Inspire your next trip by stepping into a world of opulence and elegance with our curated guide to Asia and Europe’s finest hotels.
From the cinematic charm of Seoul’s Josun Palace to the storied halls of Venice’s Gritti Palace, each destination offers a unique escape into luxury.
Whether you’re sipping a martini under Murano chandeliers or unwinding in a Kyoto onsen, these iconic hotels promise not just a stay, but a journey into the lavish heart of each city.
Exploring Asia’s Finest Destinations
Asia’s luxury hotel scene offers an unparalleled blend of history, modernity, and breathtaking beauty.
From the vibrant streets of Seoul to the serene islands of Indonesia, each destination promises a unique experience steeped in cultural richness and contemporary elegance.
Whether you’re seeking the cinematic charm of Josun Palace in Seoul, the Art Deco splendor of the Peninsula Shanghai, or the secluded paradise of Bawah Reserve, these destinations cater to discerning travelers looking for unforgettable stays. Discover the perfect balance of tradition and innovation as you explore some of Asia’s most prestigious hotels, each offering a distinctive narrative and a gateway to the region’s diverse allure.
Josun Palace: Seoul South Korea
Josun Palace in Seoul has recently become a hotspot for those who love a moody, romantic, and retro vibe, much like the one from Wong Kar-wai’s film “In the Mood for Love” from 2000. While the film takes place in 1960s Hong Kong, Josun Palace is a modern marvel located in Seoul’s bustling Gangnam district, within a towering 36-story building. It shares the same stylized, cinematic flair as the movie. Visiting with my family, I couldn’t help but feel drawn into a glamorous, film-like world of dramatic tales and mysterious romances as we explored the hotel’s Korean and mid-century modern decor and enjoyed the stunning views of the city.
The hotel’s service is top-notch; the staff at the 25th-floor reception was quick to help with everything from directions to T Galleria to dinner reservations and arranging a babysitter. Our room was beautifully decorated and spacious enough for all four of us, complete with a fantastic bathroom and captivating views of the city, including the towering Lotte World Tower.
The feeling of being in a movie reached its peak at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Eatanic Garden. Dinner there was like a scene from a film, with each dish crafted by Chef Son Jong-won presenting a delightful surprise. The meals, from a kettle of barley tea hidden among flowers to playful bites on colorful pedestals, each came with a card explaining their story. Finishing our meal felt like the end of an epic journey, much like when we checked out, feeling as if the credits were rolling on our wonderful Seoul adventure. Rooms start at $380.
Peninsula Shanghai: China
The Peninsula Shanghai stands as an Art Deco gem in the center of China’s most dynamic city. It perfectly embodies the essence of Shanghai—a seamless blend of Eastern and Western influences, the old and the new, crafted with silken elegance and vibrant energy. The rooms exude a “stealth luxe” ambiance, offering a subtle yet captivating luxury that recalls the 1920s, yet avoids feeling dated.
For those who can choose their view, the optimal pick would be one that overlooks the skyscrapers of Pudong across the river. These towers light up at night like a colossal jukebox, embodying the vigorous, forward-moving spirit of modern China. Culinary offerings at the hotel are exceptional, with its Michelin-starred Yi Long Court ranking among the city’s finest Cantonese eateries. Sir Elly’s Terrace, located on the 14th floor, offers one of the most stunning rooftop views in Shanghai.
Positioned strategically at the end of The Bund, the Peninsula commands a spot on a narrow street along the western bank of the Huangpu River. This location is one of the most enthralling and glamorous urban stretches globally, with the heart of Shanghai pulsating through The Bund and its adjacent alleys. While there are other hotels in the vicinity and across the city, the Peninsula Shanghai has a distinct allure that stands unmatched. Starting from $359, it represents more than just a place to stay—it’s a significant part of the city’s charm and history.
Bawah Reserve: Indonesia
Bawah Reserve in Indonesia is a hidden gem among the six islands of its small archipelago. This largest island boasts 36 exquisite suites, villas, and lodges, a variety of restaurants and bars, nature trails through untouched forests, outdoor massages, a pristine lawn tennis court, eco-friendly spas, and a charming boutique. The journey to create this secluded resort began when Singapore-based shipping tycoon Tim Hartnoll stumbled upon these verdant islands and their protected lagoons during a sailing holiday.
The accommodations at Bawah are varied: some villas float over the water, others are beachfront, or nestled in the forest. Stone stairways meander down to the sea, where the water is so crystal-clear that guests can observe marine life without needing a snorkel. The experience is enhanced by delightful sundowner cocktails, available at The Grouper—a relaxed poolside bar—or at the hilltop Jules Verne.
Dining options include Tree Tops, where meals are served high in the canopy, or beachside at The Boat House. Guests also have the option of private dining in secluded spots across the islands. The spas are a haven of relaxation, offering daily massages (included in your stay), and treatments with local ingredients like coffee, cocoa, and raw honey.
Bawah is part of the Anambas archipelago, an 80-minute flight from Batam, which is just a short boat ride from Singapore. Unlike many of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, which suffer from overdevelopment and environmental issues, Bawah stands out with its robust environmental initiatives. With its strong commitment to ecological preservation and a feel of a remote, lost world, Bawah offers a unique escape. Prices start from $1,892.
Hotel the Mitsui: Kyoto Japan
Hotel the Mitsui in Kyoto represents a daring endeavor, establishing a modern design-focused hotel in a city deeply connected to its historical roots. The hotel’s location is especially significant, built on the same site where the prominent Mitsui family had their residence from the late 1600s until the 1940s. The plot twists like a storybook tale: in 2015, the Mitsui corporation’s real estate division reacquired this cherished land, making a full circle.
Designed by André Fu, the hotel’s interior presents a modern departure from traditional Kyoto aesthetics. Yet, the past is palpable throughout. For example, a 300-year-old wooden gate from the original estate stands as a testament to its history. The design also incorporates subtle nods to local culture, such as a corridor lined with blond wood arches reminiscent of the torii gates at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, and a ceiling installation inspired by kimono fabric.
What truly defines the Mitsui experience are the thoughtful, luxurious details: neatly folded pajama sets provided at turndown, and a vast underground onsen for relaxation. These elements contribute to the new chapter of the Mitsui legacy, blending the past with contemporary luxury. Starting at $1,359.
Mandapa Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Bali Indonesia
Over ten years ago, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company acquired a large tract of wild land in Bali, buying double what was necessary to establish a new highlight in Bali’s world of luxury resorts. This led to the creation of the Mandapa Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a magnificent 25-acre resort enveloped by dense rainforest and terraced rice paddies that slope dramatically down the hillsides. Here, nature is not just a backdrop but a celebrated feature: luminous dragonflies dart, kaleidoscope-winged butterflies flutter, and doe-eyed frogs croak from afar, all coexisting peacefully with the resort.
Rather than mere rooms, Mandapa offers 60 suites and villas, each expansive and some utterly majestic. Guests can soak in rattan-wrapped bathtubs infused with ginger-lily salts, enjoy breathtaking sunset views from large balconies, or dip into the serene waters of private infinity pools. The day begins with vibrant, jewel-toned fruits and aromatic Javanese coffee, setting the tone for culinary excellence.
Dining is an adventure in itself, particularly at the Japanese Ambar Ubud Bar and Kubu at Mandapa, where chef Eka Sunarya crafts exquisite eight- and ten-course tasting menus that draw from the rich local environment. The resort is family-friendly, with a kids’ club that prioritizes outdoor play over screen time, ensuring that even the youngest guests are engaged and active. Opting out of a session at the riverside spa would be unthinkable—its treatments are essential to the full Mandapa experience. Starting rates are $1,249.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel: Tokyo Japan
Photos can hardly capture the grandeur of Tokyo’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Perched high in the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, the lobby on the 38th floor serves as a panoramic gallery showcasing the best views of the capital. This theme continues in all the rooms, where regardless of category, the views are a central feature. From this peaceful sky-high retreat, the bustling financial district below calms into a serene tableau, and on clear days, Mount Fuji makes a sparkling appearance in the distance.
Comfort is a priority here, with beds so soft and sheets so smooth you might just melt into them. The extensive “pillow menu” ensures that everyone can find their perfect match—if you can’t, it might just be you. While room service offers a pricey but diverse menu ranging from classic macaroni and cheese to traditional okayo don, it’s worth exploring.
The hotel doesn’t just stop at room service for dining; it’s home to a plethora of eating options. There’s everything from a casual pizza bar and refined Cantonese cuisine to an opulent French restaurant. Not to be missed is Sushi Shin by Miyakawa, arguably the city’s most atmospheric sushi spot. Here, a nine-seat L-shaped counter, carved from a 350-year-old cypress tree, overlooks the towering Tokyo Skytree, offering a majestic view, especially as the city transitions from day to night.
Stepping outside the Mandarin Oriental, you’ll find the location just as impressive. It’s moments away from iconic kimono shops and major department stores, with the fashionable district of Ginza just a short walk away. Starting from $800, this hotel promises a uniquely luxurious Tokyo experience.
Europe’s Top Resorts
Immerse yourself in the splendor of Europe’s top resorts, where luxury meets history and each stay promises an experience unlike any other.
From the Alpine majesty of Badrutt’s Palace in Switzerland to the classic elegance of Claridge’s in London, these destinations offer not just a place to rest but a gateway to unforgettable adventures.
Indulge in the pristine landscapes, sumptuous dining, and exquisite service that define these iconic retreats. Whether it’s stepping back in time in a medieval Irish castle, unwinding in a serene French château, or soaking up the sun at a Spanish finca, each resort combines breathtaking settings with peerless hospitality to create truly spectacular getaways.
Badrutt’s Palace: Switzerland
Badrutt’s Palace in Switzerland stands as a true icon in St Moritz. Nestled 6,000 feet high among the clouds, this grand hotel overlooks rugged, snow-covered mountains and offers breathtaking views down to serpentine valleys and glassy lakes below. Since opening in 1896, Badrutt’s Palace has been a prime destination for a luxurious Alpine getaway, and it continues to excel. The hotel still retains its majestic charm with classic turrets and spiraling towers.
Today, guests can enjoy an even more tailored experience with an array of choices for comfort and luxury. The hotel features 11 restaurants, two bars, Switzerland’s oldest nightclub, a comprehensive spa, various shops, and a wealth of winter sports options. It epitomizes mountainside glamour, offering a palace-like experience amidst the Swiss Alps with vast landscapes perfect for hiking, trekking, skiing, and lake swimming in the summer months. Prices start at $794.
Claridge’s: London, England
Founded in 1812 and once a favorite of Queen Victoria, Claridge’s in London is listed as “the first hotel in London” in the 1878 Baedeker’s guide. Despite its rich history, Claridge’s doesn’t just rely on its past glories. It has consistently stayed ahead of the curve, bringing on talents like Guy Oliver and Diane von Furstenberg to refresh its look throughout the years, perfectly blending classic charm with modern flair. The lobby shines with the art deco glamour of the Jazz Age, a time when flappers and royalty mingled. Its checkered floors are alive with a diverse crowd, from Hollywood stars to brides and business folks, all enjoying zesty Ginger John cocktails at the 1930s-inspired Fumoir bar.
The standout among the new suites is the Georgian, which beautifully combines English heritage with subtle Asian influences. It features a Steinberg baby grand piano, exquisite silk de Gournay panels in the dining room, and a kitchen serviced by a 24-hour butler. The expansion into the adjacent building has allowed for suites like the Mayfair, where designer Bryan O’Sullivan introduces modern touches with scalloped mohair furniture in soft coral and pastel green.
Below ground, the spa designed by André Fu (known for the Maybourne Bar in Beverly Hills) offers a serene escape with its limewood and stone textures set against dreamy peach hues. Here, guests can indulge in treatments like bamboo-stick massages and Cryo Oxygen Shot facials. The pool, under a vaulted ceiling with stone columns and plush cabanas, adds to the luxurious atmosphere. Though it faces competition, Claridge’s remains a standard of excellence in London, a benchmark for every other heritage hotel in the city. Starting at $1,060.
Cashel Palace: Ireland
Cashel Palace in Ireland stands as a majestic red-brick Palladian mansion at the base of the iconic Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most celebrated historic sites featuring a Romanesque chapel, a roofless cathedral, and a slender round tower. The entrance hall, redolent with the aroma of woodsmoke from daily-lit log fires, is framed by elegant black Kilkenny marble mantelpieces and adorned with significant pieces from Irish art history—works by Lavery, Jack B Yeats, Orpen—mostly replicas from the owners’ private collection with a sprinkling of originals placed high out of reach.
The hotel offers 42 rooms and suites, each luxuriously appointed with richly textured fabrics and curtains enhanced with decorative pelmets and tassels. The best rooms boast views of the mysterious, night-lit Rock of Cashel perched atop the nearby hill. The spa, a model of modern elegance, is positioned at the perimeter of the beautifully restored gardens, where a historic mulberry tree commemorates Queen Anne’s coronation.
Dining at Cashel Palace is a celebration of local fare. Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in a cream-walled room named after Queen Anne, featuring local jams, bacon, and eggs. The Bishop’s Buttery, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, showcases Tipperary’s finest produce in exquisitely crafted dishes like Shepherd’s Store-cheese agnolotti and apples with caramel and Calvados. Room rates start from $378, offering a regal gateway to exploring the rich tapestry of Irish history and cuisine.
Domaine des Etangs: France
Domaine des Etangs truly embodies the French “art de vivre,” and in this case, the promotional phrase couldn’t be more accurate. Nestled in a scenic tableau, the estate features the turrets of a 13th-century château mirrored in a serene lake, all set within 2,500 acres of forests, ponds, and meadows that provide a picturesque backdrop for grazing Limousin cattle. The main building hosts seven luxurious suites designed by Isabelle Stanislas, with additional accommodations in six scattered cottages and a farmhouse. These rooms blend modern and antique furnishings set against the historic backdrop of stone walls, eaves, and gargoyles.
Art plays a central role throughout the estate, highlighted by the tranquil minimalist gallery, La Laiterie, which houses works by Yves Klein and displays ranging from Olafur Eliasson installations to Hergé’s Tintin illustrations. Dining at the estate is an exquisite experience, starting with perfect crêpes and fresh market fruits for breakfast. The Michelin-recognized restaurant, Dyades, offers a locavore menu that showcases the best of the estate’s kitchen garden, featuring herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
The estate is also family-friendly, offering numerous activities for children such as a playground with a zip wire, a tennis court on a lake, and a beamed attic filled with games. Personal highlights for many guests include leisurely rowing across the lake after indulging in rosé and walking the grounds with Jean-François Magnan, a groundsman who grew up exploring the vibrant pastures and orchid-laden groves of the estate.
Owned by the Primat family since 1986, which has carefully guided its refurbishment, Domaine des Etangs was incorporated into the Auberge Resorts Collection in 2023. Despite the change, the estate continues to offer an experience that is deeply rooted in tradition, tranquility, and the slow rhythms of French country life. Starting at $485, it represents a timeless retreat into the heart of France’s pastoral beauty.
Finca Cortesin: Malaga, Spain
In the bustling world of luxury retreats in Spain, Finca Cortesin in Malaga stands unparalleled. Nestled near the quaint, whitewashed town of Casares, close to Marbella, this resort combines the serene beauty of a classic Andalusian finca with contemporary luxury. With 67 spacious suites, pools that echo the tranquility of Bali, a beach club facing the Mediterranean, an expansive spa, and a prestigious golf course, Finca Cortesin is a slice of perfection.
The resort is the brainchild of a team of exceptional talents. CEO-owner Javier López Granados steers the vision, while Rene Zimmer, also the managing director of the new sister property Grand Hotel Son Net in Mallorca, ensures impeccable management. Architects Roger Torras and Ignacio Sierra designed the property, which dazzles with its stark white against the deep blue Mediterranean, highlighted by vivid geraniums. The public spaces, brimming with antiques, were initially styled by the renowned Portuguese decorator Duarte Pinto Coelho, with Madrid-based antiquarian Lorenzo Castillo later adding his flair.
The gardens, infused with the scents of jasmine and wisteria and dotted with palms, were masterfully landscaped by Gerald Huggan. Inside, the suites—designed by sisters Ana and Cristina Calderón—feature high ceilings, bright decorative elements, color-splashed walls, vibrant bouquets, and artful paintings, creating an inviting and luxurious atmosphere.
Dining at the resort’s El Jardín de Lutz under Chef Lutz Bösing is an exploration of Spanish culinary art, especially with signature dishes like the rich mantis shrimp cream soup accented with lobster and basil. Finca Cortesin isn’t just a hotel; it’s a comprehensive experience of refined elegance and cultural richness, starting from $700 a night.
Gleneagles: Scotland
Gleneagles in Scotland is a legendary name in the world of luxury hotels. Nestled within an 850-acre estate and surrounded by the expansive Scottish countryside, this hotel quickly became a prestigious destination after its opening in 1924. Known globally as a top spot for golfing, relaxation, and exploration of the scenic surroundings, Gleneagles is home to three world-class golf courses: the King’s Course, the Queen’s Course, and the PGA Centenary Course, which famously hosted the 40th Ryder Cup in 2014.
But Gleneagles offers more than just golf. It’s a favorite retreat for celebrities and outdoor enthusiasts alike, offering activities such as falconry, fishing, shooting, and archery. The hotel also boasts an award-winning spa, renowned for its comprehensive wellness facilities that include two indoor pools, an outdoor thermal pool, and 20 treatment rooms. Here, guests can indulge in massages that utilize locally sourced ingredients and traditional Scottish botanicals. Starting from $726 a night, Gleneagles provides a luxurious gateway to experience the best of Scotland’s natural beauty and hospitality.
The Gritti Palace: Venice, Italy
Stepping into The Gritti Palace in Venice, you might momentarily think you’ve entered a museum rather than a hotel, such is its grandeur. This Venetian grande dame is a living showcase of the city’s decorative arts, adorned with silk and damask wall coverings, extensive painted stucco, precious marbles, and gilded beams from which Murano glass chandeliers descend like elegant jellyfish. The hotel reached a new zenith of luxury after its $38 million renovation in 2013, which finally matched the guest experience with its historic opulence—a notable leap from the 1940s when, as mentioned in Ernest Hemingway’s novel “Across the River and Into the Trees,” it lacked even en-suite bathrooms.
Staying at The Gritti doesn’t require booking the lavish Somerset Maugham Royal Suite to feel part of its exclusive world; even the entry-level Deluxe Rooms, draped in chic Rubelli fabrics, offer a sense of aristocratic Venetian life, where one could almost imagine Casanova hiding in the wardrobe. The Gritti Terrace offers unrivaled views across the canal to the majestic Salute church, making it one of Venice’s prime spots for breakfast. The arrival of Executive Chef Alberto Fol from Hotel Danieli in late 2023 has further elevated the dining experience.
For a truly Venetian indulgence, head to the intimately luxurious Bar Longhi. There, happiness is found sitting at the inlaid marble counter, sipping a wild fennel martini crafted by head barman Cristiano Luciani, and soaking in the atmosphere reminiscent of Peggy Guggenheim’s Venice. Starting from $850 a night, The Gritti Palace invites guests to live and breathe the art and elegance of Venice.