Holiday accommodation is getting more and more expensive every year, a couple of decades ago, it used to be the plane flight and travel costs which made up the significant party of a holiday price, now we are seeing this situation reversed as hotel and resort prices rise. When we factor in the price of food, most of which you will either be purchasing in restaurants or cafes, then it becomes easy to see why the price of the average holiday is now so high.

Luckily, new options usually open up to facilitate budget travel as older options become more expensive. The current trend of short term apartment rental is a great example of this. We can logically see how a short term rental can reduce the overall cost of a vacation, you will have access to a fully equipped kitchen so you will be able to save some money by eating at home when you feel like it. Simple things that can really add up such as making a cup of coffee instead of purchasing it from a hotel cafe, can represent a major saving and leave you more spending money to enjoy your holiday. There are some other great benefits of taking up a short term apartment rental for use as holiday accommodation, not just cost benefits, but comfort and convenience benefits as well.

Consider the fact that you will have a home away from home, somewhere that is comfortable, secure and private. You are free to relax in the knowledge that you are completely in control of your accommodation. No cleaning maids will be knocking on the door, you won’t have to share access through a communal lobby, you won’t need to hang up a do not disturb sign if you want to sleep in.

Also consider the fact that many available apartments are situated in central areas, whilst budget hotels tend to be built on the edges of major holiday areas, you will save on transport costs and save time by being right in the centre of the action.

It is possible to find short term budget rentals in almost every major city around the globe. Next time you are planning  budget travel tip, why not spend some time investigating this option?

Now and then I find a place to stay that actually feels like a home. One such place is the Asha Guesthouse in Bangkok. In fact, I like it so much that I have stayed there every time I have visited Bangkok since I found it. So what is so special about the Asha Guesthouse? Well it’s no single thing, instead it is a combination of features which make this such a cool place to stay.

As a place to stay for the budget traveller, the price is surely pleasing. A basic fan room costs only 350 Baht per person per night, an air conditioned room is only 100 Baht more, at 450 Baht per person per night. This is an excellent price for Bangkok.

The facilities here are first rate, a small swimming pool takes up part of the restaurant area, open from early morning until late at night. The restaurant serves a mixture of western dishes and tasty Thai food. Prices for food and drink here are also quite reasonable, especially if you stick to the Thai food.

There are laundry machines that can be used for free, just bring your own detergent, and the TV room has a large selection of DVDs which are also free to watch. There is even a free gym, outfitted with a variety of equipment. Access to such a large selection of free amenities make this place incredibly good value.

The rooms are clean, although all have a shared bathroom, they could do with a coat of paint but that’s not to say they are dirty, just a little run down. The bathrooms are cleaned several times a day and are kept spotless. Every room has a balcony of it’s own, very useful for smokers as there is a no smoking policy in place within the rooms. Security is good, as each door is fitted with brackets for visitors to use their own padlock, along with the standard room lock.

What really makes the Asha Guesthouse a special place to stay when visiting Bangkok, especially for budget travellers and backpackers, is the huge amount of advice the staff and owners hold in their heads about Bangkok and Thailand in general. You can throw your guidebook away when you stay here, you wont need it.

So, to sum up, the Asha Guesthouse is a great budget travel choice if you are visiting Bangkok. It is in the neighbourhood of Saphon Kwai, and is only a few minutes walk from the closes Skytrain station, making access to all of the attractions of Bangkok quick, cheap and easy.