Tag Archives: budget

Hotel Anteroom, Kyoto

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Japan is one of the most expensive destinations to travel to, even with a good exchange rate. The accommodation options in the historic city of Kyoto vary from exclusive traditional ryokans to cheap, trendy hostels. Hotel Anteroom is a brilliant option for those desiring the privacy and comfort of a hotel at low cost.

The functional building was built 28 years ago and is found just south of Kyoto’s main station. It was once used as student housing before being transformed in 2011 into the chic design-focused hotel it is today. With 61 rooms, 49 of which are single bedrooms, this hotel is perfect for solo business and leisure travellers.

anteroom kyoto

The rooms are intelligently designed to make the best use of minimal space, with bespoke furniture and artwork by local artists (all for sale) adding some colour and character. On the beds, handmade Japanese nightwear is offered for guests to wear, and in the bathrooms Provençal toiletries by Provinskia are complimentary. The beds are simply dressed but are comfortable and the surroundings feel homely.

Design, culture and art are clearly of paramount importance to the Anteroom team. On the ground floor the hotel showcases Japanese art in regular exhibitions, free for all to enjoy, whether you are staying at the hotel or not. When I stayed they were showing the work of Nobukazu Takemura, a popular Japanese musician and artist. Also on the ground floor is a casual bar for drinking and working, and a small boutique selling a few design-conscious items.

Travellers will be pleased to discover free laundry facilities on the ground floor and a wholesome £6 breakfast option with juice, coffee and pitta wraps. The hotel offer free bike hire for up to two hours, perfect for exploring the nearby sights such as the famed shrine Fushimi Inari Taisha.

Rooms at Hotel Anteroom start at just ¥6000 (£36) which is even cheaper than some hostels. Those requiring a more luxurious space can opt for one of the stylish twin terrace rooms.

The company have recently opened Bunka Hostel in Tokyo, the perfect place to stay to enjoy Japan’s vibrant capital.

More information and book a room at Hotel Anteroom here.

Qbic Hotel, Whitechapel

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If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in London, Qbic Hotel is definitely your best bet. Located in the up-and-coming Whitechapel area and at one end of the famous Brick Lane, Qbic is perfect for those wishing to explore the evolving East End of London.

Qbic reinvents the affordable hotel and it is far from bland and boring, with quirky touches and characterful features in the rooms and common spaces. As the name suggests, each room is cube-shaped with an all-in-one bed/bathroom pod, which is modern and sleek in its design. Our room, number 323, was located on the third floor and was one of the larger on offer. The design is basic but chic, with a focus on primary colours and experimental furniture. The bed was extremely comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed the easy-access TV at the foot of the bed. Bathroom facilities were clean, compact and efficient. It is the ideal base for a weekend in London.

The artistic flair of the surrounding district certainly feels present in the hotel’s eclectic and creative lounge.  Here guests can unwind, watch sport on TV, read, work or have a snack from the open kitchen (complete with hi-tech vending machines). The breakfast array was very impressive, with a range of hot and cold options; I even spotted Chegworth Valley, the most delicious fresh-pressed apple juice.

Rooms at Qbic range in price from £59 to £84, and if you are lucky you can nab a room for a mere £1 with their regular competitions (100 rooms per month every month).

You needn’t stray far from the hotel, Whitechapel has a plethora of venues to enjoy. Here is a shortlist of my favourites in this part of town:

–          Food: Tayyabs, family-run Punjabi cuisine. Delicious, cheap and renowned. BYOB to go with your meal.

–          Drink: Apples and Pears cocktail bar, innovative and tasty, my favourite is the signature Martini-style Apples and Pears cocktail. For coffee, there are many independent cafes to choose from, try Love in a Cup or Vagabond for your morning flat white.

–          Culture: Wilton’s Music Hall is a beautiful renovated building with regular events and an atmospheric bar. Whitechapel Gallery is the place to see the most exciting exhibitions in East London.

Book a room at Qbic Hotel here.

True Blue Bay Hotel, Grenada

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True Blue Bay is conveniently close to the airport and the main beaches of Grenada. The building is like a child’s playpen, a multicoloured arrangement of graphic shapes and designs. The rooms and apartments are just as colourful, quite basic but pleasant with small balconies furnished with reclining chairs overlooking the harbour, it is a lovely place to quietly enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sunset.

We were in a waterfront suite, sweetly decorated with an abundance of fuchsia petals. All the rooms are furnished in bright acid colours with quirky metalwork sea creatures adorning the walls. Surprisingly, our bathroom was quite high-tech with a four-spray shower and luxurious Gilhurst & Soames toiletries.

Dodgy dock restaurant is a little mediocre with a menu of overpriced comfort food. Breakfast was a disappointment too, with just a simple selection of fruit, cereal and bread from which to choose.

The pool is the place to be, a picturesque man-made beach/infinity pool. We spent a nice afternoon reading here, though be warned there is very little shade so go prepared. An aquanaut centre seemed to be popular at the sea’s edge through it wasn’t advertised to us and we didn’t investigate it further.

True Blue Bay entertains guests daily with creative activities: cooking classes, beachside dance lessons, cocktail happy hour and live music. Although this hotel seems to cater for a young crowd, the guests we saw were more mature enjoying a quiet holiday. True Blue Bay is a fun and easy place to stay and at less than £100 a night for two, it’s a good budget holiday option.

More information here: http://www.truebluebay.com/

Thanks to the Grenada Board of Tourism.