Venture Hotel
Stick a bunch of portable rooms together, insert air conditioners and this is what you get. There’s nothing fancy about this place, especially the shared bathrooms, though the pool’s a welcome addition and there are good views from the upstairs gym...
Hotel Turismo
Step back in time at this genteel veteran of the 1970s. The rooms are a bit faded, but you won't notice from the balconies where you can enjoy views of Atauro Island, the sound of the surf and the smells of the fish vendors' stalls...
Vila Harmonia
About 3km from town, this mishmash of rooms – including an uma adat (traditional house) – is worth staying at for the unusual sculptures that pay tribute to Timor-Leste’s long-time supporters.
East Timor Backpackers
Dili's only hostel is a charmer with 11 beds in three rooms. It's not posh by any means but there's a fun bar-cafe out back and plenty of characters milling around. The owners are helpful and welcoming...
Hotel Dili
Hotel Dili offers chilled, air-conditioned rooms, good tropical-fruit breakfasts and a waterfront location. The cheapest rooms share bathrooms; all rooms have high-speed internet and satellite TV.
Rocella
Rooms here are comfortable and clean. The ostentatiously lit bar actually has a pleasant atmosphere and the family who run the place can cook up a Portuguese storm (meals US$7 to US$20).
Casa Minha
An unassuming compound set back from the shore road, it's in hailing distance of the New Zealand embassy. There's a serene pool area and 15 rooms, each with their pluses and minuses although all are very quiet...
Esplanada
The one place to stay in Dili that actually garners the high praise of 'nice', the Esplanada has a great location right on the water and an excellent restaurant that makes the most of the views...
Barry’S Eco Lodge
Just north of the ferry dock in Beloi, this lodge is run by an Australian (Barry) and his family. The sun-drenched thatched cabins are right on the beach; the one Barry calls his writer’s cabin has mesmerising views from an upper level. Book ahead.
East Timor Backpackers
While it doesn’t have the best beds in town, this is the meeting place for backpackers. There’s a bar and kitchen out the back. It also rents bikes (guests/nonguests US$3/5).
Melita Guesthouse
Enjoy clean rooms with bathrooms and fans (and air-con if you need it). There is a palm-tree-and-sea view from the common area. To find it take a left at the Pousada roundabout.
Tua Kóin Eco Village
This Timorese-owned and operated ecovillage holds true to its name. Pad over from your solar-powered thatched-roof cabin to the composting toilet and open-roof shower room...
Baucau Beach Bungalows
Choose from a simple thatched bungalow that sleeps six, or one of three rooms in a neighbouring Indonesian-style house (with shared kitchen and lounge). Meals can be arranged for US$6, with fish sourced from the local fishing boats.
Pousada De Baucau
Despite its eerie history as a torture centre during Indonesian times, this large, salmon-pink building is still one of Timor-Leste’s nicest hotels, with tais bedheads, timber floorboards and air con...