Hikkaduwa & Around
The five rooms in this colonial-style villa are spacious and well tended, making it excellent value. Major pluses are the friendly owner and staff and the…
Must-see hotels in Asia
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South Coast
Nestled deep in Botum Sakor National Park on the banks of the wildlife-laden Prek Tachan River, Cardamom Tented Camp is both a model ecotourism success…
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Chitwan National Park
Chitwan's leading lodge is still on Top. Tiger Tops was the very first lodge in the park, before it even was one, and later helped lobby for the park's…
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The Gobi
To experience Three Camels is to know the epitome of the upscale Mongolian ger camp experience. Visitors stay in luxurious gers, which are decorated with…
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The Gobi
Nomadic Journeys operates this splendid tourist camp in the reserve, about 50km drive from Shiveegobi train station. Guided wildlife walks, multiday camel…
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Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
The jewel of Nyūtō, Tsuru-no-yu is the epitome of the Japanese ryokan: discreet, atmospheric and sumptuous. At every turn there's another picture-perfect…
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Maharashtra
This astonishing choice hidden away in forested mountains 16km south of Lonavla buries the competition for the state's best hotel. The 28 pine and red…
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Assam
Easily the best place to stay in the Kaziranga area, this superb resort 15km west of Kohora near Bagori Police Outpost, combines fine luxuries and top…
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Kathmandu
No expense has been spared on this superb palace-style building, from the dramatic entrance of Newari water pools to the modern Malla-style architecture…
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Sichuan
Organised by the Khampa Nomad Ecolodge, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stay with a genuine nomad family in their tent. Don't expect anything about…
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Raja Ampat Islands
Centrally located from many of Raja Ampat's finest diving spots and land-based excursions, this year-old, intimate private-island resort simply has it all…
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Kathmandu
For stylish design and sheer romance, this outstanding hotel is unbeatable; if you’re on your honeymoon, look no further. Over 40 years the owners have…
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Panaji
One of the original heritage hotels in Fontainhas, the Panjim Inn has been a long-standing favourite for its character and charm. Run by the lovely…
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Anhui
There is no better way to experience the extravagant villas of the Huizhou merchants than to spend a few days living in one, waking for breakfast…
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Central Java
Nestled in a 22-hectare coffee plantation, the Mesa Stila Resort is one of Indonesia’s most magical hotels. At an altitude of 900m, the forest gives way…
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Mumbai (Bombay)
This five-star, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified hotel channels the most luxurious local character. The details are…
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Lhasa
Lhasa's most stylish accommodation comes thanks to the Songtsam chain, which runs seven boutique lodges in the Tibetan area of Yunnan. The 50 rooms here…
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Northern Kerala
This fabulous, plastic-free beachfront ecoresort consists of 18 sleekly designed thatch-roof cottages inspired by Kerala fishers' huts, with voguish…
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Nagarkot
The only five-star property in Nagarkot, the newly opened Mystic Mountain is a steal at this upper-midrange price. With the exception of some growing…
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Manila
Two five-star hotels in one skyscraper. The Raffles consists of 32 stunning suites on the 9th and 10th floors. They feature high ceilings, wooden…
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Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
The grand old dame of Singapore has seen many a famous visitor in her time, from Somerset Maugham to Queen Elizabeth II. It's a beautiful place of white…
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Downtown Kyoto
Operating for more than three centuries, Tawaraya is one of the finest places to stay in Japan. From the decor to the service to the food, everything is…
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Mumbai (Bombay)
The grande dame of Mumbai is one of the world’s most iconic hotels and has hosted a roster of presidents and royalty. Sweeping arches, staircases and…
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Chiang Rai Province
If you can fit it into your schedule (and budget), this safari-inspired resort is among the most unusual accommodation experiences in Thailand. The ‘tents…
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Manila
One of Asia’s grand and regal hotels, where everyone from General MacArthur to the Beatles to JFK has spent the night. It’s more than 100 years old, yet…
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Tokyo
In creating this contemporary ryokan in the heart of Tokyo, Hoshinoya has barely put a foot wrong, overcoming a location boxed in by office towers…
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Bardia National Park
Run by the same pioneering team as Tiger Tops in Chitwan, this top-end lodge is set on the southern edge of the buffer zone near Thakurdwara and offers…
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Lhasa
The renovated Kyichu is a friendly and well-run choice that’s very popular with repeat travellers to Tibet. Rooms are comfortable and pleasant, with…
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Shillong
This superbly designed resort among lush woodlands is a gem of a getaway. Abundant use of wood, thatch and earth tones gives a soothingly rustic feel, but…
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Izu Peninsula
Hugely popular with travellers, this 100-year-old riverside ryokan is an architectural treasure and an absolute steal. Japanese-style private rooms simply…
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Kansai
Running for seven generations, this is a fantastic ryokan for a splurge. It excels at everything: beautiful rooms arranged around a central garden; onsen…
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East Bali
A resort in the true sense of the word, Komune offers everything needed for an active and enjoyable holiday. The surf here is among Bali's best, although…
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Manila
The lower-budget sister of Cocoon is hardly a downgrade. Rooms are slightly smaller, but efficiently designed with open closets and lovely room dividers…
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Con Dao Islands
This astonishing hotel enjoys a dreamlike location on the island's best beach, 4km northeast of Con Son town. Its 50-or-so ocean-facing, timber-clad beach…
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Manila
With a soaring lobby lounge punctuated by floor-to-ceiling bay windows and sequoia-sized columns, the Shangri-La wins the award for Makati’s most stunning…
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New Delhi
Classicism meets art deco at the Imperial, which dates from 1931 and was designed by FB Blomfield, an associate of Lutyens. Rooms have high ceilings,…
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Phnom Penh
From the golden age of travel, this is one of Asia’s grand old dames, in the illustrious company of the Oriental in Bangkok and Raffles in Singapore. This…
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Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Easily the chicest place to stay in the Andamans, this ecoconscious British-owned luxe-boutique hideaway is built into a banana-and-betel-nut plantation,…
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Downtown Kyoto
This elegant ryokan has long been favoured by celebrities from around the world. Facilities and services are excellent and the location is hard to beat…
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Agra
Following Oberoi's iron-clad modus operandi of maharaja-level service, exquisite dining and properties that pack some serious wow factor, Agra's best…
