By Sheriden Rhodes
Something special: The bird's nest pool at Phuket's whimsical Keemala resort.
TUGU HOTEL, BALI
Tucked away amid funky beach clubs and hip bars in the Balinese village of Canggu, Tugu Hotel is filled with an impressive collection of Indonesian antiques. This charming resort, with individually styled thatched suites, is reminiscent of the Bali of old. See tuguhotels.com.
SONEVA KIRI, THAILAND
Keemala resort, Phuket.
The sublime Soneva Kiri, on the remote Thai island of Koh Kood, offers a decadent spa, treetop dining pod, outdoor cinema, 24-hour butlers and a "no news, no shoes" policy. The star of the island resort however is the bamboo-built Den, an extraordinary kids club floating in the jungle treetops with drawbridge entrance, whimsical slide exit and rooms dedicated to art, music and fashion. See soneva.com/soneva-kiri.
COMO UMA PARO, BHUTAN
Bhutan's dramatic landscapes and plunging valleys are within easy reach of the intimate 29-room Como Uma Paro. Perched on a mountainside within striking distance of many of the country's cultural landmarks, the chic resort offers trekking, yoga with mountain views, cycling and new guided helicopter tours of the Himalayan Kingdom. See comohotels.com/umaparo.
Nihiwatu was voted the world's best hotel this year by Conde Nast Traveler.
INLE PRINCESS RESORT, MYANMAR
The serene Inle Princess Resort is located on Inle Lake, 900 metres above sea level, beneath the Blue Mountains of Burma's Shan state. Guests arrive by boat powered by an oarsman, stay in one of 36 individual chalets and take boat trips, bird watch from private terraces and dine on the mesmerising lake at sunset. See secret-retreats.com/ipr.
TEMPLE TREE RESORT, MALAYSIA
Nihiwatu was voted the world's best hotel this year by Conde Nast Traveler.
The eclectic Temple Tree Resort in Malaysia's Langkawi offers accommodation in traditional Malay houses, some of the best food on the island and a drool-worth infinity pool, while also supporting an onsite animal rescue centre. Rescue dogs are housed in a shelter, however felines (who think they own the place) roam at will. See templetree.com.my.
SANAK RETREAT, BALI
Old Indonesia meets contemporary eco comfort at the charming Sanak Retreat surrounded by emerald green rice fields. Stay in handcrafted teak villas, dine on farm to plate cuisine and immerse yourself in the island's bucolic life with bespoke guided tours, cooking classes and artisan workshops. See sanakbali.com
NIHIWATU, INDONESIA
Voted the world's best hotel this year by Conde Nast Traveler, Nihiwatu is a culturally immersive enclave of active adventure and serious extravagance. Located in Indonesia's Lesser Sundra Islands, think sprawling villas, personal butler service, bespoke guided tours, spa safaris, exceptional dining and surfing on what many consider to be the world's best left-hand break. See nihiwatu.com.
KEEMALA, THAILAND
The whimsical Keemala located on a wooded hillside on the west side of the Thai island of Phuket accommodates guests in 38 avant-garde villas designed in four different styles – clay and straw cottages, tent villas, whimsical tree houses and bird's nest villas. See keemala.com.
ANANTARA, THAILAND
Experience mahout life at the enchanting Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort overlooking Thailand, Myanmar and the Laos borders. Join sunrise mahout training, bath time at the river, elephant trekking through native forests and rice paddies and elephant yoga (it's a thing). See goldentriangle.anantara.com.
JAPAMALA RESORT, MALAYSIA
Japamala Resort on the tiny Tioman Island off Malaysia's east coast, offers the definitive back-to-nature escape. Joined by a series of walkways that skim the rainforest canopy, rustic chic tree houses and cliff-hugging chalets offer unobstructed views of the South China Sea. The resort is only accessible by boat. See japamalaresorts.com.
Sheriden Rhodes was a guest of Nihiwatu and Temple Tree Resort.Where to see the world's most elusive creatures in Asia.
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