How do you rate a city as being the best to live in? Well, there are many factors determining this aspect which if you agree with me, the factors varies accordingly.

In a more prosperous time where the economy blooms, the thriving factor in picking a city to move in would be for the luxurious comfort or maybe for its entertainment value. But considering as we are in the midst of a financial crisis, the determining factors could not be so far from that.

Now we are more concerned about not burning a hole in our pocket. Before we move into a property, we consider the cost of living in a city, percentage of population and percentage of workforce of a city and particularly the city concerned. People are thrift-conscious while considering properties before settling down by looking for affordable communities that have strong economies and comfort.

In doing so, people are keener to choose a suitable property management agent which will provide extensive information on the city of choice. According to Mesa Property Management among the top few popular cities in the States to live in are Anaheim, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. No doubt each city has its alluring factors as it all depends on individual preferences.

Before this i had post about the weirdest hotels around the world which was exceptionally interesting. I was utterly amazed at how creative some of them were. Though it was no surprise that the architectures and structures were possible given the technologies that are available today, it was the ability of the designer to stretch their innovation and think out of the box that is more impressive.

Here are another examples of some outrageous architectures around the globe.

The Cubic Houses (Rotterdam, Netherlands)

Kubuswoningen, or cube houses, are a set of innovative houses built in Rotterdam and Helmond in The Netherlands, designed by architect Piet Blom in 1984. The concept behind these 3 stories houses is that he tries to create a forest by each cube representing an abstract tree; therefore the whole village becomes a forest.

The Toilet (Suweon, Korea)

The World Toilet Association built a giant toilet shaped house complete with four bedrooms with adjacent four bathrooms to commemorate its first general assembly meeting.

The Basket (Newark, Ohio)

Longaberger is well known for making beautiful hand woven baskets. Their headquarters is in the shape of a giant yellow basket, complete with 150-ton handles.

The Crooked House (Sopot, Poland)

Construction of the building started in in January 2003 and in December 2003 it was finished. House architecture is based on Jan Marcin Szancer (famous Polish artist and child books illustrator) and Per Dahlberg (Swedish painter living in Sopot) pictures and paintings.

The Giant Shoe (Hellum, Pennsylvania)

In 1948, Mahlon N. Haines, of Hellum, Pennsylvania (the owner a great shoe empire in post war United State) built a replica of a giant shoe. For years, it was used a guesthouse with its three bedrooms and two baths. But, it was eventually converted into an ice cream parlor. Now, it serves as a museum in an attempt to educate others on the life of the house’s creator. Another shoe shaped building was erected just one year before the Haines house and was used as a shoe repair shop. It was sold with the understanding that it would remain a shoe related venture and is still being used today for shoe repair.

The Dancing House (Prague, Czech Republic)

Vlado Milunic and Frank O. Gehry are the creators, who designed the so called Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic, in 1996. The house is created to look as if it is “dancing” by making it curved and large at the bottom, small in the center and then curved outward at the top.

Originally named “Fred and Ginger” (after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers), others nicknamed it a “Drunk House”.

House Turned Upside Down (Symbark, Poland)

In Szymbark, Poland a local business decided to build a house in protest of what he viewed as injustices; namely the current crisis with the environment and Poland being under Communist control. Thus, this particular house was built to appear upside down. It has become a major tourist destination for the small town and is apparently just as warped on the inside.

Habitat 67 (Montreal, Canada)

Expo 67, one of the world’s largest universal expositions was held in Montreal. Housing was one of the main themes of Expo 67. Habitat 67 is a housing complex and landmark located on the Marc-Drouin Quay on the Saint Lawrence River at 2600, Pierre Dupuy Avenue in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, built as part of Expo 67.

354 cubes of a magnificent grey-beige build up one on the other to form 146 residences nestled between sky and earth, between city and river, between greenery and light is a symbol of wisdom, truth, moral perfection, at the origin itself of our civilization.

The Robot (Bangkok, Thailand)

The Robot Building, located in the Sathorn business district of Bangkok, Thailand, houses United Overseas Bank’s Bangkok headquarters. It was designed for the Bank of Asia by Sumet Jumsai to reflect the computerization of banking. The building’s features, such as progressively receding walls, antennas, and eyes, contribute to its robotic appearance.

Wotruba Church (Vienna, Austria)

Fritz Wotruba designed a church in Vienna that consists of 152 asymmetrically arranged concrete blocks. It looks like an enlarged piece of abstract sculpture that you can enter.

Have you heard of the underwater hotel or underground hotel? How about hotels in UFO?

Here are a few from the list of the amazing hotels around the world, some in the strangest places too.

UFO - Mojave Desert, Southern California
In a desert that is renowned for its extraterrestrial sightings, this hotel was allegedly built following alien instructions sent from Venus. Aircraft mechanic and dedicated ufologist, George Van Tassel, died before he could complete the building. But according to the visitor he encountered, the outer ring works like a dynamo that can turn the dome into a time machine able to rejuvenate human cells.

Ball in a tree - Vancouver Island, Canada
Guest will feel like a bird in a cosy nest staying in these eco-friendly globes. According to druid tradition, they are suspended between three trees by nothing but ropes. Their creators believe the spheres channel and amplify sounds and one’s own energy. More practically, they contain a dining area, a kitchen, and two separate beds.

Throat of a troll - Victoria, Australia
Enter the gaping mouth below the shining eyes of a stone troll and follow a cave passageway lit with torches down to your hotel room. Three outdoor terraces allow for plenty of natural light inside. One is even equipped with a barbecue - this is Australia. One room, refered to by some guests as the bondage room, is equipped with leather straps and horse harnesses above the bed.

Wine barrel - Rhine valley, Germany
Why not spend the night at the bottom of a barrel? These ones, in the popular Drosselgasse, have two little windows, two beds and are 80 years old. They once held gallons of Riesling and red Spatburgunder. Surrounded by taverns, there is no excuse not to crawl into your barrel at the end of the night with a belly full of wine.

On a plane - Waitomo, New Zealand
Ever wanted to see a plane’s cockpit? Well now you can sleep with your head against one in this 1940s Bristol B-170 Freighter plane. The plane itself is a rare sight made more unique by the small kitchen and bunk bed set up in the cabin. Where the pilot used to sit is a double bed so close to the dials and switches that restless sleepers may find they inadvertantly take off while dozing.

Someone’s back garden - Westphalia, Germany
Why be confined by four walls when when you can sleep under the stars on a nicely mowed lawn? Anyone with a slight exhibitionist streak can don a frilly nightcap and stay on this iron bed in full view of the neighbours, with a chair, candle and a “door to nowhere” for comfort. A shower and toilet are available in a real house indoors, where you are advised to take your mattress should it rain.

In a suitcase - Saxony, Germany
There is no need to unpack when your hotel room itself is an oversized suitcase. Guests will be amazed at how much has been packed into this suitcase, which includes bunk beds and a bathroom. Late night reading material consists of a rule book used by German Federal Railways.

Under the northern lights - Lapland, Finland
Here you can watch the northern lights dance about the night sky from the warmth and comfort of a thoughtfully designed glass igloo. Looking like a row of spaceships, the igloos are more practical than the traditional kind and have heated floors, remaining cosy when the outside temperature drops to below -30C. Kakslauttanen is one of the best places to observe the spectacle.

Above the coral sea - South Ari Atoll, Maldives
Think blue lagoons, rainbow fish and a wave from the odd passing diver. All these things and more are visible from these luxury glass-bottomed villas in one of the world’s dive meccas. Dine in your room on a glass table above a see-through floor or visit the nearby restaurant where rays and large shoals of fish can be seen through the transparent walls and ceiling.

In a mountain - Ticino, Switzerland
Not for the claustrophobic is the windowless world of rock and water at this hotel, reached by descending into the depths of a mountain to meet the source of a river. At 6,725ft below sea-level, and accessed by a small hole in the mountainside, this is reminiscent of a WWII military bunker. There is a restaurant and the ambition to create a post-modern monastic retreat.

Don’t you wish you could have stayed there? I do!

Info taken from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ and the book “Bed in a Tree and Other Amazing Hotels from around the World” travel book available in Kinokuniya for RM99.95. I might check it out this weekend :).

I’m in a holiday mood already. Are you? Isn’t everyone right? Well, don’t blame yourself for not having the mood to work. It’s already year end and with the festive season so near, it’s time to plan a vacation for some rest and relax time. You’ve earned it!

I have a few destinations in mind like New Zealand and Australia but I’m really leaning towards Bali because I love the beach and I’m on a budget. Christmas and New Year is coming and I have to get gifts for everyone. Going on a vacation would burn a hole in my pocket. It would be wonderful to get cheap flights and even better, affordable accommodation in Bali.

Accor is currently having a record-low air fares campaign and even better, an Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific promotion which runs for 3 days from 27 Oct 09 to 29 Oct 09 with an extension of 24 hours on 30th Oct 09. They actually offer one million hotel rooms at amazing rate across Asia Pacific. Hotels for destinations such as Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Bali and many more are up for grabs with rooms as low as US$30 per night.

Stay period is from Dec 2009 to Apr 2010 so it’s perfect to clear your leave days. It’s an amazing deal. You have to be crazy to miss it!

Sri-Pat Guest House comes highly recommended when searching for a comfortable accommodation in Chiang Mai. In fact, all of the travel forums i had visited have positive comments and stories of excellent experience from staying at the said guest house.

Soi 7, alley outside Sri-Pat Guest House

While most of the young backpackers looking for some fun in the more happening part of town, around the Night Bazaar where there are pubs and restaurants, we had chosen the more serene area within the old city’s wall. Not that we are old and wrinkly and boring but because of Sri-Pat’s good reputation.

The guest house is located at Soi 7, a rather peaceful and quiet area, just 10 minutes walk from the Night Bazaar. Not quite far from the major attractions and eateries but away enough for a unobtrusive stay.

Sti-Pat Guest House

Sri-Pat Guest House is no run-in-the-mill guest house. In fact, this quaintly and charmingly decorated guest house provides the most excellent service and so comfortable, you can’t help but feel right at home.

The moment i got down from the tuk-tuk and saw the guest house i knew we made the right choice. The veranda was stylishly done, the polished matte wood and brown bricks, green plants and umbrella reminded me of a resort  or a spa parlor more than anything.

Veranda

Entering into the guest house, you will get a rough idea of the carefully designed interior of the building. From the matte-finish wood, the celadon/ceramic tiled hallways to the thoughtful placement of striking furniture, all exude charm and elegance.

Breakfast at the cafe

At 900Baht per night for a double/twin bed, you get top notch facilities too. The price is excluding breakfast but there is a built-in cafe cum restaurant at the lobby lounge which you can buy yourself a Thai as well as English cuisine at a reasonable price.

Double bed

Other than that the rooms have equally elegant design with full amenities such as air-con, mini-fridge, hair-dryer, telephone and television. I must mention the bathroom because it was super clean and comfortable to use with hot shower and basic toiletries such as shampoo, soap, ear buds and sanitary bags. Please take note that not all guest house provides this so it was pleasant to see that it was available.

Free internet access is available downstairs at the lobby. A single laptop to share but it’s alright since there won’t be a long queue. If you are in a hurry i bet you could ask the reception to use the internet at their workstation too. The staff are very accommodating.

Facilities

The room comes with a balcony but not much of a view though, facing the next building. But at least the sunlight could come in and you get to see the courtyard below. That’s for rooms with air-con which is fortunate because in during the summer (which is when we were there) the sun could get the room pretty warm. For a cheaper price you could get a room without air-con but i heard the rooms are dark because it’s at the back of the complex.

An ash-tray was on the table to hint that smoking is for outdoors only.

Balcony for a smoke?

Sri-Pat doesn’t have pick-up services but you could always get a tuk-tuk to and from the airport or to any other destination. Make sure you ask the front desk about the appropriate transportation price to avoid getting ripped off.

You can also arrange for tours through the front desk. It’s very convenient and they will make sure everything is in place for you.

Courtyard

Once again i must say i am in love with the green celadon tiled hallways. It makes it very picturesquely dreamy don’t you think?

Green celadon tiles

Sri-Pat is family oriented and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They speak very good English too. It’s not surprise since they would happily sit down at the guest house cafe and chit-chat with you (if you have got the time) to polish up their English or to teach you some Thai language.

If you need anything at all, just ask because they are exceptionally hospitable and sincerely concern about you having a good stay in their guest house. There are a few girls we met working at the front desk that looked much alike, i suspect that they are siblings, part of the family running the guest house. Anyway, they are the cutest ever and very friendly too. I was having fever that very first day i arrive in Sri-Pat and they were so concern about my sickness, i felt really touched.

Nicely furnished hallways

If you are concerned about safety, then be rest assured that Sri-Pat is totally safe to stay. The area around the guest house is practically safe too at night. The staff usually isn’t around by night time but there is a security guard placed at the lobby to make sure everything is alright. If you are to venture out of the guest house for some night activities, then you’ll need to leave the room key on the coffee table before going out so you will be accounted for.

The guard will know if you never made it back *touch wood!*.

The lobby during night time

Oh and one more thing, Sri-Pat looks great at night