India
IndiOne, Bangalore
There's an orange revolution going on in the world of travel, but this time it has nothing to do with Stelios. TATA - the group behind the famous Taj hotels - has opened its first indiOne "Smart Basics" hotel in the thriving south Indian city of Bangalore. Think of it as a slightly richer and rather less fluorescent cousin of the familiar easy brand. From £11 per night (pre-tax) for a single, backpackers can enjoy an ultra stylish "Smart Space" room with a 17-inch wall-mounted flat-screen TV, 24-hour cable, wireless internet and full air conditioning. You retain your room for exactly 24 hours after checking in, and get full access to the cyber cafe, gym and laundry facilities. It's 25 minutes from Bangalore airport and 45 minutes from the city bus terminal and railway station. The group is now rolling out similar indiOne hotels in 10 destinations across India, including Pune, Mysore, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Varanasi.
Added bonus: Flat-screen TVs.
Price: £11 for single; £12 for double (pre-tax and excluding breakfast).
0091 80 5666 3333, indiOne.com.
New Zealand
Nomads Capital, Wellington
Rugby fans who journeyed to the other side of the planet to see their side being walloped by the mighty All Blacks could have had the slight consolation of grabbing a bargain if they'd stumbled upon Wellington's newest hostel - Nomads Capital, which had promotional opening rates of £29 for an en suite twin. The "flashpackers" hotel aims to bridge the gap between more expensive hotels and basic backpackers' accommodation. Taking five years to plan and develop, facilities include a kitchen, laundry, 24-hour reception, internet access and a travel desk. It is centrally situated in Wellington's bohemian quarter, less than 10 minutes' walk to the city's main attractions. The Edwardian-style building dates from 1903 and in the past has been a bond house, restaurant, shop and massage parlour. The new hotel has retained the facade and staircase of the old building. Next door, there is a linked restaurant and cafe, Blend, open seven days a week until late with nightly entertainment.
Added bonus: Diverse selection of elite en-suite doubles or budget dorm beds.
Price: From £8.50 for a dorm bed to £37 for an elite en-suite double. 0064 4 9787800, nomadscapital.com.
Brazil
Ace Backpackers Hostel, Rio de Janeiro
Be warned - only attempt to enter the Ace Backpackers if you're willing to "bring positive vibes to share". According to their online ads, "if you are a party person ... this is 'the place' to meet people". The hostel chain (there's a branch in São Paulo and more in the pipeline) prides itself on being among the safest around, with the Rio branch providing three security guards on the street outside, plus CCTV. It boasts a central location - one block from Botafogo beach, right next to the metro station with Copacabana one stop away, and with nearby buses running to all parts of the city. There's also a beautiful view from the front of the hostel of both the Christ statue and Sugar Loaf. Facilities include internet, bar, guest kitchen, laundry, library, early check-in/late check-out, tours and adventure activities, surfing and kitesurf classes.
Added bonus: Free popcorn.
How much? Dorms from £5.50, private rooms from £8.50. acehostels.com.br, 0055 21 2527 7452.
Australia
Base Backpackers, Melbourne
The stylish St Kilda branch claimed to be "the most modern state-of-the-art hostel ever built" when it was launched last year. It features an urban RedEye bar, internet, air-conditioned rooms, cable TV and is located just five minutes from the beach. Base was also recently named Best Budget Accommodation by the Australian Tourism Export Council. The awards are judged by their peers in the travel industry - as their website proudly boasts, "it's like the TV Week Logie Awards for tourism!" There are three other Base hostels in Australia - Sydney, Townsville and Magentic Island - and four in New Zealand.
Added bonus: The Sanctuary, women-only floor, offering gift packs of Aveda hair care products, beds with duvets and feather pillows, and large, modern bathrooms with hairdryers.
How much? From £10 for dorm bed, £13 for Sanctuary, £40 for private room. basebackpackers.com.
US
Orbit Hotel & Hostel, Los Angeles
Orbit Hotel & Hostel describe their 32 rooms as having an Austin Powers-esque "colourful retro-futuristic design with hip furniture giving the place a fun, swanky hotel vibe". Situated in West Hollywood, it's a convenient location for Melrose Strip, Beverly Hills, museums, Sunset Strip and of course the movie capital of the world. A cafe provides budget meals and frequent parties, including a free barbecue on Sundays, theme parties on Fridays and a social every Saturday night. Dorms have up to six beds, private rooms are a good size (some with a balcony), while upstairs hosts a swanky movie room with a big-screen satellite TV. Facilities include car rental, pool table, jukebox, private baths in every room, air conditioning, and 24-hour internet access.
Added bonus: Pinball machine.
How much? Dorm beds from £8.50, private rooms from £25. orbithotel.com.
South Africa
A Sunflower Stop, Cape Town
Splash around under the African sun in the sparkling swimming pool of Sunflower Stop - an impossibly cheery hostel. In a great location with the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (Aquarium, Imax Theatre, Robben Island) just a stone's throw away and the beautiful beaches and town a short trip on the bus, it's a superb base if you like a packed itinerary. Table mountain, Cape Town's excellent nightlife, a gym, sunset cruises and botanical gardens are all less than 15 minutes away. Besides the pool area (equipped with barbecue and outside bar), facilities include internet, a large self-catering kitchen, dining room, TV lounge with satellite and video, pool table, and hot showers. A Sunflower Stop also offers free airport pick up between 8am and 7pm.
Added bonus: Child friendly.
How much? From £6.50 for a dorm bed to £27 for ensuite double. 0027 21 434 6535, sunflowerstop.co.za.
