Archive for Lodging
Travel to Nerja: Stay at the Hostal Don Peque
Posted by: | CommentsIf you find yourself needing a place to sleep when you travel to Nerja, along Spain’s Costa del Sol, call on the friendly folks at the Hostal Don Peque.
Very near the old city and just a short walk to the water, the little accommodation is clean and convenient. There’s a handy, but expensive, parking garage nearby and the tourist information office is only a few blocks away. The owner, (I think her name is Clara,) was on hand every day during our visit. The hostal also rents beach towels and chairs.
We ate breakfast on the rooftop terrace one morning during our stay, but found the fare to be a bit simple for the price. I thought 6 € was a tad much for bread, jam, orange juice and tea, but the views of the sea and the rooftops of Nerja were nice.
A great place to soak up some sun, Nerja has plenty of sand, restaurants and clubs to keep any beachcomber happy, and the Don Peque sits right in the middle of it all.
Galway Gab: House Hotel Highly Heralded
Posted by: | CommentsFriends and fellow travelers Jeff and Lee Lavender recently returned from a travel trip to the Emerald Isle. They raved about a little accommodation, The House Hotel, in Galway, Ireland, and have kindly agreed to share the details of their find. Jeff’s review is below:
The House Hotel in Galway was a breath of fresh air. As soon as we walked through the front door, we were greeted by the concierge who called us by name and made us comfortable as she checked us in. As the concierge visited with Lee about Galway’s tourist highlights, I noticed a whimsical decor and an interesting cat motif. A sign pointing to the room was decorated with a picture of a sleeping cat. The restaurant’s sign had an eating cat and you can only imagine what the cat on the bathroom sign was doing.
Our “mack daddy” suite was large, nicely furnished and included internet access on a large flat screen TV. The suite’s bathroom was fully equipped and very nice.
Although the rooms and common areas were very nice, the true gem of this hotel was the attention to service. The staff were always willing to act as travel guide and help us plan our day, often taking it upon themselves to make our travel arrangements personally. To top it off, they absolutely refused my attempts to slip them some green for their special attention. They would not accept a thing.
Needless to say, we highly recommend the House Hotel and will stay here the next time we travel to Galway.
Frequent voyagers, Jeff and Lee travel to destinations both far and near. Expect to hear from them often.
Recommending Ronda: Send a Friend to Spain
Posted by: | CommentsA friend and fellow traveler today asked me if I had ever been to Ronda, Spain.
“Yes,” I replied, “about a month ago. It’s a great place and I know the perfect hotel.”
I get a kick from helping others plan their journeys and today’s conversation was the highlight of my day. I told my friend about Ronda and how the white hill town’s ambiance and atmosphere are the best reasons to visit.
Oh, yeah, and that amazing bridge. 
Straddling a draw-dropping gorge called El Tajo, the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) was built in the 1700s and is still in use today. For great but sweat-inducing views, hike down to the bottom of the gorge. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.
The sturdy bridge and deep ravine take on a different personality after dark, so plan to spend at least one night. A great place to bed down in Ronda, the Hotel San Gabriel is cozy and convenient. The hotel’s dark wood, winding stairs and eclectic nooks and crannies reminded my wife of the mansion from the board game Clue. But don’t worry, there’s no Professor Plum or Colonel Mustard here.
Ronda is made for aimless wandering and photo-worthy vistas are around every corner. When my friend returns from her Ronda romp, I’ll pass along her impressions.
Lisbon Hotel Close to Travel Central
Posted by: | CommentsI have no issues with bedding down in cheap digs when I’m on the go. I just don’t like spending a huge chunk of my limited travel funds on a room I’m rarely in. The wife, on the other hand, has a bit higher standards when it comes to selecting our lodgings.
In Lisbon, Portugal, we found a trendy boutique hotel that satisfies us both.
Located right on Rossio Square in the heart of the tourist’s Lisbon, the Internacional Design Hotel is exceptionally located and loads of hip, happening fun. The love of my life and I spent two nights at the IDH just last month and can’t wait to return. Our room was nicely apportioned with a comfortable bed, flat screen TV and large bathroom. The staff we encountered were friendly and helpful.
The hotel is situated in the middle of Lisbon’s best tourist offerings and handy for public transportation too - the airport bus stop is just a few steps from the front door and the train station is a very short walk across the square. Restaurants, shopping and ATM machines are plentiful just outside the hotel entrance.
We booked our stay on hotels.com and saved a bundle off the rack rate. Breakfast is available for an additional cost, but I recommend passing on the over-priced hotel fare and grabbing a delicious, cheap breakfast at one of the many bakeries nearby.
