The Sino-Portuguese architecture creates an exuberant atmosphere in amongst a great mix of cheap food stalls and markets.

The weekend market on the outskirts of the town is a hive of activity on Friday and Saturday evenings. Food stalls, cheap clothing, trinkets and a vibrant atmosphere are the vital ingredients of a value-for-money night.

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Thais love to eat and don’t receive high salaries, so dining at any small Thai restaurant will be inexpensive. These styles of eateries are dotted over the entirety of Phuket Town, so don’t worry about choice because they are plentiful.

Most surprisingly, some of the cheapest places to eat on the island are the food courts inside shopping centers. You can find delicious and nutritious meals for the price of 40bht alongside a wealth of options.

Although Patong is accepted as the most expensive destination on the island, there is a wide choice of offerings of all price ranges. The old market on Nan Nai Road is full to the brim with food stalls where you can eat for amazing value. After 2am the market is like party central with girls and guys who have just finished work, eating and laughing until the early hours of the morning. This is a wonderful place to meet new and interesting people.

For cheap daytime entertainment you could visit the lofty heights of the Big Buddha perched on a mountaintop in Chalong. Or take in the numerous viewpoints which showcase dramatic views overlooking the Andaman Sea. Some of the island’s most untapped beaches are situated on the north-west coast such as Nai Yang or Nai Thon.

Phuket seafood is the freshest I’ve ever tasted, but the restaurants on the Patong beach road are expensive. If you have a fetish for red snapper and king prawns I would suggest the beachside restaurants at Rawai and Leam Hin for a real affordable and local experience.

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By going to the local supermarket and buying your groceries, which does mean cooking all the food yourself, something most of us like to get away from. You do get the option of eating when you want to, not everyone gets hungry at the same time every day, some people like to snack during the day and have a full meal later in the evening. With full board you are set to a sometimes very strict timetable and if you don’t feel hungry when the restaurant is open, you have wasted money. It really does depend on the individuals, some like the fact that they can eat at different restaurants every night and depending on where you are, you can eat quite cheaply and enjoy good local food. For people who are on a budget and they get a really good deal on their self catering holiday, it could work out much cheaper all round.

Luckily, new options usually open up to facilitate budget travel as older options become more expensive. The current trend of short term apartment rental is a great example of this. We can logically see how a short term rental can reduce the overall cost of a vacation, you will have access to a fully equipped kitchen so you will be able to save some money by eating at home when you feel like it. Simple things that can really add up such as making a cup of coffee instead of purchasing it from a hotel cafe, can represent a major saving and leave you more spending money to enjoy your holiday. There are some other great benefits of taking up a short term apartment rental for use as holiday accommodation, not just cost benefits, but comfort and convenience benefits as well.

Consider the fact that you will have a home away from home, somewhere that is comfortable, secure and private. You are free to relax in the knowledge that you are completely in control of your accommodation. No cleaning maids will be knocking on the door, you won’t have to share access through a communal lobby, you won’t need to hang up a do not disturb sign if you want to sleep in.

Also consider the fact that many available apartments are situated in central areas, whilst budget hotels tend to be built on the edges of major holiday areas, you will save on transport costs and save time by being right in the centre of the action.

It is possible to find short term budget rentals in almost every major city around the globe. Next time you are planning  budget travel tip, why not spend some time investigating this option?

As a place to stay for the budget traveller, the price is surely pleasing. A basic fan room costs only 350 Baht per person per night, an air conditioned room is only 100 Baht more, at 450 Baht per person per night. This is an excellent price for Bangkok.

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The facilities here are first rate, a small swimming pool takes up part of the restaurant area, open from early morning until late at night. The restaurant serves a mixture of western dishes and tasty Thai food. Prices for food and drink here are also quite reasonable, especially if you stick to the Thai food.

There are laundry machines that can be used for free, just bring your own detergent, and the TV room has a large selection of DVDs which are also free to watch. There is even a free gym, outfitted with a variety of equipment. Access to such a large selection of free amenities make this place incredibly good value.

The rooms are clean, although all have a shared bathroom, they could do with a coat of paint but that’s not to say they are dirty, just a little run down. The bathrooms are cleaned several times a day and are kept spotless. Every room has a balcony of it’s own, very useful for smokers as there is a no smoking policy in place within the rooms. Security is good, as each door is fitted with brackets for visitors to use their own padlock, along with the standard room lock.

What really makes the Asha Guesthouse a special place to stay when visiting Bangkok, especially for budget travellers and backpackers, is the huge amount of advice the staff and owners hold in their heads about Bangkok and Thailand in general. You can throw your guidebook away when you stay here, you wont need it.

So, to sum up, the Asha Guesthouse is a great budget travel choice if you are visiting Bangkok. It is in the neighbourhood of Saphon Kwai, and is only a few minutes walk from the closes Skytrain station, making access to all of the attractions of Bangkok quick, cheap and easy.