Comments on: Sound advice on local hotels – from the girl in McDonalds

By: Colt Larsen

Colt Larsen — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 10:11:14 +0000

Who knew that one could find some advice and knowledge from McDonalds? I think that yes, McDonalds abroad is preferable compared to the ones at home. It’s the mystery of being in a familiar but strange place at the same time.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:33:02 +0000

It was recommended by the lady in the hostel – I guess she’d never had to stay there…

By: Matthew Hutchins

Matthew Hutchins — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:26:00 +0000

How did you find this place?

By: AdventureRob

AdventureRob — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:12:12 +0000

McDonalds is brilliant abroad. I pretty much never go when I’m at home as it seems weird, unhealthy and overpriced. But abroad, it is like a saviour of the traveller. The place with a clean toilet, recognisable food and WiFi, staff under threat of a mystery shopper and all under 2 brightly lit golden arches.

It’s certainly not fashionable to eat there, especially admitting so on a blog. But McDonalds does help most cultures, buys produce locally, provides jobs and alters the menu with specials to suit the locals. But if English is the language of the world, McDonalds is the restaurant, whether we want to admit it or not.

I’ve met a few travellers in McDonalds and got tips (although don’t usually from the staff admittedly) because sometimes it is the only option, it’s certainly something not to be dismissed. I’m sure many good advice had been handed out in McDonalds restaurants, and your story won’t be the last 🙂

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:02:49 +0000

Agree with you Abhi – yet locals are notoriously bad at advising on accommodation, so this one was quite surprising.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:02:08 +0000

Great story Jeremy, thanks for sharing. We really should have our anecdotes sponsored by McDonalds 🙂

By: Abhi

Abhi — Sun, 27 May 2012 21:48:25 +0000

The hotel sounds so ghastly! Yeah, I think the advice from locals has often served me well while travelling.. especially on where to eat, what to try etc. 🙂

By: Jeremy Branham

Jeremy Branham — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:15:21 +0000

Many years ago, I was walking around Paris. I was tired and ready to go home. Wanting a piece of home, I went to McDonald’s. There I met a Lebanese girl who I ended up hanging out with the rest of the day. I saw a side of Paris I could never see on my own. All because I went to McDonald’s.

At home, I hate McDonald’s. I am not a big fan of fast food. However, I am fond of McDonald’s when I travel now.

By: Alex Plim

Alex Plim — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:26:07 +0000

Adverse experiences often make for the best writing – great piece, Andy!

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:53:05 +0000

I don’t think you’d ever find the place on Tripadvisor. It doesn’t cater for tourists, so no review is going to matter to them. It’s a place for bus drivers to stay the night at the lowest possible cost. It’s a relic of the old communist days when bad service was celebrated as a virtue 🙂