Most of us choose where to go and then start planning where to stay. But some hotels are so seductive that they don’t just unlock a destination – they inspire the entire trip. Here are the hotels to look out for this year, from properties enveloped by nature to design masterpieces crafted by avant-garde architects.

1. Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

Architect Bill Bensley launched Shinta Mani Wild (above) deep within the Cambodian wilderness. With a cluster of raised wooden structures that peer over the jungle, it’s no surprise that it’s now a member of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World.

2. Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Located just next to KL’s Petronas Twin Towers, the Four Seasons KL’s Yun House restaurant was crafted by Ed Ng and Terence Ngan to express the outside impact on the city’s history over the centuries, from the mercantile Cantonese to British colonials.

3. Amanyangyun, China

Built out of Ming and Qing dynasty village houses and set up in a forest just an hour outside Shanghai, Amanyangyun was named Hotel of the Year at the prestigious AHEAD Awards in 2019 for its skilful blend of chic minimalism and luxurious detail.

4. The Lindis, New Zealand

Some hotels are truly liberating Sometimes, all you need is to fall off the map, and The Lindis in New Zealand’s South Island is probably as off-grid as it gets. With a rolling roof inspired by the contours of the landscape, plush but earthy interiors and a range of experiences from fly-fishing to horse riding, it’s all too easy to forget about the rest of the world.

5. Trunk Hotel, Japan

Less is definitely more in Tokyo’s tiny Trunk Hotel, which has just 15 designer rooms in the city’s fashion-focused Shibuya ward. In contrast to the neighbourhood’s decidedly futuristic and neon aesthetic, Trunk Hotel exhibits more natural tones, with upcycled timber and potted plants that bulge from the crisp lines of the exteriors.

6. Rosewood Bangkok, Thailand

Some hotels can make a destination, whereas others have a way of embodying it. Rosewood Bangkok was modelled on the traditional Thai wai, the national greeting emblematic of Thai hospitality, adding yet another eclectic high-rise to the city’s hodgepodge skyline. The 158 rooms epitomise contemporary urban luxury with floor-to-ceiling inclined windows that parade generous city views.

7. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand

In northern Thailand, the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort recently constructed giant glass bubbles where guests can come face-to-trunk with the resort’s elephants.

8. Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Sri Lanka

Nestled just outside Yala National Park in southern Sri Lanka, the Wild Coast Tented Lodge has large luxury tent-like structures landscaped in the shape of a leopard’s paw in honour of the park’s most celebrated residents.

To book a flight to these destinations, visit malaysiaairlines.com. 

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