Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Well-established Wild Orchid's contemporary, wooden Andamanese-style cottages are strung around a tropical garden, the best of them vibrantly coloured and…
Must-see hotels in Asia
Cat Ba Island
One of a new breed of modern hostels, this well-run and spotlessly clean place on the western edge of town has dorms and a few comfortable private rooms…
Ranthambhore National Park
Once belonging to the maharaja of Jaipur, this curvy art deco lodge has delightful suites refurbished with period flare. The luxury extends to the 4.5…
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjō
Downtown Kyoto
Just west of the downtown dining and shopping district, this smart, modern hotel offers reasonably comfortable rooms. The lobby has a lovely garden…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A beachfront institution with renovated rooms that are big on earth tones – soothing dark greens and greys – coloured up with bright chilli-pepper red and…
Western Honshū
This polished-up Japanese house, just two minutes from the beach, has a cute garden and soft bunk beds for a tranquil rest. The well-travelled owner…
Nagasaki
This polished hotel, with spacious rooms and decent-size bathrooms, is about seven minutes' walk from Nagasaki Station and right across from a tram stop…
Eastern Visayas
A popular resort hotel with several pools. The rooms aren't flash, but they do have marble floors and flat-screen TVs. Has decent food (try the roast…
West Java
It's hard to beat this idyllically situated colonial guesthouse, located at an altitude of 1500m in a working tea plantation near the town of Pangalengan…
Pulau Tioman
This new resort of concrete rooms, chalets and luxurious villas sticks out from the low-key village surroundings, but does provide a previously…
Kazakhstan
Kokshebel is a well-built, well-run hotel with attractive pine-wooded grounds stretching down to the lakeshore (with private beach) at the west end of…
Kovalam
Seek out a family-style stay at this peach-orange, efficiently run modern home surrounded by greenery, down a dirt path just five minutes' walk inland…
Yangshuo
This hostel's attractiveness is highlighted by the rundown building it's in. Rooms are painted white with colourful accents and have earth-toned…
Aceh
One of the last resorts at the end of the bungalow strip, Yulia's has grown and blossomed into Iboih's most upmarket accommodation. Like tropical Swiss…
Niseko
In an 80-year-old converted schoolhouse, former classrooms now house dorms and concerts are held regularly in the gymnasium. Friendly owners Max and Yūko…
Patan
This century-old residence has been converted into a stylish and well-run boutique hotel, albeit with original low doorways and ceilings. The harmonious…
Ko Pha-Ngan
A stunning mix of 1920s Chinese and Mexican hacienda architecture with a colour palette that shifts from mint to ochre, this 15-room (10 bungalows and…
Pulau Tioman
Peaceful Panuba Inn, located over the headland from ABC, clusters around its own jetty and restaurant with 30 chalets built on a hill overlooking the bay…
Kathmandu
The real draw at this five-star place is the large relaxing garden, with its terrace restaurant and small but nice pool. Come for the Friday barbecue or…
Luang Prabang
Guarded by naga (river serpents), this serene white, green-shuttered house boasts atmospheric rooms with polished wood floors, bathroom, mozzie nets, fine…
Fukuoka
The Life has a super-central location between Hakata Station and Canal City (and a soon-to-open subway stop), making this 130-bed hostel an easy base for…
Sorong
Staying close to the airport isn't a bad idea in Sorong as it's still within easy reach of downtown or the harbour. This six-storey boutique hotel offers…
Male
Set over several floors of a high-rise building in the centre of the island, this 20-room guesthouse is sparklingly clean. The bright and spacious rooms…
Hiroshima
Its carpeted halls make Santiago feel hotel-like, but the sociable kitchen-lounge space promotes swapping travel tips, while being large enough to keep to…
Dong Hoi
A simply excellent budget hotel run by Nga and Sy, a welcoming, ever-helpful English-speaking couple. Rooms are bright and airy with enormous windows –…
Ko Phi-Phi
These 47 lacquered Thai-style bungalows, with wood floors, thatched roofs, two-tiered terraces with lounging cushions and mosaic bathrooms (in the best…
Myanmar (Burma)
This 33-room bungalow complex right on the noisy highway has clean, well-equipped, hotel-style rooms with 24-hour electricity, flat-screen satellite TV,…
West Sumatra
Just outside Pelompek among pastoral surrounds is this homestay that lives up to its name, with the volcano on full show. The rooms here are brightly…
Labuan Bajo
Long-time local guide Kornelis Gega runs this four-room family homestay above the town centre. The basic, ramshackle dorm has six beds (two people can…
Bukit Lawang
On the other side of the river from Bukit Lawang's main settlement is this friendly, mellow guesthouse, which has put some effort into making things…
Pulau Perhentian
The 18 villas here are possibly the most high-end option on the Perhentian islands. The air-conditioned units have private terraces, hot showers and huge,…
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
This homestay belongs to the legendary Ho Khanh, who discovered Son Doong, the world's largest cave. He's also a master carpenter, and has four…
West Sumatra
Just south of the statue on the main road is the best base camp in Kersik Tua. Subandi is the only English-speaking homestay; owner Pak is a fount of…
Dili
Opposite Areia Branca, this is one of Dili's best beachside accommodation options. Tastefully decorated rooms have kitchenettes while more expensive ones…
Nong Khiaw
About 1km out of town, Pha Xang is hardly a resort, more a collection of comfy A-frame rattan bungalows with wood floors, white walls and en suites dotted…
ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort
Yaeyama Islands
The Intercontinental has beautifully refurbished rooms, all of which have wood floors and at least partial ocean views; rooms in the main building also…
Maharashtra
Set off the highway, close to the Karla–Bhaja access point, this large resort in a rural location attracts weekending Mumbai families thanks to its water…
Ko Samui
Seek out the decor of colonial Indo-China at this tranquil gem where the tall grey concrete structure is cut by elongated teak-framed windows and…
Tana Toraja
Owned and operated by Enos, an experienced Torajan guide who understands customer service, Rosalina features very clean upstairs rooms and a terrace…
Western Honshū
The Hibari building boasts a gallery, bookstore and coworking space, and the dorms are suitably attractive in dark wood with cream privacy blinds and USB…
