asia hotels

A sand-dusted, turquoise playground paradise for all generations

This pioneering heritage hotel is the perfect introduction to Nepali culture.

A luxury stay amid some of Japan’s most beautiful temples and rural scenery

Bangkok’s first hotel is still, despite some extremely stiff competition from more recent arrivals, its best.

Up-close leopard encounters in a corner of Rajasthan where conservation is as important as comfort.

A fixture in the heart of the Vietnamese capital since 1901

At Gangtey Lodge travel-weary guests are greeted with a welcome song so powerful it reduced our party to tears, a hot towel, sweet tea by the fire, and a five-minute massage. “We wanted to create something for the backpackers that now want a little more luxury,” says Khin Omar Win, who co-owns the lodge with husband Brett Melzer. Luxury here comes in the form of personalized meals but also silence, space, and a sense of being cocooned by the sweet-natured staff who anticipate your every need. From $700. —Anna Prendergast

This hotel is much like a cabinet of curiosities and so the vibe is eclectic, hedonistic, and easy-going. Lazy breakfasts lead into lazier lunches and dinners that end when you retire. In between, you could go carpet shopping and visit local attractions, trusting that your G&Ts will be waiting upon your return. You could also view the city as you lounge by the hotel’s rooftop pool and get yourself a massage during which Bach Flower remedies are used. However you play it, you’ll probably leave humming that Edith Piaf number “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.” You’ll find the lyrics painted across the red piano in the foyer. From $150. —Prasad Ramamurthy

A palatial 32-acre hilltop estate that belonged to the former ruler of Hyderabad.

Hong Kong’s grande dame continues to shine as one of the best hotels in the world

A low-rise retreat on the smartest end of Bangkok’s hotel spectrum

A fitting vantage for one of the most romantic sites in the world

A hush-hush hideaway in one of Phuket’s loveliest corners.

A jewel of a resort on the Island of the Gods

This palace hotel nestled in the green Aravalli hills offers a window into Jaipur’s art, culture, and experiences.

A retreat that brings guests to nature as much as to the traditions of central Kyoto.

A tranquil mountaintop escape connecting travelers to the essence of Bali

Experience the charm of Beijing up close.

With a one-million-dollar facelift and a new restaurant, The Siam continues to reign as Bangkok’s most accomplished urban hideaway.

Set on a verdant cliffside above the Indian Ocean, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is quite the eyeful: The resort, whose two distinct levels are connected by a soaring glass elevator, contains 313 suites and villas, six restaurants and bars, and a spectacular pool that hovers over the threshold of the Indian Ocean. You'll want to book a dinner at Bejana, for authentic Indonesian cuisine—the sambal udang, a dish of Kalimantan-style King prawns and tomato-chili relish, might nearly distract you from your view of the ocean below.