Asia Luxury Experiences Map

Maldives

Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas

9.2

From November to April the dry season has calm clear water and sunny days near 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the busy season for overwater villas on private resort islands. Whale sharks swim in South Ari Atoll through the year, so snorkelers often see them on a morning boat trip.

Highlights:

🌌 Watch a glowing beach at night on Vaadhoo Island
🦈 Snorkel with reef sharks and manta rays at Hanifaru Bay
🏝️ Stay in an overwater villa surrounded by turquoise lagoon

Singapore

Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens

9.5

Like a garden city with skyscrapers, the island has the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, steel tree like towers up to 160 feet tall that light up at night. Luxury hotels are close to hawker centers, open air food courts where a plate of chicken rice costs a few dollars.

Highlights:

🏮 Wander through Chinatown’s temples and traditional shophouses
🌳 Visit Gardens by the Bay and its iconic Supertree Grove
🌆 Admire the futuristic skyline from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

Tokyo

Japan's capital of temples, towers and food

9.7

Ginza is a district of flagship stores and sushi counters with only a handful of seats, where chefs serve each piece by hand. The city has more Michelin starred restaurants than any other in the world while skyscraper hotels in Shinjuku have views of Mount Fuji on clear winter days.

Highlights:

🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
🍣 Savor sushi at a local eatery

Niseko

Hokkaido powder snow and four linked resorts

8.2

Mount Yotei, a cone shaped volcano 6,227 feet high, rises over Niseko, where more than 500 inches of light powder snow falls each winter. Skiers finish the day in outdoor onsen hot spring baths while luxury chalets in Hirafu have fireplaces and ski in ski out access.

Highlights:

🚵‍♀️ Explore mountain biking trails in Twin Peaks Bike Park
🧗‍♂️ Take a thrilling zipline ride at Hanazono Resort
🎿 Ski or snowboard on world-class powder snow

Kyoto

Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining

9.2

Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868 so the old city still has ryokan, traditional inns with tatami rooms and private gardens. Dinner is kaiseki, a multi course meal of tiny seasonal dishes, while geiko, as geisha are called in Kyoto, perform in the teahouses of Gion.

Highlights:

⛩️ Climb the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
🍱 Experience Japan’s beautifully presented Kaiseki dining at a traditional restaurant
🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning

Bhutan

Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails

8.5

Spring and fall have clear skies and mild days, which is when Paro Tsechu is held, a festival with masked dances at the Rinpung Dzong fortress in March or April. The trail to Tiger's Nest monastery climbs to about 10,200 feet while a daily visitor fee keeps the number of travelers low.

Highlights:

🌄 Admire Himalayan panoramas from Dochula Pass’ 108 chortens
🎉 Join a colorful Buddhist festival at Punakha Dzong
🏔️ Hike to the cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro

Best luxury destinations in Asia