When you're traveling with a family, where you sleep sets the entire tone of the trip. From off-grid secret island eco-resorts to industrial pop-art towers, here are 7 unique Southeast Asia stays that actually lived up to the hype—and the trusted local drivers who got us there.

Family travel doesn't have to be a choice between a luxury resort or a budget beach town. From the massive pool at the Sofitel Krabi to the "cheap and cheerful" $5 beach umbrellas in Kep, Cambodia, here is how we balanced a high-end splurge with an authentic local hideaway, and why you should do both.