![Pathumwan Princess Thailand](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2022/04/28/TELEMMGLPICT000294198185_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqgsaO8O78rhmZrDxTlQBjdP4Xpit_DMGvdp2n7FDd82k.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Five-star hotels for one-star prices: South-east Asia is the best value region on Earth right now
Our writer discovers that luxury hotel rooms are on offer for £45 a night or less across the region
![Pathumwan Princess Thailand](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2022/04/28/TELEMMGLPICT000294198185_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqgsaO8O78rhmZrDxTlQBjdP4Xpit_DMGvdp2n7FDd82k.jpeg?imwidth=680)
In 10 years of living and travelling in south-east Asia I’ve never seen such incredible value, with hotels hotly competing for far fewer overseas visitors. Tourism giant Thailand, for example, received 3.3m international visitors per month in 2019 – but just 5% of that amount in January and February this year. Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, which have only just started accepting tourists once again, are equally in need of foreign custom.
In addition to quieter resorts and low prices, Covid rules are also being eased, offering further incentive to visit. From May, vaccinated British tourists don’t need to quarantine or take a test on arrival in Thailand, Singapore or Vietnam. South-east Asia’s hotel price wars aren’t limited to the April-September low season, with the following five-star properties offering top-end rooms at rock-bottom rates after that period, too.
Here’s my pick of the best bargains in five different countries:
Malaysia
Sky-high views for £38
The hotel: A car-sized chandelier dominates the lobby of the five-star Grand Millennium Hotel in Kuala Lumpur’s most appealing tourist district, Bukit Bintang, which brims with upscale shopping and dining venues. This 19-floor hotel offers striking views of the KL skyline from the floor-to-ceiling windows in its rooms, which are very spacious, starting from 40sqm. Follow a shopping spree with a facial and massage at The Spa by Grand Millennium.
![Grand Millennium Hotel, Kuala Lumper, Malaysia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2022/04/28/TELEMMGLPICT000294200285_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq_Qt1iuvWth76e9d_IW2U0VAHdSI2U9DaX-Uc4wx-H1o.jpeg?imwidth=350)
The rate: Doubles from £38 a night, including buffet breakfast, based on a one-week stay from July 4 2022
The logistics: Vaccinated travellers to Malaysia don’t need to quarantine but must provide a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours before departure and do a professional RTK test within 24 hours of arrival. Before arriving travellers must register on the My Sejahtera Government app. Malaysia Airlines has direct flights from London to Kuala Lumpur for £887 return in July.
Thailand
Luxury atop a shopping mall for £44
The hotel: At the five-star Pathumwan Princess Hotel, guests can catch an elevator from their floor directly down into MBK, one of Bangkok’s best shopping centres. Located in Siam, Bangkok’s premium shopping district, the hotel has a huge swimming pool overlooking the city, as well five dining venues, a lavish spa and even an anti-ageing clinic.
![Pathumwan Princess, Bangkok, Thailand](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2022/04/28/TELEMMGLPICT000294199508_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqgsaO8O78rhmZrDxTlQBjdLdu0TL-Cg_AMOUqySXmFgU.jpeg?imwidth=350)
The rate: Doubles from £44 a night, including buffet breakfast, based on a one-week stay from June 12 2022.
The logistics: Vaccinated travellers to Thailand don’t need to quarantine or do a test on arrival. But before arriving they must apply for a Thailand Pass entry certificate online. Thai Airways has direct flights from London to Bangkok return in June for £725.
Cambodia
A spa getaway near Angkor Wat for £44
The hotel: Just five miles from Cambodia’s iconic Angkor Wat temple complex, which hasn’t been this empty for decades, the Metta Residence & Spa is a plush resort built around a cabana-encircled pool with huge rooms starting at 55sqm. This property in Siem Reap specialises in ancient Cambodian wellness treatments, including a 140-minute Visakha Heritage Ritual which uses tamarind and watermelon to nourish the skin.
![The Metta Residence & Spa, Cambodia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2022/04/28/TELEMMGLPICT000294200873_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq4sP3TmjXI01vx1bVDCEEI4JtcIZhf12aAOytXrhMqN0.jpeg?imwidth=350)
The rate: Doubles from £44 a night, including buffet breakfast, based on a one-week stay from June 13 2022.
The logistics: Vaccinated travellers to Cambodia do not need to quarantine or do a test on arrival but before departing the UK must secure a Cambodian eVisa online. Singapore Airlines has flights from London to Siem Reap, stopping in Singapore, for £1,358 return in June.
Vietnam
Beachfront splendour for £43
The hotel: The 25th floor infinity pool at the TMS Hotel Da Nang Beach offers extraordinary, 180-degree views of the South China Sea, which fringes this fascinating city in Vietnam. Children can play in this hotel’s indoor kids club while parents take a rejuvenating coconut milk bath at its impressive Melange Spa. Finish the day gazing out at the Da Nang skyline with a cocktail in hand at the hotel’s 24th floor Magic Lounge.
![TMS Hotel Da Nang Beach, Vietnam](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2022/04/28/TELEMMGLPICT000294201669_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqP11JIz1p9IOWu4bU6XcffFlkcDdTSRw_mGyA_AHR88o.jpeg?imwidth=350)
The rate: Doubles from £43 a night based on a one-week stay from June 19 2022.
The logistics: Vaccinated travellers to Vietnam don’t need to quarantine but must provide a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure. They must also register on the country’s PC-Covid Vietnam app. Singapore Airlines has flights from London to Da Nang, stopping in Singapore, for £1,690 return in June.
Bali
Palm tree paradise for £33
The hotel: Open the terrace door of your ground-floor superior room right into the palm-tree laden, manicured grounds of the Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali. Jet skiing, parasailing, water-skiing and glass-bottom boat rides are all offered at the resort’s soft sand beach, as are full body massages. Kids will cherish its giant pool and outdoor playground.
The rate: Doubles from £33 a night, including breakfast, based on a one-week stay from June 13 2022.
The logistics: Travellers to Bali do not need to quarantine on arrival. Before departing for Bali, however, they must register on the Peduli Lindungi mobile app. On arrival they must also show proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure. British citizens can secure a visa on arrival at the airport in Bali. Emirates has flights from London to Bali, stopping in Dubai, for £1,180 return in June.
For more ideas on where to stay, see our guide to the best hotels in Asia