As big fans of the Hoshinoya brand (also known as the ‘Aman of Japan’ – go figure!), we were thrilled to find out the group was opening a resort in the tiny hot spring enclave of Guguan in Taiwan’s mountainous heartland. Predictably, they brought along a heavy dose of Japanese finesse, but managed to seamlessly…
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The benefits of living in Bangkok? Beach resorts are just a quick, 50-dollar flight away. We hopped over to Phuket for a long weekend of fun in the sun as guests of the Banyan Tree Phuket – here’s what we thought of it: The immediate surroundings (a gigantic golf complex and loads of serviced apartments) and…
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Chiang Mai has no shortage of posh resorts, but most of them are either miles out of town, or are missing that boutique-y touch that makes a hotel stay so memorable. 137 Pillars House, however, delivers effortlessly on both fronts. The resort’s location is hard to beat: set along a quiet street in the Wat…
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Picture this: a pristine island covered in lush jungle, fringed by eye-blindingly white beaches, crystal clear water, and with tropical birds fluttering around. Now plunk in 42 casitas, state-of-the-art facilities and several restaurants, and you’ve got yourself a little paradise called Amanpulo. I stayed at the resort for two nights as part of a press…
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Before our stay, a mention of ‘The Sukhothai’ evoked images of celadon tableware, perfectly crisp linen, and price tags that would only be appropriate for very special occasions. As it turns out, only one of those is false. Designed by hospitality guru Adrian Zecha (Aman), interior designer Ed Tuttle and Australian architect Kerry Hill (who…
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Entering the tall atrium of the Okura Prestige in Bangkok will likely evoke a slight sense of confusion. With its kimono-clad staff and subdued Japanese design it looks and feels like you’ve just dropped big bucks on a posh stay in the heart of Tokyo, but you’re actually positioned at a plum location on Bangkok’s…
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Thanks to a top-notch airport and affordable direct flights from many cities throughout the region, Hong Kong is the perfect city for a quick weekend away. Fly in on a Friday evening, and fly out two days later for a laid-back weekend of world-class shopping, great food, and fantastic scenery. We’re sharing some of our…
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Finding a charming boutique stay in Mumbai can be a challenge. Sure, you have the Taj, the Oberoi and a plethora of international luxury chains, but small-scale, design-driven boutique hotels are few and far between. A standout is Abode Bombay in the heart of South Mumbai’s bustling Colaba district. Set in a beautiful historical building…
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What is it with the French and their ways of making any space look effortlessly chic? Staying at Scarlette, a small-scale boutique hotel in New Delhi, feels like entering the set of an ELLE Decor or AD shoot, complete with carefully arranged magazine stacks and precisely positioned picture frames, but peppered with a heavy je…
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Judging from the pompous palace hotels dotted around Jaipur and its surroundings, the Rajasthani’s know a thing or two about luxury stays. However, the over-the-top combinations of velvet drapes and gilded pillars are not everyone’s cup of chai (it’s certainly not ours), so stumbling upon the newly-opened 28 Kothi brought a huge relief. Set inside…
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