3 roomy accommodations with an ocean view under $115/night in Okinawa, Japan, for group travelers who are space-conscious

open-concept house with an ocean view

Wanna take advantage of the exchange rate to travel to Japan soon?

1 Singapore Dollar equals 111.84 Japanese Yen

You better do so quickly because analysts have it that the Japanese yen is likely to recover in 2024 with government interventions or shifts in the Japanese central bank’s policy stance.

So while the rates are still good now, gather your gang and book your flights, and let’s be on our way.

Oh yes, before you travel, you will need a place to stay, right?

In this week’s ‘Travel Thursday’ series, I’ve helped us search for some really roomy accommodations with an ocean view under $115/night in Okinawa, Japan.

In my opinion, it’s apt for group travelers who are space-conscious. So without further ado, let’s get the list started in here!

2-bedroom homey unit with a view of Yaka’s sea

Entire home in Kin-chō, Japan

Price: $110 (for 3 persons)

This inviting home away from home offers a wonderful seaside retreat for families and friends. 

Nestled in a quiet residential area along Yaka’s beautiful coastline, this 2-bedroom unit provides ample space and privacy for 3 or 4 guests. Children under 5 stay for free, so little ones can join the fun with child-friendly furnishings and toys provided (do request in advance).

Wake up to sweeping views of the sea from the comfort of your rental unit, then spend lazy mornings sipping coffee in your living room. The well-equipped kitchen allows you to prep meals or heat leftovers to enjoy together, and free parking means you can arrive on-site and settle right in. When you’re ready for adventure, Yaka’s beach and hotspots are just minutes away.

With spacious rooms, an ideal location, and all the comforts of home, this affordable unit provides an impressive coastal getaway you will want to return to again and again.

Bright and modern home along Nagahama Beach

Entire home in Kunigami District, Japan

Price: $112 (for 3 persons)

This bright and airy beachside retreat will have you feeling like a local in no time. Nestled along Nagahama Beach, this modern home sleeps 3 to 4 guests and is 2 hours from Naha Airport. 

The open floor plan features ample natural light, high ceilings, and ocean views from the comfort of your unit. Two bedrooms—one with a double bed and the other with a bunk bed—spaciously accommodate your travel companions. The fully equipped kitchen is stocked with essentials so you can cook up some meals if you need them. Just 10 minutes away is Nakijin Castle Ruins, perfect for an afternoon excursion.

Your host is on hand to meet you upon arrival and ensure you have everything you need to fully unwind during your stay. This home offers all the conveniences of home in a prime beachfront spot, providing the ideal balance of relaxation and experience.

3-bedroom huge traditional Japanese-style house for 8 guests

Entire home in Nanjō-shi, Japan

Price: $114 (for 8 persons)

We’ve saved the best for the last—an authentic Japanese-style house nestled in Nanjō, a city in the southern part of Okinawa Island.

This traditional 3-bedroom vacation home sleeps up to 8 guests comfortably and features partial sea views, great for large families or groups seeking an affordable getaway. Old-world charm abounds from the tatami mat floors to the shoji screens. Spread out in 1 of the 3 bedrooms, each with futons and mattresses for all, or lounge on the veranda and take in the surrounding views.

Just 40 minutes from Naha Airport by car or 1.5 hours by bus, this hidden escape has a free onsite parking space where you can leave the car behind once you’re done exploring the nearby attractions and the beach.

Children 5 and under stay gratis, making it ideal for multigenerational trips. For a truly authentic slice of old Japan in a huge home all to yourselves, this traditional vacation house has you covered.

Over $100/night may seem a lot for the budget traveler… But if you do some travel math and split the cost, it doesn’t even cost that much per person. Especially for the last listing, $114 ÷ 8 persons = $14.25! That’s probably cheaper than an awkward bed space in a hostel. So gather your tomodachis (friends), it’s time to conquer the land of the rising sun.

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Experience the First-Ever Christmas Eve Street Party on Orchard Road Starting Nov 16

Mark your calendars! This year’s highly anticipated Orchard Road Christmas light-up, officially named “Christmas On A Great Street,” is set to kick off on November 16, 2023. The festivities will include three enchanting Great Christmas Villages and, for the first time in forever – a Christmas Eve street party.

The groundbreaking street party on Christmas Eve will span from Paterson Junction to Bideford Junction and is scheduled to take place from 8 pm to 12:30 am. Attendees can anticipate a spectacular showcase featuring performances by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Command Band from Swiss Cottage Secondary School, captivating dance performances, lively Christmas caroling, Meet & Greet sessions with Santa Claus, DJ live sets, and a bustling Christmas Market teeming with food trucks offering a diverse array of delicious treats. Gather your loved ones, as the evening will culminate in a thrilling countdown to Christmas Day and the New Year.

EMBRACE THE VIBRANT DECORATIONS

The Great Street will greet you with illuminating displays that will extend from Orchard Road to the area outside Plaza Singapura, boasting a dreamy theme adorned with LED cloud installations, teddy bears, and candy canes. In a commitment to sustainability, organizers aim to further reduce their carbon footprint by repurposing past years’ LED lights and decorations and installing solar panels to power two Christmas set pieces.

VISIT THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGES

This year’s celebration will host three Great Christmas Villages, each brimming with carnival rides, games, pop-up stores, and delectable food kiosks. The first village, located at Shaw House Urban Plaza, will be open from November 24, 2023 to Jan 7, 2024. It will feature a double-story carousel and a Ferris wheel. The second village, situated at Plaza Singapura, will showcase a giant bouncy castle, a balloon dome, and craft workshops by Kiztopia. This will operate from Dec 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024.

What’s more? The third Christmas Village, positioned at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, will welcome visitors from December 8, 2023 to January 1,2024. It will offer a Euro Swing ride, an arcade, food trucks, and live performances by local buskers and bands.

JOIN THE CHRISTMAS EVE STREET PARTY

In a nostalgic nod to the iconic Swing Singapore, this year introduces the inaugural Christmas Eve street party on Orchard Road.

Unlike Swing Singapore, which primarily celebrated National Day and the New Year, this street party will unfold on December 24, 2023, from 8 pm to 12:30 am along Orchard Road. Revelers can enjoy dance performances, Christmas caroling, Santa Meet & Greet sessions, a Christmas Market, food trucks, and a thrilling countdown to Christmas. Bring your friends along!

WATCH THE OUTDOOR AR PROJECTIONS

For enthusiasts of augmented reality (AR) projections, Hilton Singapore Orchard will host a mesmerizing 3D illustration on the hotel’s facade. Additional AR displays will adorn 25 glass panels along the pedestrian walkway from ION Orchard to Mandarin Gallery.

Immerse yourself in captivating, augmented reality displays running from November 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024. The inaugural installation at Hilton Singapore Orchard will showcase outdoor augmented reality projections in 3D through the PopAR Live app on our phones. The second projection can be enjoyed on 25 glass panels along the walkway from ION Orchard to Mandarin Gallery.

Image Credits: Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA)

Immerse yourself even more in the holiday spirit as, on the eve of both Christmas and New Year, a festive clock display will enhance the celebratory atmosphere. Feel free to take some pictures!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Exciting Upgrades to the Changi Airport Terminal 2 Experience

For those who, like myself, love traveling, you’ll be excited to learn that Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 has recently undergone a makeover! After three and a half years of extensive engineering works, Terminal 2 (T2) at Changi Airport has reopened, reinstating Singapore’s four-terminal operations.

The completion of T2 is both timely and essential to meet capacity demands, aligning with the anticipation of a full travel recovery to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2024. The T2 expansion project has notably increased Changi’s capacity by five million passengers per annum (mppa), elevating the airport’s total handling capacity to a whopping 90 mppa.

The expansion encompasses an additional 21,000 square meters, introducing new infrastructure, advanced systems, and an expanded array of shopping and dining offerings. A central common-use Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) zone has been established, nearly doubling the number of automated check-in kiosks and bag drop machines.

During the T2 Expansion Opening Ceremony on November 1, 2023, Mr. Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, expressed:

“The T2 expansion project, initiated in January 2020, was underway two months before Singapore closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite uncertainties, Changi Airport Group (CAG) remained committed to the project, confident that our Changi air hub would not only recover from the pandemic but emerge stronger.”

IMMERSIVE NATURE-CENTRIC EXPERIENCES

T2’s design philosophy revolves around a nature-inspired theme, seamlessly incorporating elements of nature throughout the terminal. From ceiling designs to wall finishes resembling natural landforms, carpet patterns, and horticulture displays, the terminal exudes a harmonious connection with the environment.

At the core of T2’s departure hall stands a 14-meter-tall digital display known as The Wonderfall. Nestled amid a vertical garden, The Wonderfall captures nature’s raw beauty in breathtaking detail, transporting onlookers to an immersive world of wonder with a majestic waterfall cascading over megalithic boulders.

Inside the departure transit area, the brand-new Dreamscape Garden mesmerizes with its enchanting array of plants set against a meticulously landscaped backdrop, dynamically brought to life by a “digital sky” that changes hues with the time of day. For instance, it sets a gloomy setting when it’s raining outside at 10 am.

REVITALIZED RETAIL-TAINMENT & FOOD SCENE

Visitors to the public areas of T2 will encounter a range of novel concepts, including Southeast Asia’s first Funko pop-up. Collectors can acquire exclusive Merlion figurines and pose with larger-than-life Funko statues of their favorite characters.

The departure hall introduces three new homegrown brands to Changi including Lynk Fragrances, Baker’s Well, and Café O. Lynk Fragrances offers handmade scents and products. Baker’s Well serves authentic Peranakan confectionaries. Lastly, Café O presents unique prata flatbread delights within a local kopitiam setting.

Another exciting addition to the departure hall is the Jones Grocer. Changi Airport’s first landside duplex cafe, Jones Grocer is a renowned artisanal café, features a grab-and-go deli-style food counter on the ground level and an upper-level bar and restaurant with a show kitchen, set to open later this year.

What’s more? The return of Korean fast-food chain JINJJA Chicken at T2 introduces a refreshing new concept known as JINJJA Kitchen, offering hotplate bulgogi and trendy Croffles.

CHANGI’S STELLAR REPUTATION

Renowned for topping Skytrax’s list of best airports for eight consecutive years, Changi Airport experienced a temporary dip in rankings in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic’s impact on passenger numbers. However, the airport reclaimed its top position in the 2023 awards, announced in March.

Image Credits: Changi Airport Group

Since its inception in 1981, replacing the single-runway Paya Lebar airport, Changi Airport has undergone remarkable transformations. Terminal 2 was initiated in 1986 and opened to travelers in 1991. Its recent improvements stand as a testament to Changi’s ongoing commitment to innovation in air travel.

Let us see what happens next!

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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3 accommodations with amazing views under $59/night in Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang Airbnbs Main Banner

When we think of Vietnam, most of us recall that trip to Ho Chi Minh City or even Hanoi.

But what about Da Nang? The city by the coastline in central Vietnam offers some very impressive ocean views and that’s what we’re after in this week’s ‘Travel Thursday’ post.

Furthermore, they are priced very affordably.

Want to see it for yourself?

Read on.

2-bedroom & 2-bathroom unit in Son Tra Ocean View Apartment

2-bedroom & 2-bathroom unit in Son Tra Ocean View Apartment

Price: $39/night (for 4 persons)

From the moment you step into this modern 2-bedroom apartment, you will feel like you’re on permanent vacation. Large window frames give you a clear view of the stunning ocean and the iconic Son Tra mountain, while the minimalist decor creates a calm, tranquil oasis.

The fully equipped kitchen makes whipping up meals a breeze (if you choose to), and the 2 bathrooms ensure plenty of privacy. When you need to recharge, head to the infinity pool and gaze at the panorama for hours. The location can’t be beaten either, close to the 3D Museum of Art and easy to get to other Da Nang attractions.

With paid parking available and room for up to 4 guests, this apartment has everything you need for your next getaway.

Homey apartment for 4 guests on the 40th floor

Homey apartment for 4 guests on the 40th floor

Price: $45/night (for 4 persons)

Escape to the lap of luxury at this homely apartment overlooking the ocean from the 40th floor for 4 guests (if you’re not the pantang type, keep reading 😛). 

With 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and an infinity pool at your disposal, you will have all the comforts of home while on vacation. Wake up to panoramic views of My Khe Beach and Da Nang’s cityscape spread out before you.

Once you’re ready for adventure, explore the charms of Da Nang right at your doorstep. Mường Thanh Luxury Da Nang Hotel, right around the corner, provides easy access to atas dining, entertainment, and spa services.

When it’s time to retire for the night, return to your haven in the sky—an accommodation offering all the space and amenities you need to recharge.

Superbly rated rental apartment for up to 5 persons

Superbly rated rental apartment for up to 5 persons

Price: $47/night (for 4 persons); $58/night (for 5 persons)

Last but not least, we have this highly rated 2-bedroom apartment with all the comforts of home combined with gorgeous views of My Khe Beach and Son Tra Mountain.

With over 100 guest ratings and a near five-star rating, guests return time and time again for the apartment’s spacious layout, two bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchen with basic amenities. Located on the 29th floor of a residential tower, the rare 2-bedroom unit comfortably sleeps up to 5 guests with one double bed and one bunk bed.

Located about 5 km from Danang International Airport, this rental is easy to get to.

Can’t believe how rental is so cheap in Da Nang? We can’t believe it too. If you were to split the cost among your 4 or 5 travel companions, one person would pay only $10+ for a night on average. That’s insane. And that’s why you should hesitate no more and decide on your travel dates A.S.A.P. Money can make but bookings can’t wait. Grab your flight tickets and reserve your rooms today!

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3 accommodations under $99/night near Gwangalli Beach, Busan, South Korea

Planning a trip to Seoul and taking a day or two off your itinerary to visit Busan’s beaches?

That’s not a bad choice. With its stunning coastlines, Gwangalli Beach in Busan is one of the must-visit destinations.

Allow us to introduce you to 3 affordable options under $99/night with an ocean view to make your stay even more enjoyable.

Clean & neat one-bedroom with sea views

Clean & neat one-bedroom with sea views

Price: $62/night (for 2 persons)

Enjoy lovely sea views from this clean and neat one-bedroom haven. Large-size windows provide beautiful vistas of Gwangan Bridge and the sparkling Busan harbor (or you can head to the 6th-floor garden for a better view).

Relax in the queen-size bed from night to dawn, then brew your morning coffee in the kitchenette (host’s note: cooking is not allowed). Unwind with the calming sounds of the sea as natural light floods the space.

Modern conveniences meet seaside serenity in this retreat perfect for couples or the single traveler seeking a coastal getaway.

Bright & modern apartment with a lovely view

Bright & modern apartment with a lovely view

Price: $86/night

This bright and airy studio apartment offers plenty of natural sunlight and lovely views of Gwangan Bridge to start and end your day right.

The compact but functional kitchenette comes with the essentials you need for warming up simple meals, including tableware for two, wine glasses, and a wine opener. The bathroom features a walk-in shower.

This rental unit is great for travelers who want a sun-filled space to chill in or relax between sightseeing adventures. Located in a convenient area close to shopping, restaurants, and attractions, paid parking is available onsite if you choose to drive.

Well-equipped oceanfront apartment for up to 4 guests

Well-equipped oceanfront apartment for up to 4 guests

Price: $96/night (for 2 persons)

Escape to this well-equipped oceanfront apartment that has everything you need for an enjoyable vacation.

Sleep like you’re at a hotel in the comfortable king bed and queen sofa bed, thanks to blackout curtains and high-end linens. Unwind watching Netflix on the 4K TV with surround sound, or cook up your favorite meals in the fully stocked kitchen. There’s tableware for both adults and kids, wine glasses, and a wine decanter and chiller for your bottle of the day.

When you’re ready to hit the beach, simply step outside and take a short walk to your destination. This stylish getaway has the comforts of home with hotel-like amenities, making it wonderful for couples seeking a romantic escape or families of four in search of a home away from home (price for 4 guests differs).

With these affordable accommodations offering ocean views near Gwangalli Beach, you can make the most of your visit to Busan without exceeding your travel budget. Bask in the beauty of the beach, indulge in delicious seafood at nearby restaurants, and write your own travel story. Book your accommodation now before you pack your bags and say annyeonghaseyo!

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