Macau's recent economic renaissance has resulted in the building of more than a few swanky hotels and casinos, and the city is increasingly seen as an expensive place where budget travelers can't find a cheap hotel to suit their budget...

The reality, however, is very different, and while it is generally true to say that Macau tourism industry is aiming at the well heeled casino crowd, the city boasts a decent choice of cheap hotels that are better than what you can find in other large cities around the region for that money.

This article will introduce you to the best of Macau cheap hotels:

• Hotel Ko wah

With its great location on nostalgic Rua da Felicidade, merely a short walk to attractions like Senado Square, St. Augustine's Church and other historical sites, the popular Ko Wah looks like an inbreed between a decent cheap hotel and an upgraded guesthouse, and although it is known mainly as a backpackers' oriented accommodation, it offers some very nice rooms that are even better than what you can get in most of Macau's cheap hotels.

Recently renovated, the Ko Wah's 28 guestrooms are all in fairly good condition, and boast most of the amenities you would expect to find in a hotel of such level (or even a bit better), including air-condition, ensuite bathroom and the likes...

More importantly, Hotel Ko wah has a friendly staff who make you feel welcome and try to help with whatever they can... No wonder it became one of Macau's most popular cheap hotels.

• East Asia Hotel

The two main pros for staying at the East Asia Hotel are, first, its excellent location on a side street in the town centre, a short stroll from many of Macau's attractions and heritage sites and, second, its extremely reasonable rates which have made it one of the most popular among Macau cheap hotels.

As expected from a Macau cheap hotel, there's nothing in the way of glitz and glamour and the staff doesn't speak much English (to say the least), but guestrooms are fairly decent, both in terms of size and appearance, and come with most of the stuff you need , like air-condition, mini fridge, TV, phone and the likes, as well as a reasonable ensuite bathroom

All in all, if you are planning to spend much of your time outside the hotel, and your expectations are not higher than your budget, than staying at this Macau cheap hotel is certainly one of your best options.

• Hotel SanVa

This almost historic accommodation has a lot to offer in terms of character and charisma, but rather little in terms of comfort and facilities...

Strategically located at the bottom end of historic Rua da Felicidade, just a spit away from many of Macau's historic attractions and night spots, this hundred years old property prides itself for being Macau's oldest existing guesthouse, and although most of the rooms are only ceiling fanned and do not even have private baths, the guesthouse has plenty of ambience (and relatively low rates) so you might want to consider it after all (Moreover, there are rumors about renovations, as I'm writing these lines... but don't hold me for it)

• Ole London Hotel

Standing at the top end of the range of low-cost hotels, this lately renovated property is possibly the most popular among Macau's cheap hotels, and whilst it may be just a bit too expensive for backpackers, it makes a very good choice for budget-minded tourists who are in search of a decent accommodation at a fair price (Especially if you are going to spend more time exploring the city then hanging around the hotel...).

Located in the old area of Porto Interior, just a few minutes walk from the city's historic attractions, restaurants and shopping, and not to far from Hotel Lisboa and "the casinos belt", this Macau cheap hotel has sixty well-decked air-conditioned guestrooms that are both comfortable and properly equipped with the whole shebang of amenities you can expect to find in a hotel of such standard

• Hotel Sintra

The Sintra is definitely a notch above the average cheap hotel in Macau, but the special discounts it offers on a regular basis make it affordable even for those budget-minded tourists who would otherwise opt for a simpler hotel...

In terms of location, Hotel Sintra sits on one of Macau's most central corners: A stone's throw from Hotel Lisboa and the other glitzy casinos, and a short stroll from Senado Square and the heritage sites around it.

Hotel facilities are quite limited, but the guestrooms are particularly spacious and come with all the comfort you would expect from a semi-luxurious or even luxurious hotel, and as long as your idea of a holiday in Macau does not include lazing around the pool, the Sintra might be the right choice for you.