Fly in style, stay in ghetto. Anyone else do that?

[tdimdad]

The shorter the stay, the easier it is to go down the scale. 1-3 nights in 2 stars works for me but for longer stays I'd appreciate a bit more (AirBnB's rule). To me, the space, functionality, quietness and sleeping comfort matter. Those are often difficult to discern from the photos & reviews so it's a bit of pot luck at times.

Best trips, though, are bunking in a friend's or family member's place. The cost = bring appropriate gifts and make their life easy by doing some housework. Happy days!

 

[elanshin]

I have stayed at my friends a few times now as his place is very central tokyo (and nice neighbourhood too) following J flights to and from Tokyo.

Saved me quite a bit between his spare bedroom and his couch. We do bring him gifts and he's slowly becoming a fan of various Aussie snacks. Right now I think we got hooked on Bundy Ginger Beer, Woolies mudcakes and Vegemite Shapes.

 

[VPS]

Does staying at a friend's couch count?

Not any more - own room and own bathroom thanks - forty years ago I share a room with 4 others and one bathroom between about 20 people - not anymore

 

[SOPOOR]

I have stayed at my friends a few times now as his place is very central tokyo (and nice neighbourhood too) following J flights to and from Tokyo.

Saved me quite a bit between his spare bedroom and his couch. We do bring him gifts and he's slowly becoming a fan of various Aussie snacks. Right now I think we got hooked on Bundy Ginger Beer, Woolies mudcakes and Vegemite Shapes.

Stay at friends place= free

Thr $ you save you could live like a king or even take your friend out and spoil

 

[Forg]

Yeah but staying at your friend’s place introduces cost or at the least effort for them … there’s definitely leechery involved.
Still, not necessarily a bad thing, so long as everyone enjoys themselves & that fun makes the cost & effort worthwhile.

 

[SOPOOR]

Yeah but staying at your friend’s place introduces cost or at the least effort for them … there’s definitely leechery involved.
Still, not necessarily a bad thing, so long as everyone enjoys themselves & that fun makes the cost & effort worthwhile.

Always a tough decision/perception of staying for free at friends place

I had a close friend (potential girlfriend) who i stayed for free for a few days (4 or 5), and then expected me to pay for everywhere we went to
I suspect because of the "free" accomodation

When ive got a early departure eg to the airport, i usually go for convenience, more sacrifices
Eg capsule hotel in japan thats easier to get to airport

 

[n7of9]

How do you justify the cost of the first class flight? Presumably you spent only half the flight awake and well, there isn't much to do on a plane either.

This is the reason I'll never fly F again. REALLY glad I got to do it (and departing SIN on SQ so I got the super special treatment) but the on-board experience wasn't all that much different to J.

On topic, Ibis is the minimum I'll accept and that's only for transit accommodation. The hotel experience is all part of the holiday for me. I've stayed in a room no bigger than a closet in Florence, a creepy attic in Prague, a mouldy mattress in Peru with a 'pillow' smaller than the size of my feet, a room in Bali where I could hear every sex sound next door - no more, I don't want these memories. I want to order a club sandwich and a vodka soda in the foyer lounge.

 

[JohnK]

How about cheap flights and cheap accommodation?

I have no issue at all staying in 2-3 star hotels but I do stay away from backpackers.

 

[FishFood]

I find I more tend to do the opposite, such as catching Jetstar and a local bus to stay at an Intercontinental. I'd rather be treated during my stay than during a much shorter flight.

Probably be cheaper though to have a luxurious flight and budget hotels overall...

 

[dajop]

If I'm staying in a western city, I only need clean and comfortable, preferably without night callers in the adjacent rooms . I don't need a huge room, luxurious bathroom amenities, a trendy bar, flashy restaurant etc. I'm there for the city not the hotel and tend to spend very little time in the hotel anyway. Often an independent hotel with tiny room, but sometime Ibis or even ibis budget in some locations will suffice. For example I don't see the point in the high end luxury properties in New York or London that start from about $1000 AUD/night .... when I could stay in a Fairfield or Holiday Inn or Ibis or Mercure or Hilton Garden Inn or equivalent for a fraction of the cost (sometimes...) , and I know the main things I will be doing in the hotel will be sleeping and showering.

If I'm travelling in lesser developed countries, I tend to prefer somewhere a bit more upmarket that can be a respite from the chaos ...

I am judicious in use of premium cabins as well, if the price or availability is right I will travel in business or sometimes first, but if not, then I'm OK with economy, if the timing of the flights works.

But yes, will fly First or business and stay in low end hotel depending on circumstances.

 

[kyle]

Think I'd be happy in J and spend the cash in 5* hotels.

Post automatically merged: Jun 3, 2024

My husbands version of "roughing it" was a club room at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Seriously, he actually said "I dont mind roughing it, book the Bay Sands"

My version of roughing it is slightly better... 3*...

 

[Quickstatus]

I'm not a fan of 5* accom in general

 

[Blinky]

Only criteria when I do cheap is I have to have my own ensuite bathroom - not negotiable to share

Yes, I told my Travel Agent that this is a must. With some cheaper hotels you really have to dig deep to find a guaranteed en suite.

 

[sap1l]

Does staying at a friend's couch count?

My maths tells me that if I save $200 p/n across 7 nights, I can use the money on more flights