Traveling is awesome. Planning for traveling can give you a migraine. So for anyone interested in finding that perfect hotel in some wonderful places in Southeast Asia, we have curated this list for you. We have stayed at each boutique hotel and would recommend each one very highly. I have arranged them alphabetically by country because ranking them was simply too difficult -- how do you compare beach with jungle? Mod with colonial? A list of fab budget accommodations will follow.
CAMBODIA
FCC ANGKOR, SIEM REAP
We stayed at FCC Angkor in 2009 on the recommendation of friends. After a few previous weeks of hellacious travel in Africa, we couldn't have been more delighted to find this refuge in Siem Reap. We were there during the hot (HOT!), dry season, so our standard boutique room with plush bed, huge bathroom and soothing minimalist decor was perfect. We fell in love with the pool, intending to build one just like it whenever we own a house with a yard.
The place is perfectly situated in central Siem Reap, although the city has really expanded since our first visit there. The market is nearby, tuk-tuks wait outside the gates, and the Siem Reap River can be seen from the dining room on the second floor of the main building. Breakfasts were great, and the staff was very helpful in arranging a tuk-tuk for our day exploring Angkor Wat, Ta Prom, Angkor Thom and Sonle Tap Lake. We stayed for about $100 a night, but that was a few years ago and we were definitely there during the low season.
INDONESIA
VILLA SEMANA, UBUD, BALI
Our pool garden villa (Villa Lily) at Villa Semana was bliss. This is the least expensive option on the compound, but we had a private pool screened by dense ferns, an outdoor shower and a huge suite with seating area. My only complaint about the place was that they wouldn't sell me these fantastic little salt and pepper pots that they had commissioned for their restaurant. Sigh, I guess memories and photos will have to suffice.
Villa Semana is set about 15 minutes outside central Ubud among jungle and terrace rice paddies. 'Scenic' would be an understatement. Practically every square inch is lovingly detailed with local art, flowers, textiles or views. We didn't want to leave. We booked directly with Villa Semana, and paid $250/night. This is less than what is currently advertised on their website, but I think it was low season.
LAOS
SATRI HOUSE, LUANG PRABANG
Set in a former prince's house and gardens, Satri House is a relaxed and graceful blend of French and Lao influences. Our bedroom was huge and decorated with local art and furniture. There was an outdoor lounge just off our bedroom (the little roofed space in the photo at left) that was perfect for an afternoon g&t.
The 2 pools on the compound offered a cool and refreshing respite from bicycling and wandering around Luang Prabang. Breakfasts were plentiful, made to order from a variety of Lao and Western dishes. We also enjoyed a dinner there; a glass of wine, 2 dishes and dessert each only cost $60. The on-site spa seemed well-appointed for a relaxing massage, although we only used their lemongrass scented steam room and cool whirlpool.
There is a high and low season in Luang Prabang; booking through agoda.com, our deluxe room was about $150/night in low season (May). I believe rates increase by at least $60/night in high season (Nov/Dec).
MALAYSIA
THE DANNA, PULAU LANGKAWI
We have stayed at The Danna twice. For us, that says a lot. From the moment you walk into the lobby, the rich fusion of British Colonial and Tropical Malaysian design strikes your senses. High ceilings, dark woods, intricate carvings, a lush garden and the scent of muted spice follow you along the corridors, in the restaurants and bar.
The pool area is also a fabulous mix of lounge space and open water. This mostly makes up for a lack of a nice beach even though the place is set on the northwestern coast of the island. We've stayed in both the Merchant and Grand Merchant Suite; each was as thoughtfully designed and appointed as the rest of the hotel. We especially loved the private deck off the Grand Merchant room. Equipped with day bed, table & chairs, and a fan, we wiled away afternoons as the daily rains swept in. We booked directly through the hotel, although looking online at prices now makes me wonder if we got a special "we've only been open a year" discount...Our rates were around $200/night, not the $600/night quoted on their website now.
G HOTEL, GEORGETOWN, PENANG
Oh G Hotel, I'll forever have fond memories of you as our first 'home' in Penang. We alighted there for a week while Pelle started work and we found an apartment. The hotel is beautiful and modern, blending contemporary Asian style with traditional flair. For example, our room had a big four-poster teak bed placed right in the center of a black & white room with red accents.
The pool area is spacious loungers in shade or direct sun depending on your preference. The view isn't the greatest from the back side of the hotel -- just other buildings, so if you book, request a room facing the sea.
The breakfast buffet was a calorie-heavy introduction into the ways of breakfast in Southeast Asian hotels. Pots and bowls and steam trays offering every Eastern and Western breakfast food imaginable jostled for space on the long tables and counters. Thankfully, they also have a nicely-equipped gym! I'm not 100% sure about our rate because we booked through Pelle's company, but it was around $125/night.
LONE PINE, BATU FERRENGHI, PENANG
BAGUS PLACE, PULAU TIOMAN
We went to Tioman with friends visiting from Portland and I think we were all surprised how elegant and comfortable Bagus Place made their rustic tropical retreat. Tucked away at the southwest corner of the island and only accessible by boat, the resort offers just a handful of private bungalows spread along the beach and among the trees.
We stayed in the Rock House and our friends stayed in the Tree House; we then joined up for a night in the 2-bedroom Eagle View chalet. All are made in a traditional manor, but have modern conveniences like mini-fridge, remote-controlled fans and bathrooms. We had absolutely no need for air conditioning because there was always a cool breeze blowing from the sea. Breakfast and dinner were included in the price (because where else were we going to go?); the food was good, but nothing special. The place is so small, I am guessing that their simple Malay food is tempered a bit to appeal to Westerners too afraid to eat anything but fish and chips. We paid about $225/night including a discount because we were a small group. It was worth every penny.
THAILAND
PRIVATE HOUSE, KOH SAMUI
We had a blast on Koh Samui with a group of friends from Portland. This private house was our base for exploring the island and basking in the fabled beauty of Thailand's islands. It had everything: 4 bedrooms, an infinity pool, a huge living room, and a perfect deck for sunsets.
SINGAPORE
WANDERLUST, SINGAPORE
We've spent a few weekends in Singapore, trying out a new hotel each time. The Wanderlust Hotel is definitely our favorite. It's local in Little India is perfect for wandering around a lively and colorful part of this usually sedate city. It's also near Arab Street, with its funky shops, international restaurants and chill hooka bars. The made-to-order breakfast was fantastic.
We stayed in a mono room at the interior of the hotel. The window took in the open-air elevator shaft adorned with living walls that turned a potentially dank, boring view into one that was fresh and pleasing; this location also ensured a dead quiet night. The room was stark white but had sculpted walls that hid rainbow LEDs. The colors lent mood and character to the simple space. We booked through Agoda at $190/night.
CAMBODIA
FCC ANGKOR, SIEM REAP
The place is perfectly situated in central Siem Reap, although the city has really expanded since our first visit there. The market is nearby, tuk-tuks wait outside the gates, and the Siem Reap River can be seen from the dining room on the second floor of the main building. Breakfasts were great, and the staff was very helpful in arranging a tuk-tuk for our day exploring Angkor Wat, Ta Prom, Angkor Thom and Sonle Tap Lake. We stayed for about $100 a night, but that was a few years ago and we were definitely there during the low season.
INDONESIA
VILLA SEMANA, UBUD, BALI
LAOS
SATRI HOUSE, LUANG PRABANG
There is a high and low season in Luang Prabang; booking through agoda.com, our deluxe room was about $150/night in low season (May). I believe rates increase by at least $60/night in high season (Nov/Dec).
MALAYSIA
THE DANNA, PULAU LANGKAWI
G HOTEL, GEORGETOWN, PENANG
The pool area is spacious loungers in shade or direct sun depending on your preference. The view isn't the greatest from the back side of the hotel -- just other buildings, so if you book, request a room facing the sea.
The breakfast buffet was a calorie-heavy introduction into the ways of breakfast in Southeast Asian hotels. Pots and bowls and steam trays offering every Eastern and Western breakfast food imaginable jostled for space on the long tables and counters. Thankfully, they also have a nicely-equipped gym! I'm not 100% sure about our rate because we booked through Pelle's company, but it was around $125/night.
LONE PINE, BATU FERRENGHI, PENANG
A short getaway 'up the street' from our apartment in Tanjung Tokong, the Lone Pine Hotel allowed us a much needed escape. It is a unique blend of mod and tropical design with all rooms facing the sea. Our deluxe room was cleverly organized with closet, bathroom and mini-bar area concealed behind sliding doors that tucked out of sight. We especially loved the deep tub set into the deck of our room.
The resort has two restaurants, one of which hosts free-flow wine/beer buffets on Friday and Saturday nights. It was a fun meal overlooking the shady grounds with the sound of the sea in the background. The pool at the Lone Pine is great with comfortable loungers and shade if you want it. The spacious grounds are hung here and there with hammocks for an impromptu nap (a much better option than trying to endure the hectic beach area of Batu Ferrenghi). Booking directly with the Lone Pine, we spent about $140/night there, but had a bit of a discount because there were some minor construction works going on at the time. These were of no bother to us, so it was a great deal.
BAGUS PLACE, PULAU TIOMAN
THAILAND
PRIVATE HOUSE, KOH SAMUI
The best part? We were completely surrounded by jungle with a view to the sea. Not another soul in sight. It was truly a place to get away from all our cares (and celebrate our 5th anniversary). The management company even stocked the fridge for us. Among five of us, we shared the cost of $444/night--a steal!
WANDERLUST, SINGAPORE
We stayed in a mono room at the interior of the hotel. The window took in the open-air elevator shaft adorned with living walls that turned a potentially dank, boring view into one that was fresh and pleasing; this location also ensured a dead quiet night. The room was stark white but had sculpted walls that hid rainbow LEDs. The colors lent mood and character to the simple space. We booked through Agoda at $190/night.
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