Best Value Hotels in Southeast Asia

Acacia is a luxury hotel offering great value. Rooms are stylish and contemporary, with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, memory foam beds, pillow menus, and large bathrooms with walk-in showers and separate soaking tubs. On-site amenities include several dining options, a rooftop pool, a small spa, and a solid fitness center. Freebies such as Wi-Fi, parking, breakfast, and local shuttle service are great perks -- but the location in a suburban area outside of central Manila is not ideal for those looking to explore the city's sights.

In a city where hotel rates are competitive and there are hundreds of overnight options, this 76-room boutique hotel still manages to stand out. It's one of the best values for an upscale hotel in the city, thanks to its stylish and colorful Chinese-inspired decor, tranquil vibe, and extensive freebies (welcome drinks, minibar items, scheduled tuk-tuk service to major sights, and Wi-Fi among them). The location in bustling Chinatown is ideal for those who want to experience Bangkok's famous street food, and there's a quality restaurant on-site as well as a swanky lounge for drinks and jazz. 

Though it's upscale, this 92-room hotel offers budget-friendly rates. It's located near the main intersection in Kuta, close to area attractions and the airport, but a bit far from the beach. The hotel has a nice outdoor pool, a small fitness center, a free area shuttle, and free breakfast. Rooms are minimally decorated but spotless, and have high-quality mattresses and linens, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers; some rooms have balconies. The kids' center is a draw for families. 

Decorated in retro Thai decor, the 275-room Kata Beach Resort and Spa provides an affordable beachfront vacation for families and couples. Spacious, minimal rooms feature flat-screen TVs, balconies facing the sea, and some have access to private pools. (Expect worn furnishings, though.) The resort offers water sports rentals, three restaurants, two pools, pool and beach bars, spa treatments, and supervised kids’ activities. Wi-Fi and breakfast are free.

The 90-room Centra Taum Seminyak Bali is an upscale, yet affordable and family-friendly hotel. The peaceful property offers a sleek pool with kiddy section, a spa, poolside dining, and a rooftop terrace for yoga and meditation. Modern apartment-style units have cozy kitchenettes and balconies; some have private pools and outdoor showers. The hotel is on the town’s outskirts, but it's still within walking distance to nightlife. 

Located in the countryside outside of bustling Siem Reap, the upscale Royal Angkor Resort & Spa has fantastic rates for its resort-style facilities (though the hotel is not quite as luxurious as it claims). It has an immense swimming pool, two restaurants (with occasional Apsara dance shows), a fitness center and spa, and access to a nearby golf course. The 202 simple rooms offer little in terms of decor, but their rates include a free breakfast with an array of Western and Asian options and served in the garden courtyard.

This mid-sized, reasonably priced hotel is in the center of Koh Samui, with Chaweng Beach as its backyard. Rooms range from value units to villas, and include modern conveniences like flat-screen TVs, minibars, climate controls, and free Wi-Fi. A free breakfast with Western and Thai menu choices is served at the on-site beachfront restaurant. There's also a lovely pool and full-service spa.

Kamala Beach is a quick walk from the 180-room, family-friendly Swissotel Resort Phuket. The hotel has a great kids' club and a large pool with a slide and swim-up bar. One-, two-, and three-bedroom suites feature flat-screen TVs, kitchenettes, living rooms, and balconies or terraces. Rates are low, but cleanliness may not be consistent.

The 322-room upper-middle-range Grand Inna Kuta is a beachfront resort in the center of bustling Kuta. Modern rooms have minibars and free Wi-Fi (some have balconies with superb ocean views), though rooms in the hotel's older Bali Wing are less attractive and outdated. The hotel features on-site restaurants and two beautiful outdoor pools with poolside bars. Massages are offered at the hotel's spa and there are plenty of leisure activities including surf lessons and bicycle rentals. A free breakfast buffet is included with rates.

The 168-room Nai Yang Beach Resort is a seaside resort with budget-friendly rates. The hotel has three palm-shaded pools, two casual open-air restaurants, a spa, and a pool bar. Spacious rooms have minibars, mini-fridges, and balconies or garden terraces, but also old-fashioned decor and pesky fees for Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi is free in the lobby and restaurant). Villas feature living rooms and private pool access.

Le Sen Boutique is a small hotel set just slightly outside the town center of Luang Prabang. All of the 19 rooms are set around a swimming pool, and have modern amenities like 32 inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, minibars and safes, and rain showers in the bathrooms. The hotel also has a fitness center, which is quite rare for Luang Prabang. The Le Sen restaurant serves an excellent free buffet breakfasts for guests, and lunch and dinner as well. The resort provides loaner bicycles and a free half-hourly shuttle service into town. While it is a bit too far to walk to the historic temples and heritage zone, Le Sen is still a great place to stay, as the rooms are good value for the price.

The Calypso Grand Hotel is an excellent mid-range boutique hotel located at the edge of Hanoi's tourist-heavy Old Quarter. It offers 17 sparkling and stylish rooms, with French colonial accents, free computers, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake and there are hundreds of restaurants, bars, and shops to choose from in every direction. Features aren't deep here, but the staff goes above and beyond to arrange tours and transport. All in all, this is one of the best values available in one of Hanoi's most popular neighborhoods.

Kuta Townhouse Apartments is a mid-range property near Kuta’s main street and within walking distance of the beach. The 133 clean, contemporary apartments range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, and most have full kitchens and private balconies, though decor is a bit bland and bathrooms are small. Daily housekeeping is provided and a choice of continental or Indonesian breakfast is included in the room rates. There are four attractive pools on the property, including a lap pool and hot tubs. Dining options include a Brazilian BBQ place and a restaurant serving local and international fare, plus there are three bars (one a swim-up). The hotel provides a free area shuttle. 

One of the best deals in Bangkok, this mid-range local chain is located in hip Soi 11, an area full of bars, restaurants, and nightlife. Some rooms are a bit small compared to other hotels in Bangkok, but all are immaculately clean, with a whimsical yet elegant style. The hotel has a charming coffee shop with a street-side terrace, and the restaurant serves Thai and international cuisine (a breakfast buffet is included in most room deals). The area is better suited to adults due to the many bars around, and both leisure and business travelers will enjoy the hotel’s close proximity to public transportation (and the free shuttle to the main road).

This colorful, eclectically decorated mid-range hotel is a fantastic value for budget travelers, but is located in a quiet, residential section of Bangkok that's a long walk from public transit. The hotel offers a free tuk-tuk shuttle to the BTS station, but the journey to Bangkok’s attractions, restaurants, and shopping areas can take up to an hour. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a small spa and gym, and an on-site Thai restaurant (the breakfast buffet costs extra). The 42 rooms are cozy and clean, with teak wood and wicker furnishings, and minibars. 

The Sakorn Residence is a pleasant mid-range hotel located in a quiet area on the east side of the Ping River, about a 20-minute walk from downtown. The rooms here are simple but spacious, and are outfitted with amenities suited to long-term guests, including kitchenettes with large refrigerators in some. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and gym, as well as a cozy restaurant (where a free breakfast is served) and colorful little coffee shop. Overall, it's a great value, certainly cheaper than many of the competing properties. 

Bong Sen Hotel Saigon is a mid-range property in the middle of District 1, within walking distance of many major attractions. This 129-room hotel is known among tourists for its good value, clean rooms, and great freebies: Wi-Fi, a tasty breakfast buffet serving regional cuisine, and bottles of water that are replenished daily. Most rooms have been renovated and feature modern decor and amenities, but others are a little dated and plain, and a few don’t have windows. The hotel is not fancy, but rates are reasonable and the location ideal for exploring the main sights.

The Hanoi Serene is a sharp mid-range hotel with 32 rooms set in a narrow market alleyway in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter. Rooms here are a bit bigger than nearby competitors, and come with free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and, for most bookings, bottles of wine. Like most Old Quarter hotels, the Serene has a small restaurant which is open only for breakfast, but there are countless restaurants, bars, and shops in every direction. The market alleyway is crowded and chaotic by day, but quiet at night; those who want to experience traditional Hanoi life will like it here.