These are 7 of the best luxury resorts in Asia you need to stay at right now for a relaxing vacation.
At the moment, most Aussies are in Europe to indulge in a European summer vacay in order to escape the rainy weather. The New Daily reports flight bookings to Europe have made up 21% of all international bookings through Webjet in 2022, highlighting Europe as the Australian travellers’ priority.
However, if you’re looking to explore some of the world’s oldest cultures, appreciate captivating architecture and mesmerising natural landscapes, indulge in some of the world’s best five star hotels, taste mouth-watering foods, and meet warm locals – all while relaxing and steering away from crowds, Asia is the place to go.
While every city in Asia is filled with colourful and buzzing day- and nightlife, Asia is also one of the best places to relax. No matter the region, tourists can take in the sensational sights of heavenly beaches, clear-blue water, vibrant greenery and sunny weather.
It’s also worth noting that holidaying in Asia is significantly cheaper than holidaying in Europe, so ou can take everything up a notch, especially spa treatments and dining out.
These are some of the best luxury resorts in Asia right now so all you’ve got to do is choose a country and book your flight.
Bulgari Resort, Bali, Indonesia
Check out and check in at one of Bali’s most fabulous high-end resorts in Uluwatu. Perfect for luxury travellers, Bulgari Resort intertwines tropical beauty with high-end Italian opulence.
Featuring 59 villas and 5 mansions designed by Italian architects, this place sets the bar high when it comes to luxury. The villas are made of exotic woods and hand-cut volcanic stones, which add to the moody ambience. Nonetheless, this is balanced by the views and breeziness of the watery horizon.
Each villa has an outdoor plunge pool, a large alfresco living area, a bathroom with a deep tub and shower and of course, Bulgari toiletries, amongst other brand names. These toiletries do not just include the usual shampoo, soap and body gel but also shaving cream, perfume, bath salts and more.
In spite of the Italian influence, Balinese antiques and art pieces from local artists remind guests of the unique island on which they are staying.
Il Ristorante is the resort’s flagship open-air Italian restaurant decorated with black stone pillars and white linens. You certainly won’t find cheap spaghetti here, the menu contains sophisticated Italian classics like risotto carnaroli and a 200+ wine list.
Raffles, Singapore
Raffles is one of the most outstanding colonial hotels in the world. The 1887 property is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, therefore holds enormous historical value to the city and its people. In 1987, the hotel was named a national monument.
Even before walking inside, the gravel driveway is reminiscent of the past when hotel guests were chauffeured on horse-drawn carriages. In 2017, after renovations, a spectacular chandelier from the Czech Republic was added to the three-storey high lobby. Nevertheless, Raffles’ historic charm remains.
The rooms were designed by Alexandra Champalimund who ensured that the iconic Victorian style of the hotel continued to shine. The main eye-catcher of a Raffles room definitely has to be the four-poster bed. The bathrooms employ locally sourced Peranakan ceramic tiles – a local specialty – which frames the huge bathtub. Each room comes with a tablet to control the room’s functions, like the air conditioning, light settings and room service.
In terms of food and drink, guests are pampered with new and improved gastronomic concepts generated by Alain Ducasse and Anne Sophie Pic. Guests can choose to enjoy finely cooked steak or a traditional, British afternoon tea in the Grand lobby.
For more insight, read all about our founder’s stay here.
Six Senses Yao Noi, Thailand
Tucked away on a magical island called Koh Yao Noi, Six Senses is a one-of-a-kind haven. Just 45 minutes from Phuket, Six Senses provides a splendid getaway in nature that seems to have been intentionally hand-crafted by Mother Nature herself.
Perched on a cliffside, the resort has 56 rooms in total, including 4 suites and 2 residences. Every single room provides visitors with jaw-dropping scenic views, the Ocean Panorama Pool Villas deserve their own shoutout.
These villas are accompanied by astounding views of Phang Nga Bay from the bedroom, bathroom and private infinity pool. The villas entail a private terrace which generously provides space for sun loungers and alfresco dining. Here, guests can also enjoy the sweet chirping of tropical birds and the fluttering of butterflies.
Every villa is made of local teak sealed with palm-leaf roofs. The rooms are graced with driftwood canopy beds, bright linens and mango-wood details, providing a cosy escape to inhale fresh air.
As for the cherry on top, Six Senses allows guests to choose from a series of complementary activities to embark on, like cooking classes, stand-up paddleboard and Asian and Ayurvedic treatments – to name a few.
Nay Palad Hideaway, Siargao, Philippines
Nay Palad rests on the hidden gem, Siargao island in the Philippines, which is a separate island away from the city. ‘Nay’ is a derivative of the Filipino word, ‘Nanay’, which means ‘mother’, while ‘Palad’ means ‘Palm’ – the name itself evokes a sense of ‘home-away-from-home’ kind of feeling. Nay Palad is an all inclusive resort that not only makes you feel extremely spoilt with luxury but also nurtured and loved. Yes, the upfront price can feel intimidating, but it’s definitely worth your money and is just as dazzling as the Maldives.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with cool, wet towels scented with essential oils, as well as dried fruits and nuts and bottled water to transport you into a restful state of mind just after the madness from your travel. No request is too big or too small – visitors will feel very taken care of without feeling badgered.
The overall design of the resort incorporates dark wooden floors and neutral toned furnishings to enhance the ‘island-vibe’. The master villa is known as the ‘Perlah’, which accounts for a phenomenal 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom private beachfront villa with a private pool, koi point, indoor lounge and media room, outdoor lounge area with a bonfire, and a treehouse cabana. All rooms are faced toward the ocean or garden and are equipped with high pressure showers, plush bathrobes and toiletries.
Worth mentioning are the range of activities offered by the hotel, where guests can indulge in complimentary sports and activities like paddle boarding, island hopping, kayaking, surging, table tennis, reading in the library and free massage services.
Aman Resorts, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a city filled with constant commotion, bold, neon-lit billboards, bullet trains and busy pedestrian crossings – so it’s seldom described as a place of zen… until you discover one of Japan’s most luxurious urban sanctuaries in the heart of the city, Aman.
Aman Tokyo floats 34 floors above the ground in the Otemachi Tower. Occupying the last six floors, guests can soak up views of the buzzing city in peace while also appreciating the minimalist and traditional style that the Japanese seem to so precisely balance.
These views of traditional and modern influences can also be found in the design of Aman’s 84 rooms and suites which feature ikebana displays, washi paper doors, engawa platforms and ryokan-style rooms which exude mindfulness and peace.The bathrooms in the guest suites highlight the large hinoki timber bath. These designs are thanks to Australian architect, Kerry Hill, who specialised in hotel design in tropical Asia. Hill focused on nature, landscape and heritage to conceive the Aman resort in Japan, as well as those in Sri Lanka and China, to name a couple.
The lobby is exceptional, mimicking an entrance hall to a sophisticated art gallery or museum. With vast ceilings rising nearly 30m, guests will be immediately awed by the break-taking views of the outside world. First-time visitors are encouraged to visit the pool and spa area. Simply looking at it, guests will be entranced by the truly elegant and grand design, which centres the spa as the piece de resistance foregrounding the spectacular panorama of the cityscape.
If guests are keen to further immerse themselves in nature, just outside the hotel is a secret garden of Eden that spans 3600sqm and comprises of more than 56 000 plants. Nestled in the forest is The Café by Aman specialising in premium pastries and teas from around the world.
The Oberoi, New Delhi, India
Born in 1965, The Oberoi is one of the most beloved hotels in India. Situated on over five acres of land that sits away from busy roads, the hotel epitomises tranquillity and resembles a green oasis.
After a two-year refurbishment in 2018 by designer Adam Tihany, the lobby features a sleek black and white marble floors with accents of turquoise, gold and cranberry red, perfectly fusing heritage with contemporary design without any missteps. Its recent renovation did not only extend to the aesthetics of the hotel, but now also promises global-standard clean air, enabled by the installation of advanced air filters, particularly necessary in a pollution-plagued city.
The new designs of the hotel emulate chicness and glamour, juxtaposed with contemporary artworks and Indian antiques. Guests in the deluxe suite are greeted with views of Humayun’s Tomb, with a bedroom and bathroom that overlooks a grand golf course.
Their 220 rooms, including 34 suites, come with vast windows, desks, armchairs, televisions, a Nespresso machine, iPads and docking stations to control the room’s air temperature, lights and even a curtain opening to the ‘prayer direction’ which points towards Mecca. Greeting their guests by name, the staff are super attentive and helpful. The hotel also houses indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa treatment rooms, a ballroom and a business centre.
Goes without saying, the food and drink served are incredibly delectable. The fine-dining restaurant, Omya, which translates to ‘beautiful’, incorporates contemporary Indian menus which have been curated by Alfred Prasad, the youngest Indian chef with a Michelin star.
To Book Your Trip to One of These Gorgeous Resorts Right Now, Click here.
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