Chiva Som means 'Haven of Life' and is a beautiful Thai resort popular with celebrities. Bazar magazine called it “the gold standard by which all destination spas are measured”. High praise indeed. The spa is set in a peaceful tropical forest with murmuring brooks, gushing waterfalls and pristine beaches. The …
Located high on the southern tip of Phuket, this hotel has vast views of the Andaman Sea. Your villa is decorated in a sophisticated modern style with Thai trinkets abounding. Then you should go bounding outside and straight into your private infinity pool. Then take a wash in the indoor/outdoor …
Not so much a hotel as a nature retreat, Sekeping Serendah consists of transparent open sheds that are specially designed to create a simple state of relaxation and communion with nature. There are seven private sheds secluded among the shades of the rainforest. This retreat provides a tech-free environment just …
This was the first luxury resort on Koh Samui; one of Thailand’s most idyllic islands. It has changed hands a few times but remains one of the most high-status spots on the island. The design of the hotel is “classic Thai” and makes the most of its unspoiled surroundings. Arrive …
This hotel is a diver’s dream. It’s for serious divers who want to explore the oceanic depths of the Coral Triangle off the Coast of Mabul Island. The hotel is in a converted oil platform that was designed for deep-sea oil drilling. Now, instead of being about man controlling the …
Located on a resort island, W Singapore is a hotel for the playful-hearted to wine, dine and have fun. Here you have access to everything on your doorstep: casinos, beaches, restaurants, and the massive retail park known as Orchard Road. Your room has sea views, a special W signature bed, …
A relaxing get-away in the suburbs of Bangsar, Sekeping Tenggiri is a surprising mix of art and garden taste. The ambiance of country living is immediately visible in the vine-covered screen marking the patio entrance. The feelings become more pronounced as you enter the enclosed courtyard. Virulent greenery and carefully …
This is the Las Vegas of Asia. It is the world’s largest hotel, with 7,351 rooms in two colorful towers. It is located in the Genting Highlands in the Titiwangsa Mountains near lush tropical rainforest far away from the city. The entrance is a Spanish-style courtyard, and the site has …
Perhaps it’s a generalization but Vietnamese people do have smooth, young-looking skin. Perhaps it is because they know the secrets of the mudbath. Scientists know that that I-Resort’s mudbaths have a high Bromine and mineral content and some say soaking in it has magically rejuvenating effects. It is claimed to …
A combination of the Western backpacker hostel and the Japanese pod hotel; this unique venue is aimed at the backpacker community that congregates on the famous Khaosan road in Bangkok. It is built completely from wood in the traditional style of the Bangkok old town. Your sleeping pods come with …
This beachside property is set against a backdrop of a rainforest – home to rare species. Rarer still is your experience at this unique hotel. Renowned architect, Bill Bensley helped with the refurb using reclaimed materials and found curios. For example, the iron coffee tables in the lobby were made …
The original building of this hotel dates from 1886 and has been restored to reflect the glamour of that era with four-poster beds and fine white linen. Famous guests have included the accomplished novelist, Somerset Maugham, and Noel Coward. This has led current owners to create the “Author’s Lounge” – …
This hotel uses innovative design to create a luxurious and peaceful space despite the din of downtown Bangkok. The “extra radiance rooms” let in oceans of natural light while keeping your privacy. The full spectrum suits have showers in the middle of the rooms while other quirks of the design …
Cambodia has some tropical islands scattered off the coast in the Indian Ocean. They remain largely undeveloped – a rarity in South East Asia. Song Saa is one of the first luxury resorts to take one of these islands as its home. It is run in partnership with the local …
Located near amazing Malay sites such as the Blue Mosque, I-City, and Bukit Cahaya Sri Alam Agricultural Park, Hotel de Art is a hip place to stay in Malaysia. An independent hotel that takes influence from the art hotels of Europe, Hotel de Art has 58 rooms each decorated in …
These days tourists are looking for a more “authentic” experience. To cater to such types, entrepreneurs are setting up boutique hotels in the grungier and less well-known areas of famous cities. Take the Wanderlust Hotel for instance. It’s located in a converted schoolhouse in Singapore’s Little India district: a hodge-podge …
Set on the mighty Mekong River in the hills of Thailand, you can see Myanmar and Laos from your balcony laying on your day bed. The incredible Golden Triangle location is steeped in history and natural beauty. There are landscaped gardens and your room features oversized terrazzo bathtubs, Thai textiles, …
The Mekong River is the 12th longest river in the world. It begins in Tibet and flows through six countries all the way to the sea. In the section that flows through Laos, barges have long been used on the river as the main source of transportation for traders and …
From the people that brought you the ‘One Hotel Angkor’- the ‘Be’ hotel is another trendy place for you to consider. It offers you not rooms, but a choice of three ‘design experiences’ (not my words). And to be fair, the interior design is spankingly original, as you can see …
Architectural outlier and presidential daughter Dang Viet Nga built this unique structure entirely from personal and private funds. Not only that, but the local municipal government fought her every step of the way. But she didn’t give up. Instead, she pushed on to realize her dream - a bizarre and …