Extravagant holiday “dupes” in Asia
Image adapted from: Le Meridien Bora Bora, Bambu Indah Hotel
Everyone wants to stay in those fancy 5-star hotels that we see online. But unfortunately, if the price of the room doesn’t break our budget, the flight ticket probably will. Either way, it’s difficult to make our dream vacations a reality.
Turns out, however, many of our favourite hotels have cheaper dupes that are within our reach (and budgets). Here are 9 doppelgangers of extravagant hotels around the world that are less than 3 hours away from Singapore:
1. Safari resort with giraffes right outside your window
Splurge: Giraffe Manor in Kenya ($576/night)
Image credit: The Safari Collection
It’s everyone’s dream to wake up surrounded with safari animals and Giraffe Manor, Kenya makes that a reality. With giraffes poking their heads into the hotel windows every now and then, you’ll have loads of opportunities to interact with them.
Save: Baobab Safari Resort in Indonesia ($55/night)
Image credit: Baobab Safari Resort
Not everyone can afford a $576/night stay or plane ticket to Kenya. But Baobab Safari Resort, located on the slopes of East Java, Indonesia, allows for a similar experience at only $55/night.
Image credit: @meta_budiman
Here, you’re able to get up close to and feed not just giraffes, but also a wide variety of other animals such as zebras and rhinos. Other safari activities such as jungle treks and pony rides are also available.
Image credit: @dickyagungsaputra
With an infinity pool facing the safari, you’ll feel as if you’re swimming right in an African lake.
Address: Taman Safari Prigen, Desa Jatiarjo, Prigen, Pasuruan, Pasuruan, Indonesia, 60261
Telephone: +62 343 6743888
Rates: From $55/night
Book your room here!
2. Calming blue and white architecture of Santorini
Splurge: Perivolas Hotel, Santorini, Greece ($1134/night)
Image credit: Perivolas
Situated on the cliffs facing the Aegan Sea, Perivolas offers a great vantage point of the Greece Peninsula, especially from their amazing infinity pool. As it is also located along the corner of the island, this place has a quieter and more serene atmosphere as compared to other resorts.
Perfect for a romantic honeymoon, guests are willing to splurge $1134/night for a once-in-a-lifetime experience here.
Save: Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos – Poro Point La Union, Philippines ($194)
Image credit: @kingsleyrbn
But if you want to experience that same Santorini ambiance without the price tag, just hours off Manila you’ll find what looks just like Santorini at only $194/night.
Thunderbird Resorts was built to resemble the architecture of Santorini, thus the white and cobalt blue colour scheme. There are even large church bells on the resort’s rooftop similar to those iconic to Santorini.
Image credit: @jerlin_amistoso
The beachside resort boasts facilities such as a casino and golf course for when you’re bored of the water. And with 3 restaurants to choose from within the resort, you’ll never be short of good Filipino food in close reach.
Premier deluxe room at $194/night
Address: VOA Compound, Pennsylvania Avenue, San Fernando City, La Union, 2500, Philippines
Telephone: +63-72-8887777
Rates: From $194/night
Book your room here!
3. Glass cabins amidst nature
Splurge: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, Finland ($2415/night)
Image credit: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Finland is the basically the upgraded version of a treehouse – instead of wooden huts, you’ll be sleeping in comfortable glass cabins with stellar views of the foliage surrounding you. Being one of the top glass cabins within the Nordic countries to view the Northern Lights at, a stay here can cost a whopping $2415/night.
Save: Nhapha Khao Yai Resort, Thailand ($197)
Image credit: Nhapha Khao Yai Resort
While there aren’t any Northern Lights in Northern Thailand, you’ll be greeted with a spectacular view of the sunrise and sunset from your bed at Nhapha Khao Yai Resort. With the same glass cabin infrastructure, their “open concept” architecture makes it feel like you’re simply having a more atas glamping experience.
Image credit: @drunkangel
What’s most unique would be the limestone walls present in every room, as the resort grounds was previously a limestone mine. Rooms are also decorated with art pieces by the owner, who is an artist himself.
Image credit: @sandika
Stone pools and lush greenery surround the site, fully immersing you with nature.
Address: Moo 14, Bungtei-Klong Din Dum Road, Moo Si, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30130 Mu Si, Thailand
Telephone: +66 09-3636-9999
Rates: From $197/night
Book your room here!
4. Floating huts over clear blue waters
Splurge: Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora ($2684/night)
Image credit: Four Seasons
Four Seasons Resorts, Bora Bora may be one of the world’s best overwater resorts. Boasting incredible facilities such as a lagoon sanctuary, it’s home to many exotic marine creatures, and offers a range of water activities such as shark feeding. It’s no wonder a stay here costs $2684/night.
Save: Avani Sepang Goldcoast Beach Resort, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ($145/night)
Image credit: Avani Sepang Goldcoast
Bora Bora may be halfway across the world, but several similar overwater resorts can be found in Asia – and there’s one just across the causeway.
Avani Sepang Goldcoast Beach Resort gives you the same floating hut experience at just $188/night. Close to both the city and nature, you’ll have no trouble arriving here and exploring nature trails nearby.
Superior double room at $188/night with unlimited water and land activities
While you can’t feed sharks here, there’s still a a series of water sports and mangrove tours for you to enjoy. The biggest highlight has to be their infinity pool which faces the ocean horizon.
Image credit: @marie_francaise
Address: 67, Jalan Pantai Bagan Lalang, Kg Bagan Lalang, 43950 Sungai Pelek, Selangor, Malaysia
Telephone: +603 3182 3600
Rates: From $145/night
Book your room here!
5. Hobbit houses
Splurge: Woodlyn Park Motel, New Zealand ($173/night)
Image credit: Woodlyn Park Hotel
Hobbiton, otherwise known as the set of The Lord Of The Rings, is one of New Zealand’s greatest tourist attractions. They’ve also come up with Woodlyn Park Hotel, structured to look just like the Shire to give tourists the full Hobbit experience.
Save: Hobbit House (Baan Suan Noi), Khao Yai Thailand ($31/night)
Image credit: BumbleBeeMum
Before booking your flight ticket to New Zealand, you might want to know that Thailand has its own LOTR-worthy houses too!
Hobbit House (Baan Suan Noi) is in Khao Yai, Thailand and you’re now able to stay in a hobbit house for just $31/night, half the cost of a Hobbiton tour ($75), and even less so for a night spent in the Shire.
We stayed here during our visit to Khao Yai and absolutely loved it! With themed rooms and costumes to choose from, this place is like a storybook come to life.
Stay in an igloo-themed room!
Note: You can’t locate Hobbit House in Google Maps in English so do use their Thai address instead.
Address: 292 Moo 15 Tambon Lat Bua Sikhio Nakhon Ratchasima 30340
Address in Thai: บ้านสวนน้อยHobbit ตำบล ลาดบัวขาว นครราชสีมา ประเทศไทย
Telephone: +66 81 291 5160
Rates: 1500 Baht per night (2 pax)
Book your room here!
6. Grand castle hotels
Splurge: Swinton Park Hotel, United Kingdom ($293/night)
Image credit: Swinton Park Hotel
Staying in a castle is part of every girl’s fairytale fantasies, and places like Europe and England are dotted with chateaus-turned-hotels. One of the most renowned ones would be Swinton Park Hotel. Located in the English countrysides of Yorkshire, this 300 year old castle will make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a Jane Austen novel.
Save: Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills, Vietnam ($101/night)
Image credit: Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills
Good news though, you no longer have to travel all the way to Europe to live like a royal. Tucked away on the hills of Da Nang, Vietnam – just a 2 hour flight from Singapore – hides a little French village featuring a castle hotel.
Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills brings your fairytale dreams to life for a mere $101/night. The stone walls and stairwells will make you feel as if you’re starring in Beauty and The Beast. To top it off, the chilly mountain temperature adds to the atmosphere and you’ll forget you’re still in Asia!
Standard King room at $101/night
Image credit: @elllllieroh
To get to the top of the hill, you will need to take a cable car ride which incidentally bears the record as the longest one in the world. You’ll be greeted by an unforgettable view of forests right beneath your feet and a waterfall during your journey.
Address: An Son Hamlet, Hoa Ninh Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 2363 799 888
Rates: From $101/night
Book your room here!
7. Mirror cubes in the forest
Splurge: Mirrorcube by Treehotel, Sweden ($887/night)
Image credit: Treehotel
With a mirrored exterior that reflects the sky and surroundings, this capsule hotel may seem camouflaged amidst the forest upon first glance. Mirrorcube by Treehotel has a unique design that makes it one of the world’s most famous capsule retreat spots, which is precisely why it costs $887/night.
Save: Parallel Aurora Room – Time Capsule Retreat, Kuantan, Malaysia ($100/night)
Image credit: Time Capsule Retreat
But the Parallel Aurora Rooms at Time Capsule Retreat in Kuantan offer a similar experience for just $100/night. These rooms are shipping containers made into mirrored capsules, with glass windows on the inside. So yes, you can see everything from the inside but no one outside can see you!
Image credit: @bibang_greta
As the area is a 10-minute walk from Sungei Lembing town, you won’t have to worry about being stuck in the middle of an ulu forest far from society. Each capsule has a strong WiFi signal so you can scroll through social media to your heart’s content.
Image credit: @bzarre_
You can also hike to Panorama Hills to catch the sunrise or visit the Rainbow Waterfalls while you’re there. Although the hike is free, a tour to the waterfalls by locals will cost RM60. But if you’re up for your own adventure, grab your own map and find it yourself.
Check out our Kuantan article for more things to do in the vicinity!
Address: Sungai Lembing, 26200 Sungai Lembing, Pahang, Malaysia
Telephone: +601 396 3888
Rates: From $100/night
Book your room here!
8. Tube hotels
Splurge: Tubohotel, Mexico ($45/night)
Image credit: Tubohotel
If you think that sleeping in concrete tubes in the middle of a forest doesn’t sound like an alluring experience, think again. With just enough space for a comfortable queen sized bed, desk light, and fan, Tubohotel offers a capsule experience that’s both cosy and private at $45/night.
Save: Capsule Room – Time Capsule Retreat, Kuantan, Malaysia ($39/night)
Image credit: @faisallatib
Mexico may seem a little out of the way just to experience sleeping in a tube, but thankfully, Time Capsule Retreat offers just the perfect alternative.
Image credit: @meiyee0219
The Capsule Room sees 7 X 10 ft concrete cylinder pipes fully fitted with queen-sized beds. It’s a much comfier option as opposed to camping, with aircon, a ceiling light and even wifi to make it feel less like you’re smack in the middle of a forest.
Sharing the same site as the Parallel Aurora Room, all facilities and activities previously mentioned are available here too.
Address: Sungai Lembing, 26200 Sungai Lembing, Pahang, Malaysia
Telephone: +601 396 3888
Rates: From $100/night
Book your room here!
9. Overwater villas with glass floors
Splurge: Le Meridien, Bora Bora ($766/night)
Image credit: Le Meridien Bora Bora
Le Meridien Resort in the island of Bora Bora has super beautiful overwater with glass floor sections, which give you a clear view of marine life under your feet – it’s almost as if you’re walking on water. That’s probably why their villas come with the hefty price tag of $766/night.
Save: Bambu Indah Udang House, Bali, Indonesia ($260/night)
Image credit: Bambu Indah Hotel
But for just a quarter of the price, it turns out that you’re able to get an upgraded experience, with the whole floor of the room laid with glass, instead of a small section. Situated right above a fresh shrimp pond, Bambu Indah’s Udang House is laid with glass floor panels and fitted with underwater lights, so that you’ll always be able to view the critters swimming below no matter the time of the day.
Image credit: @wande.rlau.st
Here, you’re bound to feel one with nature, as the landscape is untouched by modernisation. Most vegetables and herbs are grown in their on-site garden, while their swimming pool is sustainably built with the sole use of natural tools such as lava stones. Don’t be surprised to see a fish during your swim!
Address: Banjar Baung, Desa Sayan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, 80571
Telephone: +62 (0) 361 977 922
Rates: $260/night
Book your room here!
10. Floatels arranged in special formations
Splurge: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai ($419/night)
Image credit: Atlantis, The Palm
These palm-shaped islands are one of the most impressive land reclamation projects the world has ever seen. Atlantis, The Palm resides in the heart of it all, boasting incredible facilities such as the one of the world’s best waterparks and unique marine habitats.
A night here starts at $419, and can range all the way to $9,631 for their underwater suites.
Save: Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson, Malaysia ($215)
Image credit: Lexis Hibiscus
Inspired by The Palm, Dubai, the aerial view of the Lexis Hibiscus – a resort of overwater villas arranged in the shape of a hibiscus – should be a familiar sight to most Singaporeans.
Image credit: @i_draha
For only $215/night, you’re able to book an Executive Pool Villa, which is fitted with two king sized beds and able to host up to 4 with a small top-up fee. The best part is that every villa has its own private pool, perfect for hopping in and out whenever you feel like taking a swim.
Executive Pool Villa at $215/night
But if you’re an adventure junkie craving for more fun, you can head out to the beach for watersports like jet skiing, kayaking and banana boating. Buggy services are also provided within the resort, so you won’t have to lug yourself back after a day of sports.
Coach services are available daily from City Plaza or Holiday Inn Atrium for a small fee. Find out more about their transport services here.
Address: 12th Mile, Jalan Pantai, Pasir Panjang 71250, Malaysia
Telephone: +606 660 2626
Rates: From $215/night
Book your room here!
Fool your friends you’re on a faraway vacation
These hotels are the solution to fulfilling your getaway dreams. You’re now able to enjoy the same 5-star hotel experience, minus the distance and only at a fraction of the cost. Tell your friends that you’re on an expensive vacation and they probably won’t be able to tell the difference!