HEAVENLY HOTELS
From budget to ultra-luxe, Asia’s hotel scene is booming again, and these are some of the most stylish spots to stay, writes Katie Lockhart
Vietnam Regent Phu Quoc
The latest resort to hit the shores of Vietnam’s premiere beach destination is arguably the island’s most impressive. While a mix of 302 villas and suites and five sprawling pools may sound daunting, this sleek and sexy resort is anything but. Covered with plants and flowers, the resort is tranquil, with water fixtures and ocean views adding to that coveted vacation relaxation. Plus, the Regent’s rooftop bar and pool area is a sunset showstopper.
Zannier Bãi San Hô
Set on palm-fringed white sands, this isn’t your average beach resort. A 45-minute drive from Quy Nhon takes you to an uber-remote luxury outpost. Guests choose from 73 villas with three types of traditional Vietnamese architecture styles. Book the cosy fisherman’s huts with ricepaddy views or a hill pool villa designed to look like the longhouses of nearby ethnic tribes. Each villa includes Vietnamese antiques, hand-made furniture, calming tones and dreamy custom-made linen sheets.
Wink Hotel Saigon Centre
This new budget-friendly hotel in Ho Chi Minh
City’s District 1 caters to a younger crowd. Rooms here are small and uncomplicated, with a pop of colour of the shower divider making the main statement. While the beds are comfortable, this hotel encourages you to get out of your room and socialise. The Wink Space is a bar/hangout spot/work area with cocktails, a DJ and plenty of outdoor seating. Its food cart highlights street food favourites like pho in an easy grab-and-go style.
Thailand InterContinental Khao Yai Resort
The latest addition to Thailand’s luxury portfolio is on the outskirts of Unesco-listed Yao Noi National Park. Surrounded by flora and fauna, Bill Bensley has created an ode to train travel with 45 rooms and 19 villas and suites made from repurposed heritage train cars. While the train car accommodation is still underway, the rest of the hotel is open for guests to explore its 40ha of trees and lakes on foot or by bike. Afterwards, sit down for a posh high tea at the Tea House or a glass of bubbly at the Frenchthemed Papillon Bar.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort Jungle Bubbles
Although the resort was built at the intersection of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar in 1989, the property’s most exciting accommodation opened just last year. The Jungle Bubble Lodge, a two-bedroom seethrough bubble, sleeps up to four guests — and a few elephants. Raised up on an expansive wooden deck with a hot tub, these jungle bubbles sit a few metres away from a pair of the camp’s rescued elephants. Spend the night alongside these docile giants as they munch on sugar cane and roam the enclosed area while you lay back in your plush bed and watch on.
ASAI Bangkok Chinatown
The inaugural ASAI hotel by Thailand’s famous Dusit International brand is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. Designed for the budgetconscious traveller, the rooms are compact and minimalist with wood accents, Mon Sam Lieung (Thai triangle pillows) and mosaic tiles. The hotel’s restaurant, Jam Jam, is arguably its gem. People
come here to pose for pictures, work on their laptops or snack on a global menu of inventive dishes. If you’re hungry for something else, some of Thailand’s best street food is steps from its doors.
Indonesia
The Slow, Bali
In the centre of the nomad-friendly surfer’s paradise known as Canggu, The Slow, embraces the beachy vibe. A refined mixture of concrete tropical brutalism alongside hand-crafted wood furniture, modern art and potted plants screams Bali at its chicest. Home to just 12 suites, it’s a boutique beauty with a standout restaurant for fresh craft cocktails and an eclectic mix of Asian food with a twist.
Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, Bali
At this jungle hideaway, the motto may as well be, “no doors, no walls, no problem.” It’s open entirely to the elements, except for roll-down shades to protect you from tropical weather. Buahan is a part of Banyan Tree’s new eco-chic, rustic brand, Escape. Its 16 villas sit on high at the edge of the jungle. Inside the rooms are made with reclaimed wood floors, Balinese-style headboards, rattan touches and most importantly, a mosquito net.
Japan
Azumi Setoda
This hotel is the brainchild of celebrated luxury minimalist brand Aman and Japanese hospitality group Naru Developments. Located on Setuchi’s Ikuchijima Island with azure waters and top-notch seafood, it’s a contemporary take on a traditional ryokan. Housed inside a 140-year-old home, these 22 suites have traditional washi paper screens, lowlying furniture and clean lines mixed with modern exposed beams. The highlight is the cypress soaking tub with stellar views whether you’ve got a garden or balcony suite.