I stayed at the Kool Hotel in Siem Reap last November and I highly recommend it. I think I paid around 40$ for my room and it was great. The staff was so nice, it blew me away.

Seven Candles Guesthouse.
Absolutely immaculate rooms with AC, ceiling fans, Fridge, tea, and great water pressure. Breakfast available for about $3. I think it is $20 per room

Total privacy, or you are welcome to interact with the amazing family that owns it.
Lots of great places to eat in the immediate neighborhood, or Its about a 5 minute bike ride to the touristy Pub Street area. There are also several dedicated tuk tuk drivers based at the guesthouse that will take you anywhere you'd like.

I just came back from my second extended stay there.

http://www.sevencandlesguesthouse.com/

I didn't stay here, but I noticed it looked very nice, and it's very well located right in the Old Quarter:

http://www.asiarooms.com/en/vietnam/hanoi/210514-art_hotel_hanoi.html

In Siem Reap, we bought some vintage wooden puppets and other items at the gift shop at the Hanumanalaya Hotel, a cool guesthouse with exotic gardens near the Sofitel. The owners also rent out rooms for $35 in a private home five minutes away. Price includes airport pickup and possibly breakfast. Guests at the house have access to the pool, spa and restaurant at the hotel - a phenomenal deal close to the ruins (but farther from town, although access is easy.) We did not see the rooms, but the public spaces were fantastic.

http://www.hanumanalaya.com/hanumanalaya_house.html

I also stayed at The Kool Hotel
Loved it and highly recommend it.

Thanks for the recommendations. Booked The Kool in Siem Reap and Art Hotel Hanoi, all on agoda.com, which is so easy to navigate. Still looking for best place in Luang Prabang in my $50/night or less price range.

Maybe too late but I like Sayo River in LP. Great views over Mekong if you can score a room on the second floor.

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