Ultimate Luxury In South East Asia

It’s a mistake to think that South East Asia is a low-budget destination. In fact, some of the world’s best luxury hotels reside in these lands, famed for their flawless level of service, delicious fusion cuisine, and sublimely beautiful surroundings.

15 - SONEVA KIRI - Thailand, Koh Kood

A great option for families, the Soneva Kiri has a top range of restaurants, including the treetop dining option, which involves a bamboo pod set six metres up in the canopy. The trip to the hotel is part of the luxury experience; you’ll be collected by a private seven-seater plane to be swiftly delivered from Bangkok Airport to the hotel while enjoying a bird’s-eye-view of the picturesque Gulf of Thailand.

14 - THE NAM HAI- Vietnam, Hoi An

Five kilometres away from Hoi An – one of our top Vietnamese destinations – Nam Hai is a beachside resort set within 35 hectares of tropical gardens. The lavish hotel has three large swimming pools, a full-service spa, and the beach restaurant serves delicious fresh seafood.

13 - SIX SENSES NINH VAN BAY - Vietnam, Nha Trang

A short journey from Nha Trang, the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is an eco-luxe resort with 58 villas, all benefitting from 24-hour butler service and direct access to the beach. There’s even an in-villa wine cellar for those private dinners on the terrace, which is certainly a big selling point for us!

12 - BUNGA RAYA RESORT - Borneo, Kota Kinabalu

Arriving by speedboat from Kota Kinabulu, you’ll see that Bunga Raya is quite unlike other properties in Borneo. For an area of fairly rustic hotels and resorts, Bunga Raya is wonderfully stylish, with excellent service, 48 sleekly-designed villas surrounded by jungle and featuring private balconies, and three dining locations. Sealing the deal for this fabulous spot, are the private plunge pools, which overlook the pristine cove.

11 - FOUR SEASONS LANGKAWI - Malaysia, Langkawi

On the shores of Langkawi, the Four Seasons is a good spot for families, with plenty of activities and huge villas, but equally for couples, with indulgent soaking tubs for two.

10 - NIHIWATU LUXURY RETREAT Indonesia, Sumba

Blissfully remote, Nihiwatu is located on the tranquil shores of Indonesia’s West Sumba. With 2.5 kilometres of private beach, Nihiwatu is a really wonderful beach resort and perfect for couples or anyone with R&R in mind; there are two spas and a fabulous infinity pool, alongside plunge pools and private dining available, too.

9 - LA RESIDENCE PHOU VAO - Laos, Luang Prabang

In beautiful Luang Prabang (check out why it is one of our favourite destinations here), this hotel has a stunning outlook and effortlessly elegant style. La Residence Phou Vao has a wonderful infinity pool overlooking the lush jungle of Laos, dotted with the occassional golden pagoda. The decor is that of French colonial times, combining Lao heritage with European elegance – like the fusion food that is best enjoyed by candlelight in the pretty gardens.

8 - SONG SAA PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT - Cambodia, Song Saa

Still the best private island resort in Cambodia, Song Saa has 27 over-water villas, all luxuriously finished and made from sustainable materials. Water-babies will love the surroundings, with snorkelling, kayaking and swimming on offer, but for landlubbers there are also rainforest treks led by expert guides. Naturally, relaxation is the real order of the day here, so no one’s going to judge you if you simply spend your time getting pampered in the spa or sun-bathing by the infinity pool.

7 - FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMP GOLDEN TRIANGLE - Thailand, Chiang Rai

Don’t let the word ‘camp’ put you off: the accommodation at the Four Seasons Tented Camp is wonderfully opulent. There are stand-alone bathtubs and hot tubs out on the wooden terraces; king-sized beds; and Wi-Fi. There’s a bar and restaurant, serving western and local cuisine, and when you’re not relaxing in the elegant camp, you can take part in a traditional Thai elephant trek.

6 - AMANJIWO - Indonesia, Java

Aman Resorts are world leaders when it comes to luxury, so it’s no surprise to find more than one of their hotels in this list. However, the Amanjiwo stands out not just because of the fabulous, Asian-fusion design of the hotel, the spacious private terraces or the forty-metre infinity pool, but because of its incredible surroundings, set between four smoking volcanoes, amid dense jungle, and overlooking ancient Borobudur: the 9th-century Buddhist temple, Java‘s most famous sight.

5 - SIX SENSES CON DAO - Vietnam, Con Dao

Truly one of the most blissful resorts in South East Asia, the Six Senses Con Dao ticks all the boxes for those seeking a tranquil retreat away from the nine-to-five grindstone. Aside from the private infinity pools, the glittering sea views, the personal butler service, and the extensive range of spa treatments, the Six Senses Con Dao is one of our favourite resorts because it manages to combine five-star luxury with impressive eco credentials, committed to protecting the national park and marine park in which the resort resides.

4 - AMANDARI - Bali, Ubud

In gorgeously lush surroundings, encircled by the rainforest and rice terraces of Ubud, the Amandari is one of our top luxury hotels in South East Asia, and the infinity pool one of our favourites in the world (you can see a travel-lust-inducing list of gorgeous pools on our Facebook page). Each of the thirty suites and villas are walled off, so you can be assured of complete privacy. Space isn’t an issue either; there are garden courtyards and spacious living areas, along with a huge, outdoor sunken tub for a star-lit soak.

3 - ALEXA - Indonesia, Komodo Islands

One of the most luxuriant and indulgent ships sailing the Indonesian archipelago, the Alexa carries only two guests, who will be served by a crew of eleven. For couples and particularly honeymooners, this ship offered complete privacy and a truly romantic travel experience. Dine on deserted beaches by candlelight, or sip a cocktail on the deck, which you’ll have entirely to yourself.

2 - ALILA ULUWATU - Bali, Uluwatu

Alila Uluwatu cliff edge at sunset, Bali

Cool, super contemporary and perched atop a dramatic cliff on Bali’s southernmost coast, the Alila Uluwatu is a masterpiece is superb, suspended luxury. Sixty one open plan villas assure privacy and spoiling comfort, whilse the staff look after you handsomely. Dine, swim, eat, drink, indulge, excercise and relax in impeccable style.

1 - INIALA BEACH HOUSE VILLAS & SUITES - Thailand, Phuket

Outlandish, cutting-edge luxury. This pretty much sums up this truly extraordinary and opulent collection of private beach villas just north of Phuket. There are only three, three-bedroom villas and one penthouse here and what’s more guests staying here at Iniala receive an all inclusive, premier package that includes a private driver, butler, chef, spa therapist, house keeper and six hours (three for the penthouse) of spa treatments per day per villa. Oh, and two out of your three meals per day cooked by the three Michelin-starred chef Eneko Axta.

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