As if any of us needed further proof that China was the verge of reorienting the East-West axis, check out this first line from a recent Travel + Leisure feature: “China is in the midst of what may be the biggest building boom in human history, surpassing the creation of the Pyramids and the Great...
BALI, Indonesia — Less than six months after putting the finishing touches on an extensive refurbishment, The Legian Bali has been put on a pedestal by one of the most prestigious hospitality organizations in the world. On Nov. 18, the legendary resort on Seminyak Beach picked up a ‘Commitment to Quality’ award from The Leading...
MANILA — A year after Sofitel Philippine Plaza closed its flagship restaurant, Spiral is rising like a phoenix, plump, glistening and strutting toward a reputation as one of Asia's finest new dining venues. In anticipation of the restaurant's US $11 million renaissance, which was celebrated earlier this month during an extravagant grand reopening event, the...
HALONG BAY, Vietnam —The newest option to open in famed Ha Long Bay is a day cruise through the rarely explored Western Isles aboard the UNESCO Heritage Site’s only international-standard fleet of private junks. Life Heritage Resort Ha Long Bay has begun ferrying small groups on customisable four- and six-hour cruises through lesser-known portions of...
HALONG BAY, Vietnam (19 Nov. 2012) — The Emeraude’s annual rite of passage through northern Vietnam’s dry-docks concluded recently and the cruising vessel emerged with more deluxe bathrooms and completely refreshed cabins. The new bathrooms feature rain shower heads, new sinks, repositioned toilets and an aesthetic makeover that trades in the old school nautical feel...
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — As Ho Chi Minh City hurries to cut the ribbon on a new crop of gleaming shopping malls and high-rise complexes, one of its most iconic hotels is quietly unveiling a nostalgia-tinged sanctuary of wellness and rejuvenation in the historic heart of the city. Six weeks after its soft...
SINGAPORE — GHM moved into new territory this month after signing on to develop the Chedi Tomakomai, a 60-room luxury hotel and expansive wellness complex set within 1,057 hectares of lush forest on the island of Hokkaido in northern Japan. Following the agreement between GHM Holdings and Nordenwald Company Ltd., construction on the project will...
NEW YORK — Vietnam can now lay claim to one of the top three hotels in Southeast Asia, two of Asia’s top 15 resorts and one of Asia's top 10 cities, according to the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2012. Announced in New York on Oct. 16, the results of Conde Nast Traveler’s 25th...
LUANG PRABANG, Laos — The multi-awarded Apple Tree Group last week appointed a new management team to head operations at the eco-glamping retreat Kamu Lodge in Luang Prabang. French native Olivier Trafial takes the reins as Manager of the 20-tent Kamu Lodge while Natchanan Kamchua from Thailand is set to revitalize Villa Maly’s kitchen as...
PHUKET, Thailand — Seven days, one 42-metre yacht and 205 miles of the Andaman Sea’s most inviting waters and pristine islands are the primary elements at play in a new family-oriented cruise launched this month by the M.Y. Calisto in Phuket. Setting sail from the Laem Prao Marina and skirting the spectacular coastlines of Phi...
