If you love travelling (like us!), we’re sure you like looking at new hotels or destinations for your dream getaway. Read on for the latest hotel deals, resort openings and other top travel destinations in Asia and beyond for your next escape – it might just be the best one ever!
Rosewood Hong Kong – best in the world!
It’s back-to-back wins for Rosewood Hong Kong, with the property this week being named the best hotel in the world at an awards ceremony in Paris for The 50 Best Hotels 2026.
Rosewood also picked up the number one spot last year, after placing third in 2024. Upper House Hong Kong made the top ten this year, ranking eighth, with The Peninsula coming in at number 46. Two other HK hotels – Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons – made it into an extended top 100.
Rounding out the top three this year were two Bangkok hotels: Capella Bangkok came second, and Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River took the third spot.
Asia had 18 properties in the top 50 list, with Europe leading the way with 21, including six in each of Italy and France, four in the UK and one in Greece, Monaco, Switzerland and Türkiye. The highest-ranking European entry was Passalacqua in Lake Como, which came fifth.
The list is chosen by more than 800 anonymous judges, including hoteliers, travel journalists and other well-travelled experts.
Congrats to Rosewood and all the Hong Kong hotels who were recognised in the awards!
See all the winners at the50.com/hotels/best-in-the-world/list/1-50.
Upcoming Things to Do and See in Macau
If you’re after a fun mini-break, there’s so much going on in Macau right now! For starters, over five nights spread across September and October, the 34th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest is being held on the water in front of Macao Tower, with international pyrotechnic teams from as far afield as the UK and Canada trying to outdo each other with their fireworks displays. Speaking of pretty lights, Light Up Macau is on again this year, starting in December, featuring impressive interactive installations and lighting decorations. If it’s green lights you want, the 73rd Macau Grand Prix roars into action over two weekends in the middle of November – a must-see for motoring enthusiasts. And, for a change of pace, there are plenty of festivals, performances and more in store, too.
Dreamy Macau Getaway
Melco Resorts & Entertainment has launched REM, a new luxury hotel at City of Dreams Macau. Inspired by Rapid Eye Movement sleep, the hotel explores the space between dreams and reality through its design, accommodation and leisure facilities.
With 149 rooms and suites, the Reverie Café, an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre, the hotel is scheduled for its official grand opening in October.
Walking 8,000 Miles for Hope
Former HK expat Kate Barr is walking solo from Dumfries in her home country of Scotland to Hong Kong to raise £1 million for three Scottish charities: Scottish Action for Mental Health, The Befriending Project and The Usual Place. She began the 8,000-mile journey in April, travelling through Europe and Asia while sharing her progress online. The challenge reflects her personal connections to mental health, autism and community support, and it aims to encourage greater awareness, charity support and the belief that ordinary people can make a difference.
[email protected] | IG @edukate__
Boutique Stay in Singapore
Opened recently on the site of the former Selegie Centre is Varel Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott Bonvoy. Surrounded by an artsy hub of heritage buildings and lively streets, the 128-room boutique property reflects memories of its owner’s childhood in the Selegie area, expressed through the contemporary design, social spaces, rooftop leisure areas and dining venues.
The aim is to connect guests with the neighbourhood’s past and present while offering a calm city retreat.
Disney in Macau
Entertainment resort Studio City Macau is presenting “Disney Palette of Happiness” from now until the start of November, transforming the resort into a world filled with Disney characters, interactive games, photo spots and themed food. You can explore Magical Jungle Lodge, Isle of Wonder and Dreamy Rainbow Town, take part in DIY workshops, and enjoy cotton candy sessions.
Admission to the installations is free, with selected activities available at separate prices.
Buy a Slice of the Maldives!
Hospitality company SIX & SIX Private Islands recently announced plans to develop six residential island projects across the Maldives over the next six years, beginning with Rah Gili Maldives and Don Maaga Maldives. The former is located in South Malé Atoll and features 74 overwater villas with incredible nature experiences and diving, while Don Maaga presents larger residences with private services, dining options and wellness facilities. The plan? To create island homes shaped by the sea, supported by environmentally responsible practices and longterm community living.
Rejuvenation by the Sea
Guests staying at Samujana in Koh Samui in Thailand can now access a physician-led regenerative medical centre focused on longevity and recovery. Located a short drive from the villa estate, AVÉYA offers treatments designed to support joint health, mobility, skin renewal and overall wellbeing. Programmes begin with a private consultation, so therapies can be tailored to individual health goals and lifestyles.
Treatments include stem cell therapy, physiotherapy and cellular health programmes, with little to no recovery time required.
Rapid Rail
The ongoing expansion of China’s high-speed rail lines is good news for Hong Kong – it means more frequent services, faster speeds and new destinations, whether it’s for a travel getaway or a work connection.
New stops announced in the latest network upgrade include Nanjing, Wuxi and Hefei. The nearby southeast coast is a particular focus, with Guangzhou, Shanwei and Shantou all now quickly and easily reached from HK. For instance, there are five daily trains to Shantou (2 hours 20 minutes).
Below are some more stats, for trainspotters and travel planners alike:
- New destinations added from West Kowloon: 16
- Number of mainland cities now in the network: 110
- Total length of China’s high-speed railways: 50,000km
- Highest speed of trains in the network: Up to 380kph
- Furthest destination from West Kowloon: Xi’an (11 hours)
- Hours to get to the capital, Beijing: 8
- Number of daily services to Shanghai: 2
- Number of sleeper trains leaving from HK: 1-2 daily
A New Royal Garden
After 44 years, the Royal Garden hotel name has entered a new chapter with the opening of The Royal Garden Kowloon East at the start of 2026. The 366-room hotel stands in Tseung Kwan O, taking over the former Crowne Plaza Kowloon East. It brings a quiet, natureled approach to modern travel, shaped for families, groups and guests with pets. The hotel has been unfolding in phases, introducing seven villas with private gardens, family-focused rooms, dining spaces and wellness facilities.
Discover Capella at Macau
Capella at Galaxy Macau is an ultra-luxury offering in the Galaxy Macau integrated resort. The swish 17-storey tower has 95 suites and penthouses designed as private residences with large living spaces and personal butler service. Created with Paris-based studio Moinard Bétaille, the building features gorgeous curved forms, water elements and art installations. Guests can join tea rituals, cultural activities and dine at Botanica restaurant or Pony & Plume bar. The property offers a quieter, residential-style stay within one of Macau’s busiest entertainment districts.
Easy, Breezy Stay in Wan Chai
Hopewell Hotel, one of Hong Kong’s largest five-star hotels, has designed a stay package for families and leisure travellers planning a relaxed city break. Available on selected dates, it includes a complimentary breakfast buffet for two adults and two children for an easy and unhurried morning. Guests staying in an Executive City Suite or Panoramic Suite can request up to two rollaway beds.
Dining becomes part of the experience, too, with a 15 percent saving on à la carte food and selected drinks at Hopewell Inn and the Lobby Café & Bar. Complimentary internet, fitness centre access, and use of the outdoor swimming pool round off the list of perks. Prices start from $2,420.
hopewellhotel.com/offer/family-suite-escape
A First for Bangkok!
The first Andaz hotel recently opened in the Thai capital, right next to the city’s beautiful green space, Lumphini Park, on Wireless Road in the One Bangkok district. The property draws on the area’s history as well as modern city rhythms, with interiors shaped by local design ideas and artworks. There are 244 rooms with sweeping views, plus a range of dining spaces from Chinese cuisine to Mediterranean flavours, a rooftop venue, pool and fitness centre.
Direct access to the MRT and nearby expressways helps guests move easily around Bangkok and beyond.
A New Type of Travel
Travellers are rethinking their journeys, choosing nature, mindfulness and authenticity over nightlife and screen time. The recent Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey reveals that people are increasingly seeking realworld experiences that restore and inspire them.
Women and international travellers especially value natural beauty, history and local culture, while hiking, wellness and meaningful exploration came on top of the list of travel motivations; nightlife came last! With the shift comes a preference for quieter, history-rich destinations where travellers find connection, balance and perspective.
Kids’ Nature Fun Zone
Alma, the family-friendly beachfront resort in southern Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Peninsula, recently introduced Alma Discovery Camp, a new recreation and educational offering that connects kids with nature, farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The camp, aimed at ages four to 14, provides hands-on learning through interactive farm visits and a dedicated museum, helping to foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Young guests can explore farm habitats, patting and feeding animals including cows, goats, chickens, ducks and rabbits.
# Travel news from earlier editions of Expat Living
Festive fun in Vietnam
Can’t get to Europe for a traditional winter Christmas? Here’s the next best thing! Located on the southwest coast of Phu Quoc in Vietnam, La Festa Phu Quoc, Curio Collection by Hilton is an Italian-inspired resort that blends distinctive Amalfi-style architecture with panoramic views of the island’s signature sunsets. The resort is hosting a calendar full of festivities for the holiday season, from heavenly high teas and romantic evenings to bountiful buffet dinners, grand gala gatherings and fireworks galore. Guests can step inside an authentic Italian Christmas village, with sparkling decorations, glittering trees, market stalls and more! A symphony of flavours also awaits at The Merchant, the resort’s vibrant restaurant, at rustic trattoria Mare, and at Il Salone, Phu Quoc’s first and only artisanal café.
Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 180 hand-picked hotels that tell a unique story through distinctive architecture and design, world-class food and beverages and curated experiences.
hilton.com/en/hotels/pqcpqqq-
What Do You Know About Wan Chai?
The Hari Hong Kong has an audio walking guide to Wan Chai, which scratches beneath the surface of this former fishing village. Features include an interactive map and narrations of seven of the district’s hidden gems. The guide is accessible through a user-friendly app called The Hari Neighbourhood Guide Audio Tour, and is part of the hotel’s “Live Like a Local” staycation package, which includes a one-night stay priced from $1,800, with daily breakfast for two, a branded tote bag, Wan Chai postcards, bespoke gallery tour with PHD Group, and early check-in and late check-out subject to availability.
Healthy in Hua Hin
Chiva-Som has provided luxury holistic wellness retreats in Thailand for over 30 years. At its Hua Hin property, the Weather-Responsive Wellness programme features sound baths, movement classes, skincare and dermatological analysis targeted to environmental shifts. Other offerings include Metabolic Reset, Building Longevity Lifestyle Habits, Emotional Growth, and Tailored Men’s and Women’s Wellness, with a range of gender-specific services from pre- and post-pregnancy yoga to supporting pelvic floor strength, post-pregnancy recovery and prostate health.
chivasom.com/en/chiva-som-hua-hin
Parisian Countryside Charm
La Ferme de Vallées is a boutique 38-room farm stay located within 185 acres of woodland just 45 minutes from Paris. This fairytale hamlet is set on the historic estate of a transformed 12th-century Cistercian abbey. The four farm buildings also provide an option for renting a self-contained home. These properties overlook forests or a picturesque courtyard, and you can choose a cottage style with private garden or an opulent stay with bed canopies.
To create a traditional farm-stay experience, you’ll be invited to help care for the chickens, rabbits, goats and donkeys in the surrounding meadows and fields. There are also lakes, trails, art studios, a kids’ club, spa, bar and restaurant on the property to explore and enjoy.
City to Sea
We’re always interested in travel that’s a one-of-a-kind adventure filled with wildlife, heritage and sustainability. Wayfairer Travel has created a 15-night Asian itinerary that’s packed to the brim with exactly that. You’ll start in Japan to experience the contrast between high-energy Tokyo and hot spring country, home to the famous snow monkeys. Then, you’ll leave for Indonesia for a nine-day ocean voyage on a traditional pinisi ship with SeaTrek, swim in a lake of stingless jellyfish, trek with birds of paradise, relax under waterfalls and snorkel over thriving coral reefs.
South Africa Seaside Stay
Birkenhead House is a coastal retreat in South Africa that has recently undergone a fresh coat of paint and added a selection of fab new décor elements. Set on a clifftop, the property’s iconic oceanside location is a gateway to experiencing the region’s natural beauty. Inside, the restyled interiors draw on the hotel’s incredible surroundings – and, we must say, Birkenhead House looks better than ever!
The pièce de résistance of the update is the conservatory design, which is inspired by the surrounding mountain and seascape vistas. The space features bold green and white stripes and tall pots with feathery ferns that add a touch of playfulness and drama to the design. In all, it’s a bold and creative new look for this high-end establishment – and even more reason to add it to the bucket list!
theroyalportfolio.com/birkenhead-house
Bollywood & Bombay
Back in 1896, Mumbai became the hub of Bollywood cinema and fondly known as the “city of dreams”. The Moxy Mumbai Andheri West by Marriott draws on these golden days, with interiors bursting with magenta, electric blue and sunny yellow hues, and a curated collection of eclectic and nostalgic artworks and accessories. A highlight is the Moxy Sky rooftop bar, with panoramic views of the Mumbai skyline plus music and cocktails beside an infinity pool. For an additional taste of Bollywood, there are plenty of iconic cinemas in the neighbourhood to explore too. The hotel is 9km from Mumbai International Airport.
An Ace of a Place in Kyoto
The building housing the Ace Hotel Kyoto was a telephone office a century ago; today, it’s a gateway for exploring this fascinating city. Recently earning a spot on the prestigious Michelin Key list for the top hotels in Japan, the property hosts a range of interesting programmes, from one-off menus and exhibitions to a quarterly record fair featuring live performances, DJs and shops selling rare vinyl. There’s also direct entrance to Karasuma Oike Station for easy access to bustling Nishiki Market, the Museum of Kyoto and Kyoto Art Center.
Explore Adelaide in South Australia
When the Adelaide Marriott Hotel opened in 2024, it marked Marriott International’s 600th property in Asia Pacific, and also the first for the brand in South Australia. Interestingly, the hotel has a 150-year old landmark, the Adelaide General Post Office (GPO) building, as its façade. The 14-storey tower includes 285 guestrooms and 12 suites with city skyline views.
Bonding with Horses
Sumba Indonesia is offering an experience for those looking to travel for healing and self-discovery. “Retreat and Conquer” is a five-day equine therapy course under the guidance of Professor Andreas Liefooghe, founder of Operation Centaur. The gentle and intuitive horses become your co-partners in a therapeutic process with activities to help participants gain profound insight into their emotions, communication styles and behavioural patterns through building trust, creating boundaries and embracing vulnerability. See the website for upcoming dates.
Retreat for Wellness & Workouts
The idea of yin and yang has long held court in leading a healthy lifestyle. This is also true for many who like to keep moving even while they’re relaxing on a holiday. With this in mind, TIA Wellness Resort located on Vietnam’s central coast has expanded its wellness offerings and also added a new studio.
During your stay, more than 80 wellness therapists, trainers and specialists can help you explore offerings beyond what you can usually expect from hotels and resorts. For starters, they now have a range of dynamic yoga styles to try from a 60-minute Gentle Hatha Class to vinyasa-style yoga classes that focus on holding postures, flexibility and breath control. There are also new HIIT Power Workouts built around short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief periods of rest. The 30-minute workout builds strength, cardiovascular health and metabolism.
Bag Drop Via Smartphone
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) operates the world’s first Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service. Passengers can complete online check-in and scan their travel documents with their smartphones before heading to the airport. At HKIA, they can proceed directly to the Express Bag Drop counters and drop their bags by themselves with their smartphones in under a minute – faster than a smart check-in kiosk. This makes HKIA the only airport in the world where you can complete all departure procedures – from bag-drop to check-in to boarding – using just a smartphone and facial recognition technology. It’s available for travellers over age 11 through HK Express, Cathay Pacific Airline and Hong Kong Airlines.
Pack Your Bags for Penang
HK Express Airways operates a route from Hong Kong to Malaysia’s Penang International Airport (PEN). In just three hours, you can touch down on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in one of the country’s top tourist destinations, renowned for a rich history of trade, colonial architecture, the colourful UNESCO World Heritage city of George Town and delicious specialty snacks and meals that stop foodies on every corner.
Capybara Cuteness
We’ve found a resort where you can get as close to experiencing a Capybara sleepover as possible. At the Izu Resort Villa, three hours from Tokyo, you’ll have floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on a garden full of these cute creatures. Better yet, you can just step outside your living room and interact with them throughout the day. The villa is spread over two spacious levels, has garden views and can accommodate two to six people. Aside from capybaras, the property also offers guests access to a tennis court, library and sauna.
Kid-free Fun!
The Meliá Ibiza in Santa Eulalia is Melia’s first adults-only (16+) hotel on the island and also the first hotel with an outdoor water circuit in the area. The property has 285 rooms, four restaurants, a rooftop with unique views of the Mediterranean, an outdoor swimming pool, a 24-hour gym and a spa and wellness area with Thai-inspired treatments, and more facilities and experiences. The resort has also partnered with social impact company Gravity Wave to remove three tonnes of plastic from the Mediterranean Sea and its harbours. Waste is repurposed to create new objects for the hotel’s use, giving it a new life.
melia.com/en/hotels/spain/ibiza/melia-ibiza
Go-an Relax!
The Courtyard by Marriott Goa Colva has opened in an area of Southern Goa known for its white sand beaches, laidback “susegad” lifestyle and IndoPortuguese architecture. Explore a variety of beaches including the bioluminescent Betalbatim Beach, visit local restaurants, find waterfalls, wander through local markets and learn about the region’s history. The hotel also has multiple dining options, a poolside bar, kids’ club and spa.
Enchanting Château
Planning a trip to France? Don’t miss a night or two in a château in the countryside! The Château de Vault-deLugny is a fab option just a train ride from Paris. Escape into an enchanting wooded retreat that includes a Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Valucien, run by Franco Bowanee. There’s also an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi set in the property’s stone cellar and plenty to explore in surrounding Burgundy.
Play & Stay at Cordis
Cordis Hong Kong has created the Family Kid Room, a space designed for two adults and two children under seven. Along with a king Signature Dream Bed for adults and a bunk bed for the little guests, the room is playfully inspired by Cody and Coco, two endangered red panda hotel ambassadors. It has a kitchenette, and comes with healthy snacks, slippers, and essential items like toothbrushes and bathrobes. Kids receive a welcome card and backpack filled with a variety of Cody-themed goodies. The Travel with Kids Package is $3,100 for a family of four and includes daily breakfast, 15-minute hand or foot massages for kids, a 15 percent discount on food and beverages, and complimentary access to the health club, swimming pool and a range of experiences from tai chi to wine tastings.
3552 3552 | [email protected]
A Staycation for Creatives
If you’re interested in an eclectic, creative and design-forward hotel, you’ll love the Mondrian Hong Kong. Designed by Karin Krautgartner of KK Design and a selection of local and international artists, this hotel aims to be a new HK icon, inspired by lively fishing villages and the city’s renowned tailors. The triangular windows offer sweeping harbour and island skyline views, the bathroom tiles reflect our pebbled beaches, and you’ll find beautiful fabrics, glass chandeliers, underwater creatures engraved along corridors, a water goddess mural and more.
Hotel Heritage in Hanoi
For a Vietnam visit that’s steeped in history, book a room in the refurbed Heritage Wing of iconic luxury hotel, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. The Luxury Rooms, Grand Luxury Rooms, Metropole Suites and Legendary Suites – the latter named after former famous guests of the hotel: Graham Greene, Somerset Maugham and Charlie Chaplin – feature Italian marble surfaces and floors, contemporary artwork, mood lighting, a preserved original staircase and other elements that capture the hotel’s history and essence.
sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com
Late Season Skiing
Hokkaido’s pristine Kiroro region is renowned for a record breaking 21-metre snowfall and an extended 160-day winter, which means that even into early May it’s a wonderful alpine escape for any snowboarding or skiing enthusiast. If that sounds like you, there’s more good news: well-known all-inclusive holiday brand Club Med has a property in this region, Club Med Kiroro Grand, which is well placed for taking advantage of all that outdoors fun.
clubmed.com.sg/r/kiroro-grand/w
Soothe Your Soul
If you’re looking to rejuvenate mind, body and soul, Teardrop Hotels in Sri Lanka has four wellness experiences to enjoy. The Soulful Detox is a two-day package of massages, somatic breathwork and tea-infused body wraps. Teardrop Ayurveda Essentials taps into ancient Indian and Nepalese wisdom with yoga, meditation, nature walks and a specially curated natural menu. The energy-boosting Jet Lag has massages, foot soaking, yoga and personalised wellness check-ins. And the Rediscovering Inner Harmony experience helps you manage stress and rediscover your work-life balance.
Tastes of Thailand
Nimitr Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, on the 27th floor of the luxurious 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, showcases local herbs and spices from the owning family’s farm and the surrounding region along with flavours from different corners of Thailand. Choose from the à la carte or four-course set menu with specially curated wines from an award-winning Thai winery. Start with Miang Kham King scallops with lemongrass and coconut or grilled Thai wagyu beef served with a chakram leaves salad and duck egg, while for mains, there’s the likes of Gaeng Lueng Pla Salmon, a unique yellow curry, and Gai Yang with Ma Kham, chicken marinated with tamarind sauce.
137pillarshotels.com/en/bangkok/dining/nimitr
Discover the Art of Italy
Located in Florence, a city bursting with rich artistic heritage, Hotel Calimala has expanded by opening an adjacent property, Hotel Calimala The West. The property spans five floors and offers 65 carefully redesigned rooms that maintain the iconic interior décor of the original hotel: distressed stone walls, high ceilings, velvet, brass and marble, geometric motifs and tri-coloured terrazzo flooring. There’s a sophisticated restaurant on the ground floor too.
One for the Change Makers
Greek hotel brand Scorpios has expanded from Mykonos across the Aegean Sea, opening a property in Bodrum, Turkey. The company’s vision to create a gathering place for artists and change makers to connect is upheld at the new property, which offers cultural programmes and artist residencies. Set on a 75-thousand-square-metre peninsula, there are two restaurants, a club house, beach club, ritual space and 12 luxurious private suites. Activities include mindfulness practice, sound meditation, breathwork – even ice plunges!
Fall in Love Again
Love is in the air at this resort nestled in the jungles of Bali. The Nirjhara is an idyllic honeymoon location overlooking rice fields and surrounded by a river and cascades. Here, couples can start their marriage in tropical bliss with the honeymoon package, a three-night package including sunset cocktails, a five-course dinner for two, daily breakfast, a couple’s spa treatment, private use of the cinema and complimentary activities.
Wildlife Wonders
Journey into the heart of Cambodia with a four day bird-watching package by The Aviary. Guided by local bird-watching experts, you’ll venture into nature for extraordinary encounters with some of Cambodia’s 600 unique and rare bird species. The experience includes a stay at a boutique hotel in the heart of Siem Reap.
Spanish Luxury – for Adults Only
The Paradisus Salinas is a five-star Meliá Hotel on the island of Lanzarote in Spain. It’s characterised by a beach setting that flows into tropical gardens surrounding an expansive pool, with murals and paintings complementing the design. Spend your days by the beach, tour popular sites or go on an artistic excursion. And don’t miss the winery tour, where you can see vines growing from Lanzarote’s volcanic ash.
Star Wars in the Sahara
Surrounded by golden rolling dunes and swaying palms, The Residence Douz in southern Tunisia has all the high-end facilities you’d expect (gourmet restaurants, pool, spa and more), along with a fascinating day trip to Matmata village, famed for its troglodyte houses which were the setting of Luke Skywalker’s childhood home in Star Wars. You can also enjoy a luxury camping experience in the middle of the desert, or go on adventures by jeep, camel or quadbike.
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