| Getting your hostel or hotel room right can make | | | | the toilet flushes. |
| the difference between a relaxed, chilled out | | | | 3. Learn the phrase "do you have hot water?" in |
| traveller and a tired, moody one. Particularly at | | | | the local lingo. An ice-cold shower may be |
| the start of your backpacking adventure you | | | | invigorating but it's generally not good-mood |
| need a place of refuge to escape the persistent | | | | enhancing. Having hot water to clean your hands |
| touts and probably the heat of the sun. Bear the | | | | will also ward off nasty bacteria. In our opinion, |
| following in mind if you're serious about finding the | | | | steamy showers are most definitely worth the |
| right pad: | | | | extra pennies. |
| 1. Location, location, location: some like it in the | | | | 4. Check what's included - the room may look |
| heart of the backpacker ghetto whilst others aim | | | | smart but unless it comes with covers and towels |
| to get among the local folk. Decide on your | | | | you're unlikely to end up a happy bunny. |
| location criteria beforehand and head straight | | | | 5. Bargain - aka agree on a price you are happy |
| there. Is it worth paying more to be in the heart | | | | with. If you are staying for more than two nights |
| of the backpacker ghetto if this means you don't | | | | you should be able to wangle a discount. Don't be |
| get any sleep? On the other hand, a room in a | | | | afraid to say no then go back later if you can't |
| tourist hotel serving familiar food can sometimes | | | | find anywhere else. |
| be all you can handle when it's all getting too | | | | 6. Check the walls go right to the ceiling. There |
| much. | | | | can be nothing worse than your party animal |
| 2. Cleanliness is close to godliness, well a good | | | | room-neighbours rolling in and you hearing every |
| night's kip at least. It'll be hard to rest your | | | | word because the partition isn't complete. Sounds |
| peepers if you're worried about cockroaches | | | | obvious, but believe me, it's worth checking! |
| crawling into your pjs! Ask to view a room first. | | | | 7. Turn out the light, snuggle down and enjoy! |
| Then take a good look under the bed. And check | | | | |