Central Mountains
This lovely hotel has 46 bright two-storey thatched cottages and rooms set among rice fields. Enjoy intoxicating views (units 32 to 35 have the best) from…
Must-see hotels in Southeast Asia
Phuket
Almost any establishment fronting a beach this stunning and secluded would be a top pick. But 'cottages' and suites here, hidden beneath hillside foliage…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Located on Pulau Gemia, 800m north of Pulau Kapas, this resort offers breezy bungalows set right over the edge of a reef – watch schools of fish and black…
Sentosa Island
Capella is one of Singapore's A-list slumber numbers, a seductive melange of colonial and contemporary architecture, an elegant spa, restaurants, a bar…
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Hanoi
Hanoi's finest hotel is a slice of colonial history, with its restored French-colonial facade, mahogany-panelled reception rooms and haute cuisine. Rooms…
Puerto Princesa
Surrounded by tall trees in a rambling complex 3km north of the airport, Palo Alto is a refuge from the city's traffic and noise. The 19 rooms are set…
Eastern Cambodia
Even as the competition kicks in, Terres Rouges remains one of the most atmospheric places to stay in provincial Cambodia. The standard rooms are small…
Dalat
More a homestay than a guesthouse, with just four individually decorated rooms, all comfortable, as well as pleasant communal areas and an upstairs Middle…
Pulau Bintan
At this Swiss-run hideaway, gorgeous thatched bungalows with spacious verandahs sit amid unruly vegetation right by a pristine beach; its shallow waters…
Lovina
From the unicycle bar stools to the affordable tree house to the free foot massage, and with lots of reclaimed wood, clever signage and weird antiques…
Flores
Split into two nearby properties, Manulalu Hills and Manulalu Jungle are about 20km from Bajawa and 3km from Bena along a scenic, winding road. Hills has…
East Bali
Rooms at this well-priced resort set in a lush river valley are simple affairs, but this isn't a problem as most guests spend their time in the lovely…
Yogyakarta
This raw, natural-wood and polished-concrete structure hung with vines is a terrific boutique hotel. The lobby is the ground floor of a dramatic atrium,…
South Jakarta
This enormous posh hotel with a grand marbled-floor lobby and lavish grounds manages to feel like a park in the middle of Jakarta. There is a range of…
Krabi Province
The poshest digs on Ko Jum, these huge, elegant wooden homes with living rooms, kitchens and sea views sprawl back among frangipani- and bougainvillea…
Aceh
An unexpected find in the gritty port town of Singkil is this attractive traditional house featuring a polished-wood interior, antiques and plenty of…
Phuket
On its own secluded, wild-feeling bay just north of Hat Bang Thao, this is an exquisite top-end choice. Chic, contemporary-Thai rooms come decked out with…
West Sumatra
Sitting among verdant rice paddies and a flowering tropical garden is this stunning lodge that incorporates a spectacular traditional Minangkabau design…
Manila
This functional and fashionable new French–run hotel adds another splash of originality to Makati's up-and-coming Poblacion area. The 14 rooms come in a…
Bagan
An absolute charmer, the Blue Bird is one of the most appealing places to stay in Bagan. Rooms are spacious and airy, featuring contemporary handicrafts…
Chinatown & the CBD
Making a dramatic departure from Six Senses’ usual beachside locations, Six Senses Duxton is the brand’s first foray into inner city jungle. Acclaimed…
Luang Prabang
Like a luxury ecoresort for the budget crowd, this jungly oasis of thatch-roofed bungalows has an array of on-site activities, from cooking classes to…
Haiphong
The Manoir serves up just the right amount of classy, colonial French vibe, with brilliant white columns, black-and-white tiled floors and lush green…
Pai
This architecturally striking hotel feels like it should be in a city, rather than on a hillside overlooking the Pai Valley. Rooms are design-conscious,…
Sabah
Set beside the Danum River, Borneo Rainforest Lodge is for Indiana Jones types with healthy wallets – adventure combined with luxury, if you will. If you…
Hsipaw
Still the most efficient, comfortable and traveller-friendly guesthouse in town, the large, Shan-owned Mr Charles operation encompasses everything from…
Kuala Lumpur
A contemporary sculpture of a white tiger prowling the lobby and a slide into its restaurant are just a couple of the fun, creative touches at this…
Sumatra
Run by local surfer Timmy and his friendly family, the old favourite Key Hole Surf Camp is right in the thick of things. It has eight comfortable, air…
Port Barton
It's on the mainland but feels like a fantasy private island. It consists of several homey cottages and rooms, all swathed in rattan, and one larger,…
Jakarta
Well located for the sights and sounds around colonial Kota, this is a lively hostel with cheerful staff and a social set-up. In the evenings the lobby is…
Myanmar (Burma)
Around 9 miles south of central Bago, surrounded by lush gardens and fields with a nearby golf course, this beautifully designed property is run by…
Bangkok
The matchless and ageless Pen has it all: the location (towering over the river); the reputation (it’s consistently among the world's top-ranking luxury…
Kampot
This chill riverside spot caters to long-term backpackers who enjoy grabbing a cold one or a happy shake from the bamboo bar, then relaxing in hammocks…
Ipoh
This stylish boutique property invites you to step inside with a gorgeous greenery-festooned timber frontage and an intimate, shady cafe tucked into a…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Hidden in a rocky nook on the island’s southern end, Kapas Turtle Valley has eight bungalows – all furnished with colourful local batik – and sits above a…
Coron Town
Funny Lion has the nicest rooms in town and incredible views from its 5th-floor walk-up bar area, where duelling cold-water whirlpools, sunset views and…
Doi Inthanon National Park
Easily the region's best-value stay, this delightful collection of stilted bungalows is set in a picturesque rice paddy with splendid views of Doi…
Pai
Set in a tiny, secluded valley of rice fields and streams, the seductively bucolic location of this place is as much a reason to stay as the attractive…
Phu Quoc Island
Beautiful Chen Sea has stunning villas with sunken baths (some with hot tubs) and deep verandas, designed to resemble ancient terracotta-roofed houses,…
West Sumatra
This bright, modern guesthouse is run by thoughtful owner Ling, who understands the needs of budget travellers. She is happy to provide maps of town, has…
