room; this is the only B&B that would take us, and we feel that we lucked out!

Thank you Lena for your nomination.  Please help us to continue to expand our guide by nominating your favorite hotels for budget-minded travelers on our Nomination Page.