The 16 Best Luxury Hotels in Asia: Unforgettable Stays for 2024-25

From jungle hideouts in Indonesia to elegant palaces in India...

Written by

Rachel O’Leary

Published on: November 18th, 2024

Last updated: December 5th, 2024

Asia is an incredibly vast and diverse continent, home to endless destinations and alluring attractions. It’s also where you’ll find some of the world’s most spectacular hotels – from tropical escapes and secluded villas to urban oases and ornate palaces.

To help you get inspired for your next adventure, we’ve asked our team of travel designers to pick their favourite places to stay across Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. Here are the best luxury hotels in Asia, according to the experts.

1. Capella Hanoi – Hanoi, Vietnam

Best for historic glamour

Walking into Capella Hanoi is like stepping straight into the Roaring Twenties. This exceptionally opulent hotel in Hanoi is inspired by opera and Art Nouveau. Its impeccable design, exceptional dining and fantastic spa make it one of the best places to stay in Vietnam.

Take me to Capella Hanoi

2. Aman Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan

Best for exquisite cuisine and culture

Tokyo has a reputation for world-class cuisine, with more Michelin stars than any other city. And Aman Tokyo is the perfect place to enjoy it, featuring chic design and privileged views. You might want to time your visit with the cherry blossom season between March and April or see the autumn leaves lasting between November and December.

Take me to Aman Tokyo

3. 137 Pillars – Chiang Mai, Thailand

Best for boutique luxury and charm

For personalised service and privacy in the cultural capital of Thailand, 137 Pillars is hard to beat. Located in the fascinating city of Chiang Mai, this boutique hotel offers lavish suites, lovely gardens and several excellent dining options.

Take me to 137 Pillars

4. Rosewood Phuket – Phuket, Thailand

Best for seaside relaxation

Picture yourself reclining on a white sand beach, gazing out at the turquoise waters of Phuket with a refreshing cocktail in hand. That’s exactly what awaits you at Rosewood Phuket – one of the top hotels in Thailand for a luxurious beachside retreat.

Take me to Rosewood Phuket

5. Four Seasons Tented Camp – Chiang Rai, Thailand

Best for thrilling adventures

Immerse yourself in the lush forests of Thailand at Four Seasons Tented Camp, situated near the charming mountain town of Chiang Rai. Here you can enjoy all kinds of adventures, including Mekong River cruises, before retiring to your spacious and elegant tent.

Take me to Four Seasons Tented Camp

A woman sitting in a large, round hot tub on a wooden veranda looking out at a green valley with forested mountains on the horizon

6. Song Saa Private Island Resort – Song Saa, Cambodia

Best for privacy and sustainability

If you want to completely disconnect and explore the coastal wonders of Cambodia, Song Saa Private Island Resort is the clear choice. This sustainable resort prioritises sustainability, while also providing an incredibly exclusive experience in the pristine Song Saa islands.

Take me to Song Saa Private Island Resort

7. Shinta Mani Wild – Cambodia

Best for nature and wildlife

At Shinta Mani Wild you can get up close and personal with Cambodia’s natural beauty. Located in the largely untouched Wild Cambodia, it’s both a peaceful haven and a hub of exciting activities. Stay in an isolated and comfortable tent to fully enjoy the wilderness.

Take me to Shinta Mani Wild

8. Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho – Quy Nhon, Vietnam

Best for cultural immersion and epic views

The enormous resort of Bai San Ho is set on a remote peninsula near Quy Nhon. Here you can choose from lovely villas set among green hills, beside tranquil rice paddies or right on the beach, and get to know the local culture, history and cuisine of this region of Vietnam.

Take me to Bai San Ho

9. NIHI Sumba Island – Sumba, Indonesia

Best for a secluded island getaway

On the striking island of Sumba, time seems to stand still. Here you’ll find NIHI Sumba Island, one of the finest hotels in Indonesia – and in fact the world. Flanked by immaculate forests and beaches, it promises superb luxury while respecting the local environment and culture.

Take me to NIHI Sumba Island

10. Capella Ubud – Bali, Indonesia

Best for a peaceful wellness retreat

Relax and unwind at Capella Ubud, a one-of-a-kind tented lodge tucked deep into the wilderness of Ubud, Bali. Take a dip in your own private saltwater pool, practice yoga and pilates, indulge in spa treatments or simply soak in the scenery of this Indonesian paradise.

Take me to Capella Ubud

11. Alila Uluwatu – Bali, Indonesia

Best for stunning ocean vistas

Minimalist design and sustainable principles are at the core of Alila Uluwatu, a clifftop oasis in the mystical region of Uluwatu, Bali. Whether you’re sipping a drink at the bar, swimming in the infinity pool or relaxing in your villa, you’ll be treated to some of Indonesia’s best views.

Take me to Alila Uluwatu

12. Ceylon Tea Trails – Tea Country, Sri Lanka

Best for enjoying the outdoors in style

There’s no better place to experience Sri Lanka’s famous Tea Country than Ceylon Tea Trails: a timelessly elegant resort with magnificent mountain views. Here you can stroll through the tea plantations, enjoy a peaceful picnic or head inside for a cosy cup of tea by the fire.

Take me to Ceylon Tea Trails

13. Wild Coast Tented Lodge – Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Best for chic design and safaris

There’s no spot quite like Wild Coast, a distinctive luxury lodge set within Yala National Park. Its tented Cocoon Suites blend seamlessly into the foliage, with a wonderfully secluded beach just steps away. Yala is also one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see leopards in the wild.

Take me to Wild Coast Tented Lodge

14. Six Senses Fort Barwara – Rural Rajasthan, India

Best for royal splendour and spa treatments

Six Senses Fort Barwara is housed in a 14th-century fort that’s been transformed into a temple of luxury, including an extensive spa. It’s the ideal home base for exploring Rural Rajasthan and the culture of this part of India – or going in search of the region’s wild tigers.

Take me to SIx Senses Fort Barwara

15. Taj Lake Palace – Udaipur, India

Best for refined lakeside luxury

Dating back to the 18th century, Taj Lake Palace looks like it came straight out of a postcard. This ornate palace sits on the shores of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, India. It offers an array of unforgettable experiences, from its panoramic rooftop to private dining on the water.

Take me to Taj Lake Palace

16. Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Best for authentic local experiences

Just beyond the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap, you’ll find the rural paradise of Phum Baitang. This incomparable hotel features stilted villas, an intriguing cocktail lounge, seasonal Cambodian cuisine and the opportunity for all kinds of cultural excursions.

Take me to Phum Baitang

Luxury Asia hotel FAQs

What should I expect from a luxury hotel in Asia?

While staying at luxury hotels in Asia you should expect high levels of service, attention to detail, amenities, great food and a considered approach to sustainability practices. For luxury hotels in remote and rural areas, and nature reserves, you might find the focus is more on the incredible experience, rather than facilities and amenities.

Are luxury hotels in Asia family-friendly?

Many luxury hotels in Asia are family-friendly. Larger resort style hotels will offer children’s clubs, family and interconnecting rooms and dining options for little ones. We also find that hotels that have swimming pools and gardens (as many of our favourite Asia hotels do) are perfect for family travel. Multi-generational families will enjoy meeting together in the large indoor and outdoor communal areas found in some of your favourite hotels too.

What kind of unique experiences can I expect at luxury hotels in Asia?

Luxury hotels in Asia offer a plethora of experiences. The types of activities you can expect will typically centre around the location your hotel is in. Beachfront hotels will have paddleboards and boat trips, city hotels will offer ways for you to experience aspects of city life and hotels in the wilderness will offer nature walks or bird watching. Lots of hotels will now extend invitations to guests to explore their sustainability practices, such as taking a walk in the kitchen garden with the chef, picking ingredients for dinner.

What sustainable practices do luxury hotels in Asia follow?

Many of our favourite luxury hotels in Asia adopt a wide range of sustainable practices. Remote properties might be concerned with wildlife protection and wild-space conservation, whereas a city hotel might aim to source produce and amenities from small-scale organic farms. We find the most common practices across all hotels are investing in renewable energy such as solar panels or geothermal systems, water conservation, waste management, plastic reduction, carbon offsetting and ensuring cultural preservation and upliftment, through a variety of social, educational and medical programs.