44 budget hotels and hostels in the world’s most amazing locations

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.