The World's Cheapest Chain Hotel Is About to Enjoy a Major Expansion of Locations

They are called Tune Hotels ( www.tunehotels.com ), and I recently wrote about the one they've opened in London. But because a vast expansion in the number of Tune Hotels is about to occur, I thought I'd summarize their plans by way of reminder:

Tune currently has a dozen modern hotels in central locations of popular cities and tourist destinations -- nine in Malaysia, two on Bali (Kuta Beach and Legian), and one in London (across the Thames from Westminster Abbey). Each small but comfortable room comes with a five-star bed, contemporary furnishings, and a private bathroom.

Did I mention these rooms start at an amazing $5 in Malaysia, $14 on Bali, and $83 in London?

There is a catch, of course. Almost everything beyond the room, bed and shower is charged à la carte. Want a towel, shampoo, and soap? That's another $1.80-$2 (these are the Asian prices; everything the London property runs more). Air-conditioning? That's about $4.70 per 12-hour period. Breakfast is $2-$3, hair dryers cost 34¢, to turn on the TV costs $3.60, and Internet in your room is $4 (though there's often free WiFi in the lobby).

That said, early bookers can pretty much wipe out these add-on fees by buying a discounted room package: add TV and wifi for about 50¢; or A/C, towel, and toiletries for, again, ¢50.

However, if you travel with your own small towel and miniature toiletries, the only really essential add-on (in Southeast Asia) is the air-conditioning. If you only use that at night, the rooms still ring in under $10 in Malaysia and under $20 on Bali -- and that is a fabulous deal.

The chain is small now, but is expanding quickly, with partnerships to open 20 hotels in India and another 14 in the U.K., as well as franchises in Thailand, the Philippines, and soon China. I'll stay on this story on my blog.