Timor-Leste
If you splurge on one hotel in Timor-Leste, make it this one. Eight spacious, stylish modern rooms with brushed concrete and little patios are set…
Must-see hotels in Asia
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
It's as if the designers of this exemplary place read a handy guide to creating the ultimate bush-chic safari lodge and complied exactly. Superplush…
Maharashtra
Passionate enthusiasts run this two-decade-old, conservation-minded lodge, which is deeply entrenched in studying Tadoba tigers. It's located in the…
Odisha
The mighty 19th-century palace of the raja of Dhenkanal is set against the foothills of the Eastern Ghats, overlooking the quaint town of Dhenkanal. The…
Guangxi
At the far end of town near the river is this popular hostel with a lovely backpacker vibe. Split over two buildings, rooms are really pleasant; the south…
Ubud
A labour of love by expat entrepreneurs John and Cynthia Hardy, this eco-resort on a ridge near the Sungai Ayung (Ayung River) offers accommodation in 100…
Sikkim
Great for meeting fellow travellers, Pelling's backpacker classic is very hard to beat across several categories, with great-value rooms, good free wi-fi,…
Nam Tok
Beautifully furnished thatched-roof bungalows are scattered around this riverside resort's lush gardens. Arriving is thrilling: guests park their cars at…
Phuket
Built into a lush hillside 2km inland from Kamala, this soothing, ecoconscious, fantasy-inspired beauty is one of Phuket's most original, sought-after and…
Ulaanbaatar
While most guesthouses in town are located in crumbling old Russian flats, this one is in a modern building with hardwood floors, sparkling bathrooms, a…
Hong Kong
We've seen glasses of wine in ritzy Central more expensive than this budget hotel. Of course for this price there has to be a trade-off, and in Mini Hotel…
Central Mountains
Set among a coffee plantation, the modern Balinese-designed villas and suites of this intimate eco-resort offer luxurious respite. But the real relaxation…
Around Manila
The Philippines’ signature wellness and detoxification centre is the Farm at San Benito, a peaceful paradise hidden in the jungle less than a two-hour…
The Ancient Cities
A memorable place to stay, this beautifully located guesthouse enjoys an idyllic position overlooking an expanse of rice paddies, replete with the sounds…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Ten years in the making (the first MO burnt down in 2009), the Mandarin Oriental was worth the wait. Palatial rooms (at least 55 sq metres) have luxurious…
Labuan Bajo
Villa Domanik is bliss. On a hilltop outside Bajo, it has manicured gardens and a view of the Flores Sea from the pool. The three bungalows have outdoor…
Sulawesi
Searching for that perfect barefoot vibe? Look no further: this relaxed place enjoys an idyllic location, with big, rustic wooden bungalows, a white-sand…
Thimphu
The striking dzong-like architecture of the five-star Taj Tashi fits effortlessly into the valley, and the elegant interior is full of Bhutanese motifs …
Chittagong Hill Tracts
Thrown haphazardly across a steep jungle-smothered hillside, this wonderful guesthouse, run by Guide Tours, is a treat. Cottages are fun and comfortable,…
Nusa Tenggara
Built by surf legend Felipe Pomar, this lodge blends comfort, cuisine and style better than anywhere else in Rote. Four rooms are set in a large wooden…
Osaka
Osaka's most stylish hostel is inside a 1960s office building suitably kitted out with vintage furniture. There are Japanese- and Western-style private…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Run by the welcoming and convivial Shrek Lee, this hostel is easily the best budget digs in Itaewon. Fourteen dorms and four twins are stacked in a…
Lahad Datu
Winning applause for its cycling excursions in the area, and the quality of its accommodation, B&T is run by friendly Swiss/Malay couple Itisha and Simon…
Kathmandu
Our pick for midrange comfort on a budget is this well-run and super-friendly place. The rooms are among the best value in Kathmandu, with endless hot…
Myanmar (Burma)
This 20-room rural complex on the edge of town is reason enough to stop in Taungoo. The Beauty has a pick-and-mix of rustic, all-wood, bungalow-style…
Macau
MGM Cotai has 1400 impeccable rooms, including duplex sky-lofts and studios, all in a light and refreshing palette. There's also a gym with panoramic…
Maharashtra
This deliciously preserved 150-year-old bungalow exudes undiluted nostalgia, with quaintly luxurious rooms. Reminisce about bygone times in the company of…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
From the dungeon-like entrance to the brass-and-concrete slab of a front desk, everything here spells design. Industrial glam continues in the rooms where…
Sichuan
This traditionally styled, large and bright American-owned hostel has some of the most luxurious private rooms you could hope to find in a hostel, all…
Le Tonlé Tourism Training Center
Kratie
The Cambodian Rural Development Team (CRDT) runs this fantastic budget guesthouse in a beautiful wooden house in the centre. With silk pillows and bed…
The Southern Islands
On the southwest coast of Koh Rong Sanloem, this idyllic getaway fronts one of the most stunning beaches you’ll find anywhere. The 20 bungalows have…
Sapporo
A little slice of mountain life a stone's throw from Susukino – you can use the climbing wall to get to the 2nd-floor dorms instead of the stairs –…
Western Bhutan
With just six rooms, this rural retreat has an exclusive, relaxed vibe that offers the prefect antidote to a day's sightseeing. The main farmhouse has…
The East
The antidote to concrete resort hotels and national parks overrun with hundreds of jeeps, Tree Tops provides a true back-to-nature experience. Beautifully…
Ehime Prefecture
A rare opportunity to rent an entire house where literary greats have stayed, Kiya Ryokan offers a compelling reason for an Uwajima stop. Though not a…
Mandalay
The main 1960s house of this lovely homestyle inn is set in a tree-shaded yard complete with fairy lights, parasol seating and an old horse cart. Dated if…
Pushkar
Enter this lovingly converted haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) through heavy wooden doors into an incense-perfumed courtyard, with a…
Nagarkot
This well-designed mountain lodge revolves around a huge circular glass room encompassing reception, a nifty heated pool and an able restaurant with an…
Bishkek
Hidden between rail tracks and apartment blocks, this delightful 19-room getaway is striking for its gardens and birdsong. Sun-drenched communal spaces…
Myanmar (Burma)
One of the best guesthouses in central Myanmar, Salay River View (part of Salay House cafe) is a treat. The main building dates from 1906 and drips old…
