These are some of my favorite accommodations in Cape Town, Paris, Kyoto and around the world and the tools I use to find them. I’m always looking for the best value as costs for accommodations can add up quickly and take the bulk of your travel budget, especially when travelling with a family of 4.

I’ve stayed in everything from tents to hostels, hotels, luxurious safari lodges, and private homes and have used a variety of websites and apps. Amongst them, booking.com, Priceline’s name your own price (scroll all the way to the bottom to find this option), Airbnb and Marriott Bonvoy points are what I use primarily.

POINTS

It would be a disservice if I didn’t first mention hotel reward points. On my last trip to South Africa in October/November 2019, 25 nights were “paid” for with points. Of those 25 nights, 22 nights were in Cape Town using Marriott Bonvoy points.

For Canadians, the main hotel reward program is Marriott Bonvoy. Although there have been devaluations in the last year or two, Bonvoy can still provide great value, and we have access to co-branded credit cards that can help us accumulate points quickly.

Marriott Bonvoy has 28 hotel brands and 7000+ hotels around the world. You could get 1 free night at a Marriott Bonvoy branded hotel for as little as 5000 Bonvoy points a night (off-peak, category 1). With 1 Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, you get a welcome bonus of 50,000 Bonvoy points. When I visited Cape Town in 2019, I spent 15 nights at the Protea Mowbray in Cape Town at the standard rate of 7500 points a night. They now offer off-peak (5000 points a night) and peak (10,000 points a night) rates. As a Gold status member (a perk of American Express Platinum cards), I had a wonderful upgrade to a very large room that included a kitchen/dining area and living room.

I also stayed at an oceanfront Airbnb in Muizenberg for 3 nights and used my points from the American Express Cobalt credit card to pay for those nights as a statement credit. This card is only available for Canadians.

I don’t want to get too much into talking about credit cards here, but if you jump over to this resource, you’ll find some information about it.

For our friends to the south in the USA, Marriott Bonvoy still remains one of the top hotel loyalty programs. Americans also have access to Hilton co-branded credit cards which also provide decent value, but the Hilton Honors program offers fewer hotels.

BOOKING.COM

This is the first site I go to when I look for accommodations around the world because it offers discounts, perks and keeps track of your bookings.  I’ve found some of my favorite accommodations around the world through booking. com. After a few bookings, you can become a “genius” traveler and receive perks such as early check-in and a 10% discount.

If it’s your first time using Booking.com, use this link to save $25 CAD on your first Booking.com hotel. 

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATIONS VIA BOOKING.COM

Where to Stay in North America

Buffalo Airport

• Canadian and flying out of Buffalo? – Days Hotel Buffalo Airport 

Florida Keys

• A family-friendly motel in Key Largo, Florida Keys – Seafarer Resort
• A family-friend resort motel in Marathon, Florida Keys – Coconut Cay
• A family-friend resort in Duck Key, Florida Keys

Niagara Falls

• Our favorite hotel in Niagara Falls, Canada – Sheraton on the Falls 

New York City

• Just west of Time Square – Doubletree by Hilton

Toronto

• A great family-friendly hotel in Toronto, Canada – Eaton Chelsea

Victoria

• Great motel in Victoria, BC (with kitchenettes) – Helm’s Inn

 

Where to Stay in South Africa

Cape Town

• My favourite hostel in the world, Cape Town (private, dorm and family rooms) – The Backpack
• Protea Sea Point, Cape Town, category 3 Marriott Bonvoy Hotel
• Protea Mowbray, Cape Town, category 1 Marriott Bonvoy Hotel
• The President  Bantry Bay, Cape Town (amazing buffet breakfast included)

Johannesburg Airport

• Where I always stay passing through Johannesburg – Aero Guest Lodge

Port Elizabeth

• The Beach Hotel (next to the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex

Where to Stay in Australia

• Heron Island (Southern Great Barrier Reef, a must-visit)
• Oaks Grand Gladstone (before/after Heron Island
• Tryp by Wyndham Fortitude Valley Brisbane
• A great motel after the Great Ocean Road – Warrnambool Motel

Where to Stay in Europe

Paris

• Near the Notre Dame in Paris – Europe Saint Severin Hotel

Lisbon

• In the Alfama area – Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel

London

• Covent Garden – Strand Palace

Istanbul

• Near the Blue Mosque, Istanbul – Lapis Inn Hotel

Where to Stay in Japan

• A great location in the heart of Gion, Kyoto – Apa Hotel Kyoto Gion

Where to Stay in Myanmar

• Winner Inn, Yangon
• Bagan King, Mandalay
• Victoria Cliff Hotel & Resort, Kawthaung (before/after Myeik/Mergui Archipelago 

Where to Stay in Singapore

• Not far from the airport, good for layovers- Village Hotel Katong

 

MY FAVORITE AIRBNB RESERVATIONS

Whenever I am planning to stay in a destination for more than 2 days or if I’m travelling with my family, I prefer to stay at an Airbnb. I’ve found some great Airbnb reservations through the Airbnb app or website, some of which I’ve returned to a few times.

If you’re looking for a self-catering option and a great way to travel cheaper, check out the Airbnb website or app. You will usually have a fridge, microwave, electric kettle and often a stovetop to make your own meals. If you need more space for your family, you can filter your search to look for more than 1 bedroom so you can have separate rooms and space. 

Use this link to save $45 CAD on your first Airbnb. Some of the fantastic private places I’ve stayed around the world.

South Africa

• Sea therapy in Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
• Wild animals in your backyard in Greater Kruger Park, South Africa
• In a Big 5 reserve near Hoedspruit, South Africa

Japan 

• A traditional machiya home in old Kyoto

Europe

• A fantastic location in Paris

North America

• Moon River in Bala, in the heart of the Muskokas
• Quiet Cottage near Parry Sound

Note: Some links on this page are referral links to accommodations in which I receive a small compensation if you sign up through my referral. It is no additional cost to you, just one way to support this site if you found the information useful.