Tag: hostel

A Bed in Vienna – Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi Review

Vienna may conjure images of black tie balls, horse and carriage rides (oh, we did that) and magnificent architecture. You might think that it is too expensive, but there are some great ways to save money and staying in a brilliant hostel is one of them. During our two day trip to Vienna, we had a spot at the Meininger. Read on for our full Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi Review

This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

Location

Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi is about five minutes walk from the Schottenring U-Bahn station. It looks like it is on the other side of the river but you can walk under the river along the deepest platform before popping up in the lift. Schottenring has two U-Bahn lines, trams and busses so it is a great place to get around from. The side street is quiet so you will get a good night’s sleep, even if you have a street-side window.

A Look Around the Property

Our Room

During our stay, we had a double room which was incredibly spacious. and beautifully bright. The two large windows let in so much light and the higher floor gave us a nice view across the roofs of the surrounding buildings Around the bed, there was loads of room for our luggage and to avoid getting in each other’s way, even with the desk.

There was a small wardrobe with both hanging space and shelves but we don’t tend to unpack so we didn’t use it. There was a bedside table each, with reading lamps and plugs (LOVE a plug by the bed). We also had a writing desk with three more plugs. We weren’t short of places to charge things up.

Our Bed

The bed was made up of two singles pushed together so we both had plenty of space. It meant we had single duvets so we weren’t fighting over it, but this is something to bear in mind if you are expecting one double bed. The mattresses were bouncy and the pillows plump. After weeks of weird soft pillows, I was thrilled. We had a vague plan to watch a film in bed, as there was a TV but we were so tired from all the sightseeing that we just passed out.

Our Bathroom

The ensuite bathroom was quite small but it is always a treat to have your own bathroom in a hostel. It was perfectly clean and had toiletries both by the sink and in the shower. We even got a hairdryer in the bathroom which I definitely wasn’t expecting. The shower was warm and had great pressure. It could be used as a normal shower and as a handheld. The doors closed but it still leaked a little so remember to put the shower mat down!

Reception

Let’s continue our Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi review at the entrance. In a strange way, I think the reception of a hostel is a lot more important than in a hotel. This is the hub where friendly people with bundles of local knowledge are. At Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi it reception wears many hats. There is a souvenir shop to one side with some decently priced niknaks for loved ones back home. It is also a bar. You can grab drinks from the two fridges and pay for them to take into the lounge, kitchen or your room. We decided to treat ourselves to a mini prosecco in bed because we were too tired to go back out after a long day…so rock and roll.

Sissi

Sissi refers to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who married Franz Joseph I. She was once described as the most beautiful woman in the world. Sissi had a teeny weeny waist and iconic long, dark hair She met an unhappy end, assassinated when she was only 44. She is often compared to Princess Diana.

I loved the pictures of Sissi (or the model they have used to represent her) throughout the hotel. Each room has a very fun snap which changes as you walk past them. Behind our bed was a picture featuring her empress-ship. Finally, down at reception, there was a huge wall mural featuring the lady herself.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is open for all guests to use. It’s got everything you need to cook dinner with an oven, a hob a microwave, and a kettle. This is so handy when you are travelling on a budget. There is a large fridge where standard hostel food rules apply. One thing to bear in mind, however, is that the kitchen is not very big so you may struggle to find space at peak dinner time. Finally, there are two washing machines but sadly they were not working during our stay. We needed to do laundry but no such luck.

Breakfast

The buffet breakfast was great. It was advertised as a continental breakfast (no hot bits) and I was wondering if it was a little overpriced for almost €12 but there was a lovely selection of items. The bread was delicious and the fun and unusual cream cheeses (different on both mornings) made a highly addictive sandwich. There was a yoghurt station with loads of toppings, four or five cereals and cakey bits. We both had two or three courses including creamy yoghurt, fresh and tinned fruits and cereal followed by loads of bread, meat and cheese. The coffee was from a decent coffee machine and there were some toppings and syrups to jazz the java up. There was also a large selection of teas. It was a great start to the day and as there aren’t really any cafes nearby, I think it is absolutely worth buying the breakfast here.

Final Thoughts on This Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi Review

Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi is definitely a hostel but has some very hotet-like advantages. We loved the size of our room which was incredible for the price. There are only private rooms here so there seem to be less large, noisy groups. The breakfast was great, even if the idea of just a continental may turn some people off, we think it was worth the extra cost. Then, we had the excellent aspects of the hostel. A casual atmosphere with the bar fridges, and extra friendly reception staff. Plus, the free luggage room, free wifi and well-equipped kitchen which keep the budget tight. It is a wonderful blend of both and perfect for these flashpacking Fluskeys!

Rosie xx

28/07/2023
A Bed in New Orleans – The Quisby Review

New Orleans is famous, or is that infamous, being a bit different. The only way to experience such a kooky city is to find accommodation that is equally cool. That is why we chose The Quisby. Part-hostel, part-boutique hotel and part-y spot. Here is our full review of The Quisby.
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23/11/2019
A Bed in Philadelphia – Apple Hostels of Philadelphia Review

Philadephia, in USA’s Pennsylvania, is chock full of history and is famous worldwide for its cheesesteaks. Turns out there is so much to do in Philadelphia! Somehow, we had never hopped on a bus from our many visits to New York to explore. With a friend’s wedding a short drive away in Maryland, we decided to see what we were missing and spent two nights at Apple Hostels of Philadelphia.
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12/11/2019
A Bed in North Tel Aviv – The Spot Hostel Review

Tel Aviv is not a cheap city to visit so finding a great room at a great price is the best way to ensure you have a great time! During our visit to Tel Aviv, Israel, we took a room in The Spot Hostel for three nights. This is our full Spot Hostel review.

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07/07/2019
A Bed in Jerusalem – YMCA Three Arches Hotel Review

Jerusalem has a hidden gem amidst its accommodation offerings. We were lucky enough to stay at the YMCA Three Arches Hotel, Jersualem.

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21/06/2019
A Bed in Tofo Beach – Mozambeat Motel Review
Tofo Beach (Praia de Tofo) is the lively heart of Mozambique’s casual tourism scene. From the town’s crescent of golden sand you can dive, surf and search for whale sharks (and even whales in the right season). Visiting Tofo Beah gives you not only some very cool experiences but some cool bragging rights too. During your stay, you will want to stay in somewhere just as cool; enter Mozambeat Motel.

Location

Mozambeat Motel is set on a bluff 10 -15 minutes walk from the centre of Tofo Beach. It is not a very big town, so it feels quite out of the way, but 10 minutes walk really wasn’t far. It can be a slightly confusing walk when you first arrive as it is up a sandy track. We got a taxi from the bus drop off for our first journey. However, walking back into town, and from then on, the walk was really easy.

A Look Around Mozambeat Motel

Our Room

We were given the George Clinton Suite (yes, the funk guy) and apologies were made as it “Isn’t as nice a room”. Well, we loved it so the others must be pretty epic. It was a brick building with a thatched roof. It was the furthest from the main building and so no one needed to walk past. That meant a nice quiet stay.

In fact, all of the rooms at Mozambeat Motel are separate units which eradicates a hostels worst trait, noisy neighbours. Each room is named for a musical artist. I didn’t really know who George Clinton was, but from our sign, I realised that he was in an episode of How I Met Your Mother. OK, so my musical knowledge may be lacking, but my US sitcom knowledge is on point!

The George Clinton room has two double beds so it is ideal for two couples or close friends…or two people who like to have lots of room. The beds were nice and big, as well as very comfortable.

The beds

In the room, we were given a funky, Mozambican print bathrobe each. It was the addition of these little touches that elevated this above my expectations. On the shelves were bottles of drinking water and a book full of information. In the book, we read all about the hotel’s facilities and services, the local area and the activities that were available.

The details

The Bathroom

There was a downside to the bathroom. The wall didn’t reach the ceiling so you could hear everything that was going on in there from the room. As a couple, that isn’t so bad, but if we were four friends sharing…it may be a little too intimate. Mind you, if you have been travelling together or a while, you may have seen worse.

There was a nice collection of toiletries, again, something that I wasn’t expecting. These went down very well in the rain shower.

Bathroom sink

Other Room Options

As well as the kind of suite we were in, you will also have the option of:
- A 10-bed dorm with an en suite bathroom. The dorm only has a fan but each bunk bed has a mosquito net.
- Three tents with double beds, ideal for couples. There is an outside shower for these tents.
- The private suites for 2 – 5 people. These all have air conditioning and an outside shower, as well as an outside area with a hammock/chairs. We were originally booked in one of these but had to change our dates.
There was also a separate bathroom block for those in the tents and dorms that was clean and well-maintained).

The bathroom block

Tents

A private suite

The Pool

A hostel with a pool? Yes, they do exist!

Here at Mozambeat Motel, there is a surprisingly big pool which Mr Fluskey enjoyed splashing about in. I was sitting on my sun lounger and enjoying my milkshakes too much to join him. I’ll tell you more about the milkshake later!

The pool has a swim up bar but I think it is only in action at high season.

The Main Building

Part reception, part bar, the bottom floor of the main building is a social space for all. It’s surprisingly well-stocked was a delight and I suppose, that is how they are able to host fun parties.

Colourful vibes

Upstairs from the was a common room with wooden tables and chairs, giant wooden sofas and even swing seats. It was a very nice place to relax. and thank goodness! Our second day in Tofo was a washout. A very unseasonable storm came and dropped the temperature, as well as s several inches of rain. Instead of sunbathing and surfing at the beach, we spend the day huddled under blankets on one the sofas, using and abusing the wifi. There are open sides to this area, and the wind made the corrugated walls rattle, but it was weirdly cosy with most of the hotel’s residents up there. Wednesday is movie night at Mozambeat Motel and so as the sun set, we snuggled down to watch Book Club.

Upstairs

This area is used for film screenings

Dining

Food Offerings

The food at Mozambeat Motel is a pretty international but with a Mozambican heart. You will find peri-peri chicken, and curries alongside the toasties, burgers and salads.

We ordered a prego roll (after seeing it on the Nando’s menu for so many years, i was curious). It was huge and so delicious. The Portuguese roll was really light and crunchy. Accompanying it were perfect chips. They were salty, crispy and totally moreish.; the perfect post-swim munchies.

During the chilly movie night, I had a big bowl of spaghetti bolognese. Comfort food time and it was just right. It came with a big handful of cheese on the top. It may have been a bit heavy in the heat but it was great for the cold, and for any homesick Brits! I also glugged down many a coffee to stay warm. Happily, their cappuccinos were great!

There was loads of fresh seafood on the menu, at a reasonable price, but we were on a budget kick and chose to spend our pennies on “the milkshake of joy” (its unofficial Flying Fluskey name).

“The Milkshake of Joy”

Now, I don’t want to oversell this, but Mozambeat Motel do a milkshake that is chocolate brownie and Amarula flavour. It is my favourite milkshake in the whole wide world and I want the recipe! I must have slurped my way through four or five in two days.

Check out all our travels in Africa

4 Reasons to Love Mozambeat Motel

1.) The morning after services

Just let the reception staff know that you are suffering and they will being painkillers and a big bottle of water to you. You can also order breakfast in bed so you don’t have to leave your room. They are magical hangover fairies!

2.) The Friday night parties – These may be the cause of your hangover.

Every Friday is music night at Mozambeat Motel. The bar plays some epic tunes and anyone is welcome to join, you don’t have to be a guest.

3.) The Connections

Check the book in your room or ask the reception staff, and you’ll find out about the discount with Peri-Peri divers. This dive centre runs snorkelling, dives, courses, ocean safaris and lots of other water-based activities. Just for staying at Mozambeat Motel, you receive a discount.

4.) Did I mention the milkshake?

Check out all our accomodation reviews including budget, midrange and luxury

Final Thoughts

If you are thinking of visiting Mozambeat Motel, here is some information you might like to know:
- You can find the best prices and lots more information on the Mozambeat Motel website.
- Tofo Beach is located 4.5 hours drive south of Mozambique‘s Vilanculos airport. You can also fly to Inhambane airport and then it is just 30 mins by road. There are direct flights to Vilanculos from Johannesburg with South African Airways or you could connect through Maputo with LAM.
- We caught a bus direct from Johannesburg airport which took 16 hours. It was with a company called Tours2moz and was very easy!
Mozambeat Motel may be sold on hostel websites, but there are some touches which are much more like a boutique hotel. I wonder if the moniker “Motel” sells it a little short. I think that it is perfect for flashpackers. It has the fun and personality of a hostel, but those touches, plus the pool (plus the milkshake) bring it to a different level. It is a top choice for your stay in Tofo Beach!

This post is in collaboration with Mozambeat Motel, but all opinions, views and words are my own.

Rosie xx

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15/01/2019
A Bed in Tofo Beach – Liquid Dive Adventures Review
If you are visiting Tofo Beach (Praia de Tofo) in Mozambique, chances are you have come for the beach. Sure, you could lie and bake on the sand all day, but if you really want to make the most of this wonderfully laid-back retreat, you’ll need to slip below the waves. We decided to do just that and found out that the company we decided to dive with also had their own accommodation. We booked in for two days. Keep reading to find out all about our time with Liquid Dive Adventures.

Location

You couldn’t get much closer to the beach than Liquid Dive Adventures. Just steps from the sand, and just five minutes from the central market of Tofo Beach, Liquid Dive Adventures has an enviable location.

This was the view from our patio doors.

A Look Around Liquid Dive Adventures

Our Room

Now I wasn’t expecting to come across Scandi-style simplicity in Mozambique but the clean lines and monochrome paint scheme of Liquid Dive Adventures was just that. Each block (we were in no.8) runs perpendicular to the beach. Our patio doors opened to the surf and our own sunbeds..not that we had time to use them!

Room 8

Inside Room 8

Gosh, I am a sucker for trendy lamp!

The interiors were very simple with concrete walls and floor. At the back of the room, there were two large shelves for our bags. The first time we tracked sand into the room this all made sense. Much easier to keep it out of a concrete-floored room and the bags out of sand’s way! There was good air-conditioning but if you are after a more natural experience, you could always just open the doors onto the beach and have the mosquito net down over the bed. The colour scheme was all black and white which I thought was very classy and made a lovely contrast to the bright beach colours through the doors.

The bed had quite thin mattresses, more like foam pads and it two of them pushed together. We don’t mind that but I know it can upset some couples. I was surprised at how comfortable I found it. It was a real wrench to get up horrifically early to leave it…more on that later.

Mosquito net is essential

Bathroom

Again, simplicity is the word here. There was a small sink, a toilet and shower. The shower was strong and hot, perfect for a post-dive scrub. There was soap provided but no other toiletries. To be honest, with all that sun, sand and sea water, you will probably want to bring some more specialist toiletries anyway.

The shower wasn’t dirty, just in need of a lick of paint.

My issue with the room was the windows that run along the top of the wall. There is no way to block light out. I am an awful sleeper unless it is very dark, so if I didn’t need to be up early for a dive or the like, then this would definitely disturb me.

Reception and Dive Area

Unlike most hotels, the reception at Liquid Dive Adventures is always buzzing with activity. You are more likely to see someone dashing through in a swimming costume than a bell boy uniform tough. This is mission control for all of the excursions that Liquid Dive Adventures offers. There is a white board that is in constant use, mapping dives, explaining procedures and for general doodling.

Dive sites around Tofo

Reception sells sea sickness pills for the weak of tummy

Time to go diving!

Changing rooms and bathrooms for divers

Wetsuits drying

Diving gear

Diving gear

Swimming Pool

OK, so there is a pool but it is not always available for leisure use. It is used for diving instruction, and so you are more than likely going to find streams of bubbles popping on the surface. Lurking below are the students practising the skills required to earn those PADI certifications. However, you can lounge around it all day, and with the sea just a two-minute walk down the sand, you can cool off easily whenever you need to.

The pool area

Dining

The restaurant on site is called Happi Restaurant, open for breakfast and staying open for food until early evening. The menu at Happi is focused on healthy vegetarian and vegan fare. Every day, alongside their delicious permanent dishes, they have several specials and these are always fresh and interesting.

After a morning’s diving, I always want something hot and salty, so I opted for the vegan burger. Everyone was ordering the salad, which looked great, but I’m just not that kind of girl! The burger was tasty, with a very flavourful filling and an epic Portuguese-style bun but I missed a sauce element. I guess that vegan mayonnaise isn’t a thing yet.

Unfortunately, we had to leave early in the morning, 04:30 to be exact(!), so we didn’t get a chance to try the breakfast. I was particularly sad about this as the pictures on TripAdvisor show delicious looking waffles, pancakes, fruit and cream. If only we didn’t have to catch that minibus!

Don’t believe us? Don’t just take our word for it, Happi is incredibly well rated on Tripadvisor.

Activities

We did two different activities with Liquid Adventure Dive.

Ocean Safari

There was simply too much write about the ocean safari so I did a whole separate blog post about it:

Check out our amazing ocean safari and why we loved swimming with whale sharks in Mozambique…there’s a video too!

Diving

We started the day as a big group, all jumping into the same boat. However, when we reached the Salon dive site we were split into smaller groups, each with their own guide. This is the first time we have had this experience and it was a lovely way to dive.

Our guide Bryan, who also checked us in, was a lovely guy who took great care of us. We enjoy diving but we are definitely fair weather divers. You won’t find us squeezing into wetsuits and plunging into the freezing North Sea just to keep our log book full. This means that we are always a bit nervous when we strap on our gear again. He made us feel totally comfortable, along with the support staff at the hotel.

The coast of Mozambique is one of the best for diving in Africa. The water is warm, visibility is good (most of the time) and the flora & fauna is interesting. We hadn’t done that much dive research and so we didn’t really know what there was to see. We were pleasantly surprised.

Fish darted in schools amongst the rocks and they came in all shapes and sizes. We also saw a small stingray that flapped lazily away from us. He really wasn’t bothered about us, but I enjoyed seeing him very much.

Yellow fish

A school of fish that ayed with us

A lovely angel fish

Starfish!

More fish

Lionfish

At one point Bryan spotted a nudibranch (pronounced nudey-brank) and excitedly brought us over to have a look. These sea slugs come in hundreds of different variations, each a different colour, pattern and shape. They are known as the Pokemon of the sea. Gotta catch ’em all! (Although, please just leave them where they are, so maybe “Gotta spot em all!”) I’m not going to lie, my rubbish eyes failed me, as they so often do whilst diving, but I did snap a picture of the luminous green chap to have a closer look at later.

This quality is pretty bad, but this guy was TINY

I had to look at more of these little guys and came across this video. They are SO weird and I understand why he got excited now.

We all joined up to do our safety stop. This is normally my least favourite but of a dive, it is usually pretty dull. However, on this dive, Bryan was teaching us little tricks with bubbles and Mr Fluskey discovered he could do underwater somersaults so I was kept entertained.

Spot the upside down idiot!

We were on a beginners reef but if we were more experienced, or had more time, we would have visited a dive site with a better chance of seeing larger sea creatures (turtles/sharks etc)

Information

If you are considering a diving trip to Tofo Beach, then here is some information you might like to know:
- To see the best deals and more information about Liquid Dive Adventures then Liquid Dive Adventures website.
- Liquid Dive Adventures offers lots of diving options from fun dives to full PADi courses and even free diving.
- If you don’t want dive, you can do an ocean safari, kayak or sailing boat trips.
- The fasttest way to reach Tofo is by plane. Flights arrive at Vilanculos (4 hours drive away) and Inhambane (45 mins drives) daily. The best jumping off point in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- For a longer but cheaper option, Tours2Moz runs a minibus directly from Johannesburg airport to Tofo Beach.
- For those on a tight budget, you can get local buses from South Africa to Tofo, via Maputo.
Final Thoughts

Check out our amazing ocean safari and why we loved swimming with whale sharks in Mozambique.

We have been to scuba camps/resorts before but one so trendy as this. Liquid Dive Adventures is an intriguing mix. Part North European simplicity with its clean lines and monochrome styling and part laid back beach hangout. Paired with delicious fresh food, and enthusiastic staff and it becomes rather addictive. We would have liked to stay much longer, dived a lot more and taken in a bit more Mozambican sun. Maybe one day we will get the chance to return? I do hope so!

This post was in collaboration with Liquid Dive Adventures but all opinons are entirely our own.

Rosie xx

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11/01/2019
A Bed in Boracay – Mad Monkey Boracay Hostel Review
“Ladies and Gentleman of Mad Monkey Boracay, there are free shots at the bar. Let’s go!”

So echoes the call that pierces the air every hour while the bar is open at Mad Monkey Boracay. And what a welcome call it is for the budget traveller. It is just one of the things that makes Mad Monkey Boracay the best party hostel in the Philippines!

The Location

Set two blocks back from D*Mall, and three from the sea, Mad Monkey is about ten minutes from Boracay’s famous White Beach.

When you arrive at the port, catch a shared van to Station Two. (You may need to find a local to latch onto to avoid getting roped into paying for a private tricycle).

It is also almost equidistant from Bulabog Beach on the other side of the long, thin island. This is the perfect beach for those who want to learn kite-boarding or wind-surfing! It also gets the morning sun so if you are an early bird, or you still up from the night before., this is where you can top up your tan. Finally, it is less busy than White Beach so it may be a little more gentle on your hangover.

The Room

Our private room had sliding balcony doors; an unusual design that I really liked. Although the room was pretty huge, seeing the sky made the room feel even bigger. We just had to remember to shut the curtains when we got changed(!)

These are the private doubles

And these are the dorms

I liked the decor. It was simple but bright and colourful. Each room has a different paint job. I like to think that ours was called the high-five room. In my more bored moments, waiting for Mr Fluskey to wake up, I went round and tried to high-five all the hand prints.

The bed was very well sized for a hostel double. We were in our own private room, but even the single bunk beds in the dorms looked pretty good, with a proper mattress.

Towels too, a nice touch

The showers were warm! It may seem weird to be excited about that, but many budget properties only have cold water in the Philippines. I don’t know about you, but even if I am roasting hot, I can’t abide cold showers.

I was a bit concerned about the noise but the bar has a strict 00:00 closing time and so they went to bed (or more likely out clubbing) when we did.

The Food and Drink

Let’s start with the drinks seeing as we talking about the bar.

Mad Monkey Boracay will not leave you wanting when it comes to the odd drink. My absolute favourite was the mango daiquiri. This consists of taking one of Cebu’s amazing mangoes (seriously, they are the most amazing mangoes in the world), and blitzing it with a huge glug of rum. I only intended to have one, but seven mangoes later, I was eventually cut off when the bar shut.

The most famous drink at the bar must be the Boracay Bomb. There is a competition every month to see which nationality can down the most of these big, bad-ass beverages.

How to make a Boracay Bomb
1. Fill a big glass, half full with Red Bull
2. Balance two shot glasses in the top, one with vodka, and one with coconut rum.
3. Drink the shots and chase with the Red Bull.
Let me introduce the Boracay Bomb

This is Januarys leader board.

Thats four for the USA

The bar at Mad Monkey Boracay doesn’t just serve great drinks, but you can find a range of food, from breakfast to dinner. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food we tried. The first thing was fish goujons. We thought they would be oven-cooked, bread-crumbed mediocrity, but they were actually light and the fish was cooked perfectly. Mr Fluskey also demolished a bowl of pasta and gave it big thumbs up. I went with fish tacos and they were great!

Check out our Air Juan review to MPH Cataclan Airport for Boracay

The Communal Areas of Mad Monkey Boracay

The reception will not only welcome with a surprise that I won’t reveal, but they are a really helpful and friendly bunch. You can book tours, onwards travel, and kite-surfing lesson. They helped us get our laundry done quickly and cheaply.

This hostel has a surprisingly large pool. It’s set up for playing volleyball, or if, like me, you find that all too much like hard work, you can just float about in the sun.

I love these little guys

You wouldnt believe how big the pool is

Volleyball anyone?

No need to bring your own inflatables

Explicit material!

Around the grounds you will find a spa. We had just WAY overpaid for a massage somewhere else so we skipped getting one here, but the hangover massage was very intriguing.

Then there is the tattoo studio. I have been debating a tattoo for a while and I’m glad I didn’t get blind drunk or I may have found myself three storeys up getting inked. We saw pictures of their work and they do great work. If you are considering getting something done, you can do it here (and then limp back to your room easily).

The Mad Monkey Party

This is party hostel! You can’t help but have fun when you come and stay here. They arrange different activities every day that you can join in with. We were gutted to find out that we arrived just too late for the weekly boat party. It sounded like a brilliant day, and every one was tipsy enough that they looked as if they still had their sea legs on when they got back.

We also saw posters for an ATV day and loads of other tours they can arrange. These are cheaper than the touts offer them at the beach, and you know you will be with other fun people and not a boat-full of middle aged Korean ladies.

On our second night, we took part in the beer pong tournament. I say “we”, but I mean Mr Fluskey. If you know Mr Fluskey and his normal level of sporting prowess, you will know that his taking part is as unexpected as him drinking beer. (If you don’t know him, he is not good at sport, and he hates beer). Happily, in this game they use water and you drink your own drink as your forfeit, it’s hardly a punishment to hammer through a vodka coke. I just cheered from the side lines and knocked back my delicious mango daiquiris.

Mad Monkey Boracay have a couple of reps making sure that everyone is having a great time. They even came to chat to us (as a couple, that doesn’t happen very often). We had some yummy cocktail poured into our mouths…another free drink. Well done Mad Monkey!!

We made some great new friends, we danced, we drank and we tried not to fall in the pool.

The night before

The morning after

Check out our AirSWIFT review from MPH Cataclan Airport for Boracay

A Quick Serious Moment.

Not only is Mad Monkey, a brilliant chain of party places, but it has a heart too. They are committed to pumping money back into the local economy, where it needs it most. It’s so nice to know that your pesos are going to help build infrastructure or provide education or healthcare to Asian areas that really benefit from it. At the moment, they are putting a lot of their resources in the new property and surrounding area of Nacpan Beach (el Nido).

Check out our review of A Bed in El Nido – El Gordo’s Action Adventures Guesthouse Review

Final Thoughts

We visited Mad Monkey Boracay for my birthday and had such a great time. The staff couldn’t have been more enthusiastic or helpful (whether that was giving us advice, or giving us shots).

If you are after the best place to party in the Philippines then get your butt to Mad Monkey Boracay. The island is kicking into the early hours, and Mad Monkey is THE place to get the night started.

You can book directly with the hostel on the Mad Monkey website and we can promise you, you’ll have a wicked time!!

Rosie xx

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05/03/2018
A Bed in El Nido – El Gordo’s Action Adventures Guesthouse Review

If you are travelling to El Nido in the Philippines, you will probably end up staying in Buena Suerte, otherwise known as El Nido town. That’s where we based ourselves, and found the quirky spot, El Gordo’s Action Adventures Guesthouse.

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06/02/2018
Why Staying in Hostels is NOT as Bad as You Think

Let me start by saying, I have stayed in all manner of hotels, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and apartments. I have nothing against any accommodation option (although I may skip camping in deepest, darkest winter). I think that, of all of them, hostels have the worst reputation and I would love to change the mind of someone out there. Here are some of the reasons I love them with some honourable mentions for hostels that excel in a certain category. Following that are my top 4 hostel stays around the world…so far. Read on to discover why staying in hostels is NOT as bad as you think.
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13/09/2017
Skylodge Adventure Suites Peru Review – A Cusco Cliff Hotel!
Browsing through Airbn b, curious to see what was available in Peru’s Sacred Valley, I came across something very special. A capsule hotel in Peru. Mr Fluskey and I were travelling to Peru on honeymoon and I knew straight away that we HAD to book Skylodge Adventure Suites. Who wouldn’t want to hang off the edge of the Sacred Valley in a pod? It’s a Cusco Cliff hotel; so amazing! Even if you just fancy doing some rock climbing or a zip wire with Natura Viva? Read on to see our Skylodge Adventure Suites review!

This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

Skylodge Adventure Suites Review – The Coolest Accommodation in Peru!

The Trip To Peru

Our trip did not start out terribly well. I suffered a bruised coccyx just three days into the trip after a bit of a tumble from a sandboard in the desert (that’s a story for another time). I was unable to sit down properly, or get myself in and out of chairs. Walking was bearable but I wouldn’t say it was terribly comfortable. The solution? Painkillers taken at regular intervals.

Ouch!

Another three days on and we found ourselves at the base of a sheer rock face, gazing up at the shiny pods, high above us.

Skylodge Adventure Suites – The Pod Hotel in Peru’s Sacred Valley

Skylodge Adventure Suites is located in Peru’s Sacred Valley, near Ollantaytambo. The company that owns them is Natura Viva. The suites consist of three bedroom pods and one fancy new dining pod (still under construction when we visited in 2016 but now in full use).

The dining room

The pods are attached to the valley wall with a series of strong metal lines. Each pod is constructed to allow stunning views out over the valley, as it is full of windows. Do you remember the Crystal Maze? You know the large crystal at the end, the bit when they are trying to catch all the money? Well, it’s like that.

Our bedroom pod

At The Bottom of the Sacred Valley

We jumped out of Natura Viva’s minibus. I was full of enthusiasm despite my throbbing backside. Mr Fluskey, however, went into free fall.

300m below the pods

To reach the bedrooms, you have two options.
1. A Via Ferrata – A set of metal hand and foot holds inserted into the rock face that you climb like a huge ladder. There are wire walks as well. I would recommend that a decent level of fitness is required for this.
2. A Steep Climb – This is partly a steep uphill climb and involves just a little rock climbing.
Safety equipment is provided for both of these activities. A helmet and harness are given to you and you will be clipped onto safety wires the entire time.

Mr Fluskey didn’t realise that there were options. The other couple that we had been talking to in the minibus were taking the hard way up, the via ferrata. Happily, we were not! However, not knowing this, he panicked.

“We aren’t going to be able to do this!”

After a five minute freak out, we got him a bit calmer and we started our ascent towards the Skylodge Suites.

Ascending the Sacred Valley Wall – Rock Climbing With Natura Viva

I’m not going to lie. It really hurt my bottom!! Taking little steps, up a steep slope wasn’t good. This is how we spent our first twenty minutes or so. However, the walk became more of a rock climbing scramble, and those parts were mysteriously better.

We are pretty unfit. We had done no training whatsoever and in the run-up to the wedding, I had been sat at the dining room table making centrepieces, drawing up table plans and doing other wedding-related admin tasks. Going to the gym just didn’t happen.

We were both puffing and panting but we made slow and steady progress, zigzagging across the rock face and ever upwards. The valley is quite high, 2,700 metres above sea level, so the altitude can leave you a little more short of air than normal.

A quick rest stop to catch our breath

On the way up, we even got a little taster of the zip wire adventure we were looking forward to the next day.

I LOVE A ZIPWIRE!

The whole ascent took around two hours, but the feeling of having a hot poker stuck up my whatsit made it seem quite a bit longer. You know what though? I loved every minute of it!

Arriving at Our Pod Bedroom

(I don’t know if “pod” is quite the right name. I think they are probably posher than a “pod” but it is just the name that seems best to me right now.)

“Wooo”

We finally made it to the roof of our Skylodge bedroom and by now, I was feeling pretty fearless. The view was so great!

As the wires had kept us safe up until then I took a walk out across the rooftop. From the pictures, it looks totally tame but, honestly, I was a daredevil!

Inside the Skylodge Pod

I was expecting the pod to be a bit like a fancy tent but I was VERY pleasantly surprised. The interior was much more spacious than I imagined.

At one end, looking down the valley, was a large double bed. This was by far the most comfortable mattress we slept on during our trip to Peru.

Two single beds to either side of the capsule (ooo, new word for it) served as sofas. This is where your two additional guests would sleep if you had booked it for four. We sat here, with our two little tables, and were served dinner. It was crazy to think that our guide hadn’t just come up with us, but had since been down and hauled our dinner all the way back up in a backpack! It put our little struggle into perspective.

Looking towards the bed end

At the other end of the pod is a zipped off area that looks up the valley. Here is where you will find “the facilities”.

Looking towards the bathroom end. Can you see the little flip down tables?

I won’t go into details, it does slightly diminish the romance…but then it is quite the novelty. All I’ll say is pee tube, and poo bags.

A loo with a view! (You can shut the curtains)

Dinner in the Skylodge

Considering the whole meal service was carried up to the Skylodge by one of the guides, it was hot and of excellent quality.

We got:
- Sweet potato (or squash) soup with a little swirl of cream on, just like at a restaurant
- A chicken and couscous dish which was really tender and delicious
- A strawberry dessert which was gone in seconds because it was so nice.
- The whole thing was washed down with red wine.
Delightful! Taking a quick look at their website, I have seen that you can now go for lunch in the new dining pod, perfect if you just want a little taster of the experience (pun intended).

Waiting for dinner, I kept getting little tummy thrills. I think that being out of my harness made me feel a little more vulnerable. Mr Fluskey was completely the other way around. I think this is why they give you wine. It definitely calmed that little twanging nerve.

Cheers! Wine and pyjamas…perfection

As we tucked in, we noticed movement below us, and the lights of pod down to our left blinked on. The other couple, had FINALLY reached their bedroom. It had taken them an extra hour and a half. We were SO glad we took the easy route.

Nighttime in our Skylodge Pod

I cannot recommend staying the night in the Skylodge highly enough. Settling down for bed was lovely. We lay in our super comfy bed and gazed up at the stars through the ceiling.

We chatted for an hour or so, reflecting on the day’s activities. It was the most relaxed and blissed out I felt for the entire trip.

The Next Morning

The next morning was very surreal. Instead of eating in our bedroom, we were due to make our way down to one of the other pods to eat on the roof. Having less fuel in my muscles, they were a bit more wobbly than the day before. Taking one sugary little snack to eat as soon as you wake up may be a good plan.

This was a mini bit of via ferrata, and you can tell I’m feeling slightly shaky.

Breakfast on the Side of a Cliff!

Again, the breakfast was hot and delicious. I can’t remember exactly what we had, but it involved great scrambled eggs and pancakes, as well as lashings of hot coffee. You’ll appreciate the warmth of it when you are sat at that altitude. It was the most amazing place to have breakfast!

So cool!

You can’t quite see the view, but I promise, it was awesome.

A quick pit stop to collect our belongings and we set off again for the ZIP WIRE!!!

Descending the Sacred Valley Wall – Zip Wire with Natura Viva

Have I mentioned that I enjoy zip wires?

Alternatively known as a flying fox, zip line or deceiving a death slide(!) it involves a tight wire being set up between two points, one higher than the other. You then attach yourself to it and dangle beneath as you speed across from point A, to point B.

Check out our Bucket List experiences here

We rode six wires that morning, the longest of which was a mind-bending 700m. It just kept going.

I had such a wonderful morning flying through the air, slowly getting closer and closer to the valley floor. You ride a total of 2800 metres of wire over 7 different lines. I could have carried on for hours. Unfortunately, gravity took its course and within just one hour we were back on terra firma.

Our wonderful guides for the zip wiring.

Check out all our South America travels

Final Thoughts on Skylodge Adventure Suites, Our Cliff Hotel in Peru

What can I say? If you are travelling to Peru, book Skylodge Adventure Suites!!

It sells out quickly so book it now! Book it here!

If you aren’t going to Peru, maybe it’s time to start planning your trip!? You won’t regret it. Skylodge Adventure Suites is one of the most amazing places (if not THE most amazing) I have ever slept (just in case this Skylodge review hadn’t made that clear). The view is great and even if you are just coming to rock climb or zip wire with Natura Viva, you’ll get the same amazing vista. The mixture of adrenaline and luxury is superb and make this a truly once in a lifetime experience…unless I go back…which is tempting.

Rosie xx

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16/08/2017
The Best Travel Apps for Backpackers 2021

It takes photos, sends messages and can keep you entertained with games and bingeworthy series. But these best travel apps for backpackers will turn your smartphone into a powerful tool for travel too.
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30/03/2017