| Best Leisure Hotels & Resorts, Asia | back to the top |
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| ASIA | |
| 2008 Rank | 2007 Rank |
| 1. Amanpuri, Phuket | 1 |
| 2. Amandari, Bali | 3 |
| 3. Sofitel Metropole Hanoi | 9 |
| 4. The Legian Bali | 4 |
| 5. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay | 2 |
| 6. Grand Hyatt Bali The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur | 6 7 |
| 7. Bulgari Resort Bali | 13 |
| 8. Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island | 8 |
| 9. Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives Amankila, Bali Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru | 10 14 - |
| 10. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai | 19 - |
| 11. The Datai, Langkawi | 5 |
| 12. Twinpalms Phuket El Nido Resort Lagen Island, Palawan | 14 15 |
| 13. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa | 15 |
| 14. Anantara Maldives Resort & Spa | - |
| 15. InterContinental Bali Resort | - |
| 16. Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai | 16 |
| 17. The Chedi Chiang Mai | 20 |
| 18. The Oriental Bangkok | 12 |
| 19. The Imperial New Delhi The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam | 25 - |
| 20. The Sukhothai, Bangkok | 17 |
| 21. Banyan Tree Phuket Alila Ubud, Bali | 19 24 |
| 22. Le Méridien Angkor, Siem Reap | - |
| 23. Neemrana Fort-Palace, Rajasthan Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang | 24 - |
| 24. Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor Indigo Pearl, Phuket | 23 - |
| 25. The Venetian Macao The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei | - 12 |
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Perhaps the most romantic and coveted award is that of the Best Leisure Hotel & Resort in Asia, evoking visions of wondrous sun-dappled far pavilions, unblemished service and endless grape-fed pampering on white-sand beaches. Here again, out of a field of over 1,000, options were unlimited but readers narrowed things down, picking a range of resorts in diverse locations as well as a few signature city hotels that made the cut.
Ranked the Best Leisure Hotel/Resort in Asia, is the exquisitely-fashioned wood-and-silk Amanpuri, Phuket, whose Thai-style villas spill luxuriously down a coconut grove to one of the island’s best beaches. Amanpuri was voted in first place in 2007 too. It has held on to this position with the aid of the first ever Aman Spa by Amanresorts, a facility occupying a breezy promontory away from the resort villas to ensure privacy and space. The charming yet understated Amanpuri was aided in this vote by the continued popularity of Phuket as a top holiday getaway.
In second position (up one notch from third in 2007) is the atmospheric and faithfully traditional Amandari, Bali. Perched above Ubud’s Ayung River gorge, the resort’s private villa compounds wander down manicured green acres past a cliff-edge emerald pool towards the sacred waters of the river below. Amandari is authentic, uncluttered and a genuine retreat. Amandari was ranked first by SmartTravelAsia.com readers in 2006.
Not far behind and racing up to third place is an iconic city hotel, the Vietnam grand dame, the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi (ninth in 2007). This is a white, starched, colonial-era hotel with inviting nooks and corners, splendidly positioned right across from the much-photographed Opera House. It is one of those rare hotels that successfully combine business amenities and meetings options with a sense of romance.
Surfing in fourth on the back of the huge Bali wave and lending a contemporary chic feel to the happening Seminyak Beach area is The Legian Bali. This getaway has been popular with honeymooners and romantics, offering sports, spa facilities and a private club. The Legian was ranked 11th in 2006 and fourth in 2007. This is a hip and happening alternative to quieter classical villa retreats.
Ranked the second best Asian resort in 2007 (and 2006) and nudging down modestly to fifth position in 2008 is a huge Bali icon, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. This is a larger property perched atop a breezy hillside overlooking a long coastal stretch. Four Seasons offers elegant villas, several with private pools, spa treatments and panoramic views.
Sharing sixth spot are the refurbished Grand Hyatt Bali with extended conference and spa facilities, and The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, in Rajasthan, India. The Grand Hyatt Bali has been a mainstay of family holidays in Bali since its inception, with a battery of swimming pools and vast hectares of landscaped garden. It now sports a fine dedicated spa and extended meetings facilities. Udaivilas, in contrast, represents a classical ideal, soft ochre domes and colonnaded archways that seemingly float above the lake. Udaivilas climbs up one spot from 2007.
Ranked seventh (up from 13th in 2007) is the stylish and hip Bulgari Resort Bali, almost a Lan Kwai Fong by the Sea, to use a Hong Kong metaphor. Ultra chic, yet friendly, modern, yet maintaining a strong classical style, this is an exclusive escape for honeymooners and the smart set. The spa is a big attraction. Ranked eighth is the rebranded Conrad Maldives on Rangali Island. Sited in a breathtaking picture-postcard setting with emerald waters and sugar-white beaches, this large island resort was earlier a new-generation Hilton. It offers stilted over-water villas, a tremendous spa experience, and water sports to suit all tastes.
Sharing joint ninth place are the soothingly elegant Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives (up one position from 10th) with its over-water stilted villas; fellow Indian Ocean rival, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru; and swish cliffside Amankila Bali (up from 14th place in 2007). And jointly ranked tenth are swish Arabian Nights fantasy One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai (up from 19th in 2007), and the classic Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai. Spa specialist Mandarin is set in rice fields and its architecture mimics the ancient Thai heritage style complete with soaring spires, courtyards and scented trees. Others on our Top 25 List in this category have ear
| Best Leisure Hotels & Resorts, Asia | back to the top |
| |
| ASIA | |
| 2008 Rank | 2007 Rank |
| 1. Amanpuri, Phuket | 1 |
| 2. Amandari, Bali | 3 |
| 3. Sofitel Metropole Hanoi | 9 |
| 4. The Legian Bali | 4 |
| 5. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay | 2 |
| 6. Grand Hyatt Bali The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur | 6 7 |
| 7. Bulgari Resort Bali | 13 |
| 8. Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island | 8 |
| 9. Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives Amankila, Bali Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru | 10 14 - |
| 10. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai | 19 - |
| 11. The Datai, Langkawi | 5 |
| 12. Twinpalms Phuket El Nido Resort Lagen Island, Palawan | 14 15 |
| 13. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa | 15 |
| 14. Anantara Maldives Resort & Spa | - |
| 15. InterContinental Bali Resort | - |
| 16. Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai | 16 |
| 17. The Chedi Chiang Mai | 20 |
| 18. The Oriental Bangkok | 12 |
| 19. The Imperial New Delhi The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam | 25 - |
| 20. The Sukhothai, Bangkok | 17 |
| 21. Banyan Tree Phuket Alila Ubud, Bali | 19 24 |
| 22. Le Méridien Angkor, Siem Reap | - |
| 23. Neemrana Fort-Palace, Rajasthan Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang | 24 - |
| 24. Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor Indigo Pearl, Phuket | 23 - |
| 25. The Venetian Macao The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei | - 12 |
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|---|
Perhaps the most romantic and coveted award is that of the Best Leisure Hotel & Resort in Asia, evoking visions of wondrous sun-dappled far pavilions, unblemished service and endless grape-fed pampering on white-sand beaches. Here again, out of a field of over 1,000, options were unlimited but readers narrowed things down, picking a range of resorts in diverse locations as well as a few signature city hotels that made the cut.
Ranked the Best Leisure Hotel/Resort in Asia, is the exquisitely-fashioned wood-and-silk Amanpuri, Phuket, whose Thai-style villas spill luxuriously down a coconut grove to one of the island’s best beaches. Amanpuri was voted in first place in 2007 too. It has held on to this position with the aid of the first ever Aman Spa by Amanresorts, a facility occupying a breezy promontory away from the resort villas to ensure privacy and space. The charming yet understated Amanpuri was aided in this vote by the continued popularity of Phuket as a top holiday getaway.
In second position (up one notch from third in 2007) is the atmospheric and faithfully traditional Amandari, Bali. Perched above Ubud’s Ayung River gorge, the resort’s private villa compounds wander down manicured green acres past a cliff-edge emerald pool towards the sacred waters of the river below. Amandari is authentic, uncluttered and a genuine retreat. Amandari was ranked first by SmartTravelAsia.com readers in 2006.
Not far behind and racing up to third place is an iconic city hotel, the Vietnam grand dame, the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi (ninth in 2007). This is a white, starched, colonial-era hotel with inviting nooks and corners, splendidly positioned right across from the much-photographed Opera House. It is one of those rare hotels that successfully combine business amenities and meetings options with a sense of romance.
Surfing in fourth on the back of the huge Bali wave and lending a contemporary chic feel to the happening Seminyak Beach area is The Legian Bali. This getaway has been popular with honeymooners and romantics, offering sports, spa facilities and a private club. The Legian was ranked 11th in 2006 and fourth in 2007. This is a hip and happening alternative to quieter classical villa retreats.
Ranked the second best Asian resort in 2007 (and 2006) and nudging down modestly to fifth position in 2008 is a huge Bali icon, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. This is a larger property perched atop a breezy hillside overlooking a long coastal stretch. Four Seasons offers elegant villas, several with private pools, spa treatments and panoramic views.
Sharing sixth spot are the refurbished Grand Hyatt Bali with extended conference and spa facilities, and The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, in Rajasthan, India. The Grand Hyatt Bali has been a mainstay of family holidays in Bali since its inception, with a battery of swimming pools and vast hectares of landscaped garden. It now sports a fine dedicated spa and extended meetings facilities. Udaivilas, in contrast, represents a classical ideal, soft ochre domes and colonnaded archways that seemingly float above the lake. Udaivilas climbs up one spot from 2007.
Ranked seventh (up from 13th in 2007) is the stylish and hip Bulgari Resort Bali, almost a Lan Kwai Fong by the Sea, to use a Hong Kong metaphor. Ultra chic, yet friendly, modern, yet maintaining a strong classical style, this is an exclusive escape for honeymooners and the smart set. The spa is a big attraction. Ranked eighth is the rebranded Conrad Maldives on Rangali Island. Sited in a breathtaking picture-postcard setting with emerald waters and sugar-white beaches, this large island resort was earlier a new-generation Hilton. It offers stilted over-water villas, a tremendous spa experience, and water sports to suit all tastes.
Sharing joint ninth place are the soothingly elegant Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives (up one position from 10th) with its over-water stilted villas; fellow Indian Ocean rival, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru; and swish cliffside Amankila Bali (up from 14th place in 2007). And jointly ranked tenth are swish Arabian Nights fantasy One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai (up from 19th in 2007), and the classic Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai. Spa specialist Mandarin is set in rice fields and its architecture mimics the ancient Thai heritage style complete with soaring spires, courtyards and scented trees. Others on our Top 25 List in this category have earned this distinction out of a field of well over 1,000 prime candidates.
The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam, Le Meridien Angkor, Indigo Pearl, Phuket, and the sprawling The Venetian, Macao, are newcomers to our Top 25 List. Another hotel that found mention but just missed the cut is the stately E & O Hotel, Penang (or Eastern & Oriental Hotel). One reader described it thus: “Not over-the-top luxury, professional yet informal staff, sadly underrated and often overlooked.”
ned this distinction out of a field of well over 1,000 prime candidates.
The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam, Le Meridien Angkor, Indigo Pearl, Phuket, and the sprawling The Venetian, Macao, are newcomers to our Top 25 List. Another hotel that found mention but just missed the cut is the stately E & O Hotel, Penang (or Eastern & Oriental Hotel). One reader described it thus: “Not over-the-top luxury, professional yet informal staff, sadly underrated and often overlooked.”
