Cheap accomodation in Europe?
A little psychography on this: we are not backpackers and usually finding a comfortable place to stay at really matters for us. Of course we were not really looking for 4-5 star hotels either, only something decent with a private toilet and aircon please (only in Rome and Venice this would really matter, cos we went during summer).
We tried many websites.
I only trusted those 3 websites 'cos they're most familiar to us. We booked some through those online agencies while some other we tried using www.airbnb.com. The reason we booked through airbnb is only one:
- They are not cheaper than hotels, for sure, but they are double or triple more comfortable. We could have kitchenette, nice toilets, nice bedrooms, livingrooms, what else could we ask for?
Here is a list of hotels and apartments that we rented throughout our trips:
1. Istanbul, Turkey -- Lamp Guesthouse
Location: 4/5 - a bit of a walk from Sultanahmet but not that far. (about 5-10 minutes strolling from Sultanahmet). But don't worry, around the guesthouse itself there are many eateries and shops you could stroll around.
Comfort: 3.5/5 - it's a guesthouse without a lift. I requested for the room at the most top floor so that we could get a nice view of the Blue Mosque (which we did!) but walking up with suitcases was a bit of a headache. It's on the fifth floor, if not mistaken.
Staff friendliness: They were really friendly and warm towards us. The host let us use his wifi connection and had breakfast together with us at the courtyard in front of the guesthouse.
Private toilet: Yes, shower with heater
Aircon: Yes
We booked through booking.com at about 50 euro per night.
Our suggestion though, is to carefully look around for other hotels because when we're already there we came across many other nice hotels. Not sure about the price, though.
2. Rome, Italy - 1 room in an apartment near the St. Peter's Basilica
Location: 3.5/5 - if you like somewhere quieter than the Rome city, this is the place to go for. Located about 20 min walk from the Ottaviano metro station (the station people get out from to go to the Vatican museum & St. Peter). There's actually a bus around there but we only came to know how it worked on our last day there. A bit pity.
Comfort: 5/5 - the whole apartment was IKEA-furnished (my guess) and our room was spacious too. Comfortable bed for two with an aircon, big wardrobe, TV and heater. The host let us use his iMac should we need it, we can also print stuffs with it. The toilet is very spacious and has a washing machine in it. Without dryer though. The kitchen was free for us to use and very well-furnished too. We stayed with an American couple who's also there for the same length of stay as us. Different rooms of course :)
Host friendliness: He came to pick us up and explained what's around us. Pretty decent.
3. Venice - we stayed with some friends in their house.
4. Brussels - a room on a mezzanine in a loft around Stalingraad
Location: 4.5/5 the location is pretty nice, about 10-15 min walk from the Grand Place and located at a quiet neighborhood. Also about 10-15 min walk from Gare du midi train station.
Comfort: 4/5 The loft was very nicely designed and comfortable. It had a mini garden at the balcony and a 130-year old wooden table as the dining plus working desk. Toilet is nothing like what you could have imagined of, made of wooden floor and really spacious. The only downside is that it's on a mezzanine so there's not really a privacy and staying with a stranger (the host) was a little bit strange.
Host friendliness: Luckily the host was really friendly to us. He made us tea (he's into tea) 2 times and we had a good time chatting and exchanging thoughts with him.
Aircon: no, but Brussels was really cold even during summer.
Heater: yes
Internet wifi: yes
5. Brugge: Etap Hotel Brugge Centrum Station
Location: 4.8/5 - next to the train station that we're taking to Paris but a bit of a walk to go to the 'city center'
Comfort: 3.5/5 - it's a very minimalistic hotel with sophisticated design. You're not going to spend much time in the hotel anyway, so this is a good choice for us nonetheless.
Staff friendliness: 3/5 - no particular comment on this.
Aircon: No
Water heater: yes
It costs about 60 euro per night.
Location: 4.8/5 - next to the train station that we're taking to Paris but a bit of a walk to go to the 'city center'
Comfort: 3.5/5 - it's a very minimalistic hotel with sophisticated design. You're not going to spend much time in the hotel anyway, so this is a good choice for us nonetheless.
Staff friendliness: 3/5 - no particular comment on this.
Aircon: No
Water heater: yes
It costs about 60 euro per night.
6. Paris - a 40 sqm design loft near Champs de Elysees
Location: 5/5 literally 10-15 mins walk from the Ave Champs Elysees. There's a Subway store just across the apartment building.
Comfort: 5/5 The design was amazing. Kitchen was clean. Living room was really 'welcoming'. Only that toilet is a bit 'basic'. The toilet bowl was located like in a store room while the shower was in a proper bathroom. Bedroom is big enough for two people.
Host friendliness: The host was really friendly to us and really took time to explain everything into details for us.
Aircon: no, but you don't really need one.
Heater: yes
Internet wifi: yes with a desktop.
You don't need a 4-5 star hotel when you can get a comfortable apartment with good host to rent from at a price of 3-star hotel. Plus, you can make friends too!
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