B2 Ubon Premier Hotel

Budget done properly is the pitch here, and B2 has built a whole chain on it. Rooms are small and modern with a minifridge, a flat-screen and Wi-Fi that covers the property. Nobody's pretending this is a resort. You get a clean bed, air-con, reception staffed around the clock, and change left over for eating well in Ubon.

The location is the thing to think about. It sits on the ring road, which is brilliant if you're driving or being dropped off, and less brilliant if you want to wander out for noodles after dark. I'd treat it as a base rather than a neighborhood, and plan on a car, a grab or a rented motorbike for temple runs and the riverside. If you're coming for the Candle Festival in July, book early. The whole city sells out and budget rooms go first.

It suits road-trippers, people passing through on the way to the Mekong, families who'd rather spend the money on food than on a lobby. It doesn't suit anyone who wants to walk to dinner.