Best luxury destinations in Asia
Best luxury destinations in Asia
Five-star boutique resorts and high-end wellness retreats in Asia
Asia's luxury travel offer spans an extraordinary range, from the refined ryokan traditions of Japan and the palace hotels of the Indian subcontinent to the ultra-modern resort developments of Southeast Asia and the private island retreats of the Indian Ocean. The continent contains some of the world's most celebrated luxury properties, where historic architecture, exceptional service cultures and natural settings of considerable drama combine to produce experiences unavailable elsewhere.
The service cultures of several Asian countries have produced hospitality traditions that set the benchmark for attentive and personalised guest experience at the global level. Private villa and residence formats have become deeply embedded across Southeast Asia's luxury offer, with dedicated staff, private pools and bespoke itinerary services delivering a level of personalisation that larger hotel formats struggle to match regardless of their star rating.
The most sought-after luxury properties across the continent book out well in advance and specialist agents with direct relationships consistently deliver better access and value than direct booking. Costs vary considerably across the region with some of Asia's most exceptional luxury experiences available at price points well below equivalent properties in Europe or North America, while Indian Ocean island resorts sit at the higher end of global luxury travel costs.
Lists by region
City in United Arab Emirates
Dubai
Glamour, Adventure and Desert Charm
Like a city from the future built in the desert, Dubai has the Burj Khalifa, which rises 2,717 feet above the streets. Desert camps outside the city serve dinner under the stars after dune drives while Palm Jumeirah has beach resorts on an artificial island shaped like a palm tree.
State/Prefecture in China
Macau
Where East meets West in style
On the Pearl River Delta about 40 miles west of Hong Kong, Macau has the Cotai Strip, a row of giant casino resorts with spas and fine restaurants. In the old town, Portuguese churches and tiled squares are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site while egg tarts are sold at nearby bakeries.
City in China
Shanghai
A dazzling mix of modernity and tradition
Shanghainese take evening walks on the Bund, a riverfront promenade lined with 1920s Art Deco banks and hotels, to watch the lights of the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River. Old jazz bars stay open late while designer boutiques and cafes fill the leafy streets of the French Concession.
Island in Thailand
Phuket
Beaches, Culture and Nightlife
The smell of grilled seafood and lemongrass is in the air at beach restaurants on Kamala Bay at sunset. Private yachts leave from the island's marinas for day trips to Phang Nga Bay, where limestone cliffs rise from green water, while spa resorts have villas with private pools.
City in Qatar
Doha
Where modern luxury meets tradition
Falconry is a Qatari tradition while Souq Waqif, an old market rebuilt in traditional style, has shops selling falcons wearing leather hoods next to a falcon hospital. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I. M. Pei, stands on its own island at the end of the waterfront promenade.
Country
Bhutan
Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails
Spring and autumn 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 travellers low.
Country
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
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 centres, open air food courts where a plate of chicken rice costs a few dollars.
District in Indonesia
Nusa Dua
Bali’s Luxe Beaches and Calm Waters
The Indonesian government planned this gated resort area in the 1970s while today it has beach hotels, golf courses and spas beside calm water inside a protective reef. Visitors gather at Water Blow, where waves hit the rocks and spray shoots high into the air.
State/Prefecture in China
Hong Kong
Where East Meets West
Victoria Peak, 1,811 feet high, has views over the skyscrapers and harbour, reached by a steep tram that has run since 1888. In the evening the city has dozens of Michelin starred restaurants and rooftop bars while tailors in Central make suits in a few days.
Town in Japan
Niseko
Hokkaido powder snow and four linked resorts
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.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
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.
Region in Indonesia
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
Between Java and Lombok in Indonesia, the island has cliffside resorts above the Indian Ocean with private pool villas and spas, while Uluwatu Temple stands on a cliff about 230 feet above the waves. Dinner on the beach in Jimbaran is grilled seafood at tables in the sand.
City in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
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.
Country
Qatar
Desert luxury meets coastal charm
On a small peninsula in the Persian Gulf, the country has the Inland Sea, a tidal lagoon ringed by tall sand dunes near the border with Saudi Arabia. Desert camps nearby have dune drives and dinners in tents under the stars, while camel races take place near Doha in winter.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
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 snorkellers often see them on a morning boat trip.
City in China
Sanya
Tropical Beaches and Island Vibes
Sanya has warm sunny days near 80 degrees Fahrenheit from November to March when northern China is freezing. Winter guests fill the resorts of Yalong Bay, a crescent of white sand about 4.5 miles long with private villas, spas and palm lined paths along the water.
Town in Indonesia
Ubud
Bali's Cultural and Spiritual Heart
Painters such as the German artist Walter Spies and the Dutch artist Rudolf Bonnet moved to Ubud in the 1920s and 1930s, starting an art tradition that continues in the Neka Museum and village galleries. Luxury villas in the jungle have private pools above the Ayung River gorge.
Shopping Street in Singapore
Orchard Road
Singapore's Shopping and Cultural Hub
Orchard Road got its name from the fruit orchards and nutmeg plantations that grew here in the 1800s. Today the 1.4 mile boulevard has luxury malls, designer flagship stores and rooftop bars, while the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a short walk away.
City in United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
Modern luxury meets rich traditions
Cool marble underfoot and a hushed courtyard are part of a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which has 82 white domes that glow gold at sunset. On nearby Saadiyat Island, beach resorts have private villas and a museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, sits under a huge dome of light.
City in Oman
Muscat
Where mountains meet Arabian sea
Compared with the glass towers of other Gulf cities, Muscat has low white buildings between rocky mountains and the Gulf of Oman, with the Royal Opera House and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Beach resorts to the south have private coves while Mutrah Souq sells frankincense, a sweet smelling tree resin.
City in Russia
Moscow
A grand city of history and power
Muscovites dress up for an evening at the Bolshoi Theatre, a red and gold hall with six tiers of seats that opened in 1825 and still stages ballet and opera. Across Red Square, GUM is a department store under a glass roof from 1893 with designer boutiques.
City in Laos
Luang Prabang
Laid-back charm by the Mekong River
Temple gongs and the quiet shuffle of barefoot monks are part of dawn on the old streets, where alms are given and boutique hotels in French colonial villas serve breakfast on shaded terraces. A short drive away the Kuang Si Falls drop through turquoise pools where swimmers cool off.
Resort in Singapore
Sentosa Island
Singapore’s Premier Island Resort
Sentosa Cove is a waterfront neighbourhood on the island with a marina where superyachts dock beside villas and restaurants. Golfers play the Serapong course, which has hosted professional tournaments, while beach clubs and spa resorts are a short drive across the causeway from the city centre.
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