1. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TOKYO AT OTEMACHI
Tokyo, Japan
Perfectly capturing the fusion of tradition and modernity that makes Japan unique, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi is a jaw-dropping design haven set atop the gleaming 39-storey Otemachi One Tower, with spectacular views across the Imperial Palace Gardens and the Tokyo skyline. Imagined by Denniston principal designer Jean-Michel Gathy, guestrooms are finished in hues of bronze and dark blue with distinct Japanese touches, with original artworks by homegrown Tokyo talent Namiko Kitaura.
At the 39th-floor reception, guests are greeted by a trio of boulders in a shallow pond, providing a foreground to the urban landscape of downtown Tokyo and the Imperial Palace below, revealed through a wall of windows. Dining takes a French turn at Est, where Michelin-starred chef Guillaume Bracaval presents degustation menus blending seasonal Japanese ingredients with contemporary French cuisine; and VIRTÙ, where head barman Joshua Perez blends classic Parisian libations with distinctly Japanese flavours. Italy’s tradition of aperitivo can be observed at rooftop restaurant and terrazza Pigneto and there’s sky-high afternoon tea and delicate sweets, pastries and desserts from Yusuke Aoki at The Lounge.
2. ONE&ONLY DESARU COAST
Johur, Malaysia
Award-winning Kerry Hill Architects has taken resort design to the next level at One&Only Desaru Coast, an ultra-luxury escape on Malaysia’s pristine south-eastern tip. Surrounded by lush rainforest on one side and the waters of the South China Sea on the other, this low-impact, minimal style hideaway is home to 42 Junior Suites with private plunge pools, two spacious Grand Suites and the superlative Villa One, a 1,500-sqm four-bedroom villa with its own private spa and a 27-metre swimming pool.
Health and wellness are front and centre at One&Only Spa by Chenot – the first created in partnership with the French preventative medical specialist – which offers holistic programmes that extend into every element of your stay, from fitness schedules and tailored nutritional menus to targeted spa treatments and bespoke stress-relieving activities. Fingers and toes are taken care of at Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez and active guests can tap into local energy and culture with a lesson in Silta Melayu (traditional martial arts) or a round on the nearby Els Club and its championship golf courses.
3. RADISSON BLU RESORT MALDIVES
Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
Surrounded by the cyan waters of Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, 30 minutes from Malé by scenic seaplane, Radisson Blu Resort Maldives is a private island paradise designed with the whole family in mind. Nestled on the idyllic Huruelhi Island, the resort is home to 128 beachfront and overwater villas including 98 spectacular overwater villas that are perfect sized for couples looking for an intimate escape. Two- or three-bedroom Family Beach Villas and Family Beach Suites with private infinity pools and spacious outdoor decks are ideal if you plan to bring the kids along or travel with friends, and the magnificent Presidential Water Villa boasts a private gym and couple’s massage room looking out across the ocean, in addition to two sprawling levels of indoor-outdoor space.
While grown-ups indulge in the Blu Spa or explore the teeming waters of the surrounding reef, junior jetsetters are taken care of at Kohko kids club. With seven restaurants, bars and lounges offering a range of dining experiences including Nikkei and Pan-Asian cuisine, fresh seafood and innovative wine and cocktail-pairing menus, Radisson Blu Resort Maldives is the ultimate family escape.
4. MONDRIAN SEOUL ITAEWON
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul’s quirky blend of tech innovation, contemporary design and K-Pop culture makes it a perfect spot for the latest member of the Mondrian family, a collection of hotels infused with a unique sense of identity inspired by myths and legends. Breathing new life into the former Capital Hotel, which was originally built to accommodate international visitors during the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics, Mondrian Seoul Itaewon is a heady fusion of whimsical art, striking design and original architectural elements that come together to create a unique experience in Seoul’s happening Itaewon district. Guests are greeted by an art installation by South Korean artist Kwangho Lee and a Sculptural Forest of colourful plants and hanging LED lights in the lobby, where a six-metre high LED wall displays constantly evolving digital art.
On the roof, the old machinery room has been converted into rooftop bar Privilege, adjacent to the outdoor pool and poolside bar, Altitude, affording spectacular views of Namsan Mountain and Yongsan Park. Two additional bars, Rumpus Room and Blind, will lure locals and guests alike, while an indoor pool and health club offer respite from the bustling city. While the public spaces are bold and lively, adorned with original works by 10 local artists, the 296 guestrooms offer a more simplistic, pared back aesthetic, just the tonic one needs after exploring the vibrant streets of Seoul.