Finding affordable accommodation does not mean having to settle for something distinctly average. Breathtaking views, attentive service, great food and hand-picked decor – all are available at a cost that won’t make you cringe. We pick the top 20 bargain hotels from the American Budget Travel Magazine’s new cheap-chic bible Secret Hotels.

HOTEL DE L'AMPHITHEATRE, France

Style, comfort and reasonable prices combine to make these chic lodgings a truly excellent deal. Its central location in the heart of Arles – right by the amphitheatre and a short walk to the main town square – makes it a convenient choice as well.

The owners have completely renovated the building, exposing amazing 17th-century wood-beam ceilings. Wall colours tend towards rich shades of yellow, ochre and red, and they're balanced with bright fabrics, regionally made quilts, light floor tiles, and modern furniture that borrows from antique styles. The cheapest rooms are on the small side; it’s definitely worth paying the extra £8 for a “comfort” double. The Belvedere (£98), which has a 360-degree view of the rooftops of Arles, is worth a splurge. An outdoor terrace and an inviting lounge add to the homey feel.

Vincent Van Gogh lived in Arles in 1888, during which time he developed his signature style of vivid colours and swirling brushstrokes – and then cut off his ear. 00 33 4 90 96 10 30, www.hotelamphitheatre.fr , £33-£98

BLUE MOON VILLAS, Bali

Bali’s remote northeast coast is still well off the beaten track for most visitors, but that may change if more hotels follow the example of Blue Moon Villas, a stylish boutique hotel that makes the most of its dramatic coastal setting.

It has five rooms in three bright, airy villas, as well as an open-sided restaurant. All rooms have separate balconies or terraces, some of which are large enough to double as living rooms. And the bathrooms are partly open to the outside (but completely private).

After a dinner of fresh wahoo barbecued over coconut husks, you’ll want to sit on your balcony and watch the sun set behind the sacred mountain Agung, a prelude to the main event: the brilliant night sky. If the local roosters wake you up in time, you can go out in a fishing boat in the morning to watch the sun rise over Mount Rinjani on the neighbouring island of Lombok. Failing that, just relax by the infinity pool tucked in the centre of a lush garden. 00 62 812 362 2597, www.bluemoonvillas.com , from £34

TREVALSA COURT, Cornwall

German expats Klaus Wagner and Matthias Mainka spent seven years creating a sumptuous prewar atmosphere at this former family home. They’ve obsessed over every detail, right down to the door handles. The 13 rooms are furnished with Lloyd Loom woven chairs, and the moss-green walls are decorated with sophisticated black-and-white art. The level of care is palpable.

As it should be, dinner is served in the oak-panelled dining room, where windows frame the sea. The German chef, Achim Dreher, sneaks Swiss-German influences into his menus. Keep an eye out for highlights such as potato dumplings stuffed with prunes.

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