They fluff your pillows, brew your coffee just right, point you to that perfect hidden gem restaurant and know exactly what their guests want. Meet the hosts with the mosts. Friendly, knowledgeable and utterly patient with direction giving and your rubbish school Spanish, they can make or break your holiday experience. Been there is compiling a top hosts guide and the tips are coming in thick and fast. Check out what we've got so far in our great guide, some extracts of which are below.
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Tip posted by megatraveler

Rose Lodge

Want to stay in a five-star B&B but pay for a two-star? Stay at Rose Lodge when in Cape Town! This gem of a guest house is run with immaculate care by its owner, Bruce, and it shows. Everything is perfect and Bruce is a wonderful host. He adeptly looks over every detail and expertly anticipates one's every need. He is always available for any request yet I never found him to be intrusive; he instinctively knows when to step forward when he is needed yet remain unobtrusive when one is looking for privacy. He is truly a professional and very pleasant in a quiet and subdued manner. My stay in Cape Town was made more memorable thanks to Bruce and Rose Lodge.
Address:
28 Rose St
Cape Town
South Africa

Tip posted by cheftoimpres

Nomad Hostel

This hostel excels in providing service. The cheerful owners cater for your every need with an attention to detail and warmth not always found in this sector of accommodation. Fedio's father's powerful rakia on arrival and mother's preserved fruit at breakfast leave you with the feeling you have stayed at a family house for an informal get together.

Oh, and did I mention the best view of the Yantra gorge in the city, all next door to one of the best small hotel restaurants in Bulgaria?
Address:
27 Gurko St
Veiko Tarnovo
Bulgaria
http://www.nomadshostel.com/

Tip posted by suzyhoddy

The Secret Garden B&B

The Secret Garden is a wonderful place to stay. The rooms are comfortable, very clean and set within a beautiful tropical garden. The Inn is located a five-minute walk away from the main centre of Puerto Iguazu and a two-minute walk to the end of the road to get the public bus to the Argentinian side of the Iguazu Falls, Foz do Iguacu (Brazil) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay).

The proprietor of the Secret Garden is John Fernandes, an incredible chap who makes you feel welcome and is extremely interesting to talk to. Every night John hosts a 'Sundowner' with scrumptious caipirinhas and bruschettas, a fitting end to each day after seeing the beautiful Iguazu Falls. Its also a pleasant way to meet other people and pick up good tips on seeing the falls.

John will also sort out any transport that you need and has some very good recommendations of local places to eat and drink. He arranged for us and another couple to visit the Brazilian side of the falls, a brilliant wildlife park and Ciudad del Este!

There is no better way to stay and see the falls!
Address:
Puerto Iguazú
Argentina
www.secretgardeniguazu.com

Tip posted by RickyM

Perfect accomodation in Bol - and dirt cheap to boot!

Boris, the owner, is really friendly and will meet you from the ferry port. He will happily tell you the best beaches, restaurants, etc. He will also sell you wine grown locally by his family. I bought three litres (it worked out at only about 75p a bottle!) and as he will tell you, it doesn’t taste too hot until the second glass, but then it's actually really nice.

The personal touch in these apartments is really welcomed. Boris seemed to be into providing value for money, and a pleasant experience to the traveler, and not making massive profits.

I went in September 2007 and he was in the process of refurbishing the entire building to a very high standard. The rooms are large, clean, and most look out to the garden that has limes, pomegranetes, oranges, olives etc. He was also about to put in a terraced BBQ in the garden with seating area among the fruit trees.

The apartment's location is about a 5-10 minute walk from the town, and 15 minutes' walk in the other direction to the Zlatni Rat beach (the one in the brochures).

If he suggests you go to a restaurant called Mendula - GO THERE! It’s really romantic, cheapish, and the custom is for the waiter to offer everyone a free drink after your meal. They also have a help yourself salad bar that is free when you order almost everything on the menu. (Be warned though; it’s a bastard to find so get Boris to draw you a map!)
Address:
Bol Beach
Brac
Croatia
www.bolbeach.com

Tip posted by mooje

Riad Dar Najat

Dar Najat is a beautiful cosy riad located in the heart of the medina in Marrakech, just five minutes' walk from the famous square, Jema El Fna, which makes it an ideal place to stay! The owner and his team are clearly dedicated to making their guests feel at ease and create an environment full of fun but also very relaxing.

The rooms are clean (I stayed there a few times and have never been disappointed), comfortable and quiet, ideal after a busy day in the souks! Olivier is available most of the day to give you tips and organise a guided tour of Marrakech if you would like one. I also loved the fact that there is an outdoor jacuzzi on the terrace where you can enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or a mint tea (the berber whisky - yummy!). Breakfast is delicious and served by the smiley and friendly staff who are always there to help and make sure you get the best!

Forgot to mention dinner is also available on request and Souad, the chef, is a gem in terms of cooking! I definitely recommend the riad for any kind of travellers - young, older, married or single you will just have an unforgettable experience at Dar Najat. Thank you again, I'm coming back soon and with friends this time!
Address:
Dar Najat
No 18 Derb Lalla Chacha
Douar Graoua Kennaria
Marrakech Medina Maroc
Morocco
www.dar-najat.com