Classic Southeast Asia

The Siam Hotel is set on 3 acres of verdant lawn along the city side of Bangkok’s main river, the Chao Praya. The Siam is a private 39-room luxury retreat with its own unique historical background located in Bangkok’s royal Dusit district. Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, the property is Art Deco inspired with infusions of Thai antiques and traditional architecture. Guests have an array of amenities at their fingertips: restaurants, a cooking school, bar, café, spa, gym, yoga terrace, Muay Thai boxing ring, beauty salon, library/cinema, infinity pool, gift/antiques gallery, conservatory and traditional Thai houses. The Siam’s 39 suites and pool villas are noticeably spacious and well equipped with modern conveniences. All rooms are outfitted with plush furnishings, super-sized king beds and lofty ceilings. Each suite is individually designed with original turn-of-the-century Oriental artwork and antiquities and is catered for by a personal butler. Complimentary WiFi is available property-wide. Onsite dining options include a Thai restaurant, international cuisine bistro, bar and coffee and cakes shop. The Siam Hotel is approximately 50 minutes from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

Nestled on the banks of Bangkok’s bustling Chao Phraya River, the Four Seasons Bangkok is designed around water-centric serenity and fluidity, inspired by the riverfront location. Situated in a vibrant part of the city, guests can view the abundance of activity on the river and enjoy nearby restaurants and cafes, art galleries and temples, with easy access to the various shopping and cultural activities for which “The City of Angels” is renowned. Guests seeking a holistic experience can avail themselves of the hotel's two infinity pools, spa and wellness center, a well-equipped fitness center and a 98-foot lap pool.

Drawing on its reputation for elegance and personalization, the Capella Bangkok is nestled along the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, providing panoramic views from all 101 rooms, suites, and villas. The hotel has also thrown a couple of hats into the capital city’s ring of culinary offerings with two gourmet restaurants and a waterfront patio area that’s perfect for al-fresco dining. Three-Michelin-starred Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco is the mastermind behind much of Capella’s cuisine, and there is a specialty bar offering desserts and artisan cocktails. Among other amenities, there is an oriental tea lounge, open-air spa, outdoor pool, and even an in-house Capella Library. Finally, in trademark Capella fashion, personal assistants are made available to guests to ensure a luxury stay in Bangkok.

The Four Seasons Chiang Mai blends with its natural surroundings seamlessly, with trees growing between and around the resort, overlooking terraced rice fields and the mountains of the Mae Rim Valley. The resort has 64 boutique pavilions, each with a private veranda, as well as 16 private luxury residences. The Sala Mae Rim serves Thai cuisine and offers sweeping views of the valley below, and the Terraces have international dishes with a view of the Doi Suthep mountain range. The hotel has a health club with state of the art equipment, including a sauna, herbal steam room, whirlpool, cold plunge pool, 20-meter infinity edge swimming pool, a business center and wi-fi access. There are also mountain bikes available for use, along with maps of trails through the surrounding forest. The Spa at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai has seven treatment suites with rain shower massage tables and private herbal steam rooms. Professional spa therapists can help you choose the best treatment package for your needs. The hotel is 25 minutes from Chiang Mai International Airport.

Located in the heart of Wat Gate, an area in Chiang Mai that was formerly designated to foreigners by the government, 137 Pillars House sits idyllically along the Ping River, adjacent to Wat Gate Khar Rham Temple. Combining the regality of traditional Thai elegance with modern luxury, this boutique hotel offers amenities including high-speed wireless internet access, laundry service, a 24-hour on-call medical professional, babysitting services, a spa, outdoor swimming pool and a fitness facility. The Dining Room offers classic Thai cuisine, one of the many dining options offered at the hotel. 137 Pillars House is approximately 25 minutes by car from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX).

Amantaka is set south of Phousi Mountain and close to the banks of the Mekong River and the Luang Prabang Night Market. The resort, an old French colonial building, is surrounded by a spacious courtyard, and has 24 suites – eight deluxe suites, four pool suites, eight Khan suites, two Mekong suites and two Amantaka suites, all with spacious interior and exterior living areas. Facilities include a spa, a fitness center, a library and a boutique art gallery. Amantaka is little more than a ten- minute drive from Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ).

Located on a peninsula at the confluence of the Nam Kham and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang is known for its Buddhist temples and monasteries, preserved traditional architecture, and remaining vestiges of Laos’ French colonial period. These elements earned it the distinction of being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The city of just under 60,000 continues to inspire awe in tourists to this day, and with the opening of the Rosewood Luang Prabang, luxury travelers have the option to visit this destination while enjoying the level of comfort that the Rosewood Hotels and Resorts brand has staked its reputation on. The 24-room, suite, villa, and tent accommodations are designed by celebrated architect Bill Bensley and combine world-class luxury with local aesthetics. Guests are invited to enjoy locally sourced Laotian meals at The Great House or a drink and view from the Elephant Bridge Bar. There is also an opulent spa on site and a centrally located swimming pool, around which guests can enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in this haven of luxury.

This richly historic 364-room French colonial masterpiece built in 1901 is one of Vietnam's finest hotels, with luxuriously appointed rooms, attentive staff and gracious service. It is ideally located in central Hanoi and houses a beautiful interior garden. Excellent French cuisine is served at Le Beaulieu, and Hanoi specialties are offered at Spices Garden. The hotel has a well-equipped fitness center with cardio machines and weights, as well as a swimming pool and spa offering massage treatments. All of the guest rooms have broadband Internet access and are decorated in an opulent, neo-classical style.

Designed by "staritect" du jour Bill Bensley and inspired by the Hanoi Opera House, the new Capella Hanoi will incorporate the capital's historic and opulent colonial-era architecture. Located within Hanoi's Hoan Kiem district, the property is comprised of 47 palatial-style guest rooms, lavishly decorated in contrasting dark and light tones with lashings of color, signature of Bensley's aesthetic.

Stretching along the white sands of China Beach are Four Seasons Resort the Nam Hai's villas and hotel, with unspoiled views of the South China Sea and the Cham Islands. There are 60 one-bedroom villas, and 40 pool villas with courtyard entrances and private pools. High ceilings and hardwood floors are complemented with lavish hues of brown and gray and softly draping canopies over four-poster beds. The Nam Hai Spa is set around a lagoon just off the beach, where you can have a customized spa treatment. Each of the eight private spa villas has an individual steam room. The gym is equipped with state-of-the-art treadmills and ellipticals. There are three pools on plateaus that lower away from the pool house and flow towards the beach, and the lowest disappears into the horizon that leads in to the South China Sea. The business center has up-to-the-minute audio/visual equipment, and there is wi-fi in each of the rooms. The property is located 30 minutes from Da Nang International Airport (DAD).

Inspired by the colonial traditions of the French, this stylishly chic 259-room hotel built in 2005 is the premier address in Saigon, centrally located near the Opera House. High standards of service, elegant decor and fine amenities are the trademarks of this hotel. The large and well-equipped fitness center covers 397 square feet and features modern Life Fitness cardio equipment with personal LCD television screens and headphones. A 66-foot outdoor swimming pool with a special water feature is located next to a beautifully landscaped tropical garden. Fitness classes are also available. All public areas have wi-fi, and there are wired Internet connections in the guest rooms.

The Reverie Saigon commands the upper and lower floors of the iconic and modern 39-storey Times Square development in Ho Chi Minh City. With unreserved grandeur that epitomizes the best of Italian design, the hotel transcends expectations of space to deliver a modern-day exploration of classically inspired splendor. And the striking visuals of the hotel interiors are complemented by the expansive and arresting views of the metropolitan skyline, including the colonial French architecture on the streets and the dramatic twists of the Saigon River. From its many opulent rooms and suites to the cutting edge design of the restaurants, bars and extravagant public areas, The Reverie Saigon bears the indelible mark of being created by some of the best craftsmen, designers and artists in the world.

Mandarin Oriental's first venture into Vietnam is the Mandarin Oriental Saigon, located in Union Square in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel occupies the upper floors of an existing commercial building, with 227 rooms and suites, as well as six drinking and dining establishments, meeting and banquet spaces, plus wellness facilities including a gym, spa and outdoor swimming pool. Next to the Saigon Opera House, the hotel's prime location is within walking distance of many of Saigon's main attractions, and dining and shopping districts.

Rosewood Phnom Penh occupies the top 14 floors of Vattanac Capital Tower which soars 188 meters above the heart of Phnom Penh’s business district. The property has a total of 175 rooms, including 37 suites, each with unparalleled views of the city and elegantly furnished to create comfortable, residential-style living spaces. Guests can choose amongst a variety of in-house dining options, including continental, Japanese, French and Cambodia fare as well as a steak and seafood grill. Oenophiles and wine connoisseurs can sample wines or enjoy a bottle from the Wine Vault’s extensive range of fine wines. Sense, the Rosewood brand’s signature spa, will offer guests a tranquil haven and wellness getaway, while the fitness center provides wide views of the city skyline and state-of-the-art fitness equipment available 24 hours a day.

Located approximately five miles from the famed Angkor Wat, Amansara is sleek, stylish and superbly private. Formerly the guest villa of King Norodom Sihanouk, the grounds were originally laid out in 1962 and designed to embrace both modern design and the rich artistic legacy of Cambodia. This tranquil oasis is surrounded by beautiful gardens and includes a curved slate swimming pool. The 24 suites are decorated in a classic Indochinese palette of cool gray, pristine white, dark timber and ivory, and all include a private courtyard and soothing water features; 12 suites are equipped with private swimming pools. The Roof Garden, shaded by trees, is the ideal venue for relaxing by candlelight with cocktails, or for invigorating morning yoga sessions. The Spa, which has four treatment rooms, focuses on therapeutic Cambodian techniques using organic products. Every suite has access to its own remork and driver. On the 2007 Zagat Survey list of the world’s best hotels, Amansara was ranked number two for service.

The acclaimed architect Bill Bensley has worked his magic on this gorgeous hotel, creating an altogether contemporary space with Angkorian-inspired designs throughout. As well as looking the part, Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas enjoys an ideal location in the heart of Siem Reap, tucked away down a quiet, leafy road in the city’s famous old French quarter. The position is ideal for touring the town, enjoying the splendid array of Asian-French dining options and of course, taking a trip to Siem Reap’s prized possession: Angkor Wat. The temple complex is only a 15-minute tuk-tuk or car ride away from the hotel, and other nearby attractions include the National Museum, night market and the Royal Gardens. The range of rooms at Shinta Mani have a distinctly boutique feel to them, with quaint, artistic references to the ancient history of Cambodia sitting alongside a wide range of facilitates making this a relaxing and comfortable place to stay. Away from the rooms, guests can take a dip in the inviting garden-side pool, ease their aching muscles in the hotel’s spa, or enjoy one of their many swanky restaurants and bars spread across the hotel and surrounding area.

This little 5-star luxury resort near Siem Reap, Cambodia occupies eight acres of lush gardens, lemon-grass meadows, and rice paddies. The resort provides a luxurious home base for tourists traveling to the Angkor World Heritage Site, or any of the other natural and cultural wonders nearby. That said, some guests may be perfectly happy to remain on the resort's opulent premises of spacious villas with private pools, gourmet restaurants, and an indulgent spa. There is a cozy cigar and cocktail lounge for romantic evenings and an expansive infinity pool for lazy days under the Cambodian sun.

Amanpuri, which means “peaceful place,” is a magnificent resort created by the architect who designed the Winter Palace of the former Shah of Iran. The resort has 40 secluded pavilions, each with a private outdoor terrace overlooking the Andaman Sea, and come with a personal cook and butler. Dining options include The Restaurant, which serves Italian cuisine, and The Terrace, which offers Thai and European specialties. Amanpuri has a Beach Club, with windsurfing and hobie-cats available, a 20-meter lap pool and a starting point for diving, snorkeling or fishing. Other facilities include a business center, floodlit tennis courts, and a fitness center with state-of-the-art weight training and cardiovascular machines and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. Wifi is available in all rooms and public areas. The resort is 25 minutes from the airport in Phuket (HKT).

The beachside Andara resort rests atop a lush hillside on the west coast of Phuket, offering sweeping sea views from its rooms, restaurants and an infinity pool. Andara’s accommodations include a variety of Pool Villas and a mix of Pool Suites, Terrace Suites and Pool Suite Penthouses. The Silk Restaurant & Bar serves contemporary Thai cuisine focusing on locally sourced ingredients, as well as Western comfort foods and a children’s menu. Andara’s Spa has five individual treatment rooms, two couples’ rooms with jacuzzi baths, and a private steam room, with a diverse menu of therapies including Thai, Ayurvedic, Swiss, Javanese and Swedish massage, as well as a variety of scrubs, detox and body treatments. The resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center has the latest free weights and Precor machines and cardio equipment, and both group and individual yoga and aerobic classes are available as well. Andara is a 30-minute drive from Phuket International Airport.

Looking out over the sparkling Andaman Sea, this superb five-star resort is one of the most spectacular luxury retreats Phuket has to offer. Set within a peaceful bay on the island’s Western coast, an idyllic shoreline is greeted by crystal-clear waters directly in front of the resort, creating a secluded island sanctuary. It lies conveniently close to Phuket International Airport but far enough to transport guests to their own exotic haven. Anantara’s first-class hospitality is coupled with a collection of 30 opulent rooms and luxury suites as well as 47 indulgent pool villas. Guests can enjoy a balance of the serenity from the private stretch of beach and shoreline pool with the diversity of facilities within the resort, including exciting water activities, fitness center and spa. Days in Thai paradise are accompanied by some of the finest dining options in Phuket, with seductive settings and awe-inspiring island views to match. Professional and talented chefs create fresh and beautifully-presented dishes for exclusive dining experiences, where guests can sample the iconic flavors of Thailand.

The Rosewood Phuket, a secluded beach hideaway, sits on Emerald Bay’s sandy shores set amongst lush tropical landscape. The first Southeast Asia property in the brand’s portfolio, Rosewood’s luxe style blends signature polished contemporary fittings with rustic notes of Thai tradition. Each of the 71 pavilions and villas feature soft neutral tones, retractable floor-to-ceiling windows allowing for maximum natural light, and its own infinity-edge pool overlooking the Andaman Sea. Asaya, the wellness center, provides nutritional coaching, fitness activities, alternative therapies and specialized healing treatments, while the state-of-the-art Fitness Center allows guests to workout with a view of the beach. Families can take advantage of the Explorers Club which provides fun-filled activities and facilities for young guests. Guests can choose between Thai seafood, Italian, and a seafood grill for meals, and throughout the day and into the night, lounge at the poolside Bar enjoying music, drinks and snacks with sweeping views of the sea. The property is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport.