Sukhothai, Thailand

This small, 20-roomed boutique hotel, backing on to the moat of ancient Sukhothai, is the one we think offers best value for money near the UNESCO World Heritage site. Within walking distance of the Historical Park, it offers a cool, calm, relaxing space to recover from sightseeing in the heat. Its rooms are decorated in traditional Thai style, with beds on raised plinths, framed calligraphy on the walls and long, raw-silk drapes. There’s a well-kept pool in the garden – a boon for those hot hours after lunch – and the overall atmosphere is welcoming, peaceful and attentive.