Budget Jetset Quick Tip # 8: Book the Villa of Your Dreams on AirBnB.com

Looking for a Villa in Ibiza for a week? How about a high rise condo for a few days overlooking Miami Beach? Interested in staying at a luxury penthouse unit on the island of Phuket? You would only dream of staying in places like this, right?

Airbnb is a global network of accommodations offered by locals across the globe at reasonable rates. This site offers people the opportunity to list, discover, and book unique spaces around the world. These aren’t hotel rooms, folks. These are rooms, condos, villas, homes, lofts and bachelor pads being offered up. Airbnb facilitates the bookings and financial transactions making the process of listing or booking easy for everyone. Currently there are over 19,000 accommodations available in over 194 countries. View photos, detailed descriptions, amenities offered, traveler reviews and house rules before you decide on your booking. There are options for every budget. You can book an amazing space in the jetset destination that you thought you could never afford at a very reasonable price. Go to Airbnb.com for rates when researching your next budget jetset vacation.

Budget Jetset Quick Tip # 7: Travel Research Begins With Kayak.com

Comparing flights for best price can be an arduous task. Going to each individual airline website and completing the flight details so you can find out availability and cost takes a lot of time. Several of the sites, especially the international airlines, don’t offer the most user friendly experience to consumers, making it an even more difficult task. You can visit the more popular travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline or Travelocity but they don’t always have comprehensive info on international airlines or regional airlines. Kayak is a travel search engine that allows consumers to easily compare hundreds of travel sites at once. It’s the fast and easy way to find a good deal on airlines or hotels.  With Kayak, you can set up price alerts to your favorite destination using their travel management tool.  The tool even allows you to follow pricing trends so you can see if it’s worth booking immediately or holding off for a bit. Kayak offers a free user friendly mobile app compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7, and Nokia. Budget Jetset recommends Kayak.com as the go to site to begin your research and find the best travel bargain.

Other similar travel search engines include: Airfarewatchdog, Hipmunk, Cheapoair, and Yapta.

The BPM Festival, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

The BPM festival is an electronic music festival that takes place at the beginning of the NewYear in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.  It’s the first of several big electronic music festivals that take place around the world each year. The festivities kick off New Years Eve and continue through to January 8. Budget Jetset will be in attendance for the entire festival to report on the scene in Playa Del Carmen. The BPM festival was originally designed as dance music industry networking event but has evolved into a festival where electronic music lovers, DJs, producers, revelers and partygoers congregate and celebrate the music that connects us all. The 2012 festival looks to be the biggest yet with over 25,000 jetsetters planned to be in attendance. This year the BPM Festival is celebrating its five year anniversary and is especially symbolic as 2012 is recognized as the last year on the Mayan calendar.  Many popular global DJ’s will be spinning at both beach front day parties and nightclubs throughout the picturesque resort town of Playa Del Carmen.

Budget Jetset booked the flight and hotel early to take advantage of the cheaper rates but it’s not too late to join the fun. Rates have gone up but you can still find discounted hotel rooms in Playa Del Carmen for the festivities. In fact, the BPM festival website is offering discounted rates on several of the boutique hotels and condos scattered throughout town. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be one of the top electronic music events of 2012. To find out more info on the festival and discounted hotel rates info check out the BPM Festival site. Budget Jetset hopes to see you in Playa Del Carmen!

Low Cost Airlines - The Smarter Way To Fly

Budget Jetset recommends using a low cost airline to drive down the price of travel. If you are heading to a destination off the beaten path, than more than likely there is a local low cost airline that will take you there from an airport hub. You just need to do the research. US travelers are familiar with our regional low fare airlines including AirTran, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and Virgin America.  It’s more challenging for US travels to identify these types of airlines overseas.

Here is a list of popular low cost airlines in Europe and Asia:

• Air Asia - Low cost airline serving Malaysia and South-East Asian destinations
• Air Berlin – German low cost airline flies routes between airports in Germany and destinations in Europe, northern Africa and the UK
• Bangkok Air – Thai low cost airline with routes to other South East Asian destinations
• Bmibaby – British airline operating low cost flights to European destinations in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands
• Brussels – Belgian airline offering cheap flights to many European countries from its base in Brussels, Belgium
• Easyjet – One of the original European low cost airlines with a route network spanning most of Europe
• Jetstar - Cheap flights routing from Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the United States
• Meridiana – Italian airline offering low cost flights within Italy and to European destinations
• Monarch – British low cost airline offering scheduled flights between the UK and southern Spain, the Canary Islands, Portugal and Cyprus
• Ryanair – Irish low fare airline with hubs all over Europe
• Spanair - Spanish low cost airline with flights throughout Spain and many other European destinations
• Tiger – Low cost airline serving Singapore, Australia and South-East Asian and Asia-Pacific destinations
• Vueling – Spanish low price airline offer flights to Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and other popular destinations in Spain from Amsterdam, Paris, Rome & other European cities

Street Eats

Street food, in many cultures, is how the locals dine. In large metropolitan cities across the globe, locals enjoy the grab and go options at the various street stands stationed throughout the city. This is a great way for tourists to sample local delicacies on a budget. Street eats are the most cost effective way to chow down on the regional cuisine at local prices. Prices are usually in the $1-$10US range depending on where you’re visiting and what you’re eating. Prices can be even cheaper in Southeast Asia.

Some Budget Jetset faves:

• Bangkok, Thailand:  25 cents US per stick barbecue chicken/beef, 50 cents US pad thai, 80 cents US curries.
• Mykonos, Greece: $4US for a chicken, lamb or beef gyro or souvlaki sandwich
• Paris, France: $6US jambon (ham) sandwich, $4-7US sweet or savory crepes, $8US quiche
• Playa Del Carmen, Mexico: $2US for choice of three tacos including carne asada, pollo, lengua, chorizo, barbacoa, carnitas, or pastor
• Tel Aviv, Israel: $4US falafel wraps
• Madrid, Spain: $1-5US montaditos (mini sandwiches)

For more popular street eats, see Frommer.com’s slideshow: 

World’s Best Street Food

Budget Jetset Quick Tip # 6: Travel the Shoulder Months

The high season in many jetset destinations comes with a lofty price tag. There is another option for those whom are seeking to travel to these destinations on a budget. Try booking vacations to jetset hotspots during the shoulder season. You will get great deals, near perfect weather and less crowds. That doesn’t mean the party has stopped.  There is still fun to be had when hotels and airlines slash prices at the end of high season.

Here are some shoulder month recommendations for popular jetset destinations:

April, May & November: Caribbean and Mexico’s Riviera Maya  

Room prices fall close to 30 percent and hurricane season is out of the picture to allow for great sunning, swimming, and cocktailing.

June, September & October:  Mediterranean Sea

Warm weather allows for sunny beach days and prices are as much as 25 percent lower than in the July & August high season. Parties are just kicking off or slowly winding down on the islands and beach communities of the Mediterranean.

June & November: Thailand

April & May are hot and humid; September & October can be extremely wet but June & November are the transition months with better weather for visiting the tourist sites and experiencing the amazing culture of Thailand. The crowds will arrive from December through March for the high season.

Sitges, Spain

Spain is one of Budget Jetset’s favorite countries.  It’s a jetsetter’s dream with great weather year round, beautiful beaches, amazing food and a nightlife that never stops. Each city offers something different to travelers. The beach town of Sitges is a global jetset destination that is worth a visit.

Sitges, considered the Saint Tropez of Spain, is located just a short twenty two miles south of Barcelona. It is easily accessible by train, which drops you off in the heart of the small town, just a short walk from the Mediterranean Sea. This is a great side trip if you are planning to spend several days in Barcelona.

Sitges is most famous for its fantasy film festival that attracts filmmakers from around the world in October of every year. Sitges also hosts one of the wildest annual Carnival festivals in the world held in either February or March.

Most people come to Sitges for the beaches and the nightlife, especially in the summer months when both Barcelona locals and tourists flock to the area. There is a seaside promenade that stretches across the town with steps down to the sand. On the beach there are many loungers and umbrellas for rent. The calm waters of the Mediterranean Sea can be a refreshing escape from the scorching summer heat.

Once you’re done soaking up the sun, take an afternoon siesta because the day is just beginning in Sitges.  Head out for a stroll during the early evening hours. Get lost in the maze of quaint narrow cobblestone streets lined with upscale boutiques and various restaurants and cafes. There is plenty of shopping and people watching to be had in this jetset town. Most folks don’t eat dinner until 9 or 10pm so be prepared for a late night out. After a fabulous Catalonian dinner, head over to one of the many bars lined up along Calle Bonaventura for some cocktails. Once the clock hits 1am most night owls head over to the many clubs in town, including the first Pacha nightclub, founded in 1967. Clubs in Sitges don’t really get going until the hours of 1 to 3am and don’t stop until dawn.

Sitges is also as a very popular gay tourist destination and has become one of the most gay-friendly places in the world. In July and August the town is taken over by gay men and women and the streets are packed. There is a popular long standing party called the Gay Beach Party on Tuesday nights during the summer which is a site to be scene. The party is located on at the L'Átlantida, a beautiful outdoor nightclub right on the edge of the sea. To check out all the gay activities and establishments visit the Sitges Gay Guide.

Budget Jetset Quick Tip # 5: Restaurant Week

Restaurant week is a great Budget Jetset way to check out the newest and hippest restaurants in town. Several US jetset cities offer a restaurant week at least once or twice per year. Belly up for a three course meal at one the city’s hottest restaurants for a fixed price. This is your opportunity to taste a variety of cuisines at restaurants that wouldn’t normally fit into your budget. If you are going as a couple, order like a true Budget Jetsetter, only one fixed price meal is needed with an additional a la carte entrée. C’mon, us jetsetters are always watching our waistline… share that appetizer and dessert! You will save a few dollars and still be very satisfied.

Los Angeles DineLA begins in two weeks.

Keep an eye out for restaurant week at other jetset cities check these sites:

New York City Restaurant Week

Miami Spice

Las Vegas Restaurant Week

Star Noodle, Lahaina Town, Maui

Most restaurants in Maui tend to be overpriced and unimpressive. Budget Jetset found a spot that offers great food at an affordable price. Star Noodle is a hidden gem in Lahaina Town. Located off the beaten path, the restaurant sits in the Lahaina Business Park, otherwise known as Lahaina Light Industrial. While still close to the Laihaina Town’s main tourist strip, Front Street, most travelers will likely not venture here unless they are seeking it out. Star Noodle seems to be a local favorite.

The décor is modern minimalist as opposed to the kitschy Hawaiian themed restaurants spread around the island. The sound of down tempo lounge music plays in the background but never too loud to interrupt conversation.

Star Noodle offers fresh house-made noodles and Asian specialties at reasonable prices, especially in Maui where most entrée’s average $25-35US. Not specific to any one Asian country, selections come from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, as well as others. 

Service is great. Waiters/Waitresses build a personal relationship with their diners, allowing for small talk and good food recommendations. The staff is also eager to answer any questions and explain each dish as it arrives at the table.

This Budget Jetter and dining partner ordered a homemade pickle jar of seasoned vegetables and steamed pork buns for appetizers. Both were very flavorful. Apparently the pork buns are the most popular item at Star Noodle. Hapa Ramen and Singapore Noodles were the entrees we chose. They were tasty as well. I was surprised by the large portions. The waitress also offered several options of Asian sauces as accoutrements to try with each entree.

Our entire bill came out to $55US, tip included, for two appetizers, two entrees and one beer, a Hitachino Nest Rice Ale (yummy!). This is an average price for one person at most restaurants in Maui. Star Noodle receives 4 starts on Yelp and it’s worth the rating. A great choice for a chic, fun dining experience on a budget away from the tourist crowds. To make reservations and check out the menu visit their site, Star Noodle.

Payogan Villa Resort and Spa, Ubud, Bali

We have all dreamed of staying in a large private villa in a lush tropical paradise. Most cost a minimum of $500US per night. Budget Jetset found a resort that offers a beautiful villa experience at a reasonable price, located in Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. The Payogan Resort and Spa is a site to behold and a true budget jetset destination of choice.

With only 23 villas on the property it always feels as though you have the resort to yourself.  There is more staff to attend to your every need than guests. The service is impeccable and always delivered with a smile. The Balinese people are extremely friendly and love to practice their English language skills in conversation with guests.

The spacious resort grounds are designed in tropical Balinese garden style.  It feels like you have been transported back in time to a historic Balinese village with meandering moss-covered stone walkways and traditional buildings. Around the tranquil grounds you will find water terraces, waterfalls, rivers and ponds covered in lily pads. Each night stay includes breakfast in a beautiful jungle terrace on the resort grounds. There is also a restaurant and a spa on premises for further pampering.  A large, multi-tiered free form pool sits below the grand lobby with traditional Balinese statues rising out of the center. 


This budget jetsetter stayed in a one bedroom pool villa. The spacious villa offers an infinity pool and and seating pavilion with amazing views of a river valley, and outdoor tub and shower. The villas have all the modern conveniences of a luxury room including air-conditioning, flat screen TV, canopy bed, floor to ceiling sliding glass doors and a separate balcony.  It’s so large the space feels like your own private home away from home.  Request room 216 for the best views of the river valley. It’s a breathtaking scene to say the least.

The hotel also offers free shuttle services round trip into the heart of the village of Ubud so you can soak up Balinese culture by exploring the many great art galleries, temples, craft shops and restaurants.

Payogan Villa Resort and Spa is an amazing resort offered at a reasonable price. In the month of October you can book a valley view one bedroom pool villa for only $207 US per night through Hotels.com.  A similar villa can easily cost a minimum of $500US per night in other destinations. At this price the Payogan is a Budget Jetset fave. For more info about the hotel visit their website directly at Payogan Villa Resort and Spa. 

Budget Jetset Quick Tip # 4: Killer Shrimp in Maui, HI

You will be hard pressed to find anything budget jetset style in Maui. The island is mostly a quiet family resort. One spot worth mentioning on this blog is Geste Shrimp truck on Kahului Beach Rd in Kahului. Within close proximity to the airport, it can be a quick stop off when arriving or before departing the island.  Tired of spending $35-45 for a subpar seafood entree at a dated tourist restaurant?  Then take a quick detour to Geste’s for some mouth watering shrimp, budget style! For only $11 you can have your choice of 12 shrimp prepared several different ways: scampi, hot & spicy, spicy pineapple or lemon pepper. Scampi style was this budget jetsetter’s fave. This also comes with a scoop of rice and crab macaroni salad. Enough food here to leave you more than satisfied. Geste’s received 5 stars on Yelp. Well worth a trip if you are looking for killer shrimp on the cheap!

Budget Jetset Quick Tip # 3: Free party – Bora Bora Beach Club, Ibiza

Parties don’t come cheap beach in Ibiza, sometimes paying close to $100US for entrance fee to one of the top club nights. Then there is Bora Bora Beach Club on Playa D’en Bossa. Everyday at 4pm the club starts pumping house beats and sunbathing jetsetters start descending on the beach club. Prime time here is between 5-9pm but the music goes until about midnight. This is a pure bikini and flip flop crowd that is ready to party so don’t bother coming dressed to the nines. Get down and dirty under the Ibiza sun for a few hours before heading out to one of the many night clubs. Best part, it’s free! You can enter and exit freely, no line, no charge. Check out Budget Jetset’s recommendation for a fun, free day party at Bora Bora Beach Club.

Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand

The island beaches of Thailand are all magnificent but Chaweng Beach on the island of Koh Samui is a Budget Jetsetter fave. Koh Samui is definitely the most upscale and chic Thai island, although, there are still low cost options available for those that seek them out. The largest beach on the island, Chaweng, has the perfect combo of everything one seeks in a hedonistic beach destination and a true jetsetter paradise.

A gorgeous strip of white sand beach lined with lush palms and calm, clear, blue sea. There are plenty of activities along the beach to keep you busy including jet skiing, para-sailing, snorkeling, volleyball….or just some good ole day drinking. Make sure to purchase some delicious fresh cut pineapple or roasted corn on the cob, only $1 US, from the local merchants walking up and down the beach.

There is an abundance of accommodations that meet every budget on Chaweng Beach, from small backpacker inns and bungalows to five star luxury resorts. The northern part of Chaweng beach has the more upscale hotels and a quieter strip of beach. The central area has the most budget options and is easy walking distance to all that Chaweng has to offer.

At night Chaweng Beach Road, the main drag behind the beach, comes alive. Tourists stroll up and down the strip seeking bargain shopping and a variety of restaurants for all tastes and budgets. The bright neon lights and pumping dance music of Soi Green Mango, a small street off the main road, draws visitors into the various bars and clubs. You can dance and drink the night away until the sun rises.  For a more relaxed evening you can find some great seafood and chill out lounges playing more down tempo tunes along the beach.

Chaweng Beach is a true jetset destination that allows those on a budget to have an equally fabulous time.

Budget Jetset Quick Tip # 2: Las Vegas Day Clubs

Vegas can be a pricey place to party but there is always ways to cut costs if you plan ahead. Day parties at the hotels can be a lot of fun, sometimes more fun than the clubs at night. Listen to the beats of the world’s top DJ’s by visiting the Vegas day clubs, such as Marquee, Wet Republic or TAO Beach. Purchase pre-sale tickets in advance for half the price. Yes, the jetset spend thousands on private cabanas removed from the crowd but it’s more fun to be in the center of the action at a fraction of the price!

 

Damianos Hotel, Mykonos, Greece

Damianos Hotel is a quaint little family owned establishment with 23 rooms at affordable rates. Accomodations in Mykonos can run sky high in the summer months but the Damianos provides clean, updated accommodations at a budget price compared to others in the area.

Clearly the owners, Helena and Thanos, a mother and son team, take pride in their establishment and strive to offer the best customer service possible. Helena picked us up and dropped us off at the airport free of charge. Throughout our stay they were always present to take care of your needs and very hospitable.

The rooms are an average size for European standards and exceptionally clean. The bathroom went through a recent refurbishment with new colorful tiling throughout. We squeezed three budget jetsetters comfortably in a room with 2 single beds and a fold out couch. Air conditioning in the hot summer months worked great. Free wifi internet access is offered in the lobby only.

Location is great, perched right above Mykonos Town with amazing views of the Mediterranean from the beautiful pool deck. It’s a 10 minute walk downhill to the center of the town where you can enjoy all that Chora (Mykonos Town) has to offer including great jetset restaurants, bars, clubs and shopping. That also means it’s a 10-15 minute hike back up the same cobblestone staircase and walkway upon return… but you’re young and adventurous, you can do it!

There are closer hotels to town but none are as affordable as the Damianos. Based on price, location and overall satisfaction of the accommodations and staff, the Damianos Hotel is a Budget Jetset choice pick for a fun stay in Mykonos. You can reserve your room on Booking.com or directly with the Damianos Hotel.