The 15 Best Places I’ve Stayed Around the World

Throughout my decades (that makes me feel old!) as a world traveller, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting almost 50 countries on six continents and have gotten to stay in a mix of places.

While there are some places I’m glad to never see again – the hostel dorm in Nice with broken air conditioning and a toilet without a door comes to mind – there are others that I dream of going back to all the time!

In this post I’m taking a walk down memory lane and looking back at some of my favourite stays all over the world. This list ranges from glamping tents in Morocco, log cabins in BC, to bridge houses in Amsterdam and lodges in front of Aoraki Mt Cook in New Zealand.

And because I’m an almost-budget traveller, none of these stays will break the bank. Just because a place is awesome doesn’t mean it has to be expensive.

What makes a great accommodation? To get on my “best places” list, an accommodation needs to be memorable for all the right reasons.

More than just a clean, spacious room in a great location, I’m looking for something that wows me like a historic connection, unique theme or jaw dropping view.

Below are 15+ places that have stayed with me long after I checked out. They are places I didn’t want to leave and can’t wait to stay in again.

Ready? Let’s check out some of the best places I’ve stayed around the world! 

Disclosure: Thank you to Iberostar for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.  

1. Best lifestyle: Tuscan villa

One of the best places I’ve ever stayed was this beautiful villa overlooking the hillsides of Tuscany, Italy. Not only was this home incredible, but it allowed us to live our Tuscan villa dream life.

Each morning we’d slowly wake up, pick some fresh fruit from the garden and admiring our view. We’d then drive to a nearby town, like San Gimignano or Siena, for lunch and an afternoon of sightseeing and shopping.

While in town we’d pick up a few provisions, like truffle oil or cured meat, and bring it back to our villa. Back home we’d make a simple dinner using the fresh produce we bought that day. And of course, we’d enjoy the meal on our patio overlooking this great view!

We got to spend just a few nights at this villa in September 2019 during 3 weeks in Europe with our moms, but I’ve been dreaming of going back ever since. It would be the perfect place to go with a group, as there are 3-4 bedrooms, and spend a week or two exploring Tuscany, Italy.

2. Best for families: All-inclusive resort in Cozumel, Mexico

While I don’t always book all-inclusive vacations, I do think all-inclusive resorts have a time and place. They’re an awesome option if you’re looking to relax and not worry about planning an itinerary or changing hotels every few nights.

They’re also perfect for families! I’ve been to a few beach hotels in Mexico and really enjoyed my experiences, especially at the Iberostar resort in Cozumel, which I visited with my family in 2017.

This resort was perfect because it offered something for everyone. Our group spanned in age from infants in strollers to grandparents in their 70’s.

Despite our diverse ages and interests, we all found things we enjoyed doing – from reading a book by the pool (me) to going out on fishing charters, hitting the basketball court, visiting nearby Mayan ruins or hanging at the kids club.

The best part was we got to end every night together as a family, having dinner at one of the resort restaurants and taking in the nightly show.

3. Best old town atmosphere: Seville townhouse

I completely fell in love with Seville when we visited in February 2020 and am counting down the days until I can return!

Part of what made our time in this incredible city so magical was where we stayed. We stayed at Boutike Apartments right in the middle of Seville’s Old Town. We were around the corner from the cathedral, next to restaurants and shops, and truly in the middle of the action.

As we walked up into the townhouse, I noticed the beautiful tile work on the stairs and wooden beams across the ceiling. There were plenty of bedrooms for our group of four and everything felt modern, clean and comfortable.

Once we were settled in, I noticed a band had started up. I went over to the window, threw it opened and saw that the band was right below us. Looking out I saw dozens of people sitting on patios, enjoying drinks and listening to the music.

It was such a surreal moment to have a postcard view of Old Town Seville right in front of us with the sounds of an Andalusian band floating through our windows.

4. Best winter view: Hope, BC log cabin

In the winter of 2018 I was in the mood for a getaway so Colin and I packed up the car, scooped Ellie and drove to nearby Hope, BC for a winter weekend.

While Hope can be a great place to explore the outdoors, we spent almost our entire weekend indoors enjoying the coziness and snowy views from our Hope log cabin.

I loved the look of this wooden log cabin with high ceilings, a loft bedroom and big windows. It was the perfect place to curl up for a TV marathon with pie from a nearby diner. The cabin also had an incredible soaking tub, another perfect element for a winter getaway!

5. Best glamping: Agafay Desert tent

While planning our trip to Morocco in early 2020 (pre-pandemic!), I came across lots of options to camp in the Sahara Desert. But with only a few days at the end of our trip, I didn’t want to spend them getting all the way there and back.

Luckily I found a much more convenient (and affordable!) solution: the Agafay Desert.

The Agafay Desert is less than an hour from Marrakech and while it doesn’t offer the same sweeping sandhill views as the Sahara, it’s a great way to experience the desert in Morocco if you’re short on time.

We splurged on an Agafay Desert glamping experience and had an incredible time sleeping in a luxury tent, dining by candlelight and watching the brightest stars from our deck chairs. We opted out of the ATV and camel rides but did enjoy walking around the property and reading by the pool.

6. Best slice of history: Amsterdam bridge house

Last fall Colin and I got to stay in one of the coolest accommodations we’ve ever experienced: a converted bridge house on one of Amsterdam’s canals!

SWEETS hotel is a collection of 28 bridge houses all around the city that have been converted into individual hotel rooms. Each one is completely unique in size, shape and design.

Plus, with rates from €125, even budget-savvy travellers can enjoy staying in a piece of Dutch history!

The suite we chose for our September 2022 trip was in the same neighbourhood where I had lived when I studied abroad in Amsterdam in 2014.

It was funny to think I had walked past the same building dozens of times without realizing it was a hidden hotel room. The best part of the suite was the huge bay window that looked out over the canal and bridge.

7. Best view to wake up to: Doubtful Sound overnight cruise

It’s hard to think of a better place to wake up than in the middle of a fiord in New Zealand with nothing else around except mountains, trees and mist.

After grey skies and heavy rain on our first day on the ship, we went to sleep and woke up to pure magic on Doubtful Sound.

At one point, our captain navigated into a channel, cut the engine and invited us all to listen. It was incredible how loud the birds, waterfalls and other sounds of nature were when everything else was silent.

While I usually avoid cruises and boats as I’m prone to seasickness, this Doubtful Sound overnight cruise was well worth it.

The rooms were clean with comfortable beds and modern furnishings. The food – including prime rib and mussels at the dinner buffet and a “fiord board” charcuterie with local smoked salmon – was incredible.

And I loved the extra additions, like the chance to go kayaking and the opportunity to hear from the nature expert on board.

8. Best chalet-style escape: Lake Bohinj apartment

During our week in Slovenia, we based ourselves in Lake Bohinj for a few nights. While most people choose to base in more popular Lake Bled, I’m really glad we opted for Lake Bohinj instead.

It’s only a 30 minute drive from Bled but offers way less crowds, way cheaper restaurants and accommodation, and (in my opinion at least) a cooler experience by the water.

Part of what made our stay at Lake Bohinj so great was the incredible place we stayed, Apartmaji Triglav.

Our room felt like walking into a chic ski chalet with soft pine and faux fur. I loved how spacious the room was – with a dining table and kitchenette – and the incredible view from our patio. We looked right out over the mountains!

I also loved the restaurant on the first floor of our hotel. I usually don’t expect much from hotel restaurants but this one was delicious. I still dream about the chocolate mousse!

9. Best fall foliage: Cape Breton hotel

If you’re looking for some beautiful fall foliage on a road trip around the Canadian east coast, I can’t recommend the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island enough.

We did this drive as part of our honeymoon and fell in love with the orange leaves, curved coastline, small towns and fresh seafood.

For beautiful views definitely check out Knotty Pine Cottages in Ingonish. We stayed in a spacious room right on the water with gorgeous ocean and tree line views. The wifi left a lot to be desired, but who needs to stare at their phone when you could be staring out the window?

I’ll also give a shout out to Cheticamp Outback Inn in Cheticamp as another great place to stay on Cape Breton.

While this place didn’t have awesome views, the room was lovely, it was close to everything we wanted to see and do, and the owner was incredible. She was so kind and even surprised us with baked goods from the local bakery!

10. Best hospitality & design: Riads in Morocco

In February 2020, just before the world shut down, Colin and I sailed from Spain to Morocco and visited Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech and the Agafay Desert. Besides our awesome glamping experience in the desert (above), we also had incredible stays in each of the cities we visited.

We chose to stay in riads, traditional Moroccan bed and breakfasts that are known for their stunning design and warm hospitality. The rooms in the building all face into an inner courtyard, giving you a tranquil vibe even if you’re only a street away from a busy market.

At each riad, we were treated so well. Hosts sat down to talk with us, ask about our travels, share the best things to see and do in their city, and make sure we had everything we needed. Breakfasts were always delicious – and often eaten on the roof with a beautiful view!

And the intricate Moorish architecture completely blew my mind. All that for an affordable price? Now you know why I love staying in riads!

11. Best memory: Our wedding hotel in Vancouver

I may be a little biased with this one, but one of the best places I’ve ever stayed has to be Opus Hotel in Vancouver because it’s where we stayed during our wedding.

We held our wedding at my great-aunt’s condo in Vancouver, which was only a 30 minute walk or 10 minute drive from our apartment at the time. But since it was our wedding, we decided to splurge and stay at a hotel just around the corner.

Opus was awesome! I loved the bold design, comfortable bed and huge bathroom with heated floors and a Dyson hairdryer. The on-site restaurant was also amazing, especially since breakfast was included in our stay.

Best of all, Opus is pet-friendly so we got to have Ellie with us!

Of course, my favourite memories at Opus have to do with our wedding. I loved getting ready in the room with my husband and the photos we took on the balcony overlooking what would be our new home in just a few months.

I loved sitting in bed after our wedding day, eating leftover sushi in my pajamas while Colin read wedding cards out loud to me. And I definitely loved waking up the next morning beside my husband (and dog!).

12. Best theme: Ostrava car hotel

This hotel in Ostrava, Czech Republic definitely wins the award for best theme and one of the most unique places I’ve ever stayed!

We wound up heading to the small town of Ostrava in December 2019 because they were hosting the World Juniors hockey tournament, and I had gotten us tickets to watch the Canada vs Germany game. We were living in Prague at the time, so it seemed like a no-brainer to hop a 3.5 hour train to Ostrava to cheer on the Canadian team.

Because of the World Juniors tournament, almost every hotel in Ostrava was booked. Add to that the fact that we were travelling with our dog, and there was only one hotel left in town: Retro Hotel Garage. As the name implies, this hotel used to be a car garage.

Instead of rebranding, they totally leaned into the car niche. Each room is themed, most after a famous car brand, and you’re sent to your room with a toolbox – that has a beer in it!

We got the Jaguar room which, to a car novice like me, felt more like a Slytherin room with its green and silver colour scheme. I was very impressed with how the theme carried into the bathroom.

Even though I’m not a car person in the slightest, the hotel was a lot of fun. I only wish we had been able to see into other rooms as I’m so curious about their themes!

13. Best pool aesthetic: Siem Reap hotel

In January 2019, Colin and I headed to Southeast Asia for a few weeks. I was most looking forward to exploring Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and it did not disappoint.

We loved exploring the temples and were totally blown away by how detailed and expansive the temple complex was.

We also found lots of other things to do in Siem Reap besides temple hopping, such as taking a cooking class, visiting the landmine museum, and meeting bomb-sniffing dogs.

But one of the best parts about our time in Siem Reap was our hotel, Bayon Boutique. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with fresh juice in beautiful glasses and shown to our gigantic room. It felt palatial!

The AC was strong, the breakfast was tasty and we could conveniently walk to Pub Street and the night market.

But the thing I loved most about Bayon Boutique was the pool! The design was right up my alley and it was the perfect thing to come back to after a long day of exploring in hot Siem Reap.

14. Best view from a bathtub: Simon’s Town apartment

Way back in 2013, I spent the summer interning in Eswatini (FKA Swaziland). While there, I got to take a number of side trips to South Africa including celebrating my birthday in Cape Town.

As part of our time in Cape Town, we spent a few nights in nearby Simon’s Town, home to the Boulder Beach penguins.

While many people head to Simon’s Town on a day trip, see the penguins and then turn around, my friend, Ale, and I decided to extend our time. We got to enjoy delicious local restaurants, walk along the beautiful coast, and head out to the Cape of Good Hope.

We also got to enjoy a stay at a wonderful B&B, Aqua Terra Guesthouse. The guesthouse was incredible with luxurious rooms, an infinity pool and a huge breakfast spread.

But my favourite memory was waking up early and watching the sun rise over the ocean from the soaker tub in our bathroom.

Over a decade later I still remember just beaming to myself, completely in shock that I was getting to experience something so beautiful.

15. Best modern meets historic vibe: 18th Century Georgian hotel in Bath

During my January 2023 weekend break in Bath, I got to stay at the beautiful Hotel Indigo and it perfectly complimented my time in the city.

Bath really struck me as an “old meets new” city with cobblestone streets, ancient Roman baths and Georgian architecture alongside modern art, film locations and incredible Vietnamese food (not that Vietnamese food is new, but finding it in the UK is!).

My hosted stay at Hotel Indigo brought the best of the old – Georgian architecture, clawfoot tub, original doors – with the best of the new – funky art, bright colours, and banging cocktails and breakfast buffet options.

I was so lucky to stay here and enjoy Bath from this beautiful, well-located, comfortable and beautiful hotel.

Wrapping up my favourite accommodation around the world

There you have it, 15 of the best places I have stayed all around the world.

Putting this list together was a lot of fun. I’ve been so lucky to stay in some incredible places!

I think this list also proves that amazing stays don’t have to be expensive. Some places – like our hotel in Siem Reap or riads in Morocco – were very inexpensive.

And most times, it’s not about the luxury or the amenities of the place that make it so great. It’s something unique that allows you to make memories with amazing people.

Whether that’s looking out over the fields of Tuscany with my partner and our moms, reconnecting with my whole family at a resort in Mexico or getting away from the city noise in a log cabin with just my husband and my dog, each one of these stays made my trip so much more special and created memories I’ll carry forever.

I’d love to know: Where was the best place you’ve ever stayed?