Here are Fodor’s 7 best hotels in the Asia-Pacific Region

For many U.S. residents, traveling to Asia—and even further to Australia—can be quite the journey. This makes selecting the right accommodation essential for a successful trip. While this list by Fodor only scratches the surface of the diverse and expansive hotel offerings in this vast region, each of these options guarantees a memorable and enjoyable stay.

From stunning villas along Vietnam’s coast and whimsical treehouses in southern Japan to a 1920s fishing lodge in New Zealand and a converted prison in Australia, these properties are so exceptional that we would happily endure an 18-hour flight just for a short stay.

1. Anantara Quy Nhon
Quy Nhon, Vietnam

Anantara Quy Nhon’s breathtaking location overlooking the Bay of Quy Nhon makes it well worth a visit to this lesser-known coastal region of Vietnam. The area is rich in culture, with a commitment to ancient arts and a renowned Buddhist center, all of which are still waiting to be discovered. Anantara’s expert team offers heritage tours, Viet Vo Dao martial arts sessions, and cooking classes that include market visits. The resort’s cliffside spa pavilions enhance treatments like chakra crystal balancing and the 210-minute Journey of Vietnam, which combines a massage, facial, and coconut bath.

With 26 luxury villas, you’ll want to allow time to relax in these private, pristine spaces. Floor-to-ceiling doors open onto a sundeck with either a plunge or infinity pool, and ample lounging areas are available for sunbathing or relaxing in the shade. Villas come stocked with a daily selection of fresh fruits, a minibar, a small wine cellar, and Nespresso machines. Your gracious butler is just a call away for anything else you might need.

Book via Booking.com* from $450/night

2. Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape
Bali, Indonesia

It’s hard to imagine a place where you feel more connected to Bali’s stunning natural surroundings than at Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape. Located in Northern Ubud, this adults-only property, which opened in June 2022, offers 16 open-air villas with no walls or doors. Designed by local sustainable architect Gede Kresna, the resort is seamlessly integrated with the surrounding rice paddies, jungle, waterfalls, and natural springs along the Ayung River.

The villas are equipped with mosquito nets and roll-down shades for rain protection, but otherwise, they’re entirely open to nature. Salvaged ironwood, teak furnishings, Javanese copper bathtubs, and woven rattan mats contribute to the rustic yet refined aesthetic. Guests can enjoy the infinity pool that extends over the valley, locally inspired spa treatments, or arrange for activities like cooking classes, mountain biking, or aerial silk yoga.

Book via Booking.com* from $1,000/night

3. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Koh Samui, Thailand

Luxury is all about the details at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which sits atop a lush mountaintop overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley, each villa features a private infinity pool with panoramic sea views, surrounded by native flora and fauna that provide ample privacy. Nature is central to the resort’s design, which was built around the existing landscape, including nearly 900 coconut trees.

Guests can explore the island with a private chauffeur, enjoy themed dinners on the beach, or partake in holistic spa treatments like sound healing and ecstatic dance. The resort also offers a range of classes, from beach painting to Muay Thai lessons. After a day of activities, unwind with a rose petal and coconut milk bath or enjoy a nightcap under the stars at CoCo Rum.

Book via Booking.com* from $1,500/night

4. Huka Lodge
Taupō, New Zealand

Huka Lodge, known as the “Grande Dame of New Zealand,” began as a simple fishing lodge in the 1920s and has since evolved into a premier luxury destination. The lodge offers 20 spacious junior suites, each with a king-size bed and terrace overlooking the Waikato River. For an even more luxurious experience, guests can stay in one of the owner’s residences, like the opulent Alex Van Heeren Cottage.

The lodge’s sole restaurant offers a superb dining experience with a tasting menu featuring sustainably sourced ingredients like spanner crab and Southland lamb. Meals are best enjoyed on the charming terrace, surrounded by the lodge’s 17 acres of manicured grounds, which include orchards, native plants, and fauna.

Book via Booking.com* from $3,000/night

5. The Interlude
Melbourne, Australia

The Interlude is a luxury urban retreat in the heart of Melbourne, created from a former 170-year-old prison after a billion-dollar renovation. While the original stone walls and facade of Pentridge Prison remain intact, the 19 suites within are far from reminiscent of the cells of the past. Heritage bluestone walls, local artisan furnishings, and black marble bathrooms adorn the rooms, while barred windows and draped barrel-vaulted ceilings add a dramatic yet softened touch.

The hotel’s wellness area features a candlelit swimming pool, perfect for a 60-minute bathing ritual followed by a glass of bubbly. Guests can dine at Olivine and North & Common, the hotel’s wine bar and restaurant, which offers an excellent selection of Australian wines and seasonal dishes.

Book via Booking.com* from $300/night

6. Jetwing Vil Uyana
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Jetwing Vil Uyana is an eco-resort spread over 28 acres of reclaimed paddy fields, now transformed into a man-made wetland oasis. Upon arrival, guests are taken to the lakeside library for check-in before being introduced to their private butler. The resort offers five types of natural dwellings: garden, forest, water, paddy, and marsh, with each of the 36 rooms featuring a bathtub, and some also offering plunge pools.

Explore the wetlands on foot with the in-house naturalist, where you may encounter over 140 bird species, an in-house crocodile, or the elusive gray slender loris. The resort is also minutes from the 5th-century Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can challenge yourself to climb 1,200 steps to see the ancient city and its cave paintings.

Book via Booking.com* from $600/night

7. Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort
Okinawa, Japan

Nestled in the subtropical island chain of Okinawa, Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort offers a peaceful retreat from modern life. The resort, a collection of treehouses built among dense forests, is inspired by a childhood book read by the owner, Satoru Kikugawa. Sustainability is at the forefront, with the resort featuring composting toilets and plans for generating its own electricity.

The treehouses are far from rustic, with polished interiors featuring handcrafted furnishings and natural wood finishes. Each treehouse has its own character, with the newest addition, the Golden Trophy Treehouse, influenced by Kyoto’s famous Kinkaku-ji temple. Cleverly positioned windows provide breathtaking views of the surrounding nature, allowing guests to unwind and reconnect with the natural world.

Book via Booking.com* from $1,300/night