Far-flung trips tend to take a tad more planning, but these boutique hotels in Asia are worth every air mile. If Bali feels a bit ‘been there, done that’, the Gili Islands are a lesser-visited alternative if you’re hoping to get into a tropical state of mind (and looking to unwind), while two luxury openings in the major Chinese port of Quanzhou combine coastal relaxation and city break action.
1. Villa Tokay, Lombok – Indonesia
On a teeny-tiny island just off the coast of Lombok lies Villa Tokay, a cluster of tropical hideaways inspired by nature (think leaf-shaped bamboo structures and curving tidal shapes). The indoor-outdoor villas encourage guests to spend most of their time barefoot, in a hammock suspended above the pool (if you’re a lucky resident of the Leaf villa) or soaking up your palm-fringed surroundings from a relaxing flower bath in a freestanding tub hidden amid the foliage.
There’s complimentary snorkelling gear to grab and bicycles to borrow when it’s time to answer the siren call of Gili Air – chilled beach clubs, coconut farms and coffee shacks dot the island, and you can even swim with sea turtles on the north-eastern shoreline.
Villa Tokay | Book Now
2. Kaipuu on the Reef, Quanzhou – China
Bookings from January 2024
Teetering in total tranquillity above the natural rocks of Quanzhou, rooms at Kaipuu on the Reef are nestled into the crescent-shaped beach and come with sparkling sea vistas. The minimalist interiors have been meticulously styled by Chongqing-based designer, Xie Ke, artfully blending a soothing, stone-based palette with natural materials, clean lines, and vast sheets of glass to flood the spaces with those milky-blue views. A primordial reef is preserved within the foyer, and vast monoliths of stone and columns have been elegantly layered around the grand entrance.
Spend your days gazing out from the panoramic Bar Reef, with wine in hand, visit the Cigar Bar, or indulge in the highest hospitality with tea ceremony in the Tea Loft, complete with local handmade snacks. Take a dip in the curved infinity pool that seamlessly aligns with the horizon and sky.
Kaipuu on the Reef | Preview Now
3. Kaipuu Belfry, Quanzhou – China
Once a bustling shopping hub, the Quanzhou Belfry Department Store has been transformed into Kaipuu Belfry, complete with a Quanzhou-inspired local restaurant and a rooftop bar. From here, you can watch over the neighbourhood as you sip your drink and plan your exploration of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-rated sights. Xie Ke is also behind the honey-toned interiors here, creating a modern, minimalist canvas of all-white walls and pops of accent colour – making the bedrooms (dubbed Studios and Lofts) inviting spaces to work, sleep and relax. There’s plenty to explore in the bustling street scene below the hotel, but beyond Quanzhou there’s Quingyuan Mountain to hike and Fujian temples to visit.
