Building a One-of-a-Kind Guide to the World’s Best Budget Hotels
In his blog post earlier this year, Arthur Frommer challenged us to find and review 500 Darn Good Digs around the world, and we think we’re well on our way. In a few months, we’ll have published over 200 reviews, and we’ve added even more colorful photos than ever before. You can help by nominating your all time favorite digs!
If you haven’t visited Darn Good Digs recently, please stop by and check out our new logo! We sponsored a web design contest, and Alvin Rasay from the Philippines won hands down.
In the past few months, we have researched many more nominations and selected new digs from all over the world – including right here in Brooklyn, NY to Bisbee, AZ; from Niagara Falls to the Normandy coast. Here are some of the highlights:
Shack Up Inn
Clarksdale, Mississippi: Shack Up Inn – “You can find Mississippi’s heart at the Shack Up Inn. I’ve slept in hotel lobbies in Havana, pontoons on the Mississippi River and a bordello in the Dominican Republic, but I’ve never stayed at a place as cool as the Shack Up Inn.” – Dave Hoekstra, Chicago
Selous River Camp
Tanzania: Selous River Camp – “I’ll never forget the excitement of being awakened at night by a stampeding elephant or a whooping hyena while staying in a mud hut overlooking a river full of hippos! Not only this, but the entire camp is run so efficiently. Meals were punctual (and delicious) and the safaris were well organized, with good vehicles and extremely knowledgeable guides and drivers.” – John Strain, Chippenham, UK
Homestay Riga
Riga, Latvia: Homestay – “Diga and Ric’s fabulous all-timber home in Riga’s Mezaparks neighborhood was a true highlight of our three week trip to the Baltics. When normally we would be rushing out to see the sites, here we lingered, enjoying Ric’s huge, delicious breakfasts and the good company of hosts and guests alike.” – Allison and Michael, Brooklyn, NY
Puerto Rico: Maravilla – “My husband and I stayed in the ‘luxury’ cabin for six nights and chose the luxury all-inclusive option, which includes an unbelievably amazing breakfast, lunch, and multi-course dinner each day. The view of the lush rainforest during breakfast is spectacular, and our dinners by candle-light were very romantic. Maravilla’s owners, Margo and Mark, along with their staff, are so welcoming – we can’t wait to go back some day!” – Stacy, Hamilton, New Jersey
As always, please help us spread the word about Darn Good Digs to your traveling friends and family, and if you stay at any of our digs, make sure to let the owners know how you heard about them.
Finally, we send out a big “Thank You!” to all of our readers and contributors for helping us build a one-of-a-kind guide to the world’s best independently owned accomodationsfor budget-minded travelers.
All the best,
Michael and Allison
