Could Valentine's Day come at a worse time of year? Your credit card has barely recovered from the pre-Christmas knees-ups, present buying and over-priced New Year festivities when, wham, bam, it's time to splash out on something glam. This year the timing feels particularly cruel. But for anyone contemplating knitting or growing a present, we've found a solution. One that doesn't involve you becoming uncharacteristically cheesy. In fact, there's a touch of seediness about it - but in a good way. It's the "by-the-hour hotel", the cash-strapped lover's way to inject some affordable fun into your romance. The world leaders in the love hotel are Japan and Brazil ,where it's perfectly respectable for dating or married couples to check in for an afternoon's nookie. But other countries are starting to catch on. The Guardian's Travel team risked its office reputation by making numerous phone calls asking whether hotels do "by the hour". Here's our pick of the best around the world.

Hotel Amour, Paris, France

In a former life, Hotel Amour, near Pigalle, was a pay-by-the-hour establishment; then graffiti artist Andre Emmanuel got his hands on it and transformed it into one of the city's most sought-after boutique pads. Rooms are painted lipstick red, adorned with risqué art and free of phones, TV and internet. Its core clientele are stylish weekenders, attracted by its funky decor (Emmanuel's graffiti covers the walls) and the hip SoPi (south of Pigalle) location, otherwise known as the 9th arrondissement. But in a nod to its once sleazy past, it also offers a day rate. A louche afternoon in a sexy Paris hotel? If that doesn't impress, nothing will.

? Rooms are available from 12pm-3pm from ?84 (£76), a 20% discount on the normal rate , (must be booked on the same morning). 8 rue Navarin, Paris, +33 1 48 78 31-80. Website presently under construction

Hotel Loire, Osaka, Japan

Illicit affairs have been conducted in Japan's love hotels for decades, but these days they are just as likely to cater to bonafide couples who want to spice up their love life. There are thousands to choose from, with Hello Kitty proving a popular if disturbing in-room theme. But we've plumped for Hotel Loire on the outskirts of Osaka. Its trump card is the Alien Abduction playroom where, for around £30, you get to act out your intergalactic fantasies in a mock space capsule. If that's a bit too out there, the PA Plaza in Tokyo, is much more down to earth. Its rooms play on more obvious themes - the Island Resort room has, er, a potted palm tree and in-room Jacuzzi, while Modern Britain sports matching pink flowery curtains, sofa and bedspread - it's romantic Britain circa 1975.

? Hotel Loire, 7-9-13 Miyakenaka, Osaka, from Y3,899 (£30). A "break" (bookable between 6am and midnight) at the PA Plaza is two hours and costs Y5,600 Mon-Fri and Y6,200 Sat-Sun. A 30-minute extension costs Y1,400. +81 (0)3 3780 5211, paplaza.com .

The Liberty Inn hotel, New York, US

"Your Rendezvous for Romance" is this hotel's strapline. You may beg to differ, once you've seen the bedspreads, naff ceiling murals and the slightly corporate looking chairs and tables. But we say embrace the tackiness. New Yorkers certainly have. New York Magazine recently voted the Liberty the Best By the Hour hotel in the city. Rooms feature "mood lighting", six adult movie channels on the plasma screen TVs and - if you splash out an extra $15 for the Romantic Interlude rooms - a two-person whirlpool. Woohoo!

? Two hours from $60 (£41), three hours from $70. 51 Tenth Ave, at 14th St. +1 212 741 2333, libertyinnnyc.com.

VIP's, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In a country as proud of its libido as its footballing prowess - yet where most young people live at home until they get married - the love motel is a national institution. Rooms range from the functional to five-star love nests complete with theatres (video camera optional), swimming pools, saunas and mini discos. The VIP's motel in Rio, two minutes' drive from the trendy beachside suburb of Leblon, is the epitome of discretion (two private parking spaces per room and the staff never see you), and style with private poolside views of the Atlantic below and Christ the Redeemer looking down from the mountain above. Good Catholics can book a suite out of his view. VIP's rooms are so tastefully decorated, and well located, you might consider staying here even if you're not getting jiggy with it.

? Rooms from R$95-R$640 (£28-£190) for eight hours. +55 21 3322 5868; vipsmotel.com.br.

Hotel General La Paz, Buenos Aires, Argentina

They may not be as well known as Brazil's love motels, but in Argentina they're just as common with virtually one on every block. Known as "temporary lodgings", or telos, they provide some much-needed privacy to young couples living with their parents. They range from the downright downmarket, where you may have to wait your turn with other couples until the sheets are changed in an available room, to classier joints. The General Paz falls into the latter category, with suites so plush you may not want to leave after your allotted "turno".

? A three-hour turno costs from 260 pesos - 430 pesos (£52-96). Av General Paz 3921 y Monteagudo (1672); +54 11 4752 0777. For a full directory of Telos go to alberguestransitorios.com.

The Hoxton, London, UK

No doubt there are plenty of sleazy boltholes around the capital but we have our standards, you know. Our suggestion is the stylish Hoxton, which has daytime deals on its "private offices" - aka its bedrooms - for a bargain £19. They're aimed at business people who need some desk space while they're in town, but there's nothing to stop you inviting your partner to step into your office. On leaving, the bars and restaurants of trendy Shoreditch are but a brief stroll away.

? £19 from 10am to 4pm (must be booked a day in advance). 81 Great Eastern Street, London, +44 (0)20 7550 1000, hoxtonhotels.com.

Hotel Orient, Vienna, Austria

Who'd have thought it. Vienna, with its hushed galleries and trad coffee shops, has a naughty side. Then again, it's most famous painting is Klimt's The Kiss. If the 20-room Hotel Orient's Kaiser suite sounds a bit too full on for your liking, try the more romantic sounding 1001 Nights.

? Three hours cost from ?59 per room, Tiefer Graben 30, +43 1 533 73 07, hotelorient.at .

La Franca, Barcelona, Spain

La Franca claims to be the best hotel in the city for couples. Rooms are clean and tastefully decorated, albeit with a sort of 1980s-style elegance - think black and white striped wallpaper and a round bed in Le Gran Suite. There is no hourly rate here but La Franca sneaks on to the list because it's aimed solely at couples and aims to please, promising "discrecion absoluta". Even the car park bays have curtains! Plus the rooms are so cheap it wouldn't matter if, in a reckless mood, you decided to spend just a few hours rather than a full night.

? Rooms available from ?52. La Franca Xica 40; + 934 231 417, lafransa.com