SWEET SEVENTEEN

Growing up in Indonesia, turning 17 was a significant milestone for me. It traditionally marks one’s passage into adulthood—and is the age when you can (finally) apply for a driver’s license, vote in elections, and legally drink and go to the club. So much has changed in the 17 years since the pages of our very first issue rolled off the printing presses back in 2001. We’ve seen the emergence of disruptors like Airbnb in the travel industry, incredible leaps in the realm of commercial aviation, and a new breed of must-visit destinations. Take Komodo National Park and the neighboring island of Flores in eastern Indonesia; I was there recently to attend the opening of the area’s first five-star resort. Ten, maybe even five years ago, I would have considered it the preserve of intrepid divers and wildlife enthusiasts.

The cover story of DestinAsian’s 17th anniversary issue is, of course, our annual Luxe List. We’ve compiled 35 firsthand reviews of the best new hotels that have opened across the Asia-Pacific region in the past 12 months. These range from tented villas at Capella Ubud, promising a jungly Bali getaway travelers the world over dream of, to glamorous high-rise lodgings in Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai. There’s bound to be at least one that tickles your fancy.

Other feature stories are as varied as they come. Jonathan Hopfner takes stock of the steady revival that is unfolding in the Hong Kong neighborhoods of Jordan and Yau Ma Tei; award-winning photographer Frédéric Lagrange captures Mongolia’s boundless landscapes and people; Johnny Langenheim recounts his visit to La Gomera, the least-known of Spain’s Canary Islands; and Lara Dunston rounds up the five most exciting new restaurants in Bangkok. Flicking through these stories one last time before they are sent to the printers, I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come in the past 17 years.