BEST HOTELS & RESORTS
Despite the continued disruptions to travel, this year’s selection of winning properties speaks to readers’ unwavering passion for exceptional standards of hospitality. Turn the page to find out which places made the top 10 list (and earned gold, silver, or bronze distinctions) in 17 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region.
AUSTRALIA
1 Park Hyatt Sydney
Its location alone—on the waterfront in Sydney’s historic Rocks district—has cemented this 155-room Park Hyatt’s status as a perennial favorite among readers. A rooftop pool with jaw-dropping Harbour Bridge and Opera House views plus a collection of commissioned art by prominent Australian artists only add to its appeal. 2 Four Seasons Hotel Sydney 3 Hilton Sydney 4 The Fullerton Hotel Sydney 5 Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour 6 Grand Hyatt Melbourne 7 Crown Melbourne 8 Sofitel Melbourne on Collins 9 The Westin Perth 10 QT Gold Coast
CAMBODIA
1 Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Originally opened in 1929, Phnom Penh’s undisputed grande dame is more inviting than ever thanks to a recent restoration project. Parisian-style all-day brasserie Le Phnom 1929 is a new addition to the culinary lineup, while the legendary Elephant Bar remains a popular haunt for afternoon tea and happyhour cocktails. 2 Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa 3 Rosewood Phnom Penh 4 FCC Angkor by Avani 5 Park Hyatt Siem Reap 6 Shinta Mani Angkor 7 Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh 8 La Résidence d’Angkor 9 The Balé Phnom Penh 10 Amansara
CHINA
1 The Peninsula Shanghai
Drawing on the art deco elegance of Shanghai’s prewar heyday, The Peninsula Hotels’ flagship property in Mainland China occupies generous grounds at the northern end of the historic Bund waterfront. The service, design, and facilities—including three elegant restaurants and a glamorous, glassroofed swimming pool— are all impeccable. 2 Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund 3 Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai 4 The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan 5 Rosewood Beijing 6 Pudong Shangri-La 7 Bulgari Beijing 8 Four Seasons Beijing 9 Grand Hyatt Beijing 10 Park Hyatt Guangzhou
HONG KONG
1 Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
This elegant harbor-front hotel ticks all the boxes with excellent service, two three-Michelin-starred restaurants, and a scenestealing rooftop deck. A recent refurbishment has introduced handsomely redesigned guest rooms and conservatory-inspired cocktail bar Argo, which became an instant hit when it opened last July. 2 Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong 3 The Upper House 4 Conrad Hong Kong 5 Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong 6 The Hari Hong Kong 7 The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong 8 The Murray 9 Rosewood Hong Kong 10 Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
INDIA
1 The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
Dating back to 1903, this iconic harbor-side hotel is one of Mumbai’s most beloved and instantly recognizable landmarks. It houses 550 rooms and suites spread between the original red-domed heritage building and the adjacent tower wing, alongside nine restaurants and bars and a hammam-equipped spa. 2 Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai 3 Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur 4 The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur 5 Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur 6 Alila Fort Bishangarh 7 The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra 8 The Leela Palace Udaipur 9 The St. Regis Mumbai 10 Hilton Mumbai International Airport
INDONESIA
1 The Apurva Kempinski Bali
A standout even among the stiff five-star competition of southern Bali’s Nusa Dua enclave, this 475room relative newcomer (it opened in 2019) comes with a stunning cliff-top lobby, a transformative spa, and a gamut of dining options including Koral, the island’s first aquarium restaurant. It’s also home to L’Atelier by Cyril Kongo, the internationally acclaimed graffiti artist’s exclusive studio in Bali. 2 The Ritz-Carlton, Bali 3 Andaz Bali 4 Four Seasons Resort Bali At Jimbaran Bay 5 Grand Hyatt Jakarta 6 Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta 7 Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort 8 The St. Regis Bali Resort 9 Conrad Bali 10 Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach
JAPAN
Immortalized on film in 2003’s indie hit Lost in Translation, the sleek Park Hyatt has a magic of its own beyond the silver screen. The timeless interiors are the work of Pritzker Prize– winning architect Kenzo Tange and designer John Morford, while its perch high above the streets of Shinjuku affords sublime views of Mount Fuji when the weather allows. 2 Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto 3 Palace Hotel Tokyo 4 Aman Tokyo 5 Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo At Marunouchi 6 Conrad Tokyo 7 Imperial Hotel Tokyo 8 Oakwood Premier Tokyo 9 The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka 10 The St. Regis Osaka
MACAU
1 The St. Regis Macao
This may be the world’s largest St. Regis hotel (there are 400 rooms), but it’s downright diminutive compared to some of its neighbors on Macau’s glitzy Cotai Strip. Sumptuously appointed rooms come with 24-hour butler service, and the St. Regis Bar’s Macanese version of the Bloody Mary, dubbed the Maria do Leste, is worth the visit alone. 2 Sheraton Grand Macao 3 The Venetian Macao 4 Grand Hyatt Macau 5 Banyan Tree Macau 6 Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip 7 Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16 8 Galaxy Hotel 9 Conrad Macao 10 Wynn Macau
MALAYSIA
1 Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
The Bangkok-based Anantara brand’s first Malaysian outpost debuted in late 2019 with 108 rooms, suites, and villas overlooking lush gardens and the South China Sea. The resort’s architecture takes its cues from traditional Malay kampong houses, while guided nature walks, two swimming pools, and alfresco dining experiences make the most of the tropical setting. 2 The Datai Langkawi 3 Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur 4 Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur 5 Pangkor Laut Resort 6 Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur 7 Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara 8 W Kuala Lumpur 9 Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur 10 Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia
MALDIVES
1 Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
The opportunity to snorkel with manta rays is just one of the draws at this private-island resort in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its rich marine life. Other enticements include an overwater spa, six excellent bars and restaurants (one of which is underwater), and a ring of powder-soft sand lapped by turquoise lagoon waters. 2 Four Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru 3 W Maldives 4 Soneva Jani 5 Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort 6 Cheval Blanc Randheli 7 Niyama Private Islands Maldives 8 Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort 9 InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort 10 Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
NEW ZEALAND
1 Hilton Auckland
This nautically inspired property on Auckland’s Princes Wharf features 165 light-filled rooms, an outdoor heated pool with an underwater viewing window, and a restaurant that showcases ethically caught local seafood. 2 Park Hyatt Auckland 3 QT Queenstown 4 Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa 5 Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour 6 InterContinental Wellington 7 Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences 8 Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa 9 QT Auckland 10 Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - Mgallery
PHILIPPINES
1 Shangri-La Boracay
Reached by private speedboat, the Shangri-La is set amid lush grounds on Boracay’s secluded northwest coast. Its 219 rooms, suites, and villas (some with outdoor whirlpool baths) are spread out across 12 hectares and are accented with handwoven abaca rugs and capiz shells; there’s also a sprawling spa complex. 2 Shangri-La The Fort, Manila 3 Conrad Manila 4 Okada Manila 5 Discovery Shores Boracay 6 The Peninsula Manila 7 Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila 8 Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan 9 Fairmont Makati 10 Raffles Makati
SINGAPORE
Southeast Asia’s only Andaz city hotel sports André Fu–designed interiors that draw inspiration from the surrounding neighborhoods of Kampong Glam and Bras Basah Bugis. A must-visit for its panoramic views and killer cocktails is the 39thfloor rooftop bar, Mr Stork. 2 Raffles Singapore 3 The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore 4 Four Seasons Hotel Singapore 5 The Fullerton Hotel Singapore 6 The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore 7 The Fullerton Bay Hotel 8 The St. Regis Singapore 9 Shangri-La Singapore 10 Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore 1 Andaz Singapore
SOUTH KOREA
1 Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
This 317-room property in the Gwanghwamun area is strikingly modern, but many traditional touches lurk beneath its glassand-steel facade, from elaborate wooden screens to paper lanterns. Its seven restaurants and bars, which include sultry speakeasy Charles H., are attractions in their own right.
2 Grand Hyatt Seoul 3 The Shilla Seoul 4 Signiel Seoul 5 Lotte Hotel Seoul 6 Park Hyatt Seoul 7 Conrad Seoul 8 The Westin Josun Seoul 9 Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel 10 Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul
TAIWAN
1 Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Taipei’s top-ranked property is reminiscent of a grand European hotel, replete with swaths of marble, silk, and leather. The decadence extends to the two-story spa, a trio of Tony Chi–designed restaurants, and the convivial, art deco–inspired M.O. Bar. Afternoon tea in the Jade Lounge is another not-tobe-missed indulgence.
2 Grand Hyatt Taipei 3 Regent Taipei 4 Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei 5 W Taipei 6 Kimpton Da An Hotel 7 Humble House Taipei 8 The Okura Prestige Taipei 9 Éclat Hotel Taipei 10 Le Meridien Taipei
THAILAND
1 Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
Combining the Kempinski brand’s rich European heritage with the gracious traditions of Thai hospitality, this resort-style property next to Siam Paragon mall is centered on a lush garden area with multiple saltwater swimming pools. The culinary offerings include Michelin-starred Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin. 2 Anantara Chiang Mai Resort 3 The St. Regis Bangkok 4 Park Hyatt Bangkok 5 Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok 6 Banyan Tree Samui 7 Conrad Bangkok 8 Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok 9 The Sukhothai Bangkok 10 Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
VIETNAM
1 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort Designed by Bill Bensley, InterContinental’s flagship Vietnam property cascades down a hillside to a glittering blue cove. Guests can join the resident zoologist on a guided trek into the surrounding hills to spot rare red-shanked douc langurs or take lessons in rowing a traditional basket boat. Dining at La Maison 1888, created by acclaimed French chef Pierre Gagnaire, is a particular treat.
2 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
3 Park Hyatt Saigon
4 Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
5 Capella Hanoi
6 Anantara Hoi An Resort
7 JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
8 The Reverie Saigon
9 Anantara Mui Ne Resort
10 Caravelle Hotel