The 30 world's best budget hotels for under £100: From Art Deco buzz in north London to blissful balconies in Bali (and a very surprising venue in Berlin)

Hotel rates have seen a huge increase, making holidays and getaways a costly, if not impossible, option for many. But all is not lost and there are still affordable places to stay that don’t scrimp on the aesthetics. Here are 30 of the best budget boltholes from across the world...

Cheap and chic in the UK

Mollie’s Motel, Bristol

From the owners of Soho House, Mollie’s is a retro American-inspired motel diner just off the M5, a short drive from Bristol. Rooms incorporate some of the lux elements you’ll find at the members-only sister hotels for a fraction of the price: think hypnos beds, Dyson hairdryers and Cowshed products. It’s all super modern with check-in, food ordering and electric car charging all done via an app. Another motel opens in Manchester in the summer.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £70 (mollies.com)

Green Rooms, Wood Green, London

What this frugal find in Wood Green, north London, lacks in buzzy neighbourhood, it makes up for in its own bustling community. Housed in an old 1930s Art Deco electrical showroom, Green Rooms is now an artist enclave-cum-gallery with a bar, co-working space, studios and chefs-in-residence restaurant. Rooms are minimal to sparse but what more do you need with London on your doorstep? Some have en-suite bathrooms while others are shared to keep costs even lower.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £95 (greenrooms.london)

Bike & Boot, Peak District

The newest of the affordable Bike & Boot chain, this one in the heart of the Peak District is not your usual hiker’s habitat. There’s not a whiff of a creaky inn in sight. Instead, it’s a vibrant new-build near Hope Valley, with rooms that have old railway adverts as blinds, poster art on walls and bursts of bold red furnishings. There’s some freebies too, with free dog grooming services and a hot brew and cake after a heady hike.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £89 (bikeandboot.com)

Llanerch Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

Llanerch is a glorious Welsh vineyard on a former dairy farm in the Vale of Glamorgan with 38 rooms, many of which have balconies overlooking the lineal vines. While decor is homely, with woollen throws and scenic artwork, it’s the surroundings you’d throw your money at if you had to (which you don’t): rolling hills, cliff top walks and nearby beaches, like Ogmore. For those wanting to enjoy the fruits of the hotel’s labour, there are vineyard tours and tastings.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £90 (llanerch.co.uk)

The Address, Glasgow, Scotland

With all the trappings of a luxury boutique hotel, newly opened The Address, a six-storey property in Glasgow’s city centre, is a steal. Rooms are modern and neutral with geometric patterned curtains that give a little pop. Downstairs there’s a wellness spa with a Himalayan salt sauna, plunge pool and gym. The restaurant serves pub grub that incorporates Scottish produce. For those wanting to be creative, local artists offer classes.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £98 (theaddressglasgow.com)

Frugal France

Babel Belleville, Paris

In classic Parisian fashion, Babel’s rooms are small but perfectly formed: Berber-influenced with patinated walls, antique furnishings and feature bed heads. A glass elevator makes the four floors accessible, including the massage room, restaurant and cocktail bar. Situated in the edgy Belleville neighbourhood, between the 19th and 20th Arrondissements, Babel is surrounded by a plethora of cafes, patisseries and bars, as well as local markets on nearby Belleville Boulevard.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £98 (babel-belleville.com)

Hotel le Sud, Antibes

Sandwiched between Nice and Cannes along the normally pricey French Riviera, Hotel le Sud is like finding a pearl in an oyster. Decor is bright white blended with a stylish Mediterranean seaside theme of breton stripes, subtle artwork and lemon trees. In the pretty garden, you’ll find a small pool, patio and seasonal food truck selling freshly made pizzas and salads. It’s a 20-minute walk to the two best golden curves of sand at Sail and Ponteil.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £71 (hotellesud.com/en)

Lure of the Netherlands

Hotel Not Hotel, Amsterdam

Behind an unassuming facade in Amsterdam-West, your Euros will go far at Hotel Not Hotel – a wildly playful art exhibition-style hotel. Rooms are all small but unique, ranging from a local tram cart in the lobby to secret rooms behind bookcases, and all blend into the communal areas. There’s also a choice of shared or private bathrooms. Food is served in the restaurant-cum-bar, comically named Kevin Bacon.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £68 (hotelnothotelamsterdam.com)

Swish Switzerland

Yotel Geneva Lake, Geneva

While the rooms are simple - white with a hue of purple in the furnishings - the view at Yotel Geneva Lake is anything but. Elsewhere, such close proximity to the lake could break the bank, or certainly dent it. For those that don’t have a car, there are free airport shuttles. While the hotel is a 20-minute drive from the city, it’s only five minutes to the glistening water where those brave enough can swim or kayak.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £81 (yotel.com/en/hotels/yotel-geneva-lake)

Astounding Austria

25hours Hotel, Vienna

In the heart of Vienna’s creative quarter, the affordable 25Hours hotel is housed in a former 1970s office block, with lit slogans and eclectic furniture, while circus-themed artworks dominate walls, along with striking bursts of colour and quirky artifacts. The rooftop bar has impressive views over MuseumsQuartier, Parliament and the city’s Baroque architecture. Borrow a complimentary bike to explore beyond the hotel.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £94 (25hours-hotels.com/en/hotels/vienna/at-museumsquartier)

German value

Hotel Michelberger, Berlin

Housed in an old factory in Friedrichshain, Hotel Michelberger is a heady mix of hotel, bar, restaurant and artistic community space. Unusually, private rooms are also designed for singles and groups who want to share (try the Band or The Big One) and save some pennies. Food in the restaurant is sourced from the hotel’s own farm and bread is made in the bakery. Come evening, the bar is one of the city’s most in-the-know spots.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £84 (michelbergerhotel.com)

No pain in Spain

Hostal Grau, Barcelona

This former 19th-century guesthouse has had a beautiful refresh, with crisp white walls, wooden shutters and distressed furniture. Just a short walk from the north end of La Rambla, Hostal Grau prides itself on its sustainability credentials, from toxic-free paints to beds made of organic materials to a room with lower electromagnetic radiation that promises optimal rest. There’s an honesty bar, organic breakfast and soon-to-be rooftop terrace.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £99 (hostalgrau.com)

Cut-price Portugal

Mama Shelter, Lisbon

Dispelling the myths of bland budget chain hotels, Mama Shelter’s rooms are anything but cookie cutter with eccentric touches, like superhero bedside light covers, vibrant soft furnishings and curious artworks. The restaurant is a wild concoction of pattern and colour, serving French food with a Portuguese twist. On the rooftop, tipples come with views across the Tagus River. It’s a short walk to the shops on the main boulevard, Avenue da Liberdade.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £83 (mamashelter.com)

An Italian discovery

Hotel Galleria, Venice

Hotel Galleria enjoys an enviable location, right on the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice, next to the Accademia Bridge. Interiors are as stately as the setting, with regal print wallpaper, ornate marble fireplaces and murals on the ceiling. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s one of the many museums. Catch a boat from the other side of the bridge to tour the waterways.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £86 (hotelgalleria.it)

Great value Greece

Nostos, Serifos

Finding high-end accommodation on any Greek island that doesn’t cost the earth is a challenge. Yet Nostos, perched on a hill on the pretty Cycladic island of Serifos imbues ethereal Aegean charm for a budget-friendly price. Lustrous white walls, polished cement floors and neutral fabrics create a relaxed atmosphere for this 17-room hotel, previously the owner’s grandfather’s. Some rooms have balconies with views of the sea and private hot tubs.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £54 (nostosboutiquehotel.com)

Croatian cracker

Hotel Odisej, Mljet

As the only hotel on the island of Mljet, a largely forested national park, the Odisej is a snip just outside of peak season when room rates drop to a fraction of the price. Situated on the north-west of the island, it’s the ideal spot from which to explore the natural habitat. There’s a beach below the hotel, snorkeling in the nearby saltwater lakes or hiking through the greenery.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £54 (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/hotel-odisej-dubrovnik-mljet)

Iceland bargain

R13, Reykjavik

A fairly new addition to Reykajavik’s hotel scene, this affordable self check-in option is decked out with dark walls, vintage-looking leather seats and brass fixings. While it’s a 40-minute walk from the centre (or 15-minute bus ride), there are plenty of restaurants nearby. Beyond the car rental lot opposite, there are impressive views of the surrounding snowy mountains. And, if the sky is clear, there’s a chance you’ll spot the Northern Lights, too.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £84 (r13.is)

USA holds sway

Boro Hotel, New York

Queens, just across the East River from Manhattan, is often overlooked by visitors, meaning you often get more bang for your buck. At Hotel Boro in the Long Island City neighbourhood, you get the views you’d otherwise pay through the ceiling windows for, with concrete ceilings, hardwood floors and atmospheric pendant lighting.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £100 (borohotel.com)

Freehand, Los Angeles

Freehand’s unconventional economic chain of part hostel, part hotels spread across Europe and North America, with Los Angeles’ offering situated in Downtown. Room options range from shared dorms to private dorms for groups to private doubles. Housed in the city’s historic 1920s Commercial Exchange building, the starry rooftop is home to a pool, vibrant pink loungers, draped bulbed lights and views of the surrounding skyline.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £88 (freehandhotels.com/los-angeles)

Mexico magic

Casa Muuch, Isla Holbox

Separated from the mainland by a flamingo and pelican-peppered lagoon, Holbox Island, north of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is an idyllic beach haven. Straddling the sand on the island’s west coast, Casa Muuch’s six bedrooms all have neutral tones with a touch of bohemian living: egg chairs hanging from the ceiling, spa-like under-seat lighting, and slab baths. The pool and breakfast area overlook the private beach.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £97 (casamuuch.com)

Sunny Caribbean

Hotel HM Bavaro Beach, Dominican Republic

The Caribbean doesn’t always come cheap, so it’s impressive HM Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana does just that while also enjoying a prime spot overlooking the beach and shaded by tall palms. Rooms are crisp with a wave of blue throughout, and there are two pools, one above the beach at the front and one kidney bean-shaped around the back.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £85 (hmhotels.com)

Crack on in Costa Rica

Alborada, Osa Peninsula

In the thick of the Costa Rican rainforest in the southern Osa Peninsula, Alborada’s nine white igloo rooms stand out, not least because of their reasonable rate. All nine open out on to the turquoise pool and bar area and have sliding doors to let the warm jungle air in. Rooms are stark white and minimalist, with a double bed and en-suite bathroom. Surrounding the hotel is the marine national park from which you can snorkel and even spot migrating whales.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £84 (uvitaigloos.com/en/)

Discover Argentina

Hotel Pulitzer, Buenos Aires

Positioned between the artistic San Telmo and trendy Palermo neighbourhoods, modestly priced Hotel Pulitzer’s monochrome facade on the corner of a junction stands out for all the right reasons. Inside, rooms have white four-posters, bold colours and feature artwork. There’s an outdoor pool with loungers, and on the rooftop, a bar with live music, perfect for a tipple as the sun goes down.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £88 (hotelpulitzer.com.ar)

Morocco marvel

Riad Altair, Marrakech

On a quiet street on the edge of the Medina, Riad Altair offers a peaceful retreat from the sensory overload of the souks. Inexpensive rooms offer authentic Moroccan charm with beautiful shuttered windows on to the central courtyard or mezzanine balcony. Traditional features, such as decorative arches, ornate bathrooms and tiled floors provide beautiful history, while subtle North African trinkets and pictures decorate the walls. The real win is the rooftop terrace with loungers and views across the Red City.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £83 (riadaltair.com)

Wild South Africa

Ngama Tented Safari Lodge, Limpopo

Safari camps and game drives across the South African bushveld don’t normally come cheap. But at Ngama Tented Safari Lodge, close to the border of Mozambique, they do. This magical camp offers a rustic sanctuary amid the wildlife-strewn region of the Guernsey Reserve. Canvas tents sit slightly elevated above ground with a private terrace, while giraffes, monkeys and bird life pass by, Dinners are lantern-lit braai boma. Days are spent on bush walks, boat trips and reasonable game drives to nearby Kruger National Park.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £80 (ngamalodge.co.za)

Epic India

Narendra Bhawan Bikaner, Rajasthan

This veritable palace pays homage to the last of its Maharaja’s but doesn’t charge a king’s ransom to live as he did. From the red sandstone facade to decadent original features to nostalgic remnants of his life, the lavish and bold interiors make for majestic modesty. The rooftop pool has stirring views across the Bikaner rooftops. Beyond the hotel, Rajasthan is the perfect regal stomping ground with hilltop forts, majestic palaces and a vast national park.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £96 (narendrabhawan.com)

Cambodia’s capital

Tribe, Phnom Penh

Overlooking the banks of the Mekong River in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, Tribe’s budget blueprint showcases how affordable can still be affable. Design-led en-suite rooms are fuss-free minimalist with bold geometric print wallpaper, open wardrobes, a chair and coffee machine. Located near the 14th-century Wat Phnom Daun Penh pagoda temple, Post Office Square and night market, it’s a great base from which to explore the bustling city.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £74 (tribehotels.com/en/cambodia/phnom-penh)

You can in Japan

Lyf, Ginza

This newly-opened apartment-style hotel in Tokyo’s Ginza district is a kitsch and convenient base that won’t blow the budget. Feature map wallpaper covers ceilings and walls, while bursts of colour enhance the hotel’s modern edge. The rooms are small with beds up against windows but the communal areas are where visitors tend to congregate, with a social kitchen, co-working lounge and laundrette. Minutes from three of the city’s main train stations, it’s an ideal launch pad for the techno city.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £88 (discoverasr.com)

Bali bliss

Oculus, Bali

In the north-east of the island, Oculus’s modernist concrete edifice is built into the hillside, with views over the glistening lake and volcanic Mount Batur. Despite offering rooms at low-cost, decor hasn’t been scrimped on. There are full length sliding doors that open on to private balconies, while inside burnished concrete floors, wooden ceilings and freestanding stone baths blend the industrial with the natural.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £99 (oculusbali.com)

Awesome Australia

Terminus Hotel, Pyrmont, Sydney

While two of the nine bathrooms have private en-suites, shared bathrooms for the others keep the costs down at this fresh boutique hotel in Pyrmont, near Sydney’s Darling Harbour. Bolstered cushions and soft throws languish on beds, sash windows let in the natural light and the rooftop parapet remains as part of the building’s original pub heritage. There’s a pretty courtyard deck and bar, as well as tables outside in what was previously the pub garden.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £92 (terminuspyrmont.com)