The world's 10 best value destinations

6. Malaysia

Want a five-star experience without the hip-pocket hemmorrhaging? Then hit the hotel scene in Malaysia. The fast-paced, cosmopolitan capital of Kuala Lumpur supports a fiercely competitive accommodation scene, where rack rates at luxury stalwarts are regularly slashed by more than 50 per cent. If you get bored with living large in the big city, try breaking the bank in a laid-back beach chalet on Kecil, the bargain-friendly Perhentian Island. We tip that you'll struggle to spend more than US$20 a day lazing on white sands or snorkelling through crystal-clear waters. With your leftover cash, hop on a bus and make your way south to historic Melaka, to sample cheap and cheerful Nonya cuisine while soaking up the port city's multicultural heritage.

PIctured: A beautiful tropical beach at Batu Ferringhi, Penang

Text reproduced with permission from Bluelist 2007, copyright 2006 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.