This thread is here to keep track of where we've stayed along the way and how we got there. We will update it with each stop.

This is part 2 of the accommodation thread and includes Asia and South America.

*********** Accommodation Asia and South America ************

* Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

14 January 2012 to 18 January 2012

New Ipanema Hostel

Comments: It's a tough call to say which one is better between New Ipanema and Adventure Hostel. But Adventure probably takes the cake. New Ipanema is around the corner from Adventure so the location is also brilliant and its other big advantage is that it shares a courtyard with about 6 other hostels so there are always other tourists around and people to meet. Terrible showers.

Cost: BRL 50/bed in four person room/night (about USD 28)

* Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

10 January 2012 to 14 January 2012

Adventure Hostel

Comments: First things first, hostels in Rio are not great. None of them. They are of the very old school breed where people are piled into rooms and facilities aren't up to standard…but hey, this is backpacking and hotels in Rio are very expensive. The location of Adventure Hostel is brilliant. It's in Ipanema which is the best suburb to stay and its close enough to walk to the beach and lots of restaurants and bars. The hostel has a nice chill area.

Cost: BRL 50/bed in four person room/night (about USD 28)

* Florianopolis, Brazil

5 January 2012 to 10 January 2012

Tucano House

Comments: Awesome hostel with awesome staff. This is probably one of the most chilled hostels in the world. The rooms are ok and the shower/toilet situation is bearable but the people and the events and excursions that the hostel organize make this the place to stay in Florianopolis. Its location is also good in the centre of town in Lagoa. It's not close to the beach but it's easy enough to get there. It is close to restaurants, bars and some clubs.

Cost: BRL 50/bed in six person room/night (about USD 28)

* Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

2 January 2012 to 4 January 2012

Bambu Hostel Mini

Comments: Nice, chilled and comfortable hostel with great staff. If you're looking for a bit more of a vibe though then stay at the main Bambu hostel which is just up the road or, even better, stay at Hostel Inn which is just outside of the city centre but is a short cheap and regular bus ride away. Both Bambu Main and Hostel Inn have swimming pools. We would stay at Hostel Inn if we went back.

Cost: ARS 100/bed in four person private room/night (about USD 23)

* Buenos Aires, Argentina

24 December 2011 to 1 January 2012

Milhouse Avenue Hostel

Comments: see below

Cost: ARS 110/bed in four person private room/night (about USD 26)

* Buenos Aires, Argentina

17 December 2011 to 24 December 2011

Apt 8 E, 1738, B Mitre St, Downtown, BA (found through deptostemporarios.com)

Comments: Awesome apartment that we rented for a week in downtown BA.

Cost: USD 420/week

* Buenos Aires, Argentina

16 December 2011 to 17 December 2011

Milhouse Avenue Hostel

Comments: Awesome vibe and party hostel. Good location in downtown area and near Ave de Julho. Definitely try stay at the new Milhouse (Milhouse Avenue) as it is newer, bigger and better. Plus the parties are shared on each night at one or the other Milhouse, so you don't miss out on this aspect by staying at either hostel.

Cost: ARS 310/twin room/night (about USD 72)

* Buenos Aires, Argentina

15 December 2011 to 16 December 2011

Sudamerika Hostel

Comments: Very basic hostel. Comfortable rooms. Really just a bed to sleep in. No vibe but in good location right next door to Milhouse.

Cost: ARS 260/twin room/night (about USD 60)

* Sao Paulo, Brazil

14 December 2011 to 15 December 2011

Novotel Hotel Center Norte

Comments: Awesome hotel paid for by Gol Airlines cause their delay caused us to miss our connecting flight. We were only there for a couple hours though.

Cost: BRL 562/twin room/night (about USD 303)

* Manaus, Brazil

11 December 2011 to 14 December 2011

Hotel Dez de Julho

Comments: Very basic hotel. Would probably be a 2* hotel in most places. But clean and bearable for 2 nights.

Cost: BRL 100/twin room/night (about USD 55)

* Amazon Jungle, Brazil

8 December 2011 to 11 December 2011

Amazon Gero Tours

Comments: Brilliant tour. #1 on TripAdvisor. Includes all transport, food and drinks (excl booze). Guides are brilliant and tour includes two guides (one local, one English speaking). We had Kenrick a.k.a Jungle Boy. Ask for him if you can.

Cost: BRL 170/bed in shared room/night

* Manaus, Brazil

6 December 2011 to 8 December 2011

Hotel Dez de Julho

Comments: Very basic hotel. Would probably be a 2* hotel in most places. But clean and bearable for 2 nights.

Cost: BRL 100/twin room/night (about USD 55)

* Sao Paulo, Brazil

3 December 2011 to 6 December 2011

Olah Hostel

Comments: Nice and comfortable hostel. In Vila Mariana which is a nice part of the city. The city is huge though and the biggest advantage of the hostel is that it is close to the subway and a 15 minute walk from Ave Paulista - the main road in Sao Paulo. We were choosing between Vila Mariana and Vila Madelina and chose Mariana as Madelina had no availability.

Cost: BRL 40/bed in 4 bed dorm/night (about USD 22)

* Bangkok, Thailand

1 December 2011 to 2 December 2011

D & D Inn

Comments: Excellent location on Kaoh San Rd. Room was ok enough for a couple nights. Had some bugs crawling around but nothing unbearable. Awesome roof top bar and pool.

Cost: THB 1,100/twin room/night (about USD 37)

* Siem Reap, Cambodia

28 November 2011 to 1 December 2011

Siem Reap Hostel

Comments: Brilliant hostel. Possibly one of the best we've stayed at. Great location just over the river from the old market and Pub St. Great vibe, pool, amenities and restaurant. Room had separate shower and toilet.

Cost: USD 24/twin room ensuite/night

* Phnom Penh, Cambodia

26 November 2011 to 28 November 2011

The Mad Monkey

Comments: Great hostel with cool vibe, staff, restaurant and bar. Rooms were comfortable. It's not located in the main expat/tourist area by the river but it's a short tuk-tuk from there and also has bars and restaurants within the surrounding few blocks.

Cost: USD 24/twin room/night

* Vientiane, Laos

25 November 2011 to 26 November 2011

Mixay Paradise

Comments: We couldn't find this place online but noticed it when we were in Vientiane the previous time. Also located in the centre and was much better value for money than Naphavong. Rooms were comfortable enough. Had all in one shower/toilet but was big enough to spread them apart.

Cost: LAK 125,000/twin room/night (about USD 16)

* Vang Vieng, Laos

23 November 2011 to 25 November 2011

Central Backpackers

Comments: Couldn't find this place online but noticed in when walking around the town. The town is really small and anywhere you stay is ok but staying on the main road is a better location. This one was close to our other hotel but much cheaper and very decent room for the price. Clean and comfortable. Two in one bathroom.

Cost: LAK 100,000/twin room/night (about USD 13)

* Vang Vieng, Laos

21 November 2011 to 23 November 2011

Inthira Regent Hotel

Comments: Not too many places listed online but this was one of the well rated ones. The rooms were pretty basic and the superior room had a separated shower (standard room was all in one). The room was clean and comfortable and the location was pretty good on the main road, but a right at the beginning of the road so not by the louder bars.

Cost: LAK 270,000/twin superior room/night (about USD 33)

* Vientiane, Laos

19 November 2011 to 21 November 2011

Naphavong Hotel

Comments: Wasn't great. Walls were paper thin and services and tours were expensive compared to other places. Room was ok we guess. Location was decent but anywhere in the centre of Vientiane is ok as the centre is so small. Wouldn't stay here unless there was no where else.

Cost: LAK 210,000/twin room/night (about USD 26)

* Koh Samui, Thailand

14 November 2011 to 18 November 2011

Arkbar Hotel

Comments: Very nice hotel in perfect location in middle of Chaweng (main part of island). Awesome pool.

Cost: THB 1,900/twin room/night (about USD 63)

* Koh Phangan, Thailand

9 November 2011 to 14 November 2011

Phangan Bayshore Resort

Comments: Brilliant location on Haadrin beach (the full moon party beach) and very central. Great swimming pool. Rooms are nice and clean and comfortable. Had to book for 5 nights over full moon period.

Cost: THB 2,900/twin room/night (about USD 97)

* Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

4 November 2011 to 9 November 2011

Saigon Europe Hotel

Comments: Great hotel in perfect location (definitely try stay on or near De Tham St in District 1). The hotel is also brand new and very comfortable and well equipped. Staff are also brilliant.

Cost: USD 40/twin room/night

* Sapa, Vietnam

1 November 2011 to 4 November 2011

3 day/1 night homestay tour

Comments: Really good trek and tour with good stopover at a nice homestay. Can probably do a similar tour for less than we paid and you should rather shop around a bit before choosing a tour.

Cost: USD 175

* Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

31 October 2011 to 1 November 2011

Sans Souci Cruise

Comments: Awesome boat with fantastic staff, rooms and food. This boat was quite expensive and you can probably get something quite similar but not as nice for a much more reasonable price.

Cost: USD 129

* Hanoi, Vietnam

28 October 2011 to 31 October 2011

May de Ville Hostel

Comments: Awesome hostel that is more like a hotel than a hostel. Not the biggest vibe but there is a cool pool room and movie room. The breakfast is great too.

Cost: USD 30/twin room ensuite/night

* Krabi, Thailand

27 October 2011 to 28 October 2011

The White Pearl Hotel

Comments: Location is ok and although its only a 10 minute or so walk from the centre, its not as close as most other places. The hotel itself is brand new though and really nice and the staff are incredible.

Cost: THB 1380/triple room/night (about USD 45)

* Phi Phi Island, Thailand

24 October 2011 to 27 October 2011

Phi Phi Princess Hotel

Comments: Great location between the beach and bars/restaurants. Room was comfortable and nice enough. Pool is great.

Cost: THB 3500/triple room/night (about USD 115)

* Railay Beach, Thailand

21 October 2011 to 24 October 2011

Railay Princess Resort and Spa

Comments: Really nice hotel right in the middle of the island between East Beach (more up market hotels) and West Beach (more backpacker vibe). Can also use the pool at their sister resort which is right on the beach.

Cost: THB 2040/triple room/night (about USD 67)

* Bangkok, Thailand

19 October 2011 to 21 October 2011

Indra Regent Hotel

Comments: Nice hotel. Well equipped and comfortable. Very close to train but a bit further out from Koh San Rd. Has a lot of restaurants and shops and markets around the hotel though.

Cost: THB 3250/triple room/night (about USD 106)

* Beijing, China

14 October 2011 to 19 October 2011

365 Inn

Comments: Great hostel with great restaurant, bar and vibe. Exceptionally clean and the rooms were large and very comfortable. Excellent location within easy walking distance of Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and the subway. Really nice hostel with cool backpacking vibe.

Cost: CNY 178/twin room shared bathroom/night (about USD 28)

* Xian, China

12 October 2011 to 14 October 2011

Shuyuan International Youth Party Hostel

Comments: Very cool hostel in converted old-style Chinese home with courtyards. Great bar and atmosphere. Rooms were very, very basic and not the best that we've stayed in but they were fine for 2 nights (hot water shuts off at midnight till 7am). Alos organized great and cheap tours to Terracotta soldiers and other main attractions. Location was pretty good right by the south gate of the city wall and an easy enough walk to shops and restaurants and an easy enough taxi to anywhere else within the city wall.

Cost: CNY 200/twin room en-suite/night (about USD 31)

* Shanghai, China

9 October 2011 to 12 October 2011

Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel

Comments: Cool old-school backpackers that was very clean and comfortable. Not too much of a vibe but there was a nice chill area/bar/restaurant and very cool roof top deck with pool table and foosball table. Location was also good as it was around the corner from East Nanjing Rd and the subway station and also only a short walk from the Bund.

Cost: CNY 240/twin room en-suite/night (about USD 38)

* Hong Kong

6 October 2011 to 9 October 2011

Regal Kowloon Hotel

Comments: Also really nice hotel. Located a bit further away from the middle of Kowloon but closer to Central District so bit cheaper for taxis - though taxis are generally well priced.

Cost: HKD 1,070/twin room/night (about USD 138)

* Hong Kong

4 October 2011 to 6 October 2011

B P International

Comments: Very nice hotel that was very well equipped and comfortable. Definitely upped our standards a bit here. Great location on Kowloon side of Hong Kong as it was central and just off Nathan Rd.

Cost: HKD 1,100/twin room/night (about USD 141)