From a room built around a natural hot spring to a villa in the middle of a rainforest, these boutique hotels will make your accommodation the highlight of your trip.
Luxury chain hotels are a dime a dozen across the world. Where ever you travel, you will not be short of 5-star hotels ready to check you in and see to your every need. What will make your trip more interesting are boutique hotels that are bound to be many times more fun and picture-worthy than their boring chain hotel counterparts. While luxury penthouses have breathtaking views as their main selling feature, boutique hotels often have unique themes or natural landmarks local to them that stands them apart from other forms of accommodation anywhere else.
From a room built around a natural hot spring to a villa in the middle of the thick, dense rainforest, these boutique hotels, each with a unique selling point of its own, will make your accommodation the highlight of your trip.
#1 – Angkor Village Hotel, Cambodia
Architecture, culture and nature come together in seamless harmony at Angkor Village Hotel. Drawing its inspiration from the traditional river village setting of Buddhist monks, it is an oasis of hardwood floors and walls, where each individual room overlooks the serene lotus ponds and garden. Guests are ensured complete privacy in singular huts that, furnished with traditional furniture and local art and crafts, promise a warm, comfortable and authentic atmosphere.
#2 – Tengchong Hot Spring Village, China
Nestled in a picturesque valley near the western edge of the Yunnan province, Tengchong is one of China’s leading world-class hot spring retreats. It is composed of 37 intimate rooms, each of which comes complete with its private hot tub. The water that fills the tubs comes from a natural hot spring source that is rich in minerals and goodness of the land. The resort also features an extensive array of 43 outdoor and indoor hot spring pools in six different themes. Coupled with just the perfect tropical highland climate, Tengchong is the perfect setting for a retreat of hydrotherapy and relaxation.
#3 – The Raj Palace, India
Having once hosted royalty the likes of the Maharajah and Maharani of Jaipur, the Raj Palace was a villa that was refurbished to be turned into the hotel it is today. One thing was kept the same, however — it still retains all its glory and charm from its royal days, exuding true luxury with an Indian flavour. It is home to one of the biggest crystal chandeliers in all of India as well as roomfuls of antique crockery dating back centuries in time. An indoor swimming pool, a dining room that can seat over 30 people at a time and a life-sized chess board are only some of the facilities of the place.
#4 – The Shorea, Malaysia
Built within a tropical forest reserve, the secluded villas of The Shorea are set on natural hillside terrain, giving you a glimpse of the best of nature and forest the moment you wake up in the morning. Earthen paths lead down from the main building of the retreat to a jungle stream that is fed by a majestic natural waterfall of the clearest, crispest waters. The resort is constructed of mainly timber the likes of balau, chengal, keruing and meranti which are sourced locally. Other parts like the main roof beam, pillars, staircases, balustrades and bridges are constructed using recycled timber.
#5 – Discovery Shores, Philippines
The labyrinth of serviced apartments with a touch of luxury that is Discovery Shores in Boracay is perfect for a romantic couple’s weekend getaway or a memorable family vacation. Spend lazy afternoons by the clear, blue waters of the famed Boracay beaches before returning to your private rooms that are reminiscent of your own apartment back home. They are fully equipped with all the amenities you’ll find in a typical home so you’ll never be of want. Modern architecture and good planning stacked the rooms one on top of another in a seemingly haphazard manner at first glance but at closer look, actually lends a whimsical feel to the whole experience.
#6 – Princess D’an Nam Resort, Vietnam
The Princess D’an Nam Resort is a blend of Vietnamese and Chinese influences, resulting in a hotel that is reminiscent of olden day Oriental charm. Ornate latticework and rubbled walls bring a dainty, quaint atmosphere to its panoramic resort setting. Replete with natural beauty of both sea and greenery, the resort is a haven of calm and luxury with well-trained Vietnamese staff who offer 24-hour in-villa service and exceptional gourmet cuisine.
#7 – The Bale, Indonesia
The Bale is a rare gem of a retreat, dedicated to revitailising tired souls and rejuvenating jaded spirits of all who stay with them. Comprising of only a small handful of 29 pavillions, each with its own private swimming pool, look forward to strolling through serene white-walled coutyards and open-air water pools when you book a stay with it. It also features a unique collection of holistic spa treatments and well-being programmes designed to rest and relax the mind as well as a menu of organic produce so you can eat your way to better inner wellness.