So far, we’ve looked at the winners from Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. This week it’s Asia’s turn under the microscope as we reveal the best properties the continent has to offer.
Asia is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world including India’s Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Asia is also one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations with thousands of budget travelers packing their backpacks for the sunny climes and idyllic beaches of Thailand, Goa and beyond.
Regardless of where you decide to go in Asia, you’ll need a great place to stay.
Check out the best hostels Asia has to offer below…
TOP 3 PROPERTIES OVERALL
Rucksack Inn
Singapore, Singapore
Overall Rating: 96%
Run by backpackers for backpackers, Rucksack Inn delivers what all backpackers want the most from a hostel- quality accommodation at cheap rates!
Located in the heart of Singapore, Rucksack Inn is within walking distance of the two most talked about nightspots in town- Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.
Restaurants, shops, a mall and all the amenities you could possibly ever want are also nearby.
“The staff was amazing and it was really easy to meet people and just hang out at the hostel and watch movies or play guitar hero if you didn’t feel like going out. It was really clean and welcoming and I would definately come back next time i’m in Singapore.” – Customer Review by Gemma Chakowa on 10 March 2010
The hostel itself is newly renovated and offers guests first rate service and facilities including around the clock service, 24 hour reception and free Wi-Fi internet access.
One of the hostel’s highlights is its comfortable lounge area where guests can sit back, relax and take advantage of the Wii and Playstation 2 games consoles.
As you’d expect from any hostel in Singapore, cleanliness is extremely important at Rucksack Inn. The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable and the bathrooms are so spotless that you can see your reflection in the sink basins!
The hostel comes rated and recommended by an impressive 120 out of 122 customers who’ve left feedback on the website. With warm friendly staff and impeccably clean rooms at great prices, they can’t be wrong surely?!!
India’s Krishna Palace in Jaipur and The Jade Emu International Guesthouse in Dali, China complete Asia’s top three properties overall with overall ratings of 94% and 95% respectively.
Krishna Palace is recommended by all 62 customers who have left feedback and made its way into the top three thanks largely to its incredible palace like setting, beautiful gardens and clean and spacious rooms. The roof top restaurant serving traditional Rajasthani-style food is a particular highlight.
The Jade Emu International Guesthouse won its award thanks in no small part to its fantastic facilities which go way beyond what you’d expect of a normal hostel or guesthouse. Facilities include an outdoor home theater system playing music videos, satellite TV with English channels and a café/bar which serves a range of great tasting Chinese and Western food and beers.
BEST LOCATION
The Phoenix Hostel
Shanghai, China
The Phoenix Hostel is located right in the heart of Shanghai just a short walk from the People’s Square and all the top tourist sites like the Shanghai museum, the old city and Baiyun temple, making it the perfect base for your trip to Shanghai and a very worthy winner of it’s award for excellence.
As you’d expect from a top quality hostel, all of the rooms are clean and comfortable while the hostel also boasts some top rate facilities like a fully stocked roof-top bar, on-site restaurant and a 24 hour reception.
“Very good location. Very good restaurant in the 1st floor, althought a little expensive for China. Also, the hostel/hotel is a little expensive for China. I am sure that if you arrive by yourself without booking thought websites, you can bargain and get half price. Definetly, I recommend you this hostel, it is very good located, kind staff and good rooms (I was in a double bed room).” Customer Review by Borja Hidalgo on 18 February 2010
n-room facilities are pretty good to; private rooms feature high powered air-conditioning units- essential if you stay during the summer season- wi-fi internet access, private bathrooms and a TV, while the dorms also have their own bathroom and air-conditioning units.
However, it really is the location that makes The Phoenix Hostel such an appealing place to stay. The People’s Square Metro Station is just five minutes away while all the famous shopping districts no more than a 15 minute stroll from the hostel. What more could you want?!!!
Sun Kong Hostel in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong and Taipei Key Mall Traveler Hostel in Tapei, Taiwan were the other winners of Asia’s best location awards for excellence.
Sun Kong Hostel received a location rating of 95%, wowing guests thanks to its prominent position in Causeway Bay- one of Hong Kong’s most prosperous, accessible and safe areas- and proximity to a myriad of stylish shops, shopping malls and delicious local and international restaurants.
Taipei Key Mall Traveler Hostel received a flawless location rating of 100% thanks to its unbeatable location in the middle of Taipei. 30 seconds from the nearest subway station it is connected to all the transport lines and has everything you could possibly want on its doorstep- post office, shopping malls, night markets and tourist sites are all within walking distance. The views of the city from the rooms won’t have done the hostel any harm either!
BEST ATMOSPHERE
Hotel Pearl Palace
Jaipur, India
Atmosphere Rating: 95%
Hotel Pearl Palace is the place to stay in Jaipur- fun, lively and friendly yet at the same time away from the hubbub of the town.
It’s run by an Indian couple whose only concern is that you enjoy yourself in the beautiful surrounds of the hotel which comes highly recommended by all but two of the people who have left reviews.
Mr and Mrs Singh provide a personal touch and have created a friendly and courteous atmosphere that is truly special. They are on hand to cater for your every need 24 hours a day whether that is providing information on nearby places of interest or advice on how to cook one of Mrs Singh’s legendary curries!
“This hotel is truely an oasis of cleanliness, quietness and order amonsgst the chaos, noise, and garbage of Jaipur. Everything about it is wonderful. The decor, the staff, the rooms, the restaurant. It really is TOP NOTCH. The only place to go in Jaipur for the price.” Customer Review by Susan Middleman, 24 February 2010
Hotel Pearl is not a party hostel, it’s a place to chill and relax away from the hectic, noisy and, at times, stifling city of Jaipur. It has its own roof-top terrace where you can let all your troubles drift away as you enjoy the views of the nearby Hathroj Fort and the rugged hills that surround the Pink City whilst tucking in to some of the finest Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine you’re likely to encounter in India.
Alternatively, you can indulge yourself in a spot of folk dancing, watch a puppet show or get some henna done on your hands.
Other facilities include in-room cable TV with satellite channels, a 24 hour reception and a comfortable lounge area.
China’s Chengdu Mix Hostel (Backpacker’s Bed & Breakfast) and Cliff Cottage Bungalows in Thailand make up our Asia’s top 3 for atmosphere with impressive atmosphere ratings of 92% and 93% respectively.
Chengdu Mix Hostel (Backpacker’s Bed & Breakfast) in Chengdu, China, is a super-social hostel great for meeting fellow travelers. The hostel actively encourages interaction with its legendary BBQs and Dumpling parties which you can wash down with cheap, cold beer served all day!
Located on the beautiful Thai island of Koh Chang, Cliff Cottage Bungalows offers a completely different vibe to Chengdu. Relaxation is the order of the day here and this is a fantastic place to chill out amid the most breathtaking surroundings. The bungalows have their own private cove from which you can put your feet up and watch the sunset with a cocktail from the wooden bar. Unmissable.
AWARD FOR CLEANLINESS
Udee Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
Cleanliness Rating: 100%
Scoring a spotless 100% cleanliness rating, Udee Bangkok must be the cleanest budget accommodation in Bangkok!
Offering guests a cozy living area and a serene atmosphere, it’s a purpose built home that welcomes travelers of all types and is the perfect place to stay for those that want a truly Thai experience.
As you’d expect from an award winner with full marks for cleanliness, the rooms and communal areas are immaculate. All the rooms are spacious and come equipped with comfortable beds and clean linen and towels.
The bathrooms are equally spotless, and have complimentary shampoo and body wash which is a nice touch.
“Some complain about location but I wanted away from it all. Everything about this hostel was superb: clean, smooth, very helpful staff, free breakfast, very safe. All around great experience and will probably swing back by there on my way out of Thailand.” Customer Review by Neil Okey on 15 March 2010
All the rooms also feature air-conditioning and clothes hangers a plenty to help you to keep your room as tidy as it is when you enter!
The staff are warm and friendly and the small green garden is a nice place to chill out amid the sprawling and busy urban oasis that is Bangkok.
With a hearty breakfast, internet access and games room included in the price it’s easy to see why Udee Bangkok is recommended by all 48 customers that left a review.
You rated Lotusland Hostel in Nanning, China and Samui Reef View Resort our Asia’s other two cleanest hostels with cleanliness ratings of 98% and 92% respectively.
Lotusland Hostel won its award thanks to its spotless wash facilities, endless hot water and on-site laundry service. Rooms are clean and comfortable and linen comes provided as part of the price.
Nestled in the foothills 4kms south of Lamai Beach, Samui Reef View Resort on the Thai island of Koh Samui also provides spotless facilities throughout. Perks include spacious suites and a naturally chlorinated salt water swimming pool.
BEST VALUE
K’s House Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji, Japan
Value Rating: 98%
K’s House Mt. Fuji’s mantra is ‘cozy, clean and inexpensive’ and at just €22.83 for a bed in a shared room and access to facilities like a spacious and cozy lounge and a fully equipped guest kitchen, the hostel does exactly that!
Starting at just €25.57, private rooms are also outstanding value,
The hostel itself is a fully renovated modern building with Japanese style private rooms and western style dormitory beds.
“Fantastic place to stay. everything you need is here. huge kitchen/living area, tv room. comfy warm beds. friendly staff. loads of stuff to do all advertised at the desk, plus discount vouchers too!! walking distance from everything. definatly worh the money!” Customer Review by Rebeccas Swaby Miller on 28 November 2009
The staff are warm and friendly and the hostel is only a bus ride away from Mt.Fuji’s 5th station- ideal for the climbers amongst you. One of Japan’s most popular amusement parks, Fujikyu-Highland, is also within easy access of the hostel.
Facilities include internet access, linen and access to laundry facilities (washing machine and dryer).
If that wasn’t already enough to convince you of K’s House Mt. Fuji’s value, you also get individual showers with hot water 24 hours a day, a TV room, laundry room and Japanese style tatami lounge for your money.
All 134 HostelBookers customers that left feedback said that they would recommend K’s House Mt. Fuji to a friend- clearly they, at least, feel that Japan’s only representative in the awards is value for money.
Vietnam’s Hanoi Gecko2 Hotel and Xingping This Old Place International Youth Hostel in Yuangshuo in China complete our top 3 hostels for value in Asia, winning the awards for the high quality services and facilities they provide for a fraction of the usual prices.
Hanoi Gecko2 Hotel offers guests private rooms from just €8 a night which gets you free internet, linen, towels and a top breakfast for your money. The hotel is spotless throughout and is just minutes from all the nearby banks, shopping centers and museums.
Offering guests free city tours, linen, towels and access to a great bar and pool table amongst other facilities, Xingping This Old Place International Youth Hostel offers you clean, comfortable beds from as low as a staggering €3.30 a night for shared accommodation. The river views, which appear on the back of a 20 yuan note, are worth that money alone!
MOST POPULAR
Reggae Guest House 1
Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia
Recommended by 150 out of 156 reviewers, Reggae Guest House 1 is a relatively new guest house with a home away from home vibe and spotless air-conditioned rooms.
Partnered with the Beatles Bar, one of coolest bars in Kuala Lumpar, and within easy walking distance of all the sights and sounds of Chinatown, it’s easy to see why this is one of our most popular hostels.
The hostel aims to provide a personal service and modern clean rooms in an urban and funky contemporary atmosphere and by in large it achieves this.
“Great location and atmosphere in the Reggae Guest House. Everything so clean, pretty quiet and good internett access! Will definitely return if I go back to KL!” – Customer Review by Rasmus Einar Johansen on 01 March 2010
This is thanks in no small part to its friendly, knowledgeable staff who are on hand 24 hours a day to assist you in whatever you’re doing.
It’s facilities aren’t half bad either; you get free Wi-Fi internet, free breakfast, hot showers and free tea and coffee as standard with the price of your room along with access to a number of outstanding facilities like its impressive TV lounge complete with plasma screen, surround DVD player and choice of movies.
Reggae Guest House 1 is a great place to meet new people and chill out after a busy day shopping in Kuala Lumpar and a very worthy winner of its most popular award for excellence.
Fellow Kuala Lumpur hostel Matahari Lodge and Shanghai’s Shanghai City Central Youth Hostel were the other two most popular Asian hostels from 2009.
Matahari Lodge won its award thanks to its fantastic location right in front of the nearest LRT in the heart of Chinatown, although its fantastic outdoor garden terrace, TV lounge with cable TV and free wireless internet access 24/7 may also have something to do with it!
Shanghai City Central Youth Hostel proved a favorite amongst backpackers thanks to its fantastic a la carte breakfasts, games room, bar, restaurant and on-site nightclub. It has everything you can possibly want under one roof and is always busy. A great place to stay in Shanghai.
Shanghai City Central Youth Hostel completes our review of Asia’s HostelBookers Awards for Excellence Winners. Stay tuned to the blog next week as we head to Africa, home of this year’s World Cup, for a closer look at the continent’s top rated hostels, based upon your customer ratings and feedback.
Still not sure about Asia? Check out our guides on South East Asia and India and Central Asia for further inspiration!
Tags : Hotels, Hostels, Hotel, Cheap