Planning your next trip and looking to get the best bang for your buck? With Aussie household, budgets squeezed, online travel platform Agoda has you covered with a selection of 11 quirky, unique and/or breathtakingly beautiful properties that are each in their way remarkable, loved by travellers and all score 9+ out of 10 in ‘value for money reviews.
From luxury retreats and creative hubs to lodging above a Belgian beer café and even inside a shipping container, these properties are unbeatable when it comes to combining character and comfort with affordability.
So, whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, read on to discover traveller’s favourites for mostly budget-friendly yet unforgettable, stays that are sure to delight, surprise, and inspire.
● Singapore: Shipping Container Hotel @ Haw Par Villa
Value for Money rating: 9.0
Room rate: AUD$252
We all know true beauty comes from within, and boy does that hold true for this Singapore favourite. The Shipping Container Hotel @ Haw Par Villa is precisely what the name implies: A shipping container turned hotel room. Doesn’t sound that appealing? Think again! The interior is surprisingly cozy and comfy. ‘An experience’, but a pretty good one given the 9 out of 10 ‘Value for Money’ rating.
● Hanoi, Vietnam: Smarana Hanoi Heritage
Value for Money rating: 9.2
Room rate: AUD$115
Even before setting foot in the Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel, its distinct exterior will put a smile on your face. It surely stands out, with vibrant colours, lively plants, and charming French balconies. Once inside, odds are you’ll by now have fallen entirely in love with this hotel: It’s authentic, stylish, and welcoming. Everything feels right. Truly a unique and reasonably priced 5-star in a prime Hanoi location.
● Bangkok, Thailand: Feel Good Bangkok Hostel
Value for Money rating: 9.8
Room rate: AUD$38 (with private bathroom)
The Feel Good Hostel & Cafe, the only hostel on this list, more than deserves its spot. Guest reviews mention comfy beds, clean rooms, and great service, and the location isn’t wrong either with the backpacker’s favourite Kao San Road or the splendour of the Grand Palace just on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. Oh, and for those wanting a bit more privacy: Rooms with private bathrooms are also available, often for less than AUD$38 per night!
● Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: KLoe Hotel
Value for Money rating: 9.2
Room rate: AUD$133
KLoe Hotel was recognized as the top choice by Agoda travellers in Kuala Lumpur last year. Scroll through the images on Agoda, and you’ll understand why. This boutique hotel positions itself as a hub for creative nomads. It has given a lot of care to its interior design, ensuring the central courtyard and the open walkways unleash the creativity within every guest. With unique rooms for reading, listening, and drawing, there’s a place for any potential artist. And any writer’s block will disappear with a plunge into the courtyard pool.
● Perth, Australia: Nightcap at Belgian Beer Cafe
Value for Money rating: 9.0
Room rate: AUD$151
Attention all beer lovers! In the heart of Perth, there’s a hotel where you’ll never get thirsty: The Nightcap at Belgian Beer Café. Unsurprisingly, the vibrant, Flemish-style pub above which the hotel is located offers a wide selection of Belgian and international brews and tasty pub food. And the rooms are pretty good too, with king beds and modern bathrooms, making this the ideal value for money stay in Perth.
● Manila, Philippines: Seda Residences Makati
Value for Money rating: 9.2
Room rate: AUD$151
Strategically situated on Ayala Avenue, the Seda Residences Makati more than deserves its top-value badge. This four-star hotel radiates class and is a sure bet for anyone who wants a stress-free stay in the Philippines. You’ll feel right at home in one of the comfy rooms, awed by the unparalleled views from the Sky Lobby on the 19th floor or the roof deck bar on the 35th floor.
● Tokyo, Japan: Nohga Hotel Akihabara
Value for Money rating: 9.4
Room rate: AUD$287
From the lobby and the cocktail bar to the bed light design and the shower head: Every detail has been given the utmost care in Nohga Hotel Akihabara. This hotel scores higher than 99% of other properties in Tokyo, not just regarding value for money but also regarding cleanliness and service score. The location is excellent, with amazing restaurants and a train station within walking distance, but you’ll be pleased to spend time at this urban retreat.
● Seoul, South Korea: Union Hotel
Value for Money rating: 9.1
Room rate: AUD$133
The first thing you’ll notice about the newly renovated Union Hotel in Seoul is how much everyone working there cares about the place. The staff take great pride in the hotel’s exquisite modern design and keep the rooms and facilities sparkling clean. Talking about facilities: Besides the fitness centre, there’s a garden, a yoga room, an indoor golf centre and even an indoor tennis court! All that is for room rates for as little as AUD$133 per night.
● Bali, Indonesia: Desa Hay Canggu
Value for Money rating: 10
Room rate: AUD$495
At AUD$287 per night, the Desa Hay Canggu resort in Bali might not fit everyone’s budget, but if you want to splash some cash, you’ll experience a stay that guests describe as nothing short of exceptional. It’s rated 10/10 for ‘value for money’ by over a hundred verified guests, a perfect score! The rooms are enormous, some include private pools and a golf course on-site, and you’ll probably have to free up some space in your phone’s gallery because of how photogenic everything is. From the lush gardens and the tranquil pool to the rice fields just outside the resort. Highly recommended for romantic getaways.
● Goa, India: Casa Severina
Value for Money rating: 9.1
Room rate: AUD$71
Casa Severina got awarded ‘top choice’ in Goa last year in the 3-star hotel segment. The remarkable service level contributes significantly to Severina Hotel’s value for money rating, as do the lush grounds, the swimming pool and the fitness facilities. And don’t forget its prime location near the beach. All of that can be enjoyed from the comfort of a sizable 40m2 room with a king bed and a balcony for as little as AUD$71 per night. Value for money, indeed!
● Taipei, Taiwan: Cho Hotel 3
Value for Money rating: 9.2
Room rate: AUD$135
Sure, Cho Hotel 3 is located in the heart of Taipei, close to the sights, public transportation and all that, but you’ll fall in love with this little gem because of its heart. Guests call it a home away from home for a good reason: A piano in the lobby, a wall full of drawings and messages from previous guests, and a relaxing lounge with complimentary mineral water and instant noodles. The friendly, multilingual staff at the reception solidifies Cho Hotel 3’s reputation as a travellers’ favourite.
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