Enchanting Asian Resorts For A Warm Winter

From the serene shores of Vietnam’s Son Tra Peninsula to the cultural depths of Kyoto and the verdant valleys of Bhutan, Asia’s latest luxury resorts offer more than just a stay — they provide transformative experiences. These meticulously designed properties marry architectural brilliance with natural beauty, creating sanctuaries that immerse guests in the best of their surroundings. Whether you’re seeking high-performance sustainability in Singapore or intimate escapes on Tioman Island, each resort delivers its own unique blend of comfort, culture, and sophistication. Be it local staycations or far-flung escapades, LUXUO’s list of luxury hotels will suggest the perfect getaway with your loved ones this festive season.

Intercontinental Danang, Vietnam

Views of the Son Tra Peninsula from the pool. Image: Intercontinental Danang.

Located just outside Danang, Vietnam, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is roughly a 40-minute from the city’s traffic-free airport. “Monkey Mountain” is the resort’s nickname, so monkey sighting is to be expected. The 197-key property occupies 39 hectares of the peninsula, including 700 metres of private beach. Be warned that the resort is remote, so don’t expect to hop into town quickly or to eat outside the property easily during your stay. There are no restaurants or shops near the resort. Once you check-in, you’re here to stay. For example, if you want to take a day trip to Hoi An, you’d face about a one-hour drive each way.

Whimsical designs pepper the interior; designed by Bill Bensley. Image: Intercontinental Danang.

Bill Bensley, a quirky architect and interior designer known for his lively personality, created the rooms and common areas to impress visitors. Expect a fantastic experience as you take in Benley’s quirky, artistic, expressive, and colourful style inspired by traditional Vietnamese design with opulent and modern components. To stimulate the senses, the resort’s primarily black-and-white design incorporates splashes of colour. An example would be the main restaurant, Citron, which has a homogeneous décor with lime green and yellow touches. Visitors can have a magnificent dining experience at the Michelin-starred La Maison 1888, where they can savour its culinary pearls with a Gallic flair.

The property offers creature comforts, lifestyle conveniences and plenty of lush greenery. Image: Intercontinental Danang.

The facility, which runs down a cliff and is separated into four levels —Sea, Earth, Sky, and Heaven — is administered by employees who transport visitors using a pulley system called Nam Tram. If visitors are not in a hurry, they may also use golf buggies to navigate the property and take in the well-kept gardens and verdant surroundings. The Intercontinental Danang is a fantastic retreat for those who value privacy and a warm welcome.

https://www.danang.intercontinental.com

The Standard Singapore

The Standard Singapore is nearby to Orchard Road – Singapore’s famous shopping district. Image: The Standard Singapore.

Are you in the market for a staycation? With 143 rooms, the much-awaited The Standard, Singapore, is set to open its doors shortly. Designed by the Ministry of Design, the interior features various curvy elements, such as a wooden deck ceiling that sprawls over the bed and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.

The modern interior features curvy details. Image: The Standard Singapore.

The Standard aims to provide a unique visitor experience with its signature dining and entertainment options and a peaceful infinity pool surrounded by a lush botanical garden. Among the many facilities available to visitors are conference spaces, a fitness centre, and various cultural and artistic events. In keeping with Singapore’s environmentally conscious culture, the property is dedicated to a Green Plan. Furthermore, Singapore’s famous UNESCO Singapore Botanical Gardens are easily accessible by foot from the hotel.
https://www.standardhotels.com/singapore/properties/singapore

Boathouse Pulau Tioman, Malaysia

Enjoy sea views and beach-focused activities. Image: The BoatHouse, Pulau Tioman.

Nestled along the pristine west coast of Tioman Island in Malaysia, HPL Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Singapore-listed Hotel Properties Limited and operator of hospitality establishments in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region, has announced the opening of a new resort called The Boathouse Pulau Tioman, which opened in the first quarter of 2024.

Modern trappings set in cosy, resort-chic comfort. Image: The Boathouse Pulau Tioman.

This hotel will be HPL Hotels & Resorts’ newest addition to The Boutique Collection. The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands, Casa del Mar Langkawi, Casa del Rio Melaka, and The Boathouse Phuket are more hotels. The Boathouse Pulau Tioman is a picturesque haven on a remote beach where visitors may enjoy native simplicity at its best. It is reachable by boat from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. All 31 bungalows are made of locally obtained renewable wood and are designed like typical Malay houses, drawing inspiration from nature. A common hall for informal gatherings and celebrations is available, along with an infinity pool, beachfront bar, and all-day dining.

Flying to Kuala Lumpur and then taking a bus or rail to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok, where you may board a ferry to the island, is how one gets to the resort. Another option is to travel four to six hours by bus or train to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok, where you can board a ferry to the island. The third option is to take a ferry from Singapore to Pulau Tioman; depending on the weather, the trip could take 2.5 to 4 hours. Boathouse Tioman is a cheap retreat that lets you relax with a jungle and beach experience.
https://boathouse-tioman.com/

Umana Bali, Indonesia

Modern resort furnishings and stylish decor dominate the interiors. Image: Umana Bali.

Enjoy the sea wind, ocean views, and beach life at Umana Bali, a brand-new resort that Hilton debuted in November, and that was created by the international design firm WATG and Wimberly Interiors. A hand-blown chandelier in the lobby that takes its shape from the native Legong Keraton dance is one example of how the design idea combines features like sculptures of Balinese dancers with lighting and furnishings that draw inspiration from local tales, customs, and themes.

There are 72 luxurious villas to choose from, each with an infinity-edge pool and an outdoor hot tub for relaxing soaks whenever you choose. These opulently large buildings, which range in size from 4,337 square feet (the one-bedroom villa) to 12,916 square feet (the three-bedroom villa), entice guests to stay inside and take in the small pleasures of a beachside getaway.

Be prepared to take in arresting sea views at this posh property. Image: Umana Bali.

When you’re ready to explore, take advantage of the direct access to the immaculate beach from your lodging and enroll in customised itineraries designed by the guest experience team to make the most of your trip. These may include cooking lessons, kite building, stargazing, and helicopter rides to see Mount Batur’s peak. Lastly, savour lunch at any of the hotel’s five restaurants and bars, paired with Bali-produced wines, and take advantage of several additional amenities, such as a spa, a fitness centre, and a kids’ club where you can schedule individual and group wellness sessions.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dpsolol-umana-bali-resort/

Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, Japan

Pared-down aesthetics and a calming interior greet guests. Image: Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto.

Travelers have long been drawn to the old city of Kyoto because of its customs, rich cultural legacy, and famous historical sites. Located next to the bamboo forest that leads up to the well-known Kiyomizu-dera temple, this hilltop property honours the city’s rich artistic heritage with a Noh stage as its most distinctive feature. It is currently the first and only hotel in Kyoto to have such a cultural venue. The property is nestled in Kyoto’s Gion and Higashiyama “geisha” districts.

The 52-room Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, which will open later this year, offers vistas of the surrounding vegetation and old neighbourhoods. Kengo Kuma & Associates’ architectural design was constructed around the site’s mature trees, maintaining the compound’s existing stone retaining wall while compacting the construction.

Enjoy modern spa services. Image: Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto.

Hashimoto Yukio Design Studio’s guest room interiors feature natural materials and contemporary Japanese design features. Design Worldwide Partnership’s public spaces have a similarly minimalist look meant to highlight the area’s peaceful ambience.
https://www.banyantree.com/japan/kyoto

Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore

The Jenga-like architecture devised by WOHA Architects for Pan Pacific Orchard. Image: Pan Pacific Orchard.

Pan Pacific Orchard was the only hotel in Singapore to receive the World Selection designation from UNESCO’s Prix Versailles, one of the top architectural and design awards in the world in 2024.

The Pan Pacific Orchard was named one of the world’s 16 most exquisite new hotel debuts by the World Selection Award. The lone hotel in Singapore to make the list is the 23-storey, 347-key establishment, which debuted in June 2023. Renowned architects WOHA redesigned it and renovated it for US$22 million.

The Hanok Heritage House in Yeongwol, South Korea, won the Prix Versailles top prize for hotels. The Dolli in Athens took home a special award for exterior design, while the Ned Doha took home a special honour for interior design. W Macau, Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, and Pulso Hotel in Sao Paulo, while the others were awarded World Selection titles.

Modern amenities and thoughtful aesthetics abound in the room’s interior. Image: Pan Pacific Orchard.

Visit St. Gregory, our opulent spa for hotel visitors, to experience profound rest and renewal. The hotel is situated on Orchard Road, a premier dining, shopping, and hospitality district providing many unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors.

With 7,300 square meters of vegetation spread across four cut-out terraces—Forest (floors 2-3), Beach (5–10), Garden (floors 11–16), and Cloud (18–23)—the towering structure is a breathtaking sight, resembling a tropical Jenga tower. Hotel services are provided on the fourth and seventeenth floors. Chef Pedro Samper of San Sebastian serves Peruvian-meets-Mediterranean fare at the all-day eatery Mosella, a naturally light-filled, spacious area.
https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-orchard-sg.html

AndBeyond Punakha River Lodge, Punakha, Bhutan

Bhutanese decor and tent-like details create a glamping experience. Image: AndBeyond Punakha River Lodge.

The Himalayan nation of Bhutan is already a popular tourist destination on many people’s wish lists. Another compelling reason to visit is the AndBeyond Punakha River Lodge. The property’s valley setting in Punakha, northeast of Thimpu, offers peaceful views of the Mo Chu River and the surrounding mountains. Six safari-style tented rooms and two private pool villas are part of the property, which pays homage to traditional Bhutanese architecture and the picturesque setting.

Indulge in a bath and enjoy the sensory experience. Image: AndBeyond Punakha River Lodge.

The hotel may set up outdoor activities that allow you to take in the beauty of nature in addition to visiting the adjacent famous Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten monument. Enjoy paddy field meals and riverside picnics alongside mountain biking, kayaking, swimming, and trekking adventures. Moveable feasts will be served, allowing guests to eat outside in the most picturesque locations carefully chosen to let city dwellers forget about the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
https://www.andbeyond.com/our-lodges/asia/bhutan/punakha/andbeyond-punakha-river-lodge/

Rissai Valley, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Jiuzhaigou, China

Escape to Rissai Valley to witness the jaw-dropping mountain views: Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Travel to Jiuzhaigou, China’s Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a breathtaking resort that looms over picturesque views of alpine mountains, turquoise lakes, lush woods, and imposing waterfalls. The American architectural firm WATG created its 87 houses, which are set up in the shape of a typical local town in an “endless Tibetan knot.”

The late, famous Indonesian design icon Jaya Ibrahim created its interiors, decorated in vibrant colours inspired by Jiuzhaigou’s gem-hued lakes waterfalls and local craft customs. John Pettigrew’s designed garden, which includes native species to complement the breathtaking mountain views, completes the tranquil appearance.

A warm and cosy interior courts chic Chinese decor. Image: Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

In addition to organising everything from meditation sessions, outdoor lunches, and daring treks to cultural events with Tibetan traditional dance and music, a dedicated host for each villa will handle the finer points of your visit. Families will love the kid-friendly indoor and outdoor amenities and activities that will keep the little ones occupied during their stay, and the infinity pool is the ideal location for a picturesque dip.

https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/jzhrz-rissai-valley-a-ritz-carlton-reserve/overview

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