Super-cheap hotels: TripAdvisor lists top 10 under $19

Remember when the Rancho Bernardo Inn got all the attention for its $19 “Survivor Package” in San Diego? The resort was dropping its room rates based on what kind of amenity you “didn’t need.” At the cheapest rate, you got a tent instead of a bed. It was amusing, and definitely got a bunch of buzz around its promotion. Now, TripAdvisor has put together a list of “Top 10 Hotels Under $19.” Before you start wondering which of your favorite hotel chains are considering taking away their toiletry amenities and linens, rest assured that these bargains are global treasures, not necessarily luxury resorts in Southern California.

The hotels on the list ranged from $6 per night (El Panchan in Palenque, Mexico) to the Tod Motel & Hostel in Las Vegas ($17 per night). Although it would’ve been nice to not have any hostels on the list, because many hostels offer beds for less than $19 per night, I found the list to be a good reminder for travelers to think outside the box for budget travel. I thought that the Shiva Guest House (pictured) in Kathmandu, Nepal, for $9 per night, and the Dai Hoang Kim Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, $12 per night, looked plenty comfortable for vagabonders and backpackers.

TripAdvisor always has intriguing lists for travelers. One is “2009 Dirtiest Hotels.”

– Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger

Photo: Shiva Guest House in Kathmandu, Nepal. Credit: TripAdvisor

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This entry was posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 12:36 pm by Jen Leo and is filed under Deals, Global, Hotels, Oregon, Outdoors & Adventure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.