Related:Cheap hotels in Venice with canal views | 5 Cheap and charming hotels in Venice

1. Hotel Ai Do Mori 
Neighborhood: San Marco
Doubles from: €40

Remember that sleep across from St. Mark’s? Couldn’t be a Cheapo, right? (Wrong.) In addition to its hard-to-beat location, the darling Hotel Ai Do Mari offers rock-bottom rates. Plus, most of its 11 guest rooms (with or without private bath) boast bell tower views.

2. Hotel Galleria
Neighborhood: Dorsoduro
Doubles from €80

Oh, what a crush we’ve got on this sweet one-star hotel. Rooms are simple (and some are comically small), but you’ll be hard-pressed to find cheaper accommodations on the Grand Canal. The historic charmer (poet Robert Browning enjoyed the views from these windows) is situated right next to the Accademia Bridge and offers views galore.

3. Albergo San Samuele
Neighborhood: San Marco
Doubles from €40

The super-Cheapo San Samuele strikes that rare balance: It’s oh-so-central (within easy walking distance from the Opera House, Rialto Bridge and more), but its quiet location near Campo San Stefano manages to feel off the beaten path.

Get a square deal at the Locanda Fiorita. Photo: EuroCheapo

4. Albergo Doni
Neighborhood: Castello
Doubles from €50

The 16th-century building that houses this quiet one-star hotel sits on a canal, just two corners away from St. Mark’s Square. Rooms are basic (no air conditioning here) but cozy, and they look out over the canal or a back garden.

5. Locanda Fiorita
Neighborhood: San Marco
Doubles from  €80

We’re not sure what we like best about this friendly one-star hotel: its wisteria-covered entrance or its location on the quiet square, Campiello Novo o dei Morti, near Campo San Stefano. Ask for a room on the Campiello (you’ll be glad you did).

Want more? Check out our full list of cheap hotels in Venice.

And tell us: What’s your favorite place to stay in Venice?

The post Venice: 5 cheap hotels with great locations appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Not all hotels in Barcelona are created equal when it comes to location. While it’s true that some of the cheapest rooms can be found outside of Barcelona’s city center, this isn’t always the case. There are some great hotel deals to be had right in the center of the action.

Here are my “Top 5 hotels with amazing locations,” in no particular order:

1. Hostal Galeria Malda
Del Pi 5 1/1
Doubles: €20
Read review

I’m partial to Malda because I lived right across the street from it for a year on C/ del Pi. This area is about five minutes by foot from Pl. Catalunya, which is where you’re going to come in from the airport if you take the airport bus or train/metro combo. So it’s convenient.

However, I don’t recommend hotels that are right on Pl. Catalunya because they are noisy, pricy, and surrounded by touristy restaurants and bars. At Malda you get the close proximity to the center, but also Gothic Quarter charm and plenty of good eateries.

I also dig the fact that Malda is in an old palace (ask the owners to tell you all about it) and that there’s an original version cinema in the same building (Cines Malda).

There are many wonderful shops in this area, and lots of bars and restaurants. Explore the side-streets to find non-touristy cafes. I recommend the tapas bar and bakery on C/ del Pi (you’ll see them, they’re the only ones) which have fair prices and are popular with locals. I also love Cala de Vermut, nearby the Cathedral, around the corner from Malda for tapas. It’s excellent, albeit tiny!

Relax near the beach on Hotel del Mar’s terrace.

2. Hotel del Mar
Plaza Palacio, 19
Doubles: €75-115
Read review

As the name suggests, Hotel del Mar is near the beach. This is the place to book from May to October when it’s still possible to swim in the Mediterranean or lounge on the sand. Staying at Hotel del Mar you’ve got easy access to all of the seafood restaurants and tapas joints in La Barceloneta, but at the same time you’re close to the Born neighborhood and its vibrant nightlife scene. The Born or La Ribera also has a lot to offer in restaurants, cafes and bars. I recommend Set del Born (Esparteria, 7 ) and Paco Pizza (Allada Vermell, 11.).

This area is also where you’ll find Santa Maria de Mar church, a worship place built by the people for the people (read “Cathedral of the Sea,” Ildefonso Falcones, a book about the church). Nearby Santa Maria del Mar is the extremely popular Picasso Museum as well as the Chocolate and Textile Museums.

3. Hosteria Grau
Ramelleres, 27
Doubles: €50-80
Read review

One of my preferred hotels, Grau also has a fun location, though it could be noisy if you have a street-facing room. Located on C/Tallers, Grau is just off Pl. Catalunya, but not on it and therefore out of the hubbub.

Grau is in El Raval, but not deep in, which is good. As much as I like to go out in El Raval, as unique bars and clubs in this area are plentiful, I really can’t recommend the area in my top 5. Why? Because way too many folks get robbed there. So, although Grau is sort of in El Raval, it’s on a very busy street that is well-lit most of the night. It seems pretty safe.

On the same block as Grau find breakfast at one of the bakeries lining C/Tallers, or lunch at Tallers 76 (on Tallers, 76), which offers a delicious set menu Mon-Fri. There’s a kebab shop right next to Tallers 76 which does awesome falafel for about $4, a shoestring traveler’s dream.

The Itaca Hostel puts you right in the center of the city.

4.Ítaca Hostel
Ripoll, 21
Doubles: €60
Read review

First of all, this hostel rocks. The staff there are friendly and have made a super comfortable environment for travelers. Second, their location is “da bomb.” They’re on a little side-street off the plaza in front of Barcelona’s  main Cathedral, meaning it’s quiet but also right in the center of the city.

A few doors down from Ítaca you’ll find Cala de Vermut, which has some of the metropolis’ top tapas. There are also several fine boutiques selling clothing created by local designers on C/Ripoll, a juice bar and a wine bar. Since this side-street is sort of hidden, these spots are less frequented by tourists than all of the bars one street over by the Cathedral or in the other direction on Via Laietana.

What else? Crossing over Via Laietana from Ítaca, you’ll get to Palau de la Musica Catalana in about three minutes. This is one of my favorite Barcelona sights! Don’t miss it! Venturing further in, behind Palau de la Musica and down the Sant Pere streets (there are a few of them, “Baix,” “Mitja,” etc) you’ll come across local bars and inexpensive eateries.

P.S. Santa Caterina, one of Barcelona’s most lovely markets, is also just around the corner from Ítaca!

Enjoy the leafy and chic Eixample at the Hotel Astoria.

5. Hotel Astoria
París, 203
Doubles: From €70
Read review

All of the hotels I’ve listed above are in the old center of the city, which is where many of Barcelona’s main sites are located. However, there’s more to Barcelona than the Gothic which is why I’m listing Hotel Astoria as my number 5. It’s way up on Ave. Diagonal, in the high-rent district of town. Staying here will give you a whole different perspective of the city, which is more “local,” more residential. The hotel is also close by the Gaudí buildings on Pssg. de Gracia as well as the posh shopping options on the same strip (check out Vinçon for a fun souvenir).

From Astoria you can graze along the chic bars and restaurants on C/ d’Enric Granados or head up to Gracia (take the green line on the metro to “Fontana”) for a night out in one of the city’s most happening “barris.”  While this location is not that easy to get to from the airport, it’s worth the effort.

Also in our guide: These five hotels have all been reviewed by Regina in our guide to Barcelona’s best hotels. If you’re heading to Barcelona, you should definitely check out all of our reviews, plus information on neighborhoods and budget travel articles.

The post Barcelona: 5 hotels with amazing locations appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

When I scoured the streets of London hunting down the best affordable hotels, B&B’s and hostels for EuroCheapo’s London hotel guide, I was constantly amazed by many of their brilliant locations. Most people expect to pay dearly to stay in central London, but if you know where to look, there is no reason why we Cheapos can’t also demand “Location, Location, Location!”

Here’s my pick for three cheap London hotels with truly special locations:

Parking it in the YHA Holland Park's living room.

YHA Holland Park
Holland Walk, London

While not as modern or funky as many of the other YHA hostels in London, what the Holland Park branch lacks in trendy design, it makes up for with location. It is difficult to find, because as you make your way down Holland Walk you start doubting yourself, as all the signs point you into the park. I did a few laps through the pretty green spaces, passing by happy couples strolling and groups of friends picnicking in the sunshine, all the while convinced that I was headed in the wrong direction because, well, how could the hostel actually be in the park?

And then I found it. There it was, the best-kept secret on the London hostel scene, right in the middle of Holland Park, dishing out beds to visitors from around the world from just $26 per night! Genius.

The hostel itself is basic and could do with updating, but it offers dorms and private rooms, and a communal kitchen, dining room, living room, and a lovely little terrace.

This is definitely the place to stay if you want to escape the bustle of the city without actually leaving London. The hostel is a stone’s throw from Notting Hill and the vibrant Portobello Market, as well as being just a couple of stops on the tube into central London.

Places like the YHA Holland Park always leave me thinking that budget travelers actually have the last laugh–after all, I didn’t stumble across any five-star hotels while exploring Holland Park!

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the YHA Holland Park

The Seven Dials Hotel has one busy location.

Seven Dials Hotel
7 Monmouth Street, Soho

The Seven Dials Hotel is really is the place to stay if you want all of central London at your doorstep. London’s best bars, shops, cafes, restaurants and theaters are all within easy reach.

Monmouth Street, one of my favorites, is a pretty, old-fashioned street lined with boutiques and cafes that straddles Soho and Covent Garden. It is one of seven streets which lead up to a column bearing six sun dials. The column itself serves as the seventh sun dial as it casts its shadow over the point where the seven streets converge (hence the name of the area and the hotel).

The hotel is fairly basic, with a somewhat rickety, steep staircase, but rooms are clean and breakfast is included in the price (starting at $166 for a double room). In all honesty, you are paying for the prime location more than anything else here. And with so much going on outside the front door, you probably won’t be spending too much time in your room, anyhow.

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Seven Dials Hotel

The Mentone looks out to Cartwright Gardens

Mentone Hotel
54-56 Cartwright Gardens, Bloomsbury

It’s hard to believe that this beautiful and peaceful crescent-shaped square is slap bang in the center of London. As soon as you turn off noisy Euston Road and approach Cartwright Gardens, the car fumes and fast city pace fade away and you feel like you’ve stumbled upon something special.

The Mentone boasts an ideal location for exploring central London, perfectly placed for the British Museum and the British Library, as well as the lively Brunswick Centre in Russell Square (an obligatory stop off for dinner during your trip!). You can reach central London’s shops and theaters by foot, and Kings Cross Station, just a few minutes away, makes it easy to escape the city on a day trip.

The Mentone Hotel is not the only hotel on Cartwright Gardens. In fact, the gorgeous line-up of Georgian houses is home to about 10 B&B’s, all of which boast views of the communal gardens and tennis courts. However, The Mentone stands out as the friendly manager, Dale, really makes you feel welcome and offers his guests great advice for exploring the city. The hotel also offers generously sized rooms (doubles costing from $152) and a sumptuous communal living room. (Some singles, however, are a bit tight.)

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Mentone Hotel

The post London: 3 budget hotels with amazing locations appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This is definitely the case in Dublin. The following neighborhood guide can help you determine which Dublin post code to call home (even just for a few days).

Overview

Dublin is broken in half by the River Liffey, into the north side and the south side. All addresses on the north side of the river have an odd post code (Dublin 1, Dublin 3, Dublin 7) and all the addresses on the south side of the river have an even post code (Dublin 2, Dublin 4, Dublin 6).

The smaller the number, the closer to the city center you will be. If you find an appealing hotel option – but it’s in Dublin 24 – you are going to want to keep searching (unless you want to spend a lot of time intimately getting to know Dublin Bus).

Dublin 1

Many hostels, affordable B&Bs and small hotels are located on the north side of the River Liffey, in Dublin 1. These options have their appeal – they are close to the center of the city, to nightlife, and to local attractions. Yet many locals would argue that this neighborhood has the least charm of all the central neighborhoods. You’ll find a great deal, but this area around O’Connell Street is known more for touristy t-shirt shops than authentic pubs or restaurants.

Dublin 1 attractions: The Abbey Theatre, the Dublin Writers’ Museum, the Hugh Lane Gallery

Dublin 2

Arguably the heart of the city, Dublin 2 is the very center where you will find Grafton Street, St. Stephens Green, Christ Church Cathedral, and a long list of five-star hotels. Cheapos shouldn’t fret – as there are a few affordable options too that will allow you to share addresses with the local rich and famous. Hotels might be a little older and classically styled, but they will be affordable and central. When you choose this central neighborhood, you can explore Dublin entirely on foot. Local pubs and cafés are all within easy strolling distance.

Dublin 2 attractions: Merrion Square, the National Gallery of Ireland, well-known pubs like O’Donoghue’s

Dublin 4

My favorite neighborhoods in Dublin are in Dublin 4. While still in close walking distance to all the action, these are local, leafy neighborhoods full of beautiful Georgian architecture. Here instead of five-star hotels, you will be surrounded by Dubliners going about their everyday business. Expect to stumble on affordable markets, lunch spots, and pubs all steps from the door of your B&B. While many of the former Georgian homes here were turned into offices, many of them house small, affordable B&Bs as well.

Dublin 4 attractions: Herbert Park, the pubs along Baggot Street, strolls along the Grand Canal

Pick your hood

Every traveler will have their own idea of the perfect neighborhood. First time visitors to Dublin might be drawn to bustle of Dublin 1 or Dublin 2, while those who are seeking more of an in-depth experience with the locals will be drawn to the neighborhood feel of Dublin 4.

In these neighborhoods and beyond – one thing is for sure – compared to other destinations in Europe there is excellent value to be found right now in Dublin hotels.

The post Dublin: Which neighborhood is right for your trip? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.