Baobab: On the Cheap
Baobab: On the Cheap |
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Everybody is on a budget.
When you travel --especially with a crew--, you don't want to starve but
you do want to be economical. The following lists, by continent and country,
places to stay and eat that won't break the budget, but will be comfortable
and nutritious enough to satisfy the production team. It is very difficult
to book most of the hotels listed below through a regular North American
travel agent's computer reservation system. You will probably have to fax,
phone directly or use their e-mail.
EcuadorQuito - Hostal La Carolina. This is a charming, small hotel in the newer part of Quito. It is used by some tour operators and by business people from South America who have dealings with the Ecuador Ministry of Agriculture (because of its close proximity). Rooms are small but clean and the staff is very friendly. Some knowledge of Spanish is essential because few of the staff speak any English. Don't expect room service or a mini-bar, though each room has cable TV with a good number of English language channels. It is located at Italia 324 and Vancouver Streets. Tel. (593) 542 472 Fax (593) 222 744.Ibarra - Hotel Ajavi. What sells this hotel is the size
and comfort level of its rooms. It's about the same price as a three star
hotel in Quito, but you feel as though you are in a five star. They even
put 'good night mints' on the bed. It is located right on the Pan-American
highway on the way in to the city of Ibarra. If you are going to the Otavalo
market on a Saturday morning, this hotel makes a great base. Apartado 795,
Ibarra, Ecuador. Fax (593 6) 955 555
GhanaKumasi - Lavikus Hotel. It has only 31 rooms but this is one of the largest hotels in Kumasi, Ghana's second city. Built in 1995, the rooms are spacious, clean and air-conditioned. A single room is $52US and a three room suite goes for $79US (Oct. '97). The staff is friendly and efficient but the hotel restaurant is a bit pricey. Tel: (233-51) 22 975 / 28 050. Fax (233-51) 22 975.
Kenya Nairobi - Landmark Hotel (formerly the Jacaranda), Waiyaki Way in the Westlands area of Nairobi. Recently fully renovated, tt is used by many people from NGO's and international development organizations. The Landmark's regular rate is in the $100US per night (2000) range with a full breakfast included. But most international organizations get a corporate rate of $50US per night. Tel: (254-2) 448-713. Fax (254-2) 448-977. Telex: 23295. Mailing address: PO Box 14287, Nairobi, Kenya. Nairobi - Fairview Hotel. This hotel is located very close to the President's Palace. It is closer to Nairobi's central business core than the Jacaranda, though in Nairobi it's not really very far to anywhere. The Fairview has two sections, one a regular hotel with prices in the $60US range and he other more of a hostel with shared bathrooms and lower prices (not to everyone's taste). Nairobi - Utali Hotel. The Utali is just outside of the downtown Nairobi core on the Thika Road, but is clean, pleasant and worth it. Regular - free - shuttles operate well into the night to take you downtown. Food in the restaurant is excellent, especially if you get the traditional Kenyan dishes. The hotel is a training facility for students in hotel management and it's prices are very reasonable. Be on the lookout for bargains in the major hotels. In June, 1996, both the Nairobi Hilton and the Nairobi Intercontinental were offering fabulous discounts to employees and consultants working for international organizations. $40US at the Hilton, $50US at the Intercontinental.
MexicoOaxaca - Hotel Hacienda La Noria is a charming hotel in downtown Oaxaca, 5 hours south of Mexico City in the land of the Myztecs. Oaxaca is the city at the base of Monte Alban, one of the greatest archaeological sites in Mexico. The hotel itself is relatively inexpensive, especially if you get a corporate rate - a double room for $40US (1998). Many rooms have private entrances off the outdoor swimming pool. Tel (951) 475-55 Fax: (951) 653-47. Periferico 1918, Oaxaca, OAX. 68120, Mexico.
PhilippinesPuerto Princesa (Palawan) - Asturias Hotel. This hotel is a gem in a town that is perhaps the jewel of the Philippines. Rooms are air-conditioned, have Cable TV and there is a nice outdoor pool. The restaurant is very good (though there are better and cheaper in the town) but the best thing is the price. In the spring of 2000 a single room was less than $30US. Tel: (63) (48) 434-3747 Fax: (63) (48) 434-3581. E-mail: asturias@pal-onl.com. Km. 3 South National Highway, Tiniguiban Heights, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 5300 Philippines.
PeruLima - Hostal "El Cid". You couldn't find a more charming place to stay in Lima. The El Cid is a 3 star Hostal with just 6 or 7 rooms. There is cable TV, a small pool, great decor and friendly staff. The downside is that it is a bit away from downtown. But taxis are cheap and the hotel has its own taxi company. Rates are $50US for a standard room, continental breakfast included (1998). Tel: (51-14) 349-0177 Fax: (51-14) 348-0147. E-mail: hostal.el.cid@ibm.net. Av Melgarejo 110 - La Molina, Lima 12, Peru.
SwazilandManzini - The George Hotel. This is really the only hotel in town. Manzini is the closest city to the airport, but is a half-hour's drive from the capital of Mbabane and the big (and more expensive) tourist hotels. The George is reasonably priced and as is usual in Africa, a hearty full breakfast is included in the deal. One word of caution - watch out for huge surcharges on long distance telephone calls from the hotel (a caution that applies to much of Africa). As for room rates we paid $45US, taxes included in 1994.Mbabane - The Swazi Inn. Just outside the capital city this is a quiet, charming hotel on the main highway. It's a bit more expensive than the George. We paid $52US, taxes and breakfast included in 1994. One good thing about the Swazi Inn is that it has a more modern telephone switchboard than the George. They have several outside lines, so if you need to make local arrangements by phone, it's a better bet (The hotel has surcharges similar to those at the George for long distance calls).
ThailandBangkok - The Bangkok Christian Guest House provides clean rooms, laptop computer ready, (Bangkok has a Compuserve node for email and there is a reasonably-priced Internet cafe just a couple of minutes walk away) for a very low price. It is located downtown, not far from the more expensive Sheraton Hotel. A double room (air-conditioned) with breakfast goes for just $27US (1997). Our only caveat is that not all the rooms are created equal. While they are all immaculately clean, some are a bit cramped. You can reserve by e-mail to: bcgh@loxinfo.co.th. Tel: (662) 233-6303 Fax: (662) 237-1742.
UgandaKampala - The Equatori Hotel offers good rooms at a reasonable price. It is not exactly cheap, but by Kampala standards is good value. The regular price for a single room in 1996 was $89US (breakfast included) but it is possible to negotiate lower rates. Tel: (256-41) 250-780.
ZimbabweNote that in Zimbabwe if you are a visitor from outside the African continent, you must pay your hotel bills in a hard currency like British pounds, US or Canadian dollars. So don't exchange all your money for Zimbabwe dollars. You can buy lots with Zim dollars, including food and drink and souvenirs, but not hotel rooms or air tickets. By the way, both US and Canadian visitors can use direct calling telephone systems such as USA Direct and Canada Direct. The trick is getting your hotel to connect you to a long distance operator (rather than dialing the number for you). The alternative is to go to the nearest Post and Telecommunications office and make your call from there.Harare- Bronte Hotel. This is a hotel that gives good value for money with room and breakfast in the $60US range (1995). The only problem is that the Bronte is so popular with visitors, you often have to book more than a month in advance. Tel: (263- 4) 796-631. Harare - Quality International Hotel. Despite its name and the fact that they've appropriated the logo, this hotel has no relationship with Quality Inns in North America. The hotel is very centrally located at the corner of Fourth Ave. and Baker St. in downtown Harare. The rooms are clean and have cable TV. It has no swimming pool or other "tourist" amenities. It's a hotel often used by African business people. Prices for visitors from outside Africa are in the range of $45US per night (1995) and that includes an "all you can eat" hot breakfast. Tel: (263-4) 794-461. Fax: (263-4) 752-593. Mailing address: PO Box 566, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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