16 of Asia’s most exciting new hotels

There’s never been a more exciting time to travel to Asia.

Home to more than half the world’s population, the Asia-Pacific region is responsible for 37% of global international tourism spending and nearly a quarter of global arrivals, according to the UNWTO.

That also means that there’s a seemingly insatiable appetite for new places to stay.

From renovated heritage buildings to jungle camps reached by zipline, here are 16 of the most striking recent additions to Asia’s hotel landscape to enjoy in 2019:

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore

The Capital Kempinski mixes heritage and luxury.

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore occupies two elegant and historic spots, the Capitol Building and adjacent Stamford House in the city’s civic and cultural district, making it an ideal Singapore base.

Inside, expect a blend of heritage and luxury across the 157 guestrooms and suites, which are made up of more than 50 configurations.

A spa, gym, meeting spaces, a bar dedicated to rums and restaurants including the German-inspired Frieda complete the elegant picture.

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, 15 Stamford Road, Singapore 178906; +65 6368 8888

Six Senses Krabey Island, Cambodia

Six Senses Krabey Island is made up of 40 pool villas.

Six Senses Krabey Island is the brand’s first Cambodia property. It sits on a 12-hectare private tropical island and features 40 private pool villas.

A commitment to sustainability is visible throughout, including building materials, hyper-local Khmer and Southeast Asian cuisine. Guests can also visit their organic farm.

Activities including water sports, fishing, an open-air cinema and multiple wellness options ensure there’s something for everyone.

Six Senses Krabey Island, Krong Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia; +855 69944 888

Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, Vietnam

Anantara Quy Nhon Villas offers access to one of Vietnam’s most exciting up-and-coming destinations.

Quy Nhon may not be a familiar name to many travelers, but this coastal city in southern Vietnam is made up of largely untouched beaches and 800-year-old temples.

Anantara Quy Nhon Villas features just 26 one and two-bedroom villas that face the ocean, all set in seven hectares of lush tropical gardens.

Private lap pools, in-room butler services and a personal wine cellar filled with vintages and gourmet treats should make for a memorable stay.

Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, Bai Dai, Ghenh Rang, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province; +84 (0) 256 3840 077

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok

Southeast Asia’s first Waldorf Astoria has opened in Bangkok.

The first of a number of recent openings in the Thai capital, the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok sits inside the 60-floor Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard, marking the iconic hotel brand’s first property in Southeast Asia.

Hong Kong award-winning architect André Fu’s AFSO studio designed the hotel, while Avroko created the elegant and extravagant interiors of a grill called Bull & Bear and two bars, The Loft and Champagne Bar.

Like the rest of the hotel, they offer breathtaking views of Bangkok.

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, 151 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok; +66 (0)2 846 8888

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland hotel is the world’s first “earthscraper” hotel.

At a stunning cost of $500 million, InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is one of Asia’s — if not the world’s — most jaw dropping hotels. That’s because it’s built into the wall of the Shenkeng quarry, meaning that all but two of the 18 floors are technically underground.

This gives the 336 rooms and suites views over cliffs and waterfalls of the Sheshan Mountain Range, while there are even a number of bedrooms encased in a turquoise aquarium.

In addition to its pioneering architectural design there’s rock climbing, kayaking and a skywalk to keep guests busy, while five restaurants span the world of cuisine.

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, No. 5888 Chenhua Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, China; +86 (0)21 6766 1888

Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

Shinta Mani Wild takes the luxury camp trend to new heights.

Shinta Mani Wild in southern Cambodia is located in the fragrantly-named Southern Cardamom National Park. It’s where a luxury tented camp takes arriving in style to a whole new level.
Shinta Mani Wild is the creation of the brilliant mind of American designer extraordinaire Bill Bensley who has created a stunning adrenaline-filled entry to the property by way of a 1,247-foot zipline over waterfalls and rivers. The less adventurous can opt to arrive by boat.
Once you land, 14 enormous one-bedroom tents have been designed to evoke the grandeur of traveling in style in the 1960s, as Jackie Onassis did with Cambodian King Sihanouk.
Shinta Mani Wild, Prey Praseth Village, Ou Bak Rothed Commune, Kampong Seila District, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia; +855 63 969 123

Six Senses Duxton, Singapore

Singapore’s new Six Senses Duxton is in the heart of Chinatown.

Another newly opened Six Senses, this time in the Lion City, Singapore.
The 138-room property is housed in colonial-era buildings on what used to be a nutmeg plantation, now in the heart of Chinatown.
British designer Anouska Hempel mixes Chinese, Malay and European influences and touches in the interiors, while a long veranda filled with greenery is perfect for alfresco dining.
To kick back, a spa, lap pool and champagne and whisky bar all vie for attention.
Six Senses Duxton, 83 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089540; +65 6914 1428