For amazing surrounds, great food and zen spa treatments, look to the East. Here, we round up the latest luxury hotels in Asia
The Jungle Experience: Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, Indonesia
The new Buahan resort from the Banyan Tree brand is its first with a ‘No Walls, No Doors’ concept, meaning limited barriers between you and nature – just the occasional thin veil for privacy. Located in a remote area of Bali, Indonesia, near a small village, surrounded by jungle, with majestic peaks in the distance, next to the Ayung River and a waterfall, the resort itself consists of 16 balés (villas), each with 180-degree panoramic views, plus the open kitchen and living room areas to help create a sense of community. The food menu is 70 per cent plant-based, with a zero-waste, farm-to-table policy, and you can also try the Botanist Bar and the Toja Spa, meditate, swim in the pool, or enjoy a variety of cultural experiences during your stay. Book Now
The Beachfront Paradise: Explorar Pawapi Koh Mook, Thailand
Located on an unspoilt stretch of private sandy beach on the island of Koh Mook in Southern Thailand’s secluded Trang province, this waterside resort is the first from Asia’s newest hotel brand, Explorar (which means ‘Explore’ in Spanish). The 23 rustic bungalows and villas are located directly on the beach, with an open-air restaurant offering authentic Thai cuisine, a beach snack bar and pool, private beach spa salas, and staff able to arrange a number of activities locally, from Thai cooking classes to beach yoga. One of the Explorar concepts is the Walls of Discovery, where guests are invited to post photos and stories of their Koh Mook experiences on a wall next to the main lobby, ready to inspire the next travellers who visit. Book Now
The Tropical Island: Regent Phu Quoc, Vietnam
The first hotel in South East Asia from IHG’s luxury Regent brand is opening this spring, located on Phu Quoc island, off the southwest coast of Vietnam. Regent Phu Quoc has 126 villas and 176 suites, from one-bedroom accommodations to expansive pool villas with direct beach access. Traditional architectural styles feature throughout, but there is also bespoke modern artwork to be found adorning the walls. There are six restaurants and bars to experience, as well as The Spa at Regent Phu Quoc, plus the island – half of which is a National Park, with its lush tropical forest declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve – to explore. The hotel even offers the Regent Catamaran, allowing you to see it all from the water. Book Now
The City Tower: Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen, China
Housed within the top floors of UpperHills, a striking new 79-storey building in the southern China city of Shenzhen – just 14 minutes from Hong Kong by high- speed train – is Mandarin Oriental’s latest luxury hotel. Each of its 178 rooms and suites enjoy parkland and city views, with features that include marble bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes, Diptyque toiletries, Dyson Supersonic hair dryers and Bose Bluetooth speakers. There is also The Mandarin Club on the 78th floor, where guests can relax, a signature spa, gym, and a 20m indoor swimming pool. The highlight among the eight restaurants is the fine-dining Cantonese, helmed by the Michelin-starred Chef Fei, and the rooftop MO Bar is also worth checking out. Shenzhen itself is a fantastic modern city. Book Now
The Urban Getaway: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, Japan
At the time of writing, entry to Japan for international travellers is still very limited, which means the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, opening at the height of the pandemic, will have served mainly domestic visitors so far. But as soon as restrictions lift, this could change quickly. Occupying the highest floors of a new 39-storey tower, there are 170 guest rooms and 20 suites on offer, as well as the lavish Imperial Suite on the 38th floor. With amazing views of Tokyo’s skyline, the hotel also looks onto the Imperial Palace, with its forested grounds. For a bite, head to the 39th floor, where Italian food at Pigneto and Est from Michelin-starred chef Guillaume Bracaval await. The Spa, a gym and a 20m swimming pool can also be found here. Book Now
The Long Weekender: Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, The Maldives
This could be the perfect Asian retreat if you prefer a shorter flight. Recently opened, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is a 154-villa resort on the island of Thilamaafushi, just a 35-minute seaplane journey north of The Maldives’ Velana International Airport. The location itself is stunning, with the island spanning nine hectares, abundant with indigenous flora and fauna, and enveloped by a lagoon and coral reefs teeming with manta rays and turtles. There are six restaurants and bars within the resort, mixing global tastes with local produce, and the Explore Spa by Le Méridien, which offers treatments from sustainable international brands. Stay here for fitness and yoga, take an art class, or indulge in one of the many conservation programmes. Book Now
Read Next: Five International Exhibitions To Visit This June
