Hotels now…
I think I only stayed in three hotels during 2017. When I visited Belfast in April I stayed in an Ibis, but it was a nightmare – noise from other (drunk) residents at 3am. I also stayed in the Ibis Ouarzazate. Quiet. Comfortable. Great value (£22 including breakfast – which wasn’t available when I left at 5am, oddly enough).
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/P1090121.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Ibis Ouarzazate
Then I stayed in the Casablanca Novotel… twice. It was delightful. I’d stayed there for a couple of nights in 2009, so as well as being a lovely place in a good location, I enjoyed that sense of familiarity.
I stayed in apartments a few times – in Oslo and Girne, and on Colonsay. The one in Oslo was particularly memorable.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/P1080432.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Home from Home
Bed and breakfasts – I had a lovely one on Islay and a quirky (in an enjoyable way) one on Lismore. I stayed in another one in Roy Bridge on my way to Eigg – it was very good but nothing unusual or memorable.
Eigg… Yes… That was an unusual place. I loved it. No frills and the toilet was 10 yards away across the field, but an experience.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/P1070730.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Shepherd’s Hut
Then there was the Terrace Guesthouse in Istanbul – an officially designated Special Place which I hadn’t visited since 2008. It was fantastic to go back.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_5457.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Breakfast View
My previous experience of riads (Marrakech and Fes in 2009) is very positive. Le Petit Riad in Ouarzazate didn’t let me down. I spent 5 nights there – plenty time for something to go wrong, but it didn’t.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/P1090029.jpg?resize=640%2C853)
Room 1 – Berber Facilities
The same can be said of the Riad Lamane in Zagora – a 3 night stay.
I find myself trying to decide between the “caravan” on Eigg and the Terrace Guesthouse. Breakfast with a view of the Bosphorus, or with a view of Ardnamurchan.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/P1070744.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Mainland at Dawn
The Blue Mosque on your doorstep, or a herd of cows.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/turkey-08007.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Blue Mosque, Istanbul
And the winner – in a photo finish – is the Terrace Guesthouse.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2018