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Simply the Best

“I have the simplest of tastes, I am always satisfied with the best.” Oscar Wilde

Magnificent views, lavish living spaces, impeccable service— nothing but the best is what today’s top-tier resort-goers expect, whether in a remote destination or a bustling city. Added to the list are rich cultures, warm and friendly people, unspoiled beaches, private pools, decadent dining and full-service spas. Not surprisingly, Asia’s luxury resorts offer all these and more, having set the standard, years ago, for what the luxury traveler wants—and expects. From a yoga resort in the hills of Bhutan to a stilted villa above a blue lagoon in the Maldives, there is an unmatched range of luxurious accommodations available in Asia to satisfy those looking to escape and well as those in search of a one-of-a-kind experience. Beach resorts, hill resorts, spa resorts, health resorts, golf resorts—there is something for everyone. All the resorts showcased in this book epitomize grandeur and opulence and inimitable Asian hospitality. But what makes them really stand out, what makes them so irresistible, even addictive, luring travelers back time and time again, is the way in which all the modern-day taken-for-granted amenities are packaged and presented in a veneer of unique local architecture and culture. It is the fusion of the traditional and the contemporary that is at the heart of the Asian resort appeal.

The dramatic Ocean Beach Pool at the bottom of the cliffside AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali.

The Asian resorts covered here are scattered throughout a vast area sandwiched between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, stretching from the United Arab Emirates in the west to Bhutan and the Maldives in the center to Japan, Taiwan, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia in the east. Most of the beachside and island resorts, for those who seek the best beaches and dive spots, are located along a broad band straddling the equator, from the Maldives in the middle of the Indian Ocean to the vast Indonesian archipelago bordering the Pacific Ocean. Blessed with a tropical climate, it is the landscape of these idyllic getaways in the Maldivian archipelago, the west coast islands of Malaysia, Phuket and Koh Samui in Thailand and the island of Bali in Indonesia that greets and entrances the first-time visitor—and the returnee: swaying palms, lush green foliage, pristine powdery white beaches, crystal-clear azure waters, exotic cultures and friendly people.

Tenkuh-no-Mori on Kyushu Island, Japan, overlooks the mist-shrouded Kirishima Mountains.

Picturesque water villas on stilts at Kanuhura's azure blue lagoon, the Maldives.

All of these resorts are designed to cope with life in the tropics, with its bright sunlight, high humidity and monsoon rains. All draw on and reinterpret rich and diverse local architectural styles to create resorts suitable for modern living, and all use traditional materials—bamboo, alang-alang grass thatching, wood, stone and slate—in their architecture to create spaces that are cool and do not absorb the intense heat. Many of the resorts are light and breezy, with open areas and high roof spaces designed to maximize natural ventilation. Broad verandahs, screened patios, cool courtyards and steeply pitched roofs with wide eaves and deep overhangs provide shade. The use of timber discourages heat from entering, and window louvers and other similar devices filter light. All these delightful qualities add to the comfort, tranquility and beauty of the buildings. Some of the most enchanting tropical resorts featured here are set over water and accessed by boardwalks. Others cling to the sides of steep cliffs. Most have contemporary spatial organizations, yet successfully combine traditional features with modern-day needs and tastes.

In the interior design of these tropical resorts, guests are treated to a showcase of the “Asian look.” Wooden floors made of teak or other local hardwoods create a feeling of underfoot luxury, while patterned ceramic tiles or marble slabs are cool to the touch in bathrooms and public areas. The furniture, furnishings, arts and crafts that contribute to the beautiful interiors illustrate how the talents of local crafts people—recipients of traditional skills passed down through the generations—have been harnessed to create a wide variety of decorative items. Vibrant handwoven bed and table runners, stunning wall hangings and intricately carved wooden screens imbue a sense of place and authenticity and add touches of color to otherwise muted tones. Much of the furniture, predominantly of teak, represents a melding of East and West, a reinterpretation of influences, be they Asian or European, through an innate sensitivity to Asian culture. Particularly luxurious are the resorts’ bathrooms. Spacious sanctuaries that harness design possibilities using the rich array of raw materials available in Asia, many sport tubs for two looking out to private water-filled courtyards and luxuriant foliage. Others take the essence of the tropical river bath and adapt it to the Western needs of privacy and luxury with walled, open-to-the sky bathing places.

Life in the tropics has always been about living out of doors. Most of the beachside and island resorts in this book, as well as the hill resorts in the tropical uplands of Southeast Asia, highlight the relationship of the architecture to nature and blend harmoniously into their natural surroundings. Palm trees predominate on the islands of the Maldives, but lushly landscaped gardens, often terraced, form an integral part of most other tropical properties, merging the dwellings with their surroundings, blurring the distinction between the interior and the exterior, and providing relief from the heat and glare. An artful blend of exotic plants and trees is invariably interspersed with meandering pathways, pools, fountains, streams, bridges, lichen-clad terracotta pots, sandstone bas-reliefs and stone and wood statuary. Gardens are often set against a backdrop of mist-shrouded rain forest or towering limestone cliffs. In northern Thailand, working rice paddies form an innovative and fascinating part of the landscaping, while in upland Indonesia and Malaysia tea and coffee plantations contribute to stunning vistas. Whatever their location, the gardens of all the resorts offer delights not just with their colors, forms, textures and compositional arrangements, but also through their fragrances and essentially contemplative qualities.

Lushly landscaped gardens at Rayavadee, Krabi, Thailand.

Yoga amidst the rice paddies at the Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

In the cooler climes of Bhutan, Japan, Taiwan and Korea, splendid views of misty forested mountains, cultivated plains and settlements, gurgling rivers and steaming hot springs soothe the senses. Nature treks, hiking and mountain biking are on offer for the physically active. Here, too, the focus is on health and well-being and a resort’s spa, often designed around mineral hot springs, is generally its reason for being. Spas have also become a significant feature of the tropical resorts of the equatorial belt, offering an extensive menu of authentic massages, pampering body treatments and other wellness therapies in beautifully appointed open-air pavilions or indoor rooms. Most integrate traditional Asian medicinal practices, particularly Ayurvedic practices, with Western philosophies to produce a wide array of slimming, detoxification and revitalizing therapies, and most employ exclusively designed spa products based on the healing properties of local aromatic ingredients. Spiritual and holistic treatments like yoga, reiki and meditation classes conducted in serene landscaped settings are a popular option. Some spas offer new and quirky treatments, such as crystal and gem therapy.

Attention to all things culinary is also important in Asia and many of the resorts’ restaurants focus on dishes prepared with local ingredients, some grown organically on the premises. Produce fresh from the sea is a feature of the restaurants at beachside and island resorts. At some resorts, guests, including an increasing number of die-hard “foodies,” can also take cooking classes and learn about the local culture through the dishes—after they have visited the local market to help purchase the ingredients.

The hospitality industry in Asia not only offers a wide range of luxury resort options for the affluent tourist but also the opportunity to absorb Asia’s rich cultural heritage and a huge array of outdoor activities suited to the warm, tropical climate. Local events and festivities are complemented by cultural visits to local markets, crafts villages, museums, temples and tribal settlements. For those who love the sea, the pristine beach resorts in the Maldives, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia that are highlighted in this book have some of the finest beaches and dive spots in the world. The whole gamut of water activities is available for both the novice and the experienced adventurer—surfing, snorkeling, waterskiing, parasailing, kayaking, scuba diving, high-speed rafting and game fishing. Complementing the sea, a magnificent swimming pool—or often pools—usually with a dramatic infinity edge, is invariably a focus of Asian resorts. Whether it is a luxurious resort inspired by sun, sea and sand or a cool-clime resort that capitalizes on its unusual mountain or river setting, this book contains a visual feast of the best Asian-inspired resort experiences.

A sweeping view of the Paro Valley from the hillside Uma Paro resort.

The snow-clad Himalayas viewed from the pass at 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) above sea level.