p>Even the best choices in town are quite affordable, but easiest on the budget is little Phi Yen Hotel (tel. 064/383-0168), where simple air-conditioned rooms start at just 180,000 VND for a single. The staff at Phi Yen doesn't speak English, but the place is good for a simple flop and for arranging your day trips elsewhere.

Keep an eye out for the new Evason Hideaway from the Six Senses group, the popular developers of Evason Hideaway Ana Mandara. A soft opening for their new property is planned for sometime in 2010.

Dining on Con Dao is rather limited. The best is at the Saigon Con Dao Resort , where you can pick from a good English menu. Choices range from Vietnamese dishes to the likes of burgers and fries. Go for the fresh seafood and the delicious hot pots. This is pretty much where everyone on the island eats, which means that the place gets overcrowded -- particularly on weekends -- with big groups of domestic tourists. There are the standard stalls serving pho and com (noodle soup and rice dishes) near the small central market, but few other options remain.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.