I've stayed in some fantastic hotels over the years, but I have a few favourites that have stayed with me because of their location, excellent service or fabulous rooms - and in some cases because they combine all three. Here are my standout hotels in Asia.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA. If the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia is on your Bucket List, you’ll need to stay at the nearest town of Siem Reap. And I can heartily recommend Viroth’s Hotel where I stayed. It’s in a great location - a short stroll from the town centre. And it’s a lovely oasis when you return from a hot day’s sightseeing - with stylish decor, great rooms, wonderful food and a beautiful pool area. The service here is brilliant - not of the cookie-cutter “have a nice day” variety - with staff remembering your name and your preferences. They even have insect-repellant handy to spray you when you leave the hotel in the evening! Add a few days onto the end of a Vietnam itinerary to visit Angkor and stay here - you won’t be disappointed.
SIGIRIYA, SRI LANKA. I stayed at the lovely 5* Jetwing Vil Uyana when I visited Sri Lanka a couple of years ago. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to spend a few days somewhere special, with all the historic sites of the Cultural Triangle within easy reach. 36 beautifully appointed detached villas are set in a private nature reserve – some with their own private plunge pool. The service was amazing, the food was delicious and both rooms and public areas are stylishly designed. Highly recommended as part of a tour around this beautiful island and you want to spend time in the Cultural Triangle.
HONG KONG. There are far swankier hotels than the Mandarin Oriental - but I'll always choose here if I'm in Hong Kong. I've stayed here twice and I absolutely love it. What makes this hotel special is a combination of the impeccable personal service and its fabulous location close to the Star Ferry. For a large hotel, the staff go to great lengths to make you feel like a person rather than a reservation number and I was very impressed that they would always remember my name. Afternoon tea here is an absolute must, as is splurging out on a meal at the fabulous Man Wah Cantonese restaurant with its wonderful views of the harbour. And make sure you get a Harbour View room - being able to gaze out at the bright lights of Kowloon across the water is well worth the extra cash!
AGRA, INDIA. I was lucky to stay at the 5* Oberoi Amarvilas Hotel in Agra a few years ago, and it was an amazing experience. Not only do all the rooms have an uninterrupted view of the iconic Taj Mahal, but this hotel really is the most wonderful place to stay. The service is amazing – with an incredible attention to detail and staff that make you feel really special. The food in the Indian restaurant is outstanding. And the décor is elegant and tasteful. Of course, its proximity to the Taj Mahal is a great advantage too – so close that you can visit before the crowds arrive or after they’ve departed. Granted, it's not cheap. But how often are you going to be visiting the Taj Mahal? Definitely worth considering as part of your India Itinerary.
UDAIPUR, INDIA. The gorgeous Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur is simply unique and had been on my radar for years, because I’d seen the amazing architecture in the James Bond film ‘Octopussy’, which was filmed here. So, when I was planning a trip to Northern India, I knew I had to visit Udaipur and that I just had to stay here. And it certainly didn’t disappoint. Built in the 18th century, it was used as a royal summer retreat until it was converted into a heritage hotel in 1963. It floats in the middle of Lake Pichola, like a huge white wedding cake – and you get to the hotel by boat. The décor is stunning, and the service is fabulous. You feel like you're on a movie set!. Because of a mix-up over my booking, I was given a complimentary upgrade to one of their Royal Suites (complete with personal butler!) which was fantastic. The food here is of a good standard, but not brilliant – but you don’t come here for the cuisine, and there are some wonderful restaurants in Udaipur. And coming back in the boat across the lake after dinner is magical. Wholly recommended.
HAKONE, JAPAN. Finally, the fabulous Gora Kadan in Hakone near Mount Fuji - the former retreat of the Kanin no miya imperial family. I was only here for 1 night, but it’s a lovely, peaceful place to stay if you want to experience a luxury ryokan close to Mount Fuji. Beautifully decorated, fabulous service and the kaiseki banquet was absolutely delicious. This property blends Japanese tradition with Western comfort and is a member of the exclusive Relais & Chateaux Group. It’s all very Zen. All this comes at a (high) price – but I think definitely worth it to experience what is an uniquely Japanese oasis of calm and tranquillity.
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