Best Destinations in Asia For Luxury Travel
The mystery and intrigue of Asia has long attracted crowds of curious visitors. But the shabby chic and flea markets which characterised the backpacking trail of the 1960s now blend seamlessly with a rather more indulgent style of travel.
Designer shopping, lavish hotels, modern comforts – all the hallmarks of great luxury travel can now be found among Asia’s best cities and islands. Here are five of the very best destinations for luxury travel in Asia.
1. Seoul, South Korea
Recently named one of the top three cities to visit in 2010, Seoul is an increasingly cosmopolitan and modern city. If labels are your thing, shopping here is heaven – Myeongdong is packed shoulder-to-shoulder with boutiques. The shiny Coex Mall is another fine sight, situated in the most desirable residential area in the city.
When you’ve worked up an appetite at the shops, the Samsung Tower in Jungno-Sam-Ga offers both a lavish menu and interesting city views. Seoul also boasts a fabulous boutique hotel, The W at Walkerhill. Inside, the clean-cut red and white décor contrasts the opulence of Bosch soundsytems, Jacuzzi bathtubs and the longest bar in the city.
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Forget Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand’s ‘New City’ – the meaning of Chiang Mai in English – has both traditional culture and modernist luxury at hand. Skyscrapers sit side by side here with hill treks, jungle tours and elephant rides, with the facilities and soft sheets of a lavish hotel never far away.
3. Bali, Indonesia
The tropical azure seas and soft white sands of Bali will never fail to disappoint a visitor to Asia. Despite becoming increasing popular, Bali hasn’t lost its idyll and unspoiled nature. Surrender your mind, body and spirit to total tranquillity at one of the five star spa hotels which the island now enjoys.
4. The Maldives
If Bali isn’t quite remote enough for your tastes, The Maldives has the answer. A string of tiny coral islands each circling a lagoon – known as atolls – scattered across the Indian Ocean, this is the place for travellers who are seeking total privacy and isolation. This doesn’t mean forgoing comfort, however – many of the islands are now private luxury resorts designed for indulgence.
5. Singapore
A firm favourite amongst the rich and glamorous for its clean living and sleek modernist architecture, Singapore is still one of the best destinations for shopping and dining in Asia. Rivalling Milan and New York as a fashion-forward city, the Takashimaya and ION malls are home to every designer shop imaginable, from Cartier to Gucci.