44 budget hotels and hostels in the world's most amazing locations
Everyone loves a bargain, and there's no need to compromise on location when planning a shoestring holiday. If you look in the right places you can find decent lodgings in incredible places – from barefoot-chic places to stay on far-flung Indonesian islands, to rustic lodges in the Namibian desert. Still pinching your pursestrings? Take a look at our guide to the best budget hotels in the world's most spectacular locations.
Africa
Desert Breeze
Swakopmund, Namibia
7Telegraph expert rating
This Namibian Desert retreat sits in isolation above the Swakop River, massaged by sand dunes and hedged in by ancient hills. Beds in the luxury bungalows overlook the sand-rippled desert; huge balconies offer star-gazing opportunities and more vistas of the endlessly unfolding, rust-hued dune sea. Read expert review From £95 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Planet Baobab
Gweta, Botswana
8Telegraph expert rating
In a country where high-end lodges can command upwards of $2,000 a night, family-friendly Planet Baobab, near the stark Makgadikgadi salt pans, is a shining example of budget done brilliantly. Stay in a traditional Bakalanga hut, take a dip in the Kalahari’s largest swimming pool, then sink a beer at the lively bar. In the dry season you can quad bike across the salt pans and sleep under the stars, while in green season, day-trips into the National Park offer views of the spectacular 75,000-strong zebra migration. Read expert review From £73 per night
Emily Moon River Lodge
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
9Telegraph expert rating
This nature-lover’s lair, comprising 16 cottage-suites built on a ridge overlooking the snaking Bitou River, is located just a few minutes from Plettenberg Bay. Beautiful views are augmented by eclectic contemporary Afro-chic décor, making this the best-value luxury lodge on the Garden Route. Read expert review From £111 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Sakatia Lodge
Nosy Sakatia, Madagascar
8Telegraph expert rating
The classic castaway fantasy: washed up on an island beach, with just 11 rustic bungalows clustered in a tropical jungle in which lemurs lurk. Served simple, fresh meals and cocktails overlooking the bay. Days spent snorkelling with turtles off the beach, and diving pristine sites. Outstanding value too. Read expert review From £55 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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North America
The LINQ Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
Rooms at this mid-Strip hotel are a bargain, with double rooms available for under £30 – and there's a pool. It's location on the busiest stretch of the Strip marks it as a good base for exploring shops, restaurants and bars, which all lead to the High Roller, the world's tallest observation wheel. The LINQ has a flashy, youthful vibe and is frenetic with activity, day and night. There's a seasonal party pool for adults (ages 21 and up) with DJs, daybeds and cabanas, as well as a spa. Read expert review From £27 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
El Cosmico Hotel
Marfa, Texas, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
From trailers to yurts and safari tents to teepees, this nomadic hotel has an eclectic range of options to bed down for the night (including an annex with double rooms). The hotel occupies a 21-acre site in Marfa, a small desert city in west Texas. Guest can expect to find whirlpool tubs, bikes to rent and a hammock grove ideal for observing 'Mañana' (the relaxed cultural attitude in these parts). Entertainment brings the area to life, with Texas cooking culinary weekends, karaoke nights and music festivals. Read expert review From £58 per night
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Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort
Yosemite National Park, California, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
'The Bug', as locals call it, is in a rural mountain setting 26 miles from Yosemite Valley. Inside, a quirky, bohemian, unapologetically Californian hippy vibe prevails. A lot of love has been poured into the communal spaces, particularly the cosy, firelit June Bug café and the Eastern-inspired eco-spa, which elevates the Bug far above other hostels. Read expert review From £31 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Central and South America
Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
7Telegraph expert rating
Set on the Guanabara Bay-facing edge of Botafogo, also known as BotaSoho in deference to its buzzing nightlife, the hotel is just 10 minutes from Copacabana beach and its more laid-back neighbour, Leme. As the first hotel from London's Yoo design studio, the interior is steeped in hipster credentials. The compact rooftop plunge pool might be the only dash of extra sparkle, but what a dash. Recline on a lounger with Corcovado Mountain to your left, Sugarloaf to your right, and Guanabara Bay fanning out below. Read expert review From £81 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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La Merced del Alto
Cachi, Salta, Argentina
9Telegraph expert rating
A spectacular escape from the world – bed down in a tranquil haven among the cacti; fortuitously surrounded by the mountains of the Nevado de Cachi range with views so beautiful they make your eyes ache. Rooms don't have WiFi (it's available only in the main areas) - perfect for that digital detox. The pool is phenomenally beautiful with its views towards the majestic mountains and has a cute little pool bar to escape the heat of the day. Read expert review From £70 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Hotel Banana Azul
Playa Negra, Costa Rica
9Telegraph expert rating
This charming oasis is about a mile north of Puerto Viejo, the Caribbean's liveliest town, tucked among tropical gardens off a quiet gravel road. The property features a virtually private stretch of chocolate-sand beach perfect for a morning walk or swim. Adventurous types should rent cars to partake in the area's jungle hikes, ocean excursions and indigenous reserve tours. Read expert review From £37 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Hostal Las Olas
Copacabana, Bolivia
8Telegraph expert rating
This is a wonderfully quirky hotel overlooking Lake Titicaca, and it has all the ingredients for a perfect Copacabana visit: imaginative architecture, warm and friendly staff and beautiful lake views. Suites start at a very reasonable £40 and are found in individual buildings in fantastical shapes and sizes, such as sea shells and tipis. From here, you can walk to the main attractions in under 10 minutes (such as the the impressive Basilica) and stroll to the departure point for boat trips on the lake in under five. Read expert review From £35 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Palacio de Sal
Uyuni, Bolivia
8Telegraph expert rating
The Palacio de Sal – 'Salt Palace' – is located deep in the desolate salt flats of Uyuni – and yes, it's completely constructed from salt, including most of the furniture. Plump for a suite or VIP room for igloo-style salt roofs and viewing windows that overlook bright white rock formations bristling with cactuses. Ps – salt chicken is the speciality here, naturally. Read expert review From £101 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Blue Apple Beach House
Isla Tierra Bomba, Colombia
8Telegraph expert rating
Blue Apple is the place to get away from chaotic Cartagena city. The hotel occupies one side of Tierra Bomba island and looks out over the Caribbean Sea. Guests are transported to the island by speedboat and immediately submerged in a palm-fringed oasis complete with private beach. But it’s not all rest and relaxation: the hotel is the playground for hip young Colombians and there's a lively party scene. Read expert review From £146 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
SoLost
Playa Jiquelite, Nicaragua
8Telegraph expert rating
SoLost is a smart version of the classic beach shack on stilts, and full of small artistic touches. The hotel's location near the beach makes it a good option for surfers (Jiquelete beach is a popular surfing spot) and it's also right next to an estuary which is good for swimming. At weekends, the hotel hosts intimate music concerts, which draw guests from neighbouring properties. Read expert review From £66 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Casitas Maraika
Jalisco, Mexico
8Telegraph expert rating
Casitas Maraika is one of Mexico's best kept secrets, with its barefoot-chic vibe, simple but excellent food, and stylish design – all on one of the prettiest beaches on this stretch of Mexico's Pacific Coast. Guestrooms on site are quite basic but beautifully done with each individually designed unit tucked into the jungle or close to the ocean. Best of all you can only get there by boat taxi, or by hiking, making it feel even more secluded. Read expert review From £158 per night
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Pacaya Lodge & Spa
Laguna de Apoyo, Masaya, Nicaragua
8Telegraph expert rating
Perched on the rim of a volcanic crater, this luxury lodge overlooks the serene Laguna de Apoyo, a sapphire-blue lake surrounded by emerald-green forest. From the main lodge, paths meander through the garden to the casitas, a pool and spa. The village is famed for its artisans, and the locals have made everything, from the furniture and artworks in the rooms, to the chairs in the restaurant. Read expert review From £122 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Europe
Hotel Odisej Mljet
Pomena, Mljet, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
You'll find Hotel Odisej Mljet inside Croatia's Mljet National Park on the most southerly of the Dalmation islands. Bedrooms overlook climbing vineyards and olive groves. Guests can sip on a cocktail while drinking in the surrounding knotted pine forests and saltwater lakes. There's also a spa, and the pool juts out into the sea. Read expert review From £36 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Hotel La Catedral
Cádiz, Andalucia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Surrounded by a landscape of salt marshes, pine forests and beaches, Cádiz is a vibrant, working city with strong cultural and maritime traditions. The hotel is situated on the Plaza de Catedral, bang in the heart of the old town. It's pièce de résistance is the roof, with an infinity pool, chill-out area and seasonal bar with impressive views of the cathedral and glimpses of the ocean. Read expert review From £51 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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YHA Boggle Hole
North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire, England
8Telegraph expert rating
This characterful hostel based around an old mill building is roughly 20 minutes' drive from Whitby. When the tide goes out, you can walk out of the cove and along the coast to scenic Robin Hood's Bay in about 10 minutes; at other times, you can take the clifftop path. There's a colourful, nautically decorated all-day café and bar with a wood-burning stove, as well as outdoor seating on the sea-view decking. Read expert review From £29 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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John O'Groats by Together Travel
John O'Groats, Highlands, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
This architect’s daydream in the farthest northeastern corner of mainland Britain has transported a high-end design hotel into a remote and wind-battered location known for its seascapes and natural beauty rather than its style. The vibe of the rooms is Copenhagen cool, rather than hygge cosiness and a range of options are available, from straightforward double rooms, through studios to self-contained lodges and apartments. Read expert review From £66 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Kylesku Hotel
Lairg, Highlands, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
Assynt is a beautiful, remote region of the Scottish Highlands, perfect for those who love hillwalking, wild swimming and birdwatching. This delightful small hotel, parts of which date from the 17th century, is flawlessly perched on a tiny peninsula looking out across Loch Glendhu. Seals and gannets can be spotted from the breakfast table; the hotel runs boat trips between April and September to a nearby seal colony and waterfall. Crab, 'spineys' (squat lobster), mussels and lobster are caught daily from the loch. Read expert review From £110 per night
Il Baciarino
Vetulonia, Tuscany, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
Il Baciarino comprises stone cabins built into the side of a mountain with spectacular sea views towards the island of Giglio. The design details – driftwood sculptures, family photos, cosy communal spaces – make for an unforgettable experience. Communal dinners might include perfectly seasoned fresh anchovies, raw amberjack or homemade pasta with local lobster. Read expert review From £62 per night
La Locanda del Benaco
Lake Garda, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
This stylish boutique hotel with a contemporary minimalist design is among the very best around. Situated along the waterfront promenade right in the heart of Salò, it is ideally situated to explore the town centre. The rooms feature industrial materials including iron, slate and cement, and the popular restaurant is excellent, serving Mediterranean cuisine with freshly sourced ingredients – make sure you book ahead. Read expert review From £88 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Albergo il Monastero
Ischia, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
An atmospheric, serene and stylish boutique hotel in a former monastery within the medieval Aragonese Castle, perched atop a rocky outcrop connected to the island of Ischia by a narrow causeway. Italian families flock to Ischia during August, visiting for the hot springs, beautiful southern beaches and chaotic family meals in Ischia Porto’s buzzing harbourside restaurants. Bedrooms – former monk’s cells – are simple, but the panoramic terrace is one of the most romantic spots on the island. Read expert review From £82 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Le Moulin du Roc
Champagnac-de-Belair, Dordogne, France
8Telegraph expert rating
Le Moulin du Roc offers four-star French heaven in the most handsome mill and trout-serenaded brook you could imagine. 15 rooms slumber peacefully beneath beams and exposed stone in three buildings, all connected by rambling passageways and staircases. Few addresses are such a potent visual reminder of what makes la belle France so unforgettably belle as this hypnotic country hotel with outstanding Michelin-starred restaurant. Read expert review From £188 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Kekik Hotel
Selimiye, Turquoise Coast, Turkey
8Telegraph expert rating
This rustic, adults-only hotel, set high on a hillside on the unspoilt Bozburun Peninsula between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, offers total peace and quiet, panoramic views and a relaxing laid-back atmosphere. It’s eco-minded, popular with weekenders down from Istanbul and Izmir, and has a laid-back, easygoing ambience. Read expert review From £60 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Carribbean
The Rockhouse
Negril, Jamaica
8Telegraph expert rating
The Rockhouse is a delightful small, independent hotel set on the ragged limestone cliffs and translucent water of Negril’s West End. Once beyond the wall, you enter overwhelming greenery – where paths meander to the spa, thatched cottages, dining rooms, shady nooks and sunbathing areas, ranged along the cliff’s edge. Just a 10-minute drive away is Negril's famous beach, where you can spend the day at The Rockhouse's sister property, Skylark. Read expert review From £88 per night
La Sagesse
St George's, Grenada
8Telegraph expert rating
This is simply one of the best budget hideaways in the Caribbean – a few-frills, back-to-nature, 12-room property on a magical, long crescent of golden sand, with hardly any other signs of human habitation visible except a few villas. A thoroughly chilled atmosphere prevails, with the hotel's friendly dog mooching around. You could go barefoot for a week. Read expert review From £67 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
La Haut
Soufriere, Saint Lucia
7Telegraph expert rating
This rustic estate high above Soufrière is one of the best bets for an affordable place to stay in south-west St Lucia. Though the accommodation is simple, there are two swimming pools, and the views over the town to the island's rainforested interior and landmark Pitons are mesmerising. Read expert review From £109 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Asia
Gaia Oasis
Bali, Indonesia
9Telegraph expert rating
We're talking the far far north of Bali that sees few tourists – but the long drive is worth every minute when you lay eyes on the velvety green Abasan mountains tumbling down onto charcoal-black beaches and the sapphire blue Sea of Java. Expect mountain-top yoga, rustic bungalows and a choice of two spas. Read expert review From £41 per night
The Menjangan
Banyuwedang, Bali, Indonesia
9Telegraph expert rating
Located within the boundary of West Bali National Park, The Menjangan is a beautiful luxury resort that is far from Bali’s regular tourist track. It offers guests the chance to experience some of the island’s best diving, snorkelling and wildlife in superbly peaceful surroundings. The spa is tucked into the mangroves, where carefully positioned mirrors offer a sea view during massages. Read expert review From £114 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Gili Asahan Eco Lodge
Gili Islands, Indonesia
8Telegraph expert rating
It’s the barefoot simplicity of this handcrafted, family-run eco-lodge – set on the remote Robinson Crusoe island of Gili Asahan, in the Lombok Strait – that makes for such a serene beach escape. There's a private yoga shala and cuisine inspired by Indonesia and Italy. Read expert review From £40 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Sala Ayutthaya
Thailand
8Telegraph expert rating
Thailand's temple-strewn former capital makes for an easy 90-minute escape from the hustle of Bangkok, and Sala Ayutthaya has everything you could want for a boutique hotel break: a wonderful riverside location, temple views, a chic design, and warm and welcoming staff. Each of the 26 rooms are spacious and predominantly white with low-slung beds and black headboards embossed with tigers. Read expert review From £110 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Karpaha Sands
Kiran, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
8Telegraph expert rating
A luxurious tented resort along a magnificent seven-mile stretch of untouched east coast beach. Channelling a cool arty vibe, this is a superb spot to escape and unwind: swim in the ocean, bathe under the stars and feast on fresh seafood. Read expert review From £74 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Veda5 Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat
Rishikesh, India
8Telegraph expert rating
Veda5 offers a welcome retreat in the Himalayan foothills, away from the hectic bustle of Rishikesh. The location is serene and there are daily yoga classes and an experienced Ayurvedic doctor on site – making this the perfect place to detox and unwind. The resort is built along a mountain face – expect unobstructed views of the surrounding tree-lined ridges. Read expert review From £86 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Rawla Narlai
Rajasthan, India
9Telegraph expert rating
Rawla Narlai, a meticulously restored 17th-century royal retreat, is one of Rajasthan’s best-loved heritage hotels. Set in a particularly scenic part of the Aravalli Hills, it is a great base for walking, riding and leopard safaris. Read expert review From £57 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Filitheyo Island Resort
Filitheyo, Maldives
8Telegraph expert rating
A divers' paradise on the Faafu Atoll in the Maldives, with comfortable villas and exceptional restaurants. A spectacular 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé, there's an excellent reef for snorkeling and a choice of great beaches. You can dive straight in from the wood decking of your water villa. Read expert review From £91 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Middle East
Damani Lodges Resort
Hatta, United Arab Emirates
8Telegraph expert rating
This seasonal adventure playground, cradled in the remote and rugged landscape of Hatta (just 90 minutes from Dubai International Airport), is best suited to thrill-seekers and travellers who can’t sit still. Swap the sun lounger for a mountain cart, the pool inflatable for a zorb, the blockbuster for a bow and arrow, and grab dinner from food trucks under the stars. Read expert review From £134 per night
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Oceania
Discovery Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
Surrounded by white sand, clear water, coral reefs, passing dolphin pods, and populated by ‘the world’s happiest animals’, Discovery Rottnest Island is just a 45-minute ferry ride off the coast of Perth. The 83 eco-tents split into four categories: eight standard, 51 family-sized (including four disabled), 16 superior couple and eight deluxe. The pillow-topped mattresses and seabreeze-filled ‘tents’ make for a perfect night’s sleep. Read expert review From £87 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Glen Helen Homestead Lodge
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
7Telegraph expert rating
This former cattle station, which dates back a century, has a prized location inside the Red Centre’s West MacDonnell Ranges. These days the operation offers a rustic, basic stay, with a quaint, well-run restaurant and a surrounding landscape rife with natural beauty. Read expert review From £96 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Tasmania, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
This upmarket but delightfully relaxed, unfussy Alpine lodge puts you in the midst of one of the world’s greatest wilderness areas and right by the sublime Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Here, the park’s iconic hikes can begin at your cabin’s front door. Read expert review From £98 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Te Anau, Fiordland, New Zealand
9Telegraph expert rating
Overlooking one of New Zealand’s largest lakes; the low-rise Distinction oozes appeal. This resort-style hotel is in the gateway village to Milford Sound. It’s extensively glazed to make the most of its sublime surroundings and offers a great range of facilities. Read expert review From £114 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
