Category Pages For: Where To Stay

Detailed analyses of where to stay in particular destinations

Long Term Hotel Options
DECEMBER 2015: Click here to read our Vietnam Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: In Hoi An, I was able to Get Around By Bicycle for 2 days investigating. I concluded that the only real area for GRANDPAckers to stay in was in the heart of or within walking distance of the heart of the Old Town. Some hotels out from center provide complimentary bicycles – they have to because, otherwise, it is too problematic for their guests to get around. You can easily get from the Old Town to the Beaches on a bicycle… and, it is a pleasant 25 minute ride. WHERE TO STAY: It is worth noting […]

Hoi An – Vietnam – Where To ...

NOVEMBER 2015: Click here to read our Vietnam Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: In Phu Quoc, I rented a scooter and went Around The Island for 2 days investigating. I concluded that the only real area for GRANDPAckers to stay in was in the 5km strip along Long Beach south of Duong Dong. It reminded me of Cenang Beach, Langkawi, Malaysia where (similarly) this was the only beach on the island suitable for GRANDPAckers to stay long term. The rest of the island is either being built, up-market, unkempt, or not to GRANDPAcking standard. On my 3rd day, I sat down to have breakfast, and used BOOKING.COM to create a […]

Phu Quoc – Vietnam – Where To ...

JANUARY 2016: Click here to read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: I did my ‘normal thing’ and used AGODA.COM to book my first 2 nights in Puerto Princesa in advance on the internet. I chose the Pension Del Flora which had excellent reviews (8.7/10) at a cost of US$18.21 / night excluding breakfast. Their breakfast was an extra PHP55. The room was listed as a 24sqm Deluxe Fan Room. It was ‘discounted’ down from US83… yeah right! Dream on! It looks like many of the Hotels over-value the price of their hotel rooms on purpose so that they can offer these ‘heavy discounts’! […]

Puerto Princesa – Philippines – By Scooter

DECEMBER 2015: Click here to read our Vietnam Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: I arrived in Cat Ba Island on 21st December 2015. This is ‘off season’ and it rains most days. Also, some days (and many nights) are quite cold so you need to wear long trousers and warm tops / jackets. I planned to stay for nearly 2 weeks through to the 2nd January 2016; so, I was going to be there for Christmas and New Year. It was going to be important to find the right spot… GETTING THERE: I travelled from Hoi An to Cat Ba and landed at the boat […]

Cat Ba – Vietnam – Where To ...