Top 7 Budget Accommodation in Thailand

For any travel to Thailand, the choice of budget accommodation is very wide indeed. It is always better to plan your holiday in advance and make the necessary bookings before you arrive so as to avoid disappointment. Don't forget, all travel plans should include the best travel insurance you can afford, and this is especially the case when visiting Southeast Asia.

There are literally thousands of budget accommodation outlets right across Thailand and is impossible to give even an adequate cross selection to suit all tastes. So, in the interests of brevity, we will look at seven budget accommodation locations in various towns and cities across Thailand. To make this task easier will be looking at places where travellers have been able to provide comments on their experiences. This adds some validity to the assessment.

Bangkok. No list would be complete without at least some indication of accommodation in the capital city.

Ratchana Place. This hotel is located very close to Bangkok airport and is reputedly the most affordable accommodation in the district. The rooms are clean and secure and as at January 2010 were available from as little as $17 per night.

Chang Mai. One of the most popular destinations, originally made famous by the beautiful girls, there are plenty of choices when it comes to budget accommodation.

Baan Lamyai Guesthouse. Similarly priced, this comfortable guesthouse comes with double and triple bedrooms each with their own private washroom. A real feature is the beautiful dining room.

Ko Tao. A popular backpacker's choice, Ko Tao is probably best known as a diving destination.

Ban's Diving Resort, as backpackers as well as those seeking a little more comfort. It is situated on a prime piece of beachfront well located for some stunning diving experiences.

Ko Kut. A palm fringed tropical town located close to the sea make this an easy backpacking choice.

Klong Chao Resort. This resort consists of well made and designed timber structures, located not far from the sea along the river. Accommodation is cheap, clean and safe.

Ko Phi Phi Don. A popular destination this town has many to choose from but the best budget accommodation we can find is:

PP Twin Palms Bungalow. At less than $30 per night this beautiful hotel offers great value for money.

Mae Sot. This unusual destination has some fantastic bargain accommodation, none more so than:

Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort. This three star hotel offers clean and comfortable accommodation in a very safe environment.

Khao Lak. Located close to the Similan and Surin Islands, this is a great location for backpackers looking for a great scuba diving experience.

Briza Beach Resort costs around $55 per night but is still classified as four-star accommodation.

If you have the proper holiday insurance, travel within Thailand is a safe and rewarding destination and with so many budget accommodation options to choose from Thailand is a budget traveller's paradise.

Save money on your travel insurance today. For a free quote, visit Travel Insurance.

By Josh I Harrison

Holidays in Koh Samui - Getting Value For Money

Considering taking a holiday in Koh Samui? Wondering whether you'll be able to get value for money? Or will a stay in paradise break the bank? Well you'll be pleased to hear that in fact there are always fantastic deals available, many at significant reductions, you just need to know where to look to secure that bargain holiday in Koh Samui.

Koh Samui is known for having some of the best luxury hotels available at low and affordable prices. If you're considering spending your vacation in Koh Samui why not consider some of the island's popular destinations; such as the Anantara Bophut Resort and Spa situated in Fisherman's Cove, with its personalised spa menus and infinity pool; or the Carpe Diem Hotel with its excellent location right in the heart of Fisherman's Village; or maybe try the brand new Arisara Place Hotel on the hillside with its 30 serviced apartments. Thanks to the good exchange rates against many of the major currencies, including the US Dollar, Euro & GBP, visitors to the island should find that they get even greater value for money.

The abundance of fantastic deals available in many of the Koh Samui resorts means that everyone should be able to achieve excellent value for money when booking their holiday; whether you choose one of the luxury hotels such as the Bophut Resort & Spa, or one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World, or whether you opt for one of the fantastic huts of the Como Resort along the beach at Buddha Bay, there is a great deal waiting for everyone.

Tour operators, travel agents, hotels and airlines are always offering some great discounted deals, you just have to look for them, and if you look in the right places you can achieve luxury at some of their best and lowest prices. Early booking discounts are often available around eleven months in advance of your holiday or when the new season's rates are announced. These early booking discounts are often made more enticing by offering reduced or 'no' deposit schemes.

At the other end of the spectrum are the last minute deals, where booking late can often secure you a bumper deal; however these can often be a little hit and miss - you may be able to secure yourself a cheap hotel but the cost of flights often increase closer to the date of departure so keep this in mind, or in order to qualify for the late booking discount you may need to accept 'allocation on arrival', in these cases you don't actually find out which hotel you will be staying in until you arrive at your destination, which may not suit everyone. Other deals which are often available are bonus offers such as seven nights for the price of five; or you may find that some hotels and tour operators are offering free room upgrades, for instance you would pay the listed price of a deluxe room, but receive an upgrade to one of the much coveted sea view rooms.

Another consideration is when to take your holiday. Do you need to take your holidays to Koh Samui during the peak periods such as Christmas and Easter, or during one of the main school holidays between July and August? If you don't, then booking out of season is another great way of achieving great value for money as tour operators, airlines and hotels often offer some great incentives to book your holiday during their quieter periods. Or if you want to make the most of your money, why not time your visit to Koh Samui to coincide with one of the festivals which are held on the island, such as the eagerly awaited and widely celebrated festival of 'Loy Kratong' or the full moon night, which is normally celebrated in November - the festival is a spectacular sight with thousands of people gathering on the islands beaches in the moonlight, with many of the locals taking to the water in small Kratongs or boats that are lit by candlelight, a very romantic and spectacular sight from the beach.

There are many untapped bargains and deals available for the discerning holidaymaker on this breathtaking paradise island, holidays in Koh Samui offering fantastic value for money are there for the taking, so what are you waiting for?

Visit http://www.bophuthotels.co.uk to browse the latest discount holidays available to Koh Samui in particular our fantastic deals on Bophut Hotels. You'll also be able to read our resort guide to find out everything you need to know about the beautiful paradise island of Koh Samui and Bophut Resort.

By Jessica Portman