Packing List

Boutique hotels--meaning smaller properties with distinctive personalities--became popular because they weren't chains with cookie-cutter rooms. Now major hotel companies are creating what they consider boutique brands. InterContinental already has eight Hotel Indigo locations in North America; guests will find a core list of menu items at hotel restaurants, but there will also be surprises like in-room murals, and decor and music that change throughout the year. Hyatt recently introduced the Hyatt Place brand; there are 60 locations in the U.S. Starwood has two new brands slated for 2008: Aloft, with lounges meant to serve as neighborhood hangouts, and Element, which has barbecues and apartment-like rooms that'll appeal to extended-stay travelers. Marriott is partnering with boutique-hotel entrepreneur Ian Schrager and plans to launch a yet-to-be-named line of 100 hip properties over the next decade.

The sample rates are for a double room on a weekday this month. WORLDWIDEBarceló Hotels & Resorts Properties: 129 properties, in 14 countries, that include the moderately priced Barceló Comfort hotels and the more stylish Barceló brand. Based in Spain. Sample rate: $161, at Barceló Valencia. barcelo.es Domina Hotels & Resorts Properties: 11 hotels in Europe and North Africa, often with locally influenced decor, on-demand movies, and concierges. Based in Italy. Sample rate: $136, at the Domina Inn Fiesta in Budapest. dominahotels.com Etap Hotel Properties: 370 low-budget locations in 11 countries--standard rooms contain a double bed, a bunk, and a bathroom. Based in France. Sample rate: $59, at the Etap Hotel Nice Palais Nikaïa in France. etaphotel.com Husa Hoteles Properties: More than 160 properties that run the gamut from remote resorts to inexpensive city hotels, in countries like Spain, Belgium, France, Argentina, and Egypt. Based in Spain. Sample rate: $88, at the Husa Arcipreste de Hita in Madrid. husa.es Iberostar Hotels & Resorts Properties: 100 properties, most located beachside with swimming pools and large gardens, in Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and North Africa. Based in Spain. Sample rate: $248, at the Iberostar Playa de Muro in Majorca. iberostar.com Ibis Hotels Properties: 800 mid-level hotels, with 24/7 reception and other services, in 38 countries. Based in France. Sample rate: $94, at the Ibis Warszawa Centrum in Poland. ibishotel.com Mercure Properties: 762 properties that are spread around the world (52 countries) and vary widely--some are stylish and chic, while others are more motel-like. Based in France. Sample rate: $145, at Mercure Sydney. mercure.com Novotel Properties: 397 large hotels with restaurants and lounges, in 54 countries. Based in France. Sample rate: $79, at the Novotel Xin Qiao Beijing in China. novotel.com Pestana Hotels & Resorts Properties: 38 properties that include beachfront high-rises and spa resorts, with a variety of room sizes and styles--many equipped with kitchens--in Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, South Africa, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Principe. Based in Portugal. Sample rate: $94, at the Pestana Atalaia, in Madeira, Portugal. pestana.com Riu Hotels & Resorts Properties: 105 locations, many all-inclusive, in resort areas of North Africa, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. Based in Spain. Sample rate: $179 per person (all-inclusive), at the Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. riu.com Sol Meliã Properties: 318 properties in 30 countries operating under six brands that include Sol Hotels, which are typically near a beach and have kid-friendly restaurants; Tryp Hotels, which also target families but are more likely to be in cities; and the new boutique-style ME by Meliã. Based in Spain. Sample rate: $64, at Tryp Burlada in Pamplona, Spain. solmelia.com Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Properties: 77 mostly high-end hotels with Western-style amenities in India, as well as in other parts of Asia, the U.K., the U.S., Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. Based in India. Sample rate: $90, at the Taj View Hotel, in Agra, India. tajhotels.com ASIA & THE PACIFICAmari Hotels and Resorts Properties: 15 hotels in Thai beach-resort areas and major cities. Sample rate: $62, at the Amari Coral Beach Resort and Spa in Phuket. amari.com APA Hotel Properties: 52 high-rise hotels in Japan (APA stands for Always Pleasant Amenity). Sample rate: $61, at Tokyo-Ojima. apahotel.com Dusit Hotels & Resorts Properties: 18 properties with gourmet restaurants (some with poolside chalets) in Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, and the United Arab Emirates. Based in Thailand. Sample rate: $110, at the D2hotel Chiang Mai in Thailand. dusit.com Evergreen International Hotels Properties: Nine sleek, modern hotels (five in Taiwan) with soundproof rooms, plasma TVs, and marble bathrooms. Based in Taiwan. Sample rate: $146, at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Taipei. evergreen-hotels.com Ginger Hotels Properties: Eight locations in India with self-serve check-in, well-equipped gyms, and flat-screen TVs. Sample rate: $45, at Ginger Bangalore. gingerhotels.com Jin Jiang Hotels Properties: 192 properties in China, ranging from high-end Jin Jiang Hotels to budget-priced Jin Jiang Inns. Sample rate: $138, at the Jin Jiang Hotel Shanghai. jinjianghotels.com EUROPECab Inn Properties: Five cheery, efficiently designed hotels in Denmark--small, simple rooms modeled on cruise ship cabins (hence the name). Some rooms have bunk beds. Sample rate: $118, at the Copenhagen Cab Inn City. cabinn.com Dedeman Hotels & Resorts International Properties: 17 locations that tend to be either chic and modern (in big cities) or traditional (in resort areas), primarily in Turkey, northern Cyprus, Eastern Europe, and Uzbekistan. Based in Turkey. Sample rate: $130, at the Hotel Dedeman Istanbul. dedemanhotels.com Fosshótel Properties: 13 unexciting, moderately priced hotels and guesthouses in normally expensive Iceland. Sample rate: $113, at the Flóki Inn in Reykjavík. fosshotel.is Grecotel Properties: 20 luxury properties with spas, infinity pools, and other high-end amenities in the resort areas of Greece. Sample rate: $300, at the Grecotel Eva Palace in Corfu. grecotel.com InterCityHotel Properties: 28 mid-level hotels in Germany and Austria, often located near train stations and airports. Based in Germany. Sample rate: $170, at the InterCityHotel Berlin. intercityhotel.com JJW Hotels & Resorts Properties: 40 properties, mostly located in France, including the JJW Luxury Collection at the high end, Stars Hotels at the low, and the Median brand--no surprise--in the middle. Based in the U.K. Sample rate: $81, at the Median Lyon. jjwhotels.com New Hotel Properties: 13 small hotels in France and one in Brussels. Sample rate: $123, at the New Hotel La Baume in Nímes. new-hotel.com Omena Hotels Properties: Five automated hotels in Finland; guests check themselves in with a preset door code and contact housekeeping through interactive TVs. Sample rate: $49, at the Omena Hotel Eerikinkatu in Helsinki. omena.com Premier Travel Inn Properties: 480 mid-level U.K. locations with a king- or queen-size bed in every room; kids under 16 stay free and get breakfast free. Sample rate: $135, at the Oxford Premier Travel Inn. premiertravelinn.com Sorat Hotels Properties: 17 German hotels converted from, among other things, a grain silo, a blacksmith's shop, and a medieval inn. Sample rate: $123, at the Sorat Hotel Görlitz. sorat-hotels.com Thon Hotels Properties: 54 sleek, simple, ecofriendly hotels in Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Based in Norway. Sample rate: $137, at the Thon Hotel Astoria in Oslo. thonhotels.com MIDDLE EAST/ NORTH AFRICADan Hotels Properties: 12 moderate to upscale hotels in Israel. Sample rate: $85, at the Dan Gardens Haifa Hotel. danhotels.com Safir Hotels & Resorts Properties: 16 mid-range, straightforward business hotels in Kuwait, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Algeria. Based in Kuwait. Sample rate: $174, at the Safir International Hotel Kuwait. safirhotels.com MEXICOFiesta Americana/Fiesta Inn Properties: 70 properties throughout the country, including full-service resorts in places like Puerto Vallarta (Fiesta Americana) and more-standard, business-style accommodations (Fiesta Inns). Sample rate: $151, at the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancún; $106, at the Fiesta Inn Centro Histórico, in Mexico City. fiestamericana.com, fiestainn.com SUB-SAHARAN AFRICACity Lodge Hotels Properties: 40 properties, all in South Africa. The company's Courtyard brand is at the high end of the spectrum, its motel-like Road Lodge is at the lower end, and City Lodge and Town Lodge are situated in between. Sample rate: $48, at the Road Lodge Durban. citylodge.co.za Protea Hotels Properties: 113 properties, mostly in South Africa with a few in Tanzania, Nigeria, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and even the U.K. Hotels range from mid-level city properties to deluxe safari lodges. Based in South Africa. Sample rate: $154, at the Protea Hotel Aishi Machame, near Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. proteahotels.com

'The Kids Were So Comfortable' "Ben, Peter, and Laura really responded to everyone they met," says Karen of the Gordons' time in South Korea. "They could really tell that the Korean people cared about them and wanted to connect." Korean Folk Show "We got to the folk village near Suwon just in time to see the shows--with a wedding, acrobats, and a farmer's dance." Meeting the Locals "We brought an album with photos of our life in Alaska to help people see what it's like where we're from." A Really Neat Meal "A woman at a tourist center arranged a meal for us at Hahoe Folk Village. We sat at a low table in the open air, with birds singing and the river nearby." Pretty in Pink "We bought Laura a hanbok at a market in Daegu, where she was born. She wanted a purple or blue one, but we could only find them in pink or red--it turns out that those are the colors most often used for girls' hanboks." Bulguksa Temple "We rode a shuttle from the temple to a nearby grotto, which looks over the countryside. It was so beautiful up there! We took a hiking trail back down to the temple." Guest-House in Gyeongju "Sarangchae Guest House was by far our favorite place to stay. It's a 200-year-old hanok (a traditional Korean house), and each room is a little different. It's a special place." Biking in Seoul "We all really enjoyed the evening that we spent biking along the Han River. We were just an ordinary family riding together, just like all the other families that we saw."

Interested in getting coached? E-mail your trip details--the more the better--to Letters@BudgetTravel.com. Dear Trip Coach... Three of our four children were born in South Korea and adopted as babies. They're now 19, 12, and 10 years old, and my husband and I are taking them to visit their birth country. We're attempting to balance historical sites with fun, kid-oriented experiences. Can you help us? Karen Gordon, Anchorage, Alaska Who's Traveling Karen and Steve Gordon have been to South Korea twice, first to adopt Peter, now 12, and again to adopt Laura, now 10. (Ben, now 19, was born in South Korea as well, but he was escorted to the Gordons in Anchorage.) "We had a great time on both trips," says Karen. Ben joined them on their second visit to the country; Peter and Laura haven't been back since they were adopted. Another daughter, Amy, 14, was born in Alaska and has opted not to go on this trip. What's Planned So Far The Gordons are excited about exploring Seoul with their children. "It's a huge city," says Karen. "It will be a big eye-opener to my Alaskan kids." The family plans to first spend a week in Seoul, with occasional day trips to nearby attractions. "That part of the journey isn't hard to plan," says Karen. She and Steve know they want to show the kids the War Memorial of Korea, Namsan (a nearby mountain with hiking trails), and the folk village near Suwon. A second week will be devoted to traveling around the southeastern part of the country, including a two-and-a-half-day stay in Daegu, about 180 miles southeast of Seoul, where Laura was born. Figuring out which other cities to visit and what to see and do during this leg of the trip is where the Gordons could use the most guidance. Questions and Concerns Although they're familiar with Seoul, the Gordons aren't sure where to stay. "We're happy to share one room," says Karen, "and we'd like to keep to around $100 to $150 a night." Ideally, the room will have a refrigerator and perhaps a microwave, so they can prepare simple breakfasts and dinners with food from local markets. "We tend to eat our big meal out at lunch," Karen explains. The Gordons also want to learn about Seoul attractions that they haven't visited before. "Ben is really into electronics," says Karen. "I know there's an area in the city that specializes in that, but we've never been." They also hope to see a dance performance or a festival. Although they know they want to visit Daegu, they aren't sure where to stay or what to do there. Beyond Daegu, they have some general ideas ("We could go to the coast, or explore a folk village," says Karen), but would like direction. Getting to Daegu and around South Korea is also a concern: "Should we make advance reservations for trains and buses, or can we buy tickets that day?" Most important to Karen and Steve is helping the kids identify with their birth culture. "Our focus is on seeing Korea and the Korean people--particularly Korean families and kids." They also want to work in activities with kid appeal, however, such as trips to beaches and mountains. "Ben and Peter are interested in the South Korean army," says Karen. "And we want to buy Laura a new hanbok," a traditional Korean outfit. HERE'S OUR ADVICEGetting Around The subway is the cheapest and most efficient way to travel within Seoul. From Seoul to Daegu, take the KTX, a high-speed train ($42 per ticket); reserve tickets at Seoul Station when you get to the city. For the rest of the trip, use a combination of trains and buses. Buses can be cheaper and faster, but they often don't have bathrooms, so they're best for shorter journeys. Get schedules at tourist information centers or online (english.barota.com for trains, and kobus.co.kr for buses). In and Around Seoul Guesthouses, which often have fridges and microwaves, are perfect for families. Bukchon Guest House has traditional ondol rooms, meaning the floors are heated and guests sleep on padded mats (bukchon72.com, $54). Many adoption agencies offer rooms to adoptive families who are returning to visit Korea. The rates are comparable to those at guesthouses, but certain features--such as access to other adoptive families--make the agencies an appealing option. For a spectacular view of the city, head to Bukhansan National Park, about an hour by subway from the center of Seoul (bukhan.knps.or.kr/bukhan_eng). Back in Seoul, gadget fiends will be awed by the more than 3,000 shops in Yongsan, an electronics market. With two boys interested in the South Korean army, a trip to the DMZ, one of the world's most heavily fortified borders, is a must. Public access is restricted, so go on a tour, such as one offered by the USO (uso.org/korea; children 10 to 12, $22; over 12, $44; children under 10 aren't allowed). Rules at the DMZ are strict: A passport is required for entry, and a dress code is enforced (for example, flip-flops, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, and torn clothing are forbidden); see the USO website for details. Check the Seoul city government website for information on festivals and performances (english.visitseoul.net). Both the Seoul Arts Center (sac.or.kr) and the Sejong Center (sejongpac.or.kr) host performances throughout the year, including symphonic, opera, jazz, and contemporary music concerts. Tickets for top-level cultural events start at around $30. Daegu and More While in Daegu, head to the markets in the center of the city, about a half mile south of Daegu Station. Try acupuncture at Yangnyeongsi herbal medicine market (herb.daegu.go.kr/eng), or browse textiles and clothing--Daegu specialties--at Seomun Market. About 35 miles east of Daegu is Gyeongju, once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla. What with all the hiking trails, temples, and gardens, you could easily fill two days here. Don't miss the Silla burial grounds in Tumuli Park: The tall, rounded, grass-covered mounds look like something you'd find in a Dr. Seuss book ($1.60). Near Andong, the kids can duke it out over which to do first: Andong Hahoe Folk Village ($2.15), along the Nakdong river, or the Andong Hanji Factory, a traditional Korean paper-making plant with demos (tours are free; hands-on experiences $1.10-$3.25). Haeinsa Temple is another easy day trip from Daegu. Dating back to 802, the temple houses a collection of more than 80,000 woodblock prints made during the Goryeo Dynasty (haeinsa.or.kr). Many attractions in South Korea have websites in Korean only. For information in English, call the Korea Travel Phone, run by the Korea Tourism Organization. Dial 1330 from anywhere in South Korea, or 011-82/2-1330 from the U.S. The line is open 24 hours a day. You can also go to the Korea Tourism Organization's website (english.tour2korea.com), or visit any of the tourist info centers throughout the country. Budget Travel Tip: If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Seoul, try what's called a DVD bang--a private screening of the movie of your choice. (English titles abound.) The rooms usually hold just two to three people.