No. 36

The Cosy Guest House: Every now and again, we will stay in a place that raises the budget hotel bar impossibly high. In India, this place was Jodhpur's Cosy Guest House. Housed in a 500-year old blue house, this haveli had a fantastic rooftop resaurant with an unstoppable view of the Maharaja's palace (above), very friendly workers (constant hugging), a much needed international hippie chill-out scene (quiet reggae and spanish accents), and all manner of wacky rooms, including a two-person tent on the highest point of the roof. Our room had a tiny balcony that overlooked the alley up to the hotel, where you could easily spend half the day watching dozens of individual lives unfold within eyeshot. The owner is a genius for the atmosphere he's created and because he doesn't levy any charges - food, beer, internet, tours, beer, room - until you're ready to check out, a style more Hyatt than hostel. We blew out our daily budget because of it, but that's why were starting in a country where rooms cost $10 a night rather than $100. Learning curve!