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Travelers' Choice Awards 2009: The best of the best

by Jamie Rhein (RSS feed) on Jan 30th 2009 at 9:30AM

Trip Advisor has just released its Travelers' Choice Awards. The several pages missive provides a hefty selection of the best hotels in various categories. This is the opposite end of the spectrum of the worst hotels. It's not uncommon that the best can be had for less money than a dump.

Sea Coast Inn in Hyannis, Massachusetts has held onto its first place spot as the Best Bargain from last year. Interestingly, it has kept its spot as "Best Hidden Gem" as well.

Of the other top10 bargains in the U.S., five of them are in California, two are in Florida, and Colorado and Utah have one each. When it comes to overseas bargain shopping, several countries have options. Italy does have two slots in the top 10.

Organized by categories, the Travelers' Choice Awards are a great place to start when planning a trip whether you're looking for luxury, romance, a bargain or a family destination.

Keeping with this month's theme of bargain destinations, here are the number one places to stay in each of the bargain categories. Browse through each list, however, because one hotel further down might catch your eye--or a destination might beckon. Egypt has several listings for top places for families in Africa, for example. That has me thinking.

Best Bargains

Europe - Hotel Vecchio Asilo, San Gimignano, Italy
Asia - Oriental Kwai Resort, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
South Pacific - Mai Tai Resort, Port Douglas, Australia
Caribbean and Mexico -- Posada Luna del Sur - Tulum, Mexico
Central and South America - West Bay Lodge, West Bay, Honduras
Africa - Riad Zolah, Marrakech, Morocco
Canada - Elizabeth Lake Lodge, Cranbrook, British Columbia
India - Jas Vilas, Jaipur, India

Click here for the pdf file for the whole list. The photo is of Hotel Vecchio Asilo.

Filed under: Egypt, Italy, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Budget Travel, Travel Deals

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Secret Asian Man Jan 30th 2009 4:07PM

Since when is Australia in Southeast Asia?

I think you meant South Pacific.

Jamie Rhein Jan 30th 2009 4:39PM

Thanks, Secret Asian Man. You're right. And I lived in Southeast Asia and I've been to Australia!

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Gadling Features

Be sure to check out Episode 5 of Travel Talk TV, which features a Santa Cruz beach adventure; explains why Scottish money is no good; shows how to cook brats the German way; and offers international dating tips!