Articles Mentioning Budget

iStay Hotel Porto Centro

The two-pearl iStay Hotel Porto Centro is a clean, contemporary budget hotel, and a solid pick in central Porto. The hotel is a little more than five minutes’ walk from Sao Bento station and within 15 minutes on foot from nearly all the Old Town attractions. Property features are limited to a well-regarded continental breakfast, a lobby lounge with computer, and a top-floor terrace with city views. The 56 guest rooms have a colorful and modern minimalist look, and all come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, but they lack mini-fridges and electric kettles. Budget-conscious travelers who want to stay in this area might also consider Tattva Design Hostel, which has even more style and youthful energy, although some of its rooms share a bathroom.  

Best Western Mountain Lodge at Banner Elk

This value hotel from the Best Western chain makes a convenient base for Banner Elk attractions like Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain ski resorts. The property has a mountain/hunting lodge vibe that’s cozy and inviting, and offers a handful of perks like an outdoor heated pool (open seasonally) and a free breakfast with hot items. The fitness center is small and not well equipped; there are business facilities like meeting/event space and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The 100 guest rooms are spacious, but dated and chainlike in terms of decor. They’re equipped with a solid set of amenities, including flat-screen TVs, DVD players, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. As an alternative, the mid-range Blue Ridge Village offers rooms with kitchens, fireplaces, and laundry machines, but there’s no free breakfast.

Hotel Villas del Sol

The budget Villas del Sol is a hotel with a suburban residential community feel featuring 32 traditional hotel rooms and 33 villas, on the outskirts of Oaxaca City — about 20 minutes from the city center. There’s nothing fancy about this place (in fact it’s terribly dated), but it’s clean and comfortable — plus some guests enjoy the non touristy out-of-town location, laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere, and the freedom to self cater in villas. There’s a casual on-site restaurant serving all meals; a nice outdoor pool; play equipment; and large-scale events spaces on offer. Villas del Sol attracts families, groups, and business travelers (largely locals) for extended stretches. International guests sometimes wind up here when inner city hotels fill up. Travelers seeking a family-friendly property closer to town could try the Holiday Inn Express Oaxaca-Centro Historico. 

Hotel Plaza Del Sol

The Hotel Plaza Del Sol isn’t much to look at from the outside. However, a decent location and 28 well-appointed, apartment-style rooms — all with air-conditioning, kitchenettes, and flat-screen TVs — create a solid budget option for guests looking for a functional place to stay in downtown Santo Domingo. Aside from the tiny lobby lounge, there are no common amenities, and it can take up to 25 minutes to reach the Colonial Zone by car, depending on traffic. Fortunately, guests needn’t travel more than 10 minutes by car to find plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars. Although it’s pricier, Antiguo Hotel Europa includes free breakfast and a rooftop deck with excellent views of the city’s bustling Colonial Zone.

Savoy Hotel Boutique Santo Domingo

In an area replete with historic hotels, the two-and-a-half-pearl Savoy Hotel Boutique Santo Domingo’s contemporary design stands out, though it’s not without its flaws. All 26 boldly decorated rooms include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges; Suites upgrade to balconies. The hotel’s location is its best asset as it sits at the western edge of El Conde — a bustling pedestrian walkway that’s home to dozens of tourist-friendly shops, restaurants, and bars. The cramped bathrooms, abundant street noise, and lack of features may dissuade some guests, however, prices are a real bargain. While slightly more expensive, Hotel Conde de Penalba offers more polish, an alfresco restaurant, and a better location near Parque Colon.

Hotel San Martin

Travelers looking for a low-key, budget hotel in Bocagrande needn’t look further than Hotel San Martin Cartagena. The 40-room property is situated in the middle of Bocagrande, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, and the beach, and is a 10-minute cab ride from Cartagena’s historic walled city. Rooms are sparse and bathrooms are small, but all the necessities — TV, AC, and free Wi-Fi — are present. Plus, the hotel serves free daily breakfast on its charming front patio. Those who would prefer to stay within the walled city should check rates at Centro Hotel, a similar, though more historic property.