Each year I update this post on the best cheap hotel chains in the USA, but I use the JD Power & Associates survey that covers all categories as the source. (Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf-Astoria are tops overall if that’s your income level.) With the four largest hotel corporations having more than 110 brands between them, we could all use a shortcut. The winners in each category from the bottom were Microtel, Tru by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Hyatt House, and Drury Inn. The worst score of all went to OYO Hotels, which you’ll find bad reviews for all over the world.
UNESCO recently announced its latest batch of sites added to their lists for this year and you can see them all here. Some are not much to look at, the “heritage” being the key factor. Some are well-known though, like Mount Olympus in Greece, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, and Sarnath Buddhist temple in India. There’s a tilt to modern buildings in this round and I’ll be seeing one entry soon: “Tashkent Modern Architecture.”
It has unfortunately been a return subject on here this year: new taxes and fees popping up for you to stay in a specific country or city. Europe has led the way, with Edinburgh being the most recent one: as of July 24, you’ll pay an extra 5% per night on your room. While we understand the dual motivations of tempting revenue increases gleaned from people passing through and the hope that fees will deter overtourism, these charges are on top of plenty more. There’s the destination tax already included in your airline ticket, the hotel or rental apartment tax you’re already paying, and other local taxes levied for rental cars, restaurants, taxis/rideshares, and tours. Here’s a full rundown of new ones this year.
If you want to get a drink in a place that has been around for a century or two, this rundown of which bar is the oldest for every U.S. state will give you a destination. To the best of my recollection, I have only been in two of them. One in a historic mining town in Montana, the other a couple of blocks from my first apartment in Nashville, TN.
UNCLASSIFIEDS:
Find a true getaway on the Costalegre wild coast of Mexico south of Puerto Vallarta. Take a boat ride south to reach Corrales Bay Resort, a 14-room boutique hotel on the water with a gorgeous pool. Then kayak, paddleboard, or hike to a hidden beach you'll probably have to yourselves.
Did you know that the world’s youngest country, the Republic of South Sudan, didn’t have an official tourism website until last year? We need help developing the site. If you have visited South Sudan and have photos and content to share, please see VisitSouthSudan.org and email jsprice@mysafari.org with your suggestions.
Get recommendations on the best way to get around countries in Asia, whether by train, bus, ferry, flight, or a combination of transport modes. Go direct to 12Go or use their app built into ChatGPT to ask follow-up questions.
Reach 21,500 working travelers with an unclassified ad in Nomadico for $85 — in a newsletter with an industry-high open and click rate. Or get 4 weeks for $250 at this link and increase your awareness and clicks.
(Bale of Hay Saloon, Virginia City, Montana)
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