Booking Family Holidays With FinalPrice

Travel can be expensive enough when you factor in booking your plane tickets but once you add in the hotels, rental car, and activities you could be in for more than you’ve budgeted for. I know this can make some people hesitant about planning their own trip and even put a stop to overseas holiday plans altogether.

I’ve written a lot recently about how to save money when planning your vacation and some of my favourite travel websites and apps to help you plan.

Recently, though, I learnt about something I hadn’t tried before, an app called FinalPrice .

I’m currently planning a family holiday for August next year and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to test out FinalPrice. I have my sister and brother coming for the first four weeks and then my brother-in-law meeting us in the last three weeks. We also have my sister’s new baby along for the trip for the very first time. All of these more different room configurations can prove to be quite difficult when booking so this is going to be a real challenge!

How does FinalPrice work?

FinalPrice is a new and unique app to book your hotels, flights and rental cars. The app is very similar to other popular apps like Expedia, Trip Advisor and Booking.com. Spoiler Alert - their pricing can be considerably less than the others. 

They have two options during your checkout. You can checkout for free and take 50% of the public price discount or if your savings are more than $99 or you plan on traveling a lot in the next year, you can upgrade to the unlimited savings plan for $99 a year and take 100% of the discount.

Features:

• Book for ten travellers on one account
• Can share subscription with friends and family
• Full flexibility is included in the booking process (including pay now, pay later, breakfast, no breakfast, and all room types)
• All transactions are handled on the app so you don’t get any annoying redirects or popups to different sites
• Curated Recommendation engine
• Filter out the brand you want to book at (ie Westin, Intercontinental, Hyatt, etc)
• You get your frequent flyer or rewards program points
• Money back guarantee - if you don't earn your subscription fee back in savings in your first year, you will be refunded the difference

Comparing FinalPrice with Trip Advisor

Generally, I like to use Trip Advisor as a comparison since I can see reviews alongside while getting a ballpark amount and then will always check prices with HotelsCombined.com. HotelsCombined is a great aggregator and nine times out of ten finds me the best price.

For this review, I used the free version of the FinalPrice app. While using the free version, any savings that FinalPrice finds are halved so they keep 50%. You also don’t have access to the Flight and Car Rental modules of the app. It’s up to you whether the savings are worth paying the $99 subscription fee but hopefully, this review will help you make your mind up.

So, how did FinalPrice stack up against my favourites?

I chose five hotels amongst the different cities we plan to visit and did a direct comparison of the lowest prices that I could find through each option.

Out of all five options, FinalPrice was always the cheapest. Sometimes it was by a few dollars and for one option, I saved $211! If I tallied up my total spend and compared it to what I would have paid had I only used TripAdvisor, I would have saved $562.

All prices are in USD 

What I like about FinalPrice

• Separate sections including Top Rated, Big Savings, and Best 4 & 5 Star to help you quickly find what best suits you
• Hotel ratings are front and centre to help with your comparison
• You can see hotels on a map view
• Great range of hotels in big cities and smaller towns
• Friends and family sharing - no more sneaky sharing of logins!
• Interface is very straightforward and intuitive. I even got my mum to try it out and she had no issues navigating the different options.

I’m very impressed with the savings available through the app and would definitely recommend you check it out. It seems like the savings are larger when you’re spending more on a hotel so if you’re looking to spend less than $100 then you might not see as big a discount. The best part is though, that you are will be refunded the difference in your subscription fee if you don’t save more than $99 so it’s really win-win.

Head over to FinalPrice for more information and to check it out for yourself. Use the promo code INLANTON to get a $20 credit so you can save even more.

Let me know in the comments if you would give something like this a try and what you think about the service.

This is a sponsored post brought to you by FinalPrice. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

Luxury Trips To Costa Rica

Imagine this: You wake up at 5 am to your alarm for your early morning hike to the Arenal volcano. You’re a little bit cranky, craving coffee and just want to get back into bed instead of attempting your sweaty hike up a mosquito filled, rainforest shrouded volcano. When you open your eyes, however, your view is filled with the volcano you’re about to climb and someone is gently knocking on the door with a cup of freshly brewed coffee that you can already smell and advising that the breakfast you ordered the night before will be ready for you just before you leave. This is just what you can expect when pairing a luxury vacation with an adventure location.

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation with the jungle, beach and volcanoes at your back door, then Costa Rica is a perfect destination. Maybe you’re planning a honeymoon, destination wedding or just need some special time away, a splurge on a trip to Costa Rica will open up the best of Costa Rica luxury homes, villas and resorts. The following guide gives you all the information you need to plan the perfect luxury vacation without the need of a travel agent.

I'm always giving you advice on how to budget for travel and how to find the best deals but what if you just want to have the best possible vacation you can for a week or two? I am not usually lucky enough to experience this type of scenario but on occasion it is so nice to treat myself, and one of my favourite places to do this is in Central America. You get so much luxury for much less than you would back home.

Safety in Costa Rica

If you’ve never visited Costa Rica, then the first thing you’re probably asking is, “Is it safe???” Out of all countries I’ve visited in Central America (and I’ve been to them all), I would consider Costa Rica to be the safest. The country is so centred around tourism and ensuring they have first class services for visitors that you will feel safer than wandering around your own city.

While pick pocketing and thefts of opportunity take place in the bigger cities, like San Jose, violent crime is rare and in all the time I have traveled around the country, I have only been witness to one theft - someone leaving their day pack in the rack above the seats on a local bus. Not a smart move anywhere and if you’re taking private transport, like the many shuttles available, or renting a car, then you will be fine.

Here are some things to avoid to make sure you stay safe:

• Avoid driving after dark. Some roads can surprise you and turn into a rough dirt road when you’re not expecting it.
• Don’t leave your belongings unattended in your rental car.
• Stay away from deserted areas, like the beach, at night.
• Be mindful when visiting the ATM. Stash your money safely and head straight from the ATM back to your hotel.
• Be careful where you swim. Check with your hotel for advice on the safest places to swim. The surf can be rougher than you’re used to at home and accidents can quickly happen even if you’re a strong swimmer.
• Avoid crowded areas and protect yourself against pickpockets.

Costa Rica Budget

Costa Rica is a great destination for all budgets. I’ve traveled there as a budget backpacker and also forked out when I needed a more luxury vacation. For those looking for a luxury vacation in Costa Rica you’ll be surprised at how affordable your holiday can still be.

For tours, accommodation and meals all together, a good estimate is $275 - $500 per person per day. This budget will allow you to stay in the best hotels or resorts, private shuttle vans and daily activities like scuba diving and snorkelling trips, private tours and some pampering time.

With this higher end budget you can afford to fly to different destinations around Costa Rica. This is a great option to get to the remote but so worth it, Osa Peninsula.

My Top 7 Costa Rica Activities

These are some of my favourite activities around Costa Rica. You could spend weeks here and still not see everything but if you drill down on what you’re most interested in, then you could definitely fill a one or two week itinerary. Whether you’re into nature, want some adrenaline-fuelled adventure or just want to see a cute sloth up close, Costa Rica really does have everything.

Corcovado National Park and Cano Island

With so may activities available in the Osa Peninsula you could easily spend your whole vacation right here. The highlights, though, are a hike in the Corcovado National Park and a snorkel or dive trip to Cano Island. I could write a while post about the Osa Peninsula (and will soon) but basically expect to be surrounded by so many animals that you will eventually get bored of monkey and sloth spotting and start checking out the other smaller critters crawling around. 

On this trip, I saw three different species of monkey, sloths, a giant family of coati (these guys literally surrounded my group and we had to wait for them to pass. Animals get right of way in the jungle!), crocodiles, birds, giant insects and tapirs.

On the way to my snorkelling trip around Cano Island, my boat spotted whales and also had some friendly dolphins play around our boat. During the snorkel I spotted a whole bunch of fish (I never know what they’re called) and turtles! If you’re into wildlife, then trust me and head to the Osa Peninsula. You’ll even get to see animals when you’re back at your hotel. It’s so remote that there really is no boundary to where they go.

White water rafting

There are a few different options for rafting in Costa Rica but my personal favourite is white water rafting on the Pacuare River. A one day trip will test your skills against 52 rapids with the opportunity to spot some unique wildlife along the river. Exploradores is a great company with an excellent safety record that offers single day and multi day rafting trips along the river.

Zip lining

Did you know recreational zip lining was invented in Costa Rica?? Even if you’ve tried it before, zip lining is a must do in Costa Rica and there really is one for everyone. For the timid and first timers, you can try an aerial tram, where you are safely enclosed on all sides. For the adventurous travelers, you can go one step further and try a super man style zip line.

Volcano Hike

Costa Rica is filled with some epic hikes but there’s just something about being able to surmount a volcano that makes me feel all Indiana Jones. One of the best volcano hikes is the Arenal volcano in the La Fortuna area. During the hike you get to walk over old lava flows and through primary rainforest. It’s an often elusive one to see but when you do catch it not snuggled up to the clouds, it’s makes the wait worthwhile.

Swim in a waterfall or lounge in a hot spring

Central America is the land of waterfalls and if you’ve travelled enough through the region, you might find yourself suffering from what I diagnose as “Waterfall Fatigue”. Pick your waterfalls carefully and don’t let this happen to you! One of my favourite waterfalls is also in La Fortuna, the La Fortuna Waterfall.

One of the best things about this waterfall is that it’s accessible so that anyone can view it from the highest viewpoint.  You can see the water spouting out from the base of the dormant Chato volcano, fall 70 meters to a tropical pool below. Once you’re had enough of the view and if you’re feeling game, you can take the staircase that’s carved into the hillside and go for a swim.

You can also find thermal hot springs around the Arenal area and if you plan it well enough, your hotel might be built around a hot spring. There honestly was nothing better than relaxing in the evening in a mini pool filled with thermal water from the volcano, cocktail in hand (from the swim-up bar) while catching glimpses of the Arenal volcano with the moon overhead.

Tortuguero canoeing

Touring through the canals in the remote Tortuguero is a peaceful opportunity to explore the Tortuguero National Park. I saw the most wildlife on this trip, including getting up close and personal to a timid caiman. As you glide smoothly and quietly through the rivers and narrow channels you will spot lots of birds, frogs, monkeys and huge lizards. I recommend getting in touch with Victor Barrantes from Tortuguero Infocenter for tour packages.

I could go on and on about things to do in Costa Rica but you’ll soon find out that the sky’s the limit here. Costa Rica also has some great yoga and meditation retreats, surfing spots for beginners to learn or the advanced to get a challenge, stand up paddle boarding, horse riding on the beach, spelunking and you get the idea.

Where to Stay

Now the fun part! Where should you stay? Costa Rica has a slew of resorts, villas, hotels and also some more adventurous options that still provide a luxury experience. Here are some of my favourites around the country.

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

The Tabacon is located in the town of La Fortuna where you can find the Arenal volcano and also the La Fortuna waterfall. All rooms have rainforest views and some have views of the volcano but the best part of this resort is that there are 18 hot springs on the property for you to enjoy. Rooms are large with a modern design and the resort prides itself on its eco-friendly approach.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Ylang Ylang Beach Resort

Ylang Ylang is Montezuma's only resort right on the beach. Think white sand beach and lush gardens surrounding the property with the chance for spotting monkeys in the trees. 

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Rio Perdido

A perfect mix between authenticity, nature and luxury, Rio Perdido is in a location like nothing you have seen before. They actually have an adventure playground on their property with wold-class trails for biking, zip lining over their own canyon, a variety of hikes and white water rafting. You could honestly spend your whole vacation right here.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Waterfall Villas Wellness Retreat

A beautiful Balinese-style paradise in Costa Rica, Waterfall Villas is the perfect place to let your creative energy flow, with special workshops on topics such as Chinese Watercolor Painting, Astrology, Tai Chi, and Feng Shui. Dominical is a great spot to base yourself in Costa Rica because you have easy access to the stunning and remote Osa Peninsula.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Playa Cativo Lodge

I've saved the best for last. Playa Cativo is so exclusive that you can only access it by private boat. All rooms have stunning ocean views in a natural setting. Not only do you have a private beach to laze around in but you also have gardens (filled with butterflies!), lush pool and a dedicated air-conditioned library. When I think of luxury in Costa Rica, Playa Cativo is the first that comes to mind.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Disclosure:  Please note that some of the links included are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase.

For more travel inspiration from Central America check out the latest articles below!

Vegan Resorts and Hotels for the Conscious Traveler

If you're the kind of person that gets excited by the mention of "scrambled tofu" then this one is for you. Over the last 13 years of travelling around the world I have had the delight of staying in some hotels and resorts that happily cater to vegans. These places have been a beacon of light when I’m travelling through some of the more remote locations in my never-ending travel bucket list.

With this list of vegan resorts and hotels, I hope to inspire you to get out there and explore this beautiful world of ours and not feel like you’re limited by your choice to be vegan. This guide provides you with a list of some of the best vegan resorts, hotels, and b&bs around the world, some are vegan-friendly and will happily provide you with vegan meals and some are 100% vegan.

Vegan Resorts and Hotels Around The World

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)

I couldn’t start this round-up without introducing you to the only resort I know that has a vegan restaurant on-site. This resort is especially special to me because it’s where my little sister recently chose to get married. We’re both vegetarian and knew that we wanted our family to experience an eco-resort with real sustainable values while surrounded by nature, a beautiful beach and plenty of space to explore.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Apoyo Lodge (Laguna De Apoyo, Nicaragua)

A health and wellness boutique hotel found on the shores of the magical waters in Laguna de Apoyo. Apoyo Lodge provides 100% organic plant based meals, yoga, dance and fitness classes, and lake and forest view cabins.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Booking.com

For a more budget friendly, option check out this backpacker resort in Laguna De Apoyo nearby. 

Ylang Ylang Beach Resort (Montezuma, Costa Rica)

Ylang Ylang is the area's only resort right on the beach and they have a vegan and raw food menu at their on-site restaurant. Think white sand beach and lush gardens surrounding the property with the chance for spotting monkeys in the trees. A real gem for vegans and vegetarians in Costa Rica.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Serenity Sands (Corozal, Belize)

If you're looking for something off the grid but still appreciate the allure of a resort then Serenity Sands in Belize is a great option. You'll feel at home on this small property and will be well looked after by your host, Penny. Best part is that breakfast is 100% vegan.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices:  Booking.com

The Stanford Inn by the Sea (California, USA)

A tranquil, private and sustainable inn on the pacific coast. The Stanford Inn offers canoeing, biking, and vegan cheesemaking classes in a beautiful respite on the sea. Pets are also welcome!

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia

Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve (Lake Atitlan, Guatemala)

Combine luxury and sustainability with a stay at Laguna Lodge. Located on the beautiful Lake Atitlan and accessible only by boat, you know you will have complete peace and quiet here. Lake Atitlan is also the most beautiful lake I have ever seen and is said to have magical properties by the alternative minded travelers that flock here. Check out my full review of the popular Indian's Nose hike where you can get a sunrise view of the whole lake.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices:  Booking.com

Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort (Nova Scotia, Canada)

Cabot Shores is a private sanctuary on 55-acres with stunning views. It offers a variety of comfy accommodation (chalets,, yurts, domes, tipi and a treehouse!) and an on-site bistro specialising in vegetarian fare using fresh, wild, and local ingredients. Cabot Shores is also pet friendly so you can bring your furry family member.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Waterfall Villas Wellness Retreat (Dominical, Costa Rica)

A beautiful Balinese-style vegan paradise, Waterfall Villas is a huge advocate for vegan food in Costa Rica. The Waterfall Villas is also the perfect place to let your creative energy flow, with special workshops on topics such as Chinese Watercolor Painting, Astrology, Tai Chi, and Feng Shui. Dominical is a great spot to base yourself in Costa Rica because you have easy access to the stunning and remote Osa Peninsula.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Raphael Hotel (Rome, Itlay)

You can find this classic hotel nearby the Pizza Navona in the heart of Rome. The vegetarian-friendly onsite restaurant has more vegetarian options than you could try during a week's stay and offers dining on a terrace with a view over the city.

Read the latest reviews on Trip Advisor

Check out the best prices: Hotels.com | Expedia | Booking.com

Please share your favourite vegan friendly hotels and resorts in the comments below. I would love to check out more and share with you as I travel.

This post includes affiliate links. When you make a purchase via these links, I receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. Very small but very appreciated.

Review: Once in Joburg

The latest addition to the popular Once in Cape Town brand, this hostel is hard to ignore when you stay in Johannesburg. The TripAdvisor reviews speak for themselves, with a 5 star rating and reviewers commenting on the hotel-quality rooms, I had to check this place out for myself during my recent visit to the city.

This was my first time staying in a “poshtel” and I was really looking forward to seeing the finer side of backpacking life. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams here I come!

Check-in

Once in Joburg is easy to find and well located. A professional and spacious reception area allows for plenty of room to move around and you feel comfortable and welcome instantly.

Staff handed me a welcome kit with my room key, wifi password, breakfast vouchers and local tour info. This is the first time I’ve seen this in a hostel and a great start to my stay. It means you’re not bombarded with information right at the beginning and have time to read through it all at your leisure. I was personally taken to my room and shown around the hostel area and facilities.

There is also an activity board right at the exit so you can quickly see what is on each day and staff were always on hand and available whenever I needed someone. Staff wear uniforms as well so you can easily spot who works there, a big pain point of mine with some hostels.

Rooms

Once in Joburg offers private rooms and four-bed dorms, both mixed and female-only. Dorms have custom made beds, all with individual charging stations and lights. All rooms have air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms with a shower and toilet so even if you’re in a dorm, you will only have to share with three other people.

I stayed in a private and was treated to a modern hotel-quality room. I usually only stay in hotels when I’m travelling with family so being able to experience the same level of comfort at hostel prices was a huge surprise. Private rooms are where Once in Joburg excels and if you’re in the market for a private room then you should definitely give these guys a try.

Several types of private rooms are on offer, including twin, double and family-sized rooms. Facilities are considered four-star and I could see why. All rooms provide air-conditioning, a flatscreen TV, tea and coffee making facilities, a hanging space and shelves for your clothes and a safe.

The bathrooms are modern and well designed. It’s one of the nicest that I’ve ever seen in a hostel anywhere. Roomy showers are perfect for getting your morning started right!

Price-wise, Once is higher than you’ll experience when travelling around most of South Africa but comparable to other hostels in Joburg and other large cities like Cape Town and Durban. For the four-bed dorm, it’s cheaper than it’s closest competitor in Maboneng and offers extras like breakfast, air-conditioning and an ensuite.

The private rooms are definitely worth the cost based on hotel prices in the local area and around Johannesburg. They’re some of the best privates I’ve personally seen in any hostel around the world.

Dining

Once in Joburg includes a light breakfast as part of their room rate, served by The Immigrant, the in-house restaurant. This is a great service as I felt it made my integration into the city a lot easier. You don’t need to go wandering the streets looking for something to eat first thing in the morning and in a city like Johannesberg, this is definitely a huge positive. Navigating the urban streets can be overwhelming for a first-time visitor and it’s a great idea to offer breakfast in-house.

The breakfast option at the time of my visit was a hot drink of your choice, juice, piece of fruit and either a bagel with a yummy spread or muesli with yoghurt. As usual, Once have thought of every little detail and provided a breakfast voucher in your welcome kit where you can tick your choices and hand it in when you order breakfast. The light breakfast should be enough for most people and is available as a take-away option for those on the go.

There are several bars and restaurants located in the same complex as Once, along with The Immigrant, so you never have to walk very far to find something to eat. There are several outdoor dining options as well which I loved. Having a nice glass of local wine while sitting in the courtyard with some new friends was one of my favourite ways to spend my afternoons.

Facilities

The common area in Once in Joburg is located in a large space on the first floor. There’s a shared kitchen and lots of seating space with comfy couches, bean bags and hammocks. Hammocks are my favourite thing in the whole world so I spent a LOT of time relaxing with a book and a drink while swinging away.

There's a well-stocked book exchange as well as a pool table to help with breaking the ice with other travellers. When the weather is good, there’s also a large balcony sitting area to enjoy the Joburg sunshine with a cold drink.

One small criticism is the fact that the common area and adjacent bar and restaurant are located on separate floors and are out-of-sight, which means guests need to go out of their way to see “what’s happening” and who’s around. Some hostels have their bar located within the common area or at the exit so it’s easy to jump in on the action. Once is limited by the existing layout and do their best to counteract this design quirk by being proactive with fun activities to get guests together every day.

Once's activity board is full of organised activities and suggested things to do. This included quirky “off the beaten track” suggestions and once-off and regular events happening in the local area. A free activity was offered each day with events like walking tours, an excursion to the Botanical Gardens and a fun Instagram Graffiti Walk. I thought these were creative ways to see the city and get to know fellow travellers.

During my stay they had a “No Power Hour” one night at The Immigrant. To help facilitate conversation you weren’t allowed to bring your phone and drinks were provided by the hostel. This was a great way to meet the other guests and an initiative that I think should definitely be taken up by other hostels.

I was able to organise paid tours and activities at reception as they offered a full concierge service. Once can help with car rentals and booking tickets for the local red bus tour, Kruger National Park or Pilansberg safaris and tours to Soweto. I felt that staff were well trained in what was on offer and knew the local area.

Free wifi is provided and the connection is fast. I did experience some drop-outs while staying there but nothing that caused any major issues. There are also large meeting rooms that can be used when you need some extra quiet or a place to work. As a digital nomad, this was a massive plus for me and I spent a whole day there working without any distraction.

Location

Location isn’t usually something that I comment on or even find too important when I’m considering what to review. If a hostel is good enough then it doesn’t often matter where it’s located. In a place like Johannesburg, however, it’s important to touch on it. Especially as you’ll read a lot about safety and where you can and cannot walk around and explore.

Once in Joburg is located in Braamfontein, or Braam as the locals call it. This is one of two neighbourhoods that I would recommend staying in as a tourist, the other being Maboneng.

Urban renewal has taken place in Braam, once a no-go zone. A great example is that in this once run down business district, Braam now hosts one the highest rated coffee shops in the country and some of the best nightlife in the city.

Braam has an interesting mix of historical landmarks, like the Lord Milner Hotel dating back to 1906, and a bustling modern African medley of hair salons, fast-food restaurants, spaza (local informal) shops and eateries. You’ll also find Manhattan-stye loft apartments, art galleries and trendy hotels, like Once.

You can walk around several of the city blocks in Braam during the day and not come across any issues. At night it’s recommend to take an Uber or Taxify to get to and from the nightlife in the city. Just like in any large city, you need to be aware of your belongings at all time and do not display anything of value. Muggings have occurred but nothing of a violent nature. I made it a habit of just walking with the cash I needed and never had any issues.

The major transport hub of Park Station is located within walking distance of Once. You could easily get to and from the airport and other interesting neighbourhoods, like Rosebank, by using the Gautrain. Other train travel is not recommended but available nonetheless.

Fast facts on Johannesburg

To help put the city of Joburg into context here are some interesting facts from the Joburg Tourism website. 

• Johannesburg is one of the world’s youngest major cities, founded in 1886
• It is the most powerful commercial centre on the African continent
• The city’s profusion of approx. 6 million trees make it the largest man-made forest in the world
• Greater Johannesburg covers an area of 2,300km2, making it larger than Sydney, London or New York, and similar to Los Angeles in size
• Johannesburg is home to some 3.8 million people, the majority of whom are aged between 19 and 39
• The city enjoys an average of 12 hours of sunlight a day
• 40% of the entire world's human ancestor fossils have been found in areas close to Johannesburg
• You can drink the tap water here and it actually tastes great!

Summary

What I liked

• Excellent service and friendly staff
• Light breakfast included
• Roomy accommodation
• Modern facilities and great design
• Super clean
• Lovely views over Braamfontein
• Free activities daily

What I didn’t like

• The wifi signal had a tendency to cut out
• Separate common area and bar/restaurant facilities reduce chances of guest interaction

Who should stay here?

This hostel is great for those who are seeking the communal benefits of a hostel - common room, shared kitchen and organised activities - but also like the comfort and privacy of a well-maintained hotel. The meeting rooms are great work spaces for those working on the road.

• Flash-packers
• Groups
• Couples
• Digital nomads

Once in Joburg has the largest and best designed common areas I’ve seen in a hostel. The lack of internal bar and restaurant and the common area being on a separate floor has the potential of reducing the interaction amongst travellers but the regular activities organised by the hostel help combat this.

Private rooms are the great strength of Once in Joburg and I would recommend them solely based on my experience in their lovely rooms. You’ll be more than comfortable in the oasis that they’ve created after spending a day exploring the urban sights of Johannesburg.

Modern design, clean facilities, the best location and excellent staff make this hostel a great choice for most travellers and I highly recommend a stay.

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Once in Joburg

90 De Korte Street
Braamfontein

Price: 235R - 785R inc breakfast

T: +27 (76) 4123663
E: info@onceinjoburg.co.za

W: http://onceinjoburg.co.za/

Read the latest Trip Advisor reviews here

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My stay was sponsored by Once in Joburg but all opinions are my own and are an honest reflection of my experience. This post includes affiliate links. When you make a purchase via these links, I receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. Very small but very appreciated.

Review: The Funny Lion

Sometimes a hotel is just a place to rest your head after a day full of activities and other times staying in a hotel is the activity. When I visited Coron, I was starting to feel a bit travel weary as a result of  my very fast paced travel of the Philippines in the weeks prior. Coron was my last stop and all I wanted to do was kick back and soak up the beautiful island atmosphere without having to worry about anything.

The Funny Lion was the perfect place to just relax and be pampered by the hotel’s attentive  staff. This sounds like a very basic request, but until you’ve travelled to the Philippines you may not realise how rare and special great service is.

Rooms

The Funny Lion is a modern boutique resort that will suit travellers of all budgets. The Cub Room suits one person or two friends travelling together. It’s perfect for backpackers seeking a little luxury for a few days!

The King and Pride Rooms are the ultimate in contemporary luxury and have so much extra room I was able to lay out my sarong and do some yoga in the mornings. The Pride Room also comes with an amazing balcony overlooking the cove and mangroves. It was from here that I enjoyed the sunset concert The Funny Lion hosted at the culmination of their Halloween celebrations.

It was so dreamy listening to the singer and band play while enjoying a cocktail on my balcony. I felt like the queen with my own special box at the theatre.

The bathrooms are some of the best I’ve seen in The Philippines with great water pressure and water that gets as hot as you can handle. All toiletries are provided as well as a hairdryer. The room also includes bottled drinking water, so you can rest easy without worrying about buying bottled water.

Dining

The Funny Lion has a bar and restaurant on site where they serve a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can sit in air-conditioned comfort inside or poolside in your beach towel.

The breakfast was one of the more interesting that I enjoyed in The Philippines. Along with the standard western fare, which included a waffle station and omelet bar, the menu also included traditional Filipino options that changed each day. All the options were delicious, breakfast standards and local delights alike.

For sweet tooths they even had a traditional Filipino hot chocolate on offer - Tsokolate, a must try if you visit.

As a vegetarian, there was a lot on offer for lunch and dinner. They have huge pizzas with a variety of toppings, including a four cheese with my personal favourite - gorgonzola. The menu includes Asian fusion dishes as well as some well known western dishes and seafood options.

Solo travel chill out time

Facilities

The hotel sports a large infinity pool and jacuzzi overlooking the mangroves and the cove. The pool includes a smaller shallow section for kids. You could quite literally spend the whole day swapping between lounger, pool and jacuzzi. I certainly did! The staff are always on hand to bring you some cold water and a fresh towel. They even provide flip flops in case you forgot yours.

They also offer a spa on site where you can treat yourself to a massage.. My massage was excellent and the other guests to whom I spoke enjoyed theirs too, so I recommend the spa as a must visit at The Funny Lion.

If you’re looking for something adventurous to do during the day, the Funny Lion also has a full tour service and they were happy to make small changes to suit my schedule. 

Some of the activities you can consider include:

• Island hopping trips to visit some smaller islands, coves and lagoons
• Scuba diving in some of the best wrecks and colourful reefs
• A half day Coron Town tour
• A trip to the Calauit Safari Park, a beautiful game reserve and wildlife sanctuary

The tours are all reasonably priced and no more than you would pay in town so you can feel confident when booking one.

There are also some adorable bikes that you can borrow to explore the island at your own pace. This is a fun way to spend a couple of hours and, as the town is quite small, allows you to really get a feel for the place.

The wifi is on par with anything you can get in Palawan, but certainly not fast. You should be able to send and receive email and WhatsApp messages without issue.

The best view on my island hopping tour

Summary

What I liked

• Excellent service and friendly staff
• Great breakfast selection
• Roomy accommodation 
• Super clean
• Lovely views

What I didn’t like

• The wifi signal is not the best, but on par with the rest of the island

View from the rooftop lounge area

As with many small islands, Palawan is somewhere you have to spend a bit more money to get quality accommodation. What you would pay elsewhere will get you much less here. The Funny Lion is the kind of place that is totally worth the cost for me as a budget traveler. They didn’t cut any corners with service and while I still felt like I was in The Philippines with their unique and fun decor, I appreciated their western style of service. I had a great time even as a solo traveler and never felt like I was out of place or lonely.

The sunsets are stunning poolside or on the balcony. An in-room or poolside massage is one of the the only decisions you’ll have to make while you’re there and if you’re feeling adventurous, check out one of their tours and explore the island by land or by sea. When you visit make sure to challenge yourself to a Filipino-only breakfast! You might be surprised by how much you enjoy it.

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The Funny Lion

Sitio Jolo, Poblacion
V, Coron Palawan

Price: $100 - $150 inc breakfast

T: +632 856 1443 | 553 9549
E: inquiries@thefunnylion.com

Check out the latest prices now from your favourite booking site!

Agoda

Booking.com

W: http://thefunnylion.com/

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My stay was sponsored by The Funny Lion but all meals and activities were paid for by myself. All opinions are my own and are an honest reflection of my experience.