Ahh it’s so close to Christmas and the end of the year it must be time to do a few ‘2018 in review’ style posts, right? Today I want to reflect on some of the awesome accommodation I’ve been privileged to stay in this year. I’ve had three getaways or trips this year, a very short stay in Sydney, a five-day sojourn in Queensland where I visited Noosa and Brisbane, and nearly four weeks in India and Sri Lanka in March/April (with a stopover in Kuala Lumpur).

So here are my favourite places that I’ve stayed this year. In chronological order!

Kuala Lumpur – Sama Sama Hotel, KLIA

It was only one night, as I flew in in the evening one day and flew out the next, but this airport hotel, which I got at a highly discounted rate, was pretty much superb. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay, and with my free night valued at around $80AUD and a 40% discount, I paid just over $70AUD.

Friendly staff – offered a free late checkout on arrival, spacious, spotless room, huge bathroom, and excellent swimming pool were the main highlights of my stay. Free shuttle to the terminal too was handy. Buffet breakfast was a mix of European and Asian food and was pretty decent as well.

 

Jaipur – Shahpura House

Oh wow! Simple a great stay in Jaipur. There’s no doubt that for me, into my forties, really appreciated staying in a much nicer place than I have been accustomed to when going to India on a tight budget. Shahpura House had a great internet rating and I’m pleased to say it didn’t disappoint. Welcome drinks and fantastic service, very nice room, spacious, but what was the best thing about the place was the building itself.

It was something a little special about the house – it’s decorated somewhat lavishly, lots of mirrors and decorative chairs, see the photos to know exactly what I mean. Then a great pool, lovely restaurant with a good selection of foods and a decent buffet. The service is, as I said, tops – you feel a bit like royalty. Which actually can be a little embarrassing. I loved it there!

 

Noosa Heads – RACV Resort

And it had to be, didn’t it? Apartment, very modern kitchen, spotless, spacious, fans and air conditioning, very friendly place, regular shuttles to town, two pools and a wonderful spa. So comfortable, and unexpectedly they cleaned the apartment every day for us as well. I can’t speak highly enough of this place.

A couple of honourable mentions – The Trevene in Nuwara Eliya and Jodhpur’s Krishna Prakesh Heritage Haveli. It hasn’t been a big year for staying in hotels, but I’ve been very lucky in 2018 with only a couple that have disappointed.

Have you got away this year and stayed somewhere special? Tell us about it in the comments! Thanks for reading, and May the Journey Never End!