Travel Guides & Insights
The SEA Hotel Journal
Expert guides, hidden gems, and insider tips for luxury travel across Southeast Asia
Deals & Offers
How to Save 20-40% on Luxury Hotels in Southeast Asia
After analysing thousands of hotel bookings, here are the strategies that actually work for getting luxury stays at mid-range prices.
Travel Guides
Best Hotels for Digital Nomads in Southeast Asia: WiFi, Workspaces & Long Stays
We tested WiFi speeds, scoped out workspaces, and negotiated monthly rates at hotels across the region. Here are the best places to set up your remote office.
22 February 2026
Luxury Travel
Private Island Resorts in Southeast Asia: The Ultimate Escape
From Cambodia's Song Saa to Indonesia's Bawah Reserve, these are the most exclusive private island resorts in Southeast Asia — where the only footprints in the sand are yours.
21 February 2026
Travel Guides
Chinese New Year 2027 in Southeast Asia: Where to Stay & Celebrate
CNY transforms cities across Southeast Asia with dragon dances, lantern festivals, and packed hotels. Here's where to celebrate, where to stay, and how to manage the price surge.
20 February 2026
Hotel Reviews
Bangkok's Best Rooftop Hotels: Where to Stay for Skyline Views
Bangkok's skyline is one of the most dramatic in Asia. These hotels let you wake up to it every morning.
19 February 2026
Travel Guides
Where to Go in Southeast Asia in December: Best Destinations & Hotels
December transforms Southeast Asia into a patchwork of perfect beach weather, festive celebrations, and monsoon bargains. Here's where to go and where to stay.
18 February 2026
Luxury Travel
How to Experience Luxury Travel in Southeast Asia on a Mid-Range Budget
You don't need $500/night to feel like royalty in Southeast Asia. Here's how to unlock five-star experiences for $100-250 per night with smart booking strategies.
17 February 2026
travel-planning
Getting Around Southeast Asia: Flights, Trains, Ferries & Apps
A comprehensive guide to transportation in Southeast Asia covering budget airlines, railways, ferries, ride-hailing apps, and practical booking tips.
16 February 2026
hotel-experiences
10 Unique Hotel Stays in Southeast Asia You Won't Find Anywhere Else
Treehouses, floating hotels, cave suites, and converted temples — these 10 unique stays across Southeast Asia redefine what a hotel can be.
16 February 2026
booking-tips
Hotel Cancellation Policies Explained: Free Cancellation vs Non-Refundable
Understanding hotel cancellation policies can save you hundreds. Here's how free cancellation, non-refundable rates, and platform-specific rules really work.
15 February 2026
Destination Tips
Langkawi: The Luxury Guide to Malaysia's Best-Kept Island Secret
Langkawi rarely makes the "top Southeast Asia islands" lists, but it probably should. Here's why — and where to stay.
14 February 2026
hotel-experiences
Southeast Asia's Best Hotel Rooftop Bars: The Definitive List
From Bangkok's legendary sky bars to Singapore's skyline cocktail lounges, here are the rooftop bars worth dressing up for across Southeast Asia.
14 February 2026
travel-planning
Best Time to Visit Southeast Asia: Month-by-Month Weather Guide
A month-by-month breakdown of weather, festivals, prices, and the best destinations to visit across Southeast Asia throughout the year.
13 February 2026
Hotel Reviews
Best Hotels Near Changi Airport for Layovers and Early Flights
Whether you have a 6-hour layover or a 5 AM departure, these are the best hotels near Changi Airport — including transit options inside the terminals.
13 February 2026
booking-tips
When to Book Hotels in Southeast Asia for the Best Rates
Timing is everything. Our data shows exactly when to book Southeast Asian hotels for the lowest prices — by destination, season, and booking window.
12 February 2026
Luxury Travel
Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Southeast Asia for 2026
True all-inclusive resorts are rare in Southeast Asia, but they do exist. From Club Med to Soneva's inclusive luxury, here are the best options where one price covers (almost) everything.
11 February 2026
Hotel Reviews
Best Hotels Near Angkor Wat: Where to Stay in Siem Reap
From the ultra-luxe Amansara to budget-friendly boutiques, here are the best hotels near Angkor Wat for every budget — with sunrise logistics and temple-fatigue recovery tips.
11 February 2026
hotel-experiences
12 Romantic Hotels in Southeast Asia for Couples and Honeymoons
From private Bali villas to secluded Thai island retreats, these 12 romantic hotels in Southeast Asia are perfect for couples and honeymooners at every budget.
10 February 2026
Travel Guides
How the SEA Hotel Score Works: Our Rating System Explained
We rank every hotel using an AI-powered composite score. Here's exactly how it works, what data we use, and why you should care.
10 February 2026
travel-planning
The Ultimate Southeast Asia Packing List: What You Actually Need
A practical, opinionated packing list for Southeast Asia that tells you what to bring, what to leave behind, and what to buy when you arrive.
10 February 2026
Hotel Reviews
10 Best Beachfront Hotels in Thailand for 2026
Direct beach access, stunning views, and sand between your toes — these are the 10 best beachfront hotels in Thailand for 2026, from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi.
9 February 2026
booking-tips
How to Get a Hotel Room Upgrade: 9 Strategies That Actually Work
Skip the myths and guesswork. These are the 9 proven strategies for scoring a hotel room upgrade, ranked by effectiveness.
9 February 2026
hotel-experiences
The 10 Best Hotel Spas in Southeast Asia for a Wellness Retreat
From Chiva-Som's legendary wellness programmes to Bali's jungle spa sanctuaries, these 10 hotel spas define world-class wellness in the region.
8 February 2026
travel-planning
Is Southeast Asia Safe? An Honest Safety Guide for First-Time Visitors
A balanced, no-nonsense safety guide for Southeast Asia covering scams, transport, health risks, solo and LGBTQ+ travel, and country-by-country assessments.
7 February 2026
Hotel Reviews
Best Family Resorts in Southeast Asia: Tested by Parents
We surveyed traveling families across the region to find the best family resorts in Southeast Asia — the ones where kids are thrilled and parents actually relax.
7 February 2026
booking-tips
Hotel Loyalty Programs Compared: Marriott vs Hilton vs IHG vs Hyatt in SEA
Which hotel loyalty program gives you the most value in Southeast Asia? We break down Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG, and Hyatt for the region.
6 February 2026
Hotel Reviews
7 Hidden Gem Hotels in Vietnam That Deserve More Attention
Beyond the well-known resorts, Vietnam has a growing collection of boutique and luxury properties that rival anything in Southeast Asia. These are our picks.
5 February 2026
Hotel Reviews
15 Boutique Hotels in Southeast Asia Worth the Trip Alone
These 15 boutique hotels across Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar are destinations in themselves — design-forward, personality-rich, and genuinely unforgettable.
5 February 2026
Luxury Travel
Planning a Luxury Honeymoon in Southeast Asia: The Complete Guide
From Bali's cliff-top suites to the Philippines' secret islands, plan your dream honeymoon in Southeast Asia with our complete guide covering budgets, itineraries, and the best romantic resorts.
5 February 2026
hotel-experiences
15 Hotels with the Best Infinity Pools in Southeast Asia
From Marina Bay Sands to hidden Bali cliffside pools, these 15 infinity pools across Southeast Asia deliver jaw-dropping views and unforgettable swims.
4 February 2026
travel-planning
Southeast Asia Visa Guide 2026: Requirements for Every Country
A complete breakdown of visa requirements for all 11 Southeast Asian countries, including visa-free stays, e-visas, costs, and common pitfalls for US, UK, EU, and Australian passport holders.
4 February 2026
booking-tips
Agoda vs Booking.com: Which Is Actually Cheaper in Southeast Asia?
We compared thousands of hotel prices across both platforms. Here's which one saves you more money in Southeast Asia — and when to use each.
3 February 2026
Hotel Reviews
The 12 Best Overwater Villas in Southeast Asia
From the stilt chalets of Langkawi to the hidden water bungalows of Palawan, these are the best overwater villas in Southeast Asia for every budget.
3 February 2026
Destination Tips
Where to Stay in Hanoi: Old Quarter vs West Lake vs French Quarter
Hanoi's distinct neighbourhoods each offer a different side of Vietnam's capital. Our guide helps you choose between the Old Quarter, West Lake, and French Quarter.
1 February 2026
Destination Tips
Where to Stay in Siem Reap: From Luxury Resorts to Boutique Hotels
Siem Reap's hotel scene has matured well beyond temple-town basics. Our guide covers the best areas and hotels, from ultra-luxury resorts to charming boutique stays.
30 January 2026
Destination Tips
Phuket vs Koh Samui: Which Thai Island Is Right for You?
Both islands offer luxury hotels and beautiful beaches, but the vibe is completely different. Here's how to choose between Thailand's two most popular island destinations.
29 January 2026
Destination Tips
Where to Stay in Manila: Makati vs BGC vs Pasay
Manila's best areas for visitors compared -- from the business towers of Makati to the modern streets of BGC and the bayfront of Pasay, with hotel picks for every budget.
28 January 2026
Destination Tips
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur: The Complete Area Guide
From the Petronas Towers to the street food of Chinatown, find the best KL neighbourhood for your trip with our detailed area guide and hotel recommendations.
26 January 2026
Destination Tips
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: District Guide for 2026
Navigate Saigon's sprawling districts like a local. Our guide covers District 1, District 3, Thao Dien, and District 7 with hotel picks at every price point.
24 January 2026
Hotel Reviews
Singapore's 10 Best Luxury Hotels: An Honest Guide for 2026
From Marina Bay Sands to hidden boutique gems on Sentosa, here's where to stay in Singapore based on real guest data and our proprietary SEA Hotel Score.
22 January 2026
Destination Tips
Where to Stay in Bali: Ubud vs Seminyak vs Uluwatu vs Canggu
Bali's best areas compared head-to-head -- from Ubud's rice terraces to Uluwatu's cliff-top villas -- so you can pick the right base for your island trip.
22 January 2026
Destination Tips
Where to Stay in Bangkok: A Neighbourhood-by-Neighbourhood Guide
From the soaring towers of Sukhumvit to the riverside grandeur of Charoenkrung, our area-by-area guide helps you pick the perfect Bangkok base for your trip.
20 January 2026
Travel Guides
The Best Time to Visit Bali in 2026: A Month-by-Month Guide
Bali's weather, crowds, and prices shift dramatically throughout the year. Here's exactly when to go based on what you want from your trip.
15 January 2026