Tamil Nadu
A different Chettiar charm inhabits this gorgeously renovated, French-run mansion from 1910, 6km east of Kanadukathan. Rooms combine the traditional and…
Must-see hotels in Asia
Palawan
The Philippines' top resort has one of the remote Cuyo Islands all to itself and can be reached only by private plane from Manila. The island is ringed by…
The Gobi
This is the most comfortable place to stay. The big draw is the log-and-stone restaurant-bar, reminiscent of a Chinese–style temple, the smart gers with…
Kuala Lumpur
It’s hard to believe you’re in the heart of KL when staying at this gorgeous boutique property that epitomises Southeast Asian chic. The black polished…
Chitwan National Park
A minimalist palace set in lush grounds, Kasara Resort easily wins the best design award among Chitwan lodges. Where else does the entryway to your villa…
Kyūshū
In a word: gorgeous. Also: rambling and minimalist, with 100-year-old woodwork, a pine garden and Karatsu-yaki pottery for your in-room seafood meals. Koi…
Ubud
Set in a spectacular river valley enclosed by rice fields, this stunning Ritz Carlton resort is the size of a small village. It's replete with facilities …
Luang Prabang
With its stunning hilltop grounds, seamless service and stylish wood rooms, Luang Prabang's first luxury hotel minted revivalist Indo-chic. The infinity…
Jaipur
The legendary Pearl Palace continues to exceed guests' expectations with excellent rooms that defy their tariffs. There’s quite a range of rooms to choose…
Tokyo
Overlooking the Imperial Palace from atop Ōtemachi Tower, this outstanding hotel incorporates natural materials – including dark stone walls, blonde wood…
Siem Reap
This beautiful resort feels like a boutique Cambodian village. Rooms are set in spacious, elegantly furnished wooden villas, some with private pools, and…
Bangladesh
One of Bangladesh's most exciting and innovative accommodation options, the Mermaid Eco-Resort is a series of low-impact coastal bungalows raised on…
Borobudur
Set in a magnificent garden of mature hardwoods, abundant creepers and outrageous sprigs of orchids, this boutique hotel (3km east of the monument) offers…
Dushanbe
Not the newest but arguably Dushanbe's top address weaves traditional colours, fabrics and woodwork into a bright 21st-century tower topped by a rooftop…
Punjab (India)
Built as a garden palace for Maharaja Rajinder Singh, this nostalgic heritage hotel is Punjab’s most graceful place to spend a night. The enormous,…
Bangkok
Zoom back to the 1930s in this retro-chic riverside heritage hotel, where art deco influences, marbled floorings, plantain-lined aqua courtyards and…
Luang Prabang
This beautiful compound of villas (one is the former house of the Lao Red Prince) boasts stunning rooms with huge beds, fine furniture and a decorative…
Phnom Penh
Housed in an elegant French villa, this immensely popular and atmospheric place kick-started Phnom Penh's boutique-hotel obsession. All rooms have…
Yogyakarta
Right in the heart of the city, this historic hotel is easily the best in its class and is a Yogya landmark. Dating back to 1918, it’s been sensitively…
South Lombok
The aptly named Heaven on the Planet has units scattered along a cliff's edge, from where you'll have spectacular bird's-eye views of the sea. Others are…
Dhaka
This brand new hotel markets itself for the business crowd but is tricked out like a funky boutique number. Stylish furniture and wall decorations give a…
Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel
Dhaka
Perfectly located for the airport and Cantonment train station, the Radisson Blu might look close to a busy highway, but the rooms themselves mostly look…
Varanasi
Varanasi's most expensive hotel is set in the beautifully renovated former palace of the local maharaja. Its 10 rooms ooze luxury and refinement,…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
Russ the Kiwi has everything covered in Donguri, high above Hakuba. The dorm rooms are tight, but communal lounge, kitchen and party rooms make this a top…
Guwahati
In a quiet residential area, this delightful place run by ex-professor Shiela and her husband, Mahesh, is one of the best homestays in India. The property…
Dhaka
Everything about this small but top-quality hotel, from the modern glass bathroom fittings to the rooftop pool and the excellent restaurant, is simply…
Panaji
The Panjim Peoples is an atmospheric and beautifully restored heritage hotel with just four enormous upstairs rooms in what was formerly the Peoples High…
Southern Atolls
Six Senses Laamu is an amazing place, combining thoughtful luxury, rustic simplicity, outstanding culinary options and plenty of activities. The island…
Southern Atolls
This gorgeous resort, spread between two lush islands, is an extremely impressive fusion of alluring white beaches, ultra-high-end accommodation and…
Northeastern Thailand
Bunloed and Angelina (he's Thai, she's French) welcome guests to this charming cluster of self-built huts they call home on the edge of peaceful Ban Kham…
Orchha
Thanks to this successful and popular homestay program, started by the non-profit organisation Friends of Orchha in 2009, travellers have a wonderful…
Central Java
Housed in a faded but charming art deco structure built in 1926, Vogels is a backpacker institution that's barely changed since it opened in 1978 – even…
Himachal Pradesh
If money was no object, regal Wildflower Hall would be almost anyone's top choice of lodgings in Himachal Pradesh. It looms like a modernist Bavarian…
Southern Laos
Run by a Lao-Italian family, the Kingfisher Ecolodge is set on 7 hectares at the edge of the wetland, about 700m past Kiet Ngong village. It's a beautiful…
Odisha
This gorgeous rural four-room lodge, made of local materials and decorated by tribal artists, is run by Heritage Tours. Activities on offer include half-…
Lodges Ekologika on Portibi Farms
West Java
Set on the terraced slopes of Gunung Salak (2211m), this organic farm and gourmet kitchen has developed a reputation for imaginative meals crafted from…
Odisha
Run by Aussie Leon, this is an earthen-walled refuge with beautiful terracotta flooring, a colourful sari ceiling and five contemporary rooms. The Western…
Shimla
Some 40 steps down through a barely signed green gate take you from busy Cart Rd into a magical forest-garden wonderland. Here nestles this wonderfully…
Naoshima
A stay at this unique Ando-designed hotel-museum is a treat for art and architecture enthusiasts. Accommodation is in four different wings – Museum, Oval,…
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
This is one mountain resort that actually deserves to be called Shangri La. The long way in resembles the movie version of Lost Horizon, the book that…
