Shanghai
This hotel's most distinctive feature is the lit-up, gold-trimmed temple atop its modern tower block. It's a reasonable option for those wanting a more…
Must-see hotels in Asia
Bikaner
An old Bikaner house this hotel was once the home of a colonel of the Bikaner Camel Corps, and is now run by his grandson. Rooms are unfussy and…
Nuwara Eliya
This rambling colonial building has bundles of ye-olde-worlde English charm to it (or a South Asian version of it, anyway), thanks to its terrific bar,…
Puerto Princesa
Double rooms in this contemporary hotel sport tile floors, little 'lanai' courtyards and high-end bathrooms. The gym, which overlooks the pool (nonguests…
Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
Cebu
Located on remote Sumilon Island, Bluewater fringes an idyllic white-sandbar beach and its rooms have Japanese touches, such as sliding screen doors…
Manila
The dorms are the highlight here. Picture beds (capsules) with roll-up privacy blinds, personal charging stations, private safety boxes, bright reading…
Kalimantan
This two-storey guesthouse has just five bare wooden rooms and a fine balcony hanging over the rushing Sungai Amandit. Expect little more than a bed, a…
West Java
Long-standing and superb-value backpackers with 13 clean, spacious rooms with nice decorative touches – including bamboo walls and batik wall hangings…
Kii Peninsula
Miyoshiya is a simple travellers' ryokan from the 1940s, and the knowledgeable English-speaking owner makes a stay here worth it. Most of the Japanese…
Bandipur
A renovated historic home with a lovely central courtyard and internal balconies, Gaun Ghar is also one of the best places to try classic Newari food…
Ko Lanta
Landscaped grounds wind around comfortable wooden bungalows with terraces and a sultry, dark infinity pool refreshed by elephant fountains and surrounded…
West Frontier Guesthouse & Cafe
Kinmen
Six immaculately clean new rooms provide fine linens on super-comfy beds and balconies facing the sea (and China), four of them with dangling basket seats.
The Gobi
Close to the cliffs (4km away) is the family ger of Jamian, who can arrange camel rides (per hour/day T10,000/35,000, plus the same again for the guide),…
Phuket
Basking in views across Hat Nai Harn and the aqua-waved Andaman, the luxurious, white-walled Nai Harn is one of Phuket's oldest hotels, reinvigorated with…
Yufuin Country Road Youth Hostel
Kyūshū
John Denver fans will love staying here on a forested hillside overlooking the town. Especially pretty at night, this first-rate 25-bed hostel has its own…
Camiguin
Attached to the renowned restaurant, the rooms here are equally tasteful, decorated with hardwood furniture and Vietnamese–style antique lamps. Three…
Myanmar (Burma)
It may be somewhat rustic but the Hill Garden's elevated, lush location – the chalets are scattered throughout a large garden – make this an excellent…
Beijing
Big, sociable hostel with a communal bar, western food (including what must be Beijing's only 'beans on toast') and plenty of cosy seating. Staff are…
Odisha
This renovated 1914 historic property is Golpalpur-on-Sea's most luxurious, though the service doesn't live up to expectations. The grounds contain…
Myanmar (Burma)
Near Payagyi Paya and closer to Thayekhittaya than the Ayeyarwady River, this peaceful garden complex of spacious bungalows is set in the beautifully…
Kuala Lumpur
Stacked shipping containers are converted into en-suite rooms at this inventive place. Deviating from the industrial design theme, a number of containers…
Medan
A reasonable budget option for those needing to catch an early flight is this faux-designer hotel that's a five-minute drive from Medan's airport. Its…
Odisha
About 6km from Konark, on pretty Ramchandi Beach, this collection of weathered Canadian-pine cottages is a beautiful getaway. It's situated off a…
Mindoro
A cheap dorm on a private island? Count us in. It's rote basic – just some mattresses squashed into a musty cottage – but you might have it to yourself…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
This friendly, well-kept little hostel in the old city is unsigned and hard to find, so contact them ahead of arrival. It offers spacious four- and six…
Nagaland
This well-preserved wooden colonial bungalow, on top of Officer's Hill, was once home to the Deputy Commissioners of the Naga Hills. With nostalgia…
Chennai (Madras)
The gleaming, ultramodern Park Hyatt has swanky, straight-lined rooms kitted out with pod-coffee machines, smartphone docks and king-size beds; a divine…
Guizhou
This bohemian residence is pretty and quiet, with stunning views out across Xijiang. The communal landing with cushions is a fun place to meet other…
Pulau Tioman
Located at the far southern end of the beach where some of ABC’s best sand can be found, this long-standing stalwart has clean rooms and a wide range of…
An Bang Beach
These rental homes in An Bang village are all super-comfortable, colourfully decorated and surrounded by lush gardens. Choose from Be's Beach Bungalow,…
Northern Laos
Widescreen views of the river from tastefully finished private-balcony bungalows, with stylish bathrooms, lacquered rattan walls, wood floors, fresh linen…
Buon Ma Thuot
It's not a hostel, but this cheapie attracts international travellers with its English- and French-speaking family who can arrange tours of the area and…
Around Tokyo
Below Musashi Mitake-jinja, towards the back end of the village, this former pilgrims' inn brims with bric-a-brac and history – it's been in the same…
Rajasthan
This exquisite haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) has been in the same family for 200 years. Set in a deliciously peaceful corner of the…
Taroko National Park
Run by members of the Taroko tribe, in part as a way to illustrate their culture and history, this comfortable, low-rise resort consists of 18 two-room…
Central Java
At the foot of the road to New Selo, this helpful guesthouse has a number of simple but reasonably comfortable rooms arranged around a balconied terrace…
Guangxi
Simply lovely rooms in a beautiful countryside setting are what's on offer at the Giggling Tree, an old 24-room farmhouse, just 7km from Yangshuo…
Labuan Bajo
A two-storey, ranch-style hotel owned by an Indonesian-Japanese couple. There's a shady garden, beachside pool, friendly management and worthy buffet…
Western Bhutan
Quiet and rural, this complex above Lango village, 6km from Paro, is popular with Asian and Indian groups but is a mixed bag. Standard rooms with fragrant…
Kazakhstan
The health resort of Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi nestles in a mountain valley, 30km up a track from Berel village, and offers the Altay's cosiest accommodation…
