Best Asian Travel Brands 2009

Asia's best business hotels, luxury resorts, spas, destinations, business cities, shopping spots, and the world's best airlines and airports. Results of our 2009 “Best in Travel Poll”.

WHY DO PEOPLE VOTE? To make their voice heard. And in the age of the ubiquitous mouse and home computers, a simple click can be a clatter, knocking sacred cows and elevating unknowns. Yet, travel polls are a dodgy exercise at best of times. Ignorance, foibles, geography, access, poor spelling and outright deviousness often conspire to thwart any meaningful attempt to define preferences. Who is Jefxhdgtysx anyway? And why did he vote 20 times? Some, overly fortified by beer, vote for hotels as their “favourite budget airline”. We do of course track and eliminate inarticulate, if amusing, outpourings, as well as orchestrated “block” votes.

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Smart Travel Asia is the region’s only dedicated online travel magazine with over one million readers worldwide. These are frequent travellers in the know. We offer review-based editorial written by seasoned journalists to help people make the choices best for them.

Most often we simply listen to our readers. And this is what the SmartTravelAsia.com 2009 BEST IN TRAVEL POLL is all about, a distillation of our readers’ perceptions and favourite travel brands. Their vote is based on substantial hands-on travel experience, word-of-mouth at dinnertime chats, as well as an idea of the brand drawn from advertising and editorial exposure in the media, a great deal of this online.

The new herringbone business class is making me think anew. Maybe I’ll get used to it. But does flying have to be so anti-social?

Our poll ran for three key months May-July. There was no premium. On average, voters took 12.84 air trips over the past 12 months (down from 15 air trips the year before) and earned US$170,401 in household income (down modestly from US$175,000 in 2008).

Approximately 60 percent were based in Asia (largely Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and the Middle East), 20 percent in UK/Europe and 20 percent in USA and North America. As many as 76 percent of voters said they draw their primary brand information from the Internet. An overwhelming 71 percent said that their primary interest online was for quality “information and reviews” . And while 86 percent said they made travel decisions online, most (68 percent) said they tended to book offline through a travel agent.

Here then, are the winners of the SmartTravelAsia.com 2009 BEST IN TRAVEL POLL. These lists of leading “aspirational” brands offer useful, not definitive, indicators of business and leisure travel preferences at the upper end of the market.

WORLDWIDE
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Singapore Airlines	1
2. Cathay Pacific Airways	2
3. Thai Airways International	3
4. Emirates     Virgin Atlantic	4 5
5. British Airways	6
6. Jet Airways	7
7. Japan Airlines	8
8. Lufthansa     Malaysia Airlines	10 9
9. Qantas	10
10. Air France      Qatar Airways	- -

There were not too many surprises in the Best Airlines Worldwide category as the Asian heavyweights slugged it out – leaving most European contenders well behind. It came down, as before, to two dominant airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines to vie for top spot in this prized category. Ranked first in the Best Airlines Worldwide 2009 category was Singapore Airlines, which garnered a whopping 41 percent of the popular vote. SIA was ranked first in 2007 and 2008 too albeit, at the time, with around 30 percent of the vote. Hong Kong rival Cathay Pacific Airways, which placed first back in 2006, dropped to second place with 26 percent of the vote. Cathay’s share of the vote in 2006 was a substantial 32.4 percent.

Singapore Airlines maintains a formidable brand image not least on account of its gleaming new A380s and, clearly, this combined favourably with its quality service, welcoming smiles and generally perceived English competence in-flight. The poll incorporated overall brand perceptions of staff, service, in-flight comfort, seat comfort, legroom, in-flight entertainment and business features. Above all it was a measure of systemwide airline consistency and dependability.

Coming in third in the Best Airlines Worldwide category with 23 percent of the vote is smooth-as-silk Thai Airways International, a sliver short of CX. It held the same rank in 2008 but this year managed to close the gap with heavyweight Cathay. The airline has gone through considerable overhaul and upgrade with new aircraft, new livery, new long-haul routes, and enhanced in-flight entertainment. Maintaining a steady cruise in fourth spot is UAE carrier Emirates (also ranked fourth in 2008). It garnered 9.1 percent of the vote. Also sharing fourth spot is spunky Virgin Atlantic, up one notch from fifth place in 2008. Virgin ranked eighth in 2007.

The best of the rest in the Top Ten comprises of, in rank order, British Airways in fifth place (up one slot), India’s Jet Airways in sixth (it ranked seventh in 2008), Japan Airlines (JAL) also up one rank in seventh place, Malaysia Airlines and Lufthansa in eighth (MAS ranked ninth in 2008), Qantas in ninth (up one spot), with a joint tenth for Air France and Qatar Airways. Neither was in the Top Ten LIST in 2008.

See also our Business Class Seats comparisons story, head-to-head Business Class Seats Review, and our Economy Class Survey.

WORLDWIDE
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Singapore Airlines	1
2. Cathay Pacific Airways	2
3. Thai Airways International	3
4. Emirates	4
5. Virgin Atlantic	6
6. British Airways	9
7. Jet Airways     Lufthansa	5 9
8. Japan Airlines     Malaysia Airlines	8 7
9. Air New Zealand     Qantas	10 10
10. Qatar Airways	10

In the category of Best Business Class Worldwide, the earlier trends continued with Singapore Airlines picking up top spot, again by a huge margin, with 41.8 percent of the total vote.

Cathay Pacific was second with 21.3 percent of the poll, this, despite a good voter turnout from Hong Kong. The new business class seats and herringbone configuration had much to do with this as reader letters continued to pour in complaining about lack of elbowroom in the new Cathay C Class cabin. Said one voter: “I am a regular on Cathay Pacific and would not like to fly any other airline as long as I have a choice. The new [herringbone] business class is making me think anew. Maybe I’ll get used to it. This seems to be a universal fad. Does flying have to be this anti-social?” Cathay was not the only one at the receiving end of frequent traveller ire. Other herringbone configurations got smacked down too albeit less harshly. The SIA seat, many voters commented, is almost double the width offered by other top airlines.

Weighing in third – the same rank as in 2008 – despite the lack of a fully flat business class seat, and perhaps buoyed by its regional short-haul Asia traffic where this is not a limiting factor, Thai Airways International polled 15.9 percent of the vote, while Emirates sailed into fourth with a handy 14.7 percent of the vote. It was ranked fourth in 2008 as well. As in most airline categories, the bulk of the mouse clicks went to the top five contenders with the remainder spread out thinly among over 100 international airlines. Virgin Atlantic gained one position to rank fifth. British Airways had a strong showing with a sixth place finish (up from number nine in 2008). Jet Airways – which weighed in at joint seventh – also utilises a herringbone seat configuration but its aisle-side partitions are cut away allowing more room for elbows and open newspapers. Sharing seventh spot is Lufthansa.

The rest of the Top Ten in descending order were, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Japan Airlines (JAL) joint eighth, Air New Zealand and Qantas in joint ninth (both up one rank over 2008), and emerging Middle East carrier Qatar Airways in tenth.

WORLDWIDE
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Singapore Airlines	1
2. Thai Airways International	2
3. Cathay Pacific Airways	3
4. Emirates	5
5. Malaysia Airlines	4
6. Japan Airlines     Virgin Atlantic	7 8
7. Jet Airways	6
8. British Airways	9
9. SilkAir     SriLankan Airlines	10 9
10. Bangkok Airways      Philippine Airlines	- 10

People count. Ask travellers what they remember about their last flight, and it will be the crew. Get a great crew and the airline is sure to score. Run into a crew on a bad-hair day (or on a less preferred route) and all the money spent on image is immediately squandered. The aircraft may be a wheezing forty-something but a welcoming, responsive crew – who remember to serve that green tea as soon as the turbulence has passed – will change impressions in an instant.

On the prized service scorecard there was no doubt about the 2009 winner. The Best Cabin Service Worldwide 2009 award goes to Singapore Airlines (which has been ranked first in this category since 2006). SIA bagged 43 percent of the vote standing well above a field of over 100 international airlines. This made it a clean sweep in all airline categories for the Singapore carrier. As one voter put it, “SIA cabin staff are professional and offer genuine smiles.” Coming in with a strong showing to retain a hard-fought spot at number two with 19.1 percent of the vote is Thai Airways International. The airline’s brand image has continued to strengthen especially in the crucial service area, and ready smiles in the cabin – combined with deep SE Asian route penetration – no doubt helped it cruise along. One regular THAI high-flier wrote to commend the “quick” meal services, “ready smiles”, and “generally attentive” cabin service. “I find THAI’s in-flight service quite elegant and more consistent in its warmth when compared with other Asian carriers,” he said.

Cathay Pacific Airways garnered a useful 18 percent of the vote to fly in third, the same position it held in 2008. Voters commented that service, while effortlessly efficient, and “exceptional” on long haul routes, “needs more heart”. Said one, “More smiles please Cathay. You can do it.” Said another: “Exceptional service on long haul routes have made CX my preferred airline. This is not about the hardware or even the much-touted Asian service. It is about getting things right.” Ranked fourth for the Best Cabin Service Worldwide is Emirates, popular with travellers for its heady shopper-mad stopovers in Dubai (now a better experience with the new terminal in service). The airline climbed up one position. Malaysia Airlines (MAS) dropped down one position to fifth.

Making up the best of the rest on the Top Ten for excellence in in-flight service, in descending order, are Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic in joint sixth position, Jet Airways in seventh, British Airways up one rank to eighth, Silkair and SriLankan Airlines in ninth, and Bangkok Airways and Philippine Airlines (PAL) sharing tenth spot.

Service is very efficient but it needs more heart. More smiles please. You can do it. Bring back that multinational crew.

ASIA
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. AirAsia (Mention AirAsia X)	1
2. Jetstar Asia	2
3. Tiger Airways	4
4. Cebu Pacific	5
5. Nok Air	3
6. Virgin Blue	6
7. Kingfisher Red (Air Deccan)	7
8. Viva Macau	9
9. SpiceJet	8
10. Hong Kong Express      Indigo	10 -

The emergence of Asia’s new and remarkably popular budget airlines required the introduction of a brand new category in 2006. Our 2009 list has grown to include newcomers and reflects some egregious exits – Oasis Hong Kong, was one closely-watched long-haul carrier that wound up at the liquidator’s door in 2008. Meanwhile AirAsia X has stepped in to fill the long-haul budget airline vacuum. For families and even executives in a jam, cheap flights have come in handy, gradually opening up more and more of Asia, from capital cities to remote holiday or small corporate meeting locations that might otherwise have remained off the map.

The Best Budget Airline in Asia poll is a broad measure of the newer airlines' ability to deliver not just low prices and cheap tickets, but also reliable schedules, decent service – and the occasional smile. Route network and access play a major role.

Continuing to lead the no-frills airlines pack, and by a wide margin, is feisty AirAsia with 38 percent of the vote (its share was 22 percent in 2007 and 30 percent in 2008). As the signature red-tail airline that defined budget flights in Asia, it clearly outstripped its nearest rival with a convincing margin of 22 percent. Ranked second is Jetstar Asia, which has won increasing support for efficient service, assigned seating, and reliable operations. It polled a strong 24.5 percent. Ranked third best Asian budget airline was Singapore-based Tiger Airways (up one position from 2008). Cebu Pacific climbed one position to fourth while Thai Airways feeder carrier Nok Air dropped from third in 2008 to fifth in the 2009 poll.

Australia’s Virgin Blue sailed in sixth, followed by Kingfisher Red (formerly Air Deccan) in seventh, Viva Macau in eighth, India’s SpiceJet in ninth, and Hong Kong Express and Indigo in joint tenth. Indigo was unranked in 2008. More on these emerging low cost airlines in our Small Airlines of Asia story.

ASIA
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Bali, Indonesia	1
2. Maldives     Phuket, Thailand	4 2
3. Kerala, India	3
4. Hong Kong	5
5. Bangkok, Thailand     Hoi An, Vietnam	6 -
6. Boracay, Philippines     Goa, India     Langkawi, Malaysia	7 - -
7. Chiang Mai, Thailand     Palawan, Philippines	8 8
8. Angkor (Siem Reap), Cambodia     Shanghai, China     Tokyo, Japan	9 - -
9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates     Koh Samui, Thailand	- 10
10. Penang, Malaysia      Rajasthan, India	- 10

Polling holiday destinations is always fun, but tricky. Dreams are peculiar to countries and communities. Just as the westernised Japanese race to the beach to revel in the sun, Indians head for shade and cool hill resorts. Shopping-mad Hongkongers head for the malls, Australians chase the surf and Brits sip Singapore slings in musty colonial retreats.

There were few surprises in the 2009 Top Three. Ranked first as the Best Holiday Destination in Asia with 24 percent of the vote (compared with 14 percent in 2008) is the other worldly “Island of the Gods”, Bali, Indonesia. The island ranked first on our poll in 2006 and 2007 too. Bali has retained its disarmingly honest and simple charm. It remains a peaceful ritual-minded Hindu enclave in a bustling Muslim country. Above all, despite the burgeoning ranks of the t-shirt vendors and temple touts, Bali still retains a great deal of authenticity.

Voted the second best destination for an Asian holiday was the eternally popular Thai island of Phuket, which garnered 12.3% of the vote. This island (linked by a bridge) was voted in second position in 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well. It held its position easily despite troubles in south Thailand and political uncertainties. Clearly, its string of wonderful beaches, fine food, nightlife and that special Thai can-do hospitality, remain a big draw for travellers. In general, Thailand remains a big favourite as our Top Ten List suggests.

Co-ranked second and climbing up two hard-fought positions was the islands-in-the-sun Maldives. This continued rise to prominence underscored discerning travellers’ desire for authentic, “pure”, and secluded escapes with a focus on eco-friendly establishments. Said one voter, “The purity of the Maldives is breathtaking – the water, the sea, the people. My only complaint was the food, which could have been better given the prices.” Said another: “This is a jewel of a destination, no matter you visit for a honeymoon or with the entire family in tow.” As one European voter put it: “Forget the Caribbean. This is the most perfect place on earth.”

Ranked third best Asian holiday destination (as in 2006, 2007, and 2008) is the South Indian idyll of Kerala, long a favourite of the get-away-from-it-all crowd. Known for its verdant rice paddy fields, cool mountains clad in mist-wreathed tea estates, beaches, and welcoming, literate, head-nodding population, Kerala is one of three Indian destinations in the 2009 Top Ten. Said one voter: “After the chaos of Indian airports and the bedlam on the roads, Kerala is as a nourishing oasis of green.”

Following closely in fourth position is the picture-postcard neon-powered city of Hong Kong with six percent of the vote. Hong Kong ranked fifth in 2008. Doubtless, shopping was a major draw as underlined by the results for the “best cities for shopping” category.

Ranked in fifth place (climbing up one notch) is Bangkok, co-ranked in this position with Hoi An, Vietnam. Then in sixth were Boracay, Goa, and Langkawi. In seventh spot are Palawan and Chiang Mai (they shared eighth in 2008). In eighth position is Angkor (Siem Reap, Cambodia) along with Shanghai, and Tokyo. Dubai and Koh Samui jointly held ninth; and tenth spot went to Penang and Rajasthan. Said one voter of Penang: “This is food heaven and the prices are unbeatable.”

Our poll revealed the continued dominance of Thailand as a "holiday brand" with four destinations in this Top Ten, and the emergence of India as a destination on traveller wish-lists. Bali held top spot demonstrating that integrity can attract visitor votes, and dollars.

ASIA
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Hong Kong	1
2. Singapore	3
3. Bangkok, Thailand	2
4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	4
5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates	9
6. Hanoi, Vietnam	8
7. Bali, Indonesia     Shanghai, China	- 7
8. Manila, Philippines	5
9. Beijing, China     Tokyo, Japan	- 6
10. Seoul, Korea      Shenzhen, China	9 10

With a surge in demand for shopping destinations we added the “Best Cities for Shopping, Asia” category in the 2008 poll. At our online magazine SmartTravelAsia.com, five stories in constant demand are our surveys of shopping in Singapore, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Bangkok. So whom did the punters favour when they whipped out their pens?

The No.1 spot in the Best City for Shopping in Asia category was a close fight between Hong Kong and Singapore. In the end, Hong Kong pulled away to rank first with a convincing 28 percent of the vote, closely followed by Singapore with 26 percent. Singapore climbed up one rank from 2008 when it placed third. Bangkok, an eternal favourite, dropped one position following the ructions in Thailand to rank third this year, ahead of Kuala Lumpur in fourth place and surprise climber Dubai in fifth. Dubai ranked ninth in 2008 and its sharp climb up is all the more remarkable with the travel-and-investment drop-off. Helping in large part was a new Emirates terminal and improved duty-free shopping facilities.

With the sole exception of Dubai, in many respects the shopping interest mirrored the trend in business travel to these destinations. The strongest cities benefited most in the Battle of the Bulging Shopper Bag. Making up the rest of the Top Ten are Hanoi with its alley bargains and silk shops in sixth (up from eighth), Bali and Shanghai in joint seventh, Manila in eighth position, Tokyo and Beijing in ninth, and Seoul and Shenzhen (across the border of Hong Kong, in China), sharing a very respectable tenth spot. Shenzhen is often mistakenly assumed to be an extension of Hong Kong. It isn’t. It is a shopper destination in its own right with unusual offerings and attractive prices, not to mention the daylong massages for the shop-weary.

ASIA
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Hong Kong	1
2. Singapore	2
3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	4
4. Bangkok, Thailand	3
5. Shanghai, China	6
6. Sydney, Australia	5
7. Beijing, China	8
8. Dubai, United Arab Emirates	7
9. Bangalore, India     Tokyo, Japan	- 7
10. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam      Seoul, Korea      Taipei, Taiwan	10 10 9

The 2009 Best City for Business in Asia category remained unchanged from 2008. Leading the fray, with 27 percent of the vote is Hong Kong. This super city, often attracting flak for its impersonal attitude, secured a high total (though not quite as massive as the 50 percent vote in 2007), only a whisker ahead of closest rival Singapore, which cruised into second. Yes, in Hong Kong, things work. Telephones, transport and taxis are a doddle. The drop in voting percentage does not reflect any seeming decline in Hong Kong’s image, rather a climb for other cities’ profile. And coming in third – ranked fourth last year – is Kuala Lumpur. Ranked fourth this year, down one rung from 2008, is Bangkok, the “City of Angels” where the BTS Skytrain and Underground Metro have suddenly transformed the business landscape.

The Best City for Business category took in perceptions and actual experiences of business travellers in dealing with a range of factors like efficiency of transport and general services, signposting, hotels, airport and so on. Clearly, cities with efficient airports and good hotels offer the sort of executive “infrastructure” required to pull ahead of the pack. In many ways, this then, is an overall city award from voters travelling over 15 times a year, largely on business within the region.

Shanghai roared in fifth (up one position) with Sydney weighing in at sixth. Beijing with its burgeoning skyline polled as the seventh best Asian business city (climbing up one position) while Dubai dropped one spot to eighth. Bangalore, India’s silicon city, and inscrutable Tokyo, shared a worthy joint ninth spot. And in joint tenth are vibrant Seoul, bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and Taipei.

WORLDWIDE
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Singapore Changi Airport	1
2. Hong Kong International Airport	2
3. Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok	3
4. Kuala Lumpur International Airport	4
5. Incheon International Airport, Korea	5
6. Dubai International Airport, UAE	-
7. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol,        Netherlands     Pudong International Airport, China	7 6
8. Beijing Capital International Airport     London Heathrow Airport,        United Kingdom	8 -
9. Zurich Airport, Switzerland	9
10. Samui Airport, Thailand	10

Airports: love them, hate them, but you certainly have to use them. Our frequent traveller readers should know the score and they voted en masse, picking from a field of over one hundred airports around the world in our Best Airports Worldwide category. Indisputably top of their list as the first choice is Singapore Changi Airport, which secured a solid 33 percent of the vote to maintain its 2008 rank. Clearly, the shopping facilities, greenery, and colour – as well as the addition of gleaming Terminal 3 – have made Changi a formidable competitor.

Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok secured an almost equally high 32 percent of the vote to secure second position (the same rank as in 2008). Hong Kong airport (which ranked first in 2006) was comfortably clear of third-ranked rival, Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok, which picked up 18.5 percent of the votes indicating it has sorted out much of its earlier teething issues.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport, a glass-and-steel marvel with sunshine streaming in to spotlight wooded reserves stayed at fourth spot. Ranked fifth best airport in the world is the gleaming and futuristic Incheon International Airport (Seoul, same position as in 2008), with Dubai International Airport in sixth (largely reflecting the impact of the new terminal that has pulled up both functionality and image sharply). Emirates’ new terminal handles everything from jumbo-sized A380s to smaller regional aircraft and duty-free shopping space is modern and expanded. Dubai was unranked in previous years. Pudong International Airport (Shanghai) came in seventh jointly with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, closely followed by Beijing Capital International Airport in joint eighth along with London Heathrow Airport. Ever-efficient Zurich Airport remained steadily in ninth and the breezy, irreverent Koh Samui International Airport an unusual tenth-placed contender.

ASIA
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. The Peninsula Hong Kong	1
2. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore	3
3. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong	2
4. The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore	5
5. Island Shangri-La Hong Kong	4
6. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong	6
7. Conrad Bangkok     Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong	9 8
8. InterContinental Hong Kong     Raffles Hotel Singapore	7 -
9. Four Seasons Hotel Singapore	9
10. Grand Hyatt Shanghai	10
11. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok	11
12. Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok      Shangri-La Hotel Singapore	- 10
13. Park Hyatt Shanghai	-
14. JW Marriott Hotel, Bangkok      JW Marriott Hotel, Hong Kong	13 12
15. Hilton Kuala Lumpur Hotel      Shangri-La Makati, Manila      Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit,         Bangkok	15 14 15
16. Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur      The Peninsula Manila	18 16
17. Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City      Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai	21 11
18. The Peninsula Tokyo      The Ritz-Carlton Beijing	24 24
19. Mandarin Oriental Tokyo	19
20. The St Regis Singapore      The Sukhothai Bangkok      The Westin Chosun, Seoul	22 19 17
21. Conrad Hong Kong      Sofitel Wanda Beijing      Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur	22 23 23
22. InterContinental Bangkok      Raffles Dubai      The Opposite House	24 - -
23. Conrad Tokyo      The Oberoi New Delhi      The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower,         Mumbai	- 21 25
24. InterContinental Sydney      The Shilla Seoul      W Hong Kong	- - -
25. Dusit Thani Bangkok      Grand Formosa Regent, Taipei      Imperial Hotel Tokyo      The Westin Sydney Hotel	25 20 - -

Given Hong Kong’s financial pre-eminence, and brutal efficiency, it is perhaps not surprising that as many as six of the Top Ten hotels in the Best Business Hotels of Asia poll are from this one city alone. Still, Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai and even Kuala Lumpur, put up a stiff fight fielding strong candidates. In 2009, dominating business traveller and general traveller preferences, as in 2008, was a return to classic styles, and heritage charms. Given the large number of potential properties in each hotel category – a potential field of over 1,000 from Japan and Australia to the Middle East – voting was considerably split with very tight margins. Several hotels have been common-ranked in the 2009 tabulation as the votes were too close to call.

Standing tall above the rest of the field as the Best Asian Business Hotel for 2009 is the grand, classical confection, The Peninsula Hong Kong. The hotel ranked first in 2008 too. This gracious property with its rococo gilt-work lobby, violin strains, and old-world charm – joined at the hip with a discretely elegant tower block that also hosts a popular penthouse bar and restaurant – dominates the central Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. Being located on the “other” side of Hong Kong harbour has not prevented this fine hotel from forging ahead, and with some excellent views to boot. Said one satisfied customer: “In this age of impersonal and cold, high-tech, The Peninsula [Hong Kong] is a breath of fresh air. And its views [of The Peak] are unrivalled anywhere.”

Ranked a close second – and breaking the Hong Kong near monopoly – is the stately, colonnaded The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. This grand colonial-style hotel, a popular venue for posh functions and starched business travellers, climbed up one place from No. 3 position in 2008. A former post office, The Fullerton, with its soaring Doric columns, atrium lobby and splendid dining facilities was ranked fourth in 2006. It is now firmly ensconced in the Top Three and with good reason. This splendid Singapore business hotel demolishes the popular myth that business travellers go for a “standardised” and dull experience. The Fullerton also enjoyed the added distinction of being ranked as the best business hotel in Singapore, well outclassing the island competition.

The “new” (but reassuringly old-world and black-marbled) Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, ranked third in the 2009 poll – modestly down one position from second in 2008. Its loyal “fan” club can’t be kept down. There was positive feedback for its remodelled restaurants and iconic cakes, the new interiors and swish spa. The Mandarin remains a dogged Hong Kong favourite. Said one voter, “I miss the old balconies even though they were unusable. The [old] exterior was peeling but classy. Still, [the hotel] has done a fine job with the remodelling and I would not change hotels if I was paid to.” Strong words indeed.

Breaking the heritage and classical trend was one of the fastest climbers in this category, The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, which placed fourth. It shot up from eleventh in 2007 to fifth place in the 2008 poll, reflecting both the importance of Singapore as a business hub as well as its own signature service. The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore breaks with general tradition to offer a futuristic Star-Wars-Meets-The-Vatican architectural style, breezy, modern, even funky, and littered with art, all served up in its usual understated manner. Rooms offer classical blonde-wood elegance and the spa is a huge draw.

Brisk, bright, and splendidly located in the epicentre of shopping and business, the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong weighed in fifth. It ranked fourth in 2008. The Island Shangri-La enjoys an excellent location, close to offices, major financial centres, and glitzy if expensive shopping at the Pacific Place mall. It also offers some fine dining venues, some with harbour views, like the classic top-floor restaurant Petrus that also boasts one of the most extensive wine lists in Asia. Voters cited this hotel for its “efficient service” and location. Said one respondent: “Staff here are among the best anywhere. They have been able to almost intuit my requests. That sort of anticipation shows the [Island Shangri-La] goes beyond guest expectations.”

This year, as in the past, the voting trend continued to favour the classical over the colossal, and heritage over hi-tech

In sixth position is the ever-popular Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. The hotel offers acres of gleaming black marble, fine F&B, great meetings space, wraparound harbour views and the indulgent Plateau Spa. Its proximity to the Hong Kong Conventions and Exhibition Centre is an added plus for business travellers and meeting planners. In seventh spot (climbing two notches) was the Conrad Bangkok, a swish silk and wood affair that has set design standards since its inception. In this position it also came in as the best Bangkok hotel, period, well ahead of the competition. Seventh position was shared with the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, an ultra-modern and minimalist steel-and-glass offering joined at the hip to the swank IFC shopping and business towers. The hotel offers HUGE views across the harbour and has an excellent spa to boot. It was ranked eighth n 2008.

Weighing in jointly at No.8 are the InterContinental Hong Kong – that gazes regally across the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, proving the “other side” can wield business clout too – and the Raffles Hotel Singapore. The InterCon serves up an airy sea-to-sky lobby with spectacular harbour and island views, smart rooms, a grand presidential suite, and brisk, welcoming service. It is also well know for its top-drawer F&B outlets. The Raffles Hotel Singapore is another classic choice that needs no introduction. It has set the pace in this genre since its refurbishment and relaunch in its newer incarnation, and not just for the quality of its Singapore Slings. The hotel has a fine reputation for business services and is a popular meetings and events venue where style is of the essence.

Ranked ninth best business hotel in Asia is the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore that offers a boutique, clubby environment close to Orchard Road. Expect dark woods, louvred windows, deep-seating sofas, soft pools of light, and plush new rooms. The hotel held the same rank in 2008.

And closely following in tenth position is the sky-piercing Grand Hyatt Shanghai overlooking the Bund. It is an iconic landmark with regular traffic including crisp suits as well as gawping Japanese tourists with cameras popping. The Grand Hyatt is one of the hotels that put Pudong on the map. It is a comfortable evening spot, offers several quality F&B outlets and its rooms are spoilingly understated. Needless to add, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai is regarded by voters as the best business hotel in Shanghai and led the city field by a wide margin (with neighbouring sister property, the new and even taller Park Hyatt, ranking a creditable 13th). Said one Grand Hyatt aficionado, “Soaring above the clouds, this is an eagle’s-eye view of Shanghai and the service is excellent.” Others on our Top 25 List have earned this distinction out of a field of well over 1,000 prime candidates.

ASIA
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Amanpuri, Phuket	1
2. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi	3
3. The Legian Bali	4
4. Amandari, Bali	2
5. Bulgari Resort Bali     Four Seasons Resort Bali at        Jimbaran Bay, Bali     The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur,        Rajasthan	7 5 6
6. Grand Hyatt Bali	6
7. Amankila, Bali     Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island	9 8
8. The Datai, Langkawi	11
9. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at        Landaa Giraavaru     Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives     The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam	9 9 19
10. Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi,         Chiang Mai	10
11. Twinpalms Phuket	12
12. El Nido Resorts Lagen Island,         Palawan      The Chedi Chiang Mai	12 17
13. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai	10
14. Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai	16
15. InterContinental Bali Resort	15
16. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa	13
17. Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor	24
18. AYANA Resort and Spa, Bali	-
19. Sofitel Centara Grand Resort and         Villas, Hua Hin      The Oriental Bangkok	- 18
20. Banyan Tree Phuket      The Imperial New Delhi	21 19
21. Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort &         Spa, Penang      The Opposite House      The Sukhothai Bangkok	23 - 20
22. Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa,         Maldives      Goodwood Park Hotel Singapore	14 -
23. BLUE Sydney (TAJ group)      The Venetian Macao	- 25
24. Anantara Desert Islands         Resort & Spa      Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui      Neemrana Fort-Palace, Rajasthan	- - 23
25. Alila Ubud, Bali      Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and         Spa, Kota Kinabalu	21 -

Perhaps the most romantic and coveted award is that of the Best Leisure Hotel & Resort in Asia, evoking visions of wondrous sun-dappled far pavilions, unblemished service and endless grape-fed pampering on white-sand beaches. Here again, out of a field of over 1,000, options readers narrowed things down, picking a range of resorts in diverse locations as well as a few signature city hotels that made the cut. Thailand and Bali lent their muscle to send some of their candidates soaring.

Ranked the Best Leisure Hotel/Resort in Asia, is the exquisite wood-and-silk Amanpuri, Phuket, whose Thai-style villas spill luxuriously down a coconut grove to one of the island’s best beaches. Amanpuri was voted in first place in 2007 and 2008 too. It has held on to this position with the help of the first ever Aman Spa by Amanresorts, a facility occupying a breezy promontory away from the resort villas to ensure privacy and space. The charming yet understated Amanpuri was aided in this vote by the continued popularity of Phuket as a top holiday getaway despite political uncertainties in Thailand over the past many months.

Not far behind and racing up to second place is an iconic city hotel, the Vietnam grand dame, the rebranded Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (ninth in 2007 and third in 2008). This is a white, starched, colonial-era hotel with inviting nooks and corners, splendidly positioned right across from the much-photographed Opera House. It is one of those rare hotels that successfully combine business amenities and meetings options with a sense of romance and unhurried leisure. Wander in, equally at ease, with a celebrity model draped over one arm, or holding on to a good book. Toss away your watch and slip back in time.

Cruising effortlessly into third place (up from fourth in 2008), surfing on the back of the huge Bali wave, The Legian Bali. This is a contemporary and chic getaway on the happening Seminyak strip favoured by the cognoscenti. It is Balinese in character yet modern in execution, an easy hotel to slip into, like a pair of hand-tailored Italian shoes. It looks good and feels good and the fit is right for most. This getaway has been popular with honeymooners and romantics, offering sports, spa facilities and a private club set away from the main hotel. This is a hip alternative to quieter classical villa retreats. Said one voter, “At The Legian, I feel comfortably anonymous, yet served like a celebrity.” That’s accolade enough.

In fourth position (down two notches from second in 2008) is the atmospheric and faithfully traditional Amandari, Bali. Perched above Ubud’s Ayung River gorge, the resort’s private villa compounds spill down manicured green acres past a cliff-edge emerald pool towards the sacred waters of the river below. Amandari is authentic, uncluttered retreat that says “Bali” in every nook and corner. It is not a cookie-cutter affair packed with mod-cons and hi-tech nuisance. The entire design is based on local architectural principles and it is this credibility that brings back its particular pack of so-called “Amanjunkies” year after year. Hugely popular Amandari was ranked first by SmartTravelAsia.com readers in 2006.

Ranked fifth (up from seventh in 2008) is the stylish and ultra-cool Bulgari Resort Bali, almost a Lan Kwai Fong by the Sea, to use a Hong Kong metaphor. Chic, yet friendly, modern, yet maintaining a strong classical style, this is an exclusive escape for honeymooners and the Bali cognoscenti. The exquisite spa is a huge attraction. Expect to run into the smart set, shades donned, faces towards an orange setting sun, awaiting the latest bespoke cocktail. The resort occupies a breezy promontory with crashing surf below. Service is attentive and friendly without big-hotel formality. As one respondent put it, “The [villas] could be more spread out more, but I like the feel of [this place]. It is convivial but not contrived as at some of the other luxury resorts in Bali.”

Sharing fifth spot is a huge Bali icon, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. This is a larger property perched atop a breezy hillside overlooking a long coastal stretch. Four Seasons offers elegant villas, several with private pools, spa treatments and panoramic views. Also in the fifth bunch-up is the The Oberoi Udaivilas, in Rajasthan, India. Udaivilas represents a classical ideal, soft ochre domes and colonnaded archways that seemingly float above the lake. The hotel is a modern construct with a heritage heart. This dreamy confection works splendidly – both for Western romantics steeped in legend as well as for sharp-eyed Indian aficionados. Udaivilas climbed up one spot from 2008. It is regarded by voters to be the best leisure resort in India.

It was a field of over 1,000 strong candidates but Thailand and Bali both lent their muscle to enable their candidates to soar

In sixth position is the refurbished Grand Hyatt Bali with extended conference and spa facilities. The Grand Hyatt Bali has been a mainstay of family holidays in Bali since its inception, with a battery of swimming pools and vast hectares of landscaped garden. It now sports a fine dedicated spa and extended meetings facilities that add to its pulling power. It is a hotel for weddings, honeymoons, kids, and suits. Quite a mix, and enough space to spread out all the action without imposing on anyone’s space.

Ranked co-ranked seventh (up one spot) is the picture-postcard Conrad Maldives on Rangali Island. Sited in a breathtaking setting with emerald waters and sugar-white beaches, this large island resort was earlier a new-generation Hilton. It offers stilted over-water villas, a dedicated spa experience, a prized underwater restaurant, and water sports to suit all tastes. The twin islands are big enough to comfortably manage people and offer genuine seclusion without sending people stir crazy as on the smaller resorts. This is a place with style and a sense of fun. Also in seventh is Amankila, Bali, another hideaway from Amanresorts in the east of the island, well known for its signature cliff-edge stepped pool and panoramic views. This is a getaway for romantics and honeymooners, with its own private salt-and-pepper beach. No hawkers and t-shirts here.

In eighth place is the magnificent The Datai, Langkawi, set discretely in a Malaysian rainforest. Watch flying fox and more as you dine alfresco up on the hill, or saunter down to the arcing white-sand beach. This is a genuine eco-resort, well integrated into the green. Expect rooms as well as standalone villas. Cool music and jungle sounds. Take your pick.

Sharing joint ninth place are the elegant Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives, with its over-water stilted villas; fellow Indian Ocean rival, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru; and The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam. The Nam Hai, a luxury villa offering set on one of Vietnam’s most prized beaches, is one of the fastest climbers on this poll, zooming in to a firm Top Ten spot from 19th in 2008, overtaking a number of big hitters along the way.

And in tenth spot is the classic Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai. Spa leader Mandarin is set in rice fields and its architecture mimics the ancient Thai heritage style complete with soaring spires, courtyards and scented trees. It held the same position in 2008. Others on our Top 25 List in this category have earned this distinction out of a field of well over 1,000 prime candidates.

ASIA
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island	1
2. Banyan Tree Phuket	6
3. AYANA Resort and Spa, Bali	2
4. Bulgari Resort Bali     Four Seasons Resort Bali at        Jimbaran Bay, Bali	6 4
5. Amanpuri, Phuket	5
6. Six Senses Hideaway Samui	5
7. The Peninsula Bangkok	3
8. Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi,        Chiang Mai     Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives	9 7
9. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa	8
10. Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong	10
11. Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang         Resort & Spa, Penang	11
12. The Oriental Bangkok	16
13. Grand Hyatt Bali	-
14. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai      InterContinental Bali Resort      Sofitel Centara Grand Resort and         Villas, Hua Hin	10 15 19
15. COMO Shambhala Estate at         Begawan Giri, Bali      The Landmark Mandarin Oriental,         Hong Kong	12   24
16. Pangkor Laut Resort	13
17. Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok      Hotel Tugu Bali	17 21
18. Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai      Ananda in the Himalayas, Rishikesh      Mandarin Oriental Tokyo	17 22 25
19. Chiva-Som Resort Hua Hin      Evason Hua Hin & Six Senses Spa      The Royal Pita Maha, Bali	19 - 20
20. The Ritz-Carlton Sanya      W Maldives      W Seoul	- - -
21. The Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui	14
22. One&Only Maldives at Reeti Rah	19
23. Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal         Méridien Hotel	21
24. Mandala Spa Boracay	22
25. Anantara Golden Triangle Resort &         Spa, Chiang Rai      Conrad Bangkok      Le Méridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa         Resort	23   24 18

Any modern traveller worth his salt will be unable to string three sentences together without the word “spa resort” tossed in here or there, somewhere, anywhere. Spas have attained a certain cachet, so much so that just about every place with a mug and running water claims to be a spa resort. Not so. The arts are ancient – and specific – even if the delivery is modern and the setting contemporary. On then to our Top 25 List of the Best Asian Spa Resorts.

A steady favourite in the Best Spa Hotel of Asia category, is the Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island. It ranked first in 2008 as well. The resort straddles two separate islands connected by a walkway. The Spa Retreat offers water villas and treatment rooms including some with glass floors to watch the fish swim by. But, for a true-blue marine experience, head five metres below to an exclusive wine cellar and a glassed-in underwater restaurant. The public areas are stylish, fraternal, and informal with sand underfoot. Service is friendly and quick despite the larger number of guests in peak season.

Ranked second (a sharp climb up from sixth in 2008) in the Best Asian Spa Hotels category is veteran spa icon Banyan Tree Phuket – a sprawling compound of pampered luxury in the family-friendly Laguna Phuket enclave. Banyan Tree Phuket is the spa getaway that started the rubdown hubbub with its stylish Thai spa villas and authentic treatments. Golf on the side remains a big draw. Said one admiring guest, “I visit Phuket frequently and while this is not the greenest of resorts and perhaps a bit too spread out for my liking, it is stylish and the service is exceptional. As a golfer, I would pick [Banyan Tree Phuket] anytime.”

The sprawling AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali (formerly The Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort & Spa) ranked a robust third after a dramatic name change that confused some voters – who still voted for Ritz-Carlton. This breezy and secluded retreat features its own 22,000sq m hydrotherapy resort within a resort. Here, amidst the gardens and water-features, are spa villas and a huge 650sq m “aquatonic” pool. Pick from five other pools and a stunning Ocean Beach Pool. This is a venue for weddings, conferences and honeymoons. It has the space and the setting to manage it all without fuss.

Joint fourth (up from sixth spot in 2008) is the Bulgari Resort Bali, a supremely chilled-out designer getaway with cool touches, elegant black stone underfoot and cosy snuggeries for honeymooners. The Spa at the Bulgari Resort Bali offers an upscale yoga pavilion, relaxation lounge, six treatment rooms and two Royal Pavilions where couples can savour plunge pools, a private garden and stimulating rain showers. In between enjoy views of leggy models strolling the cliffside pool “catwalk”. Voted joint fourth Best Spa Hotel in Asia is the elegant Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, sited on a verdant headland with open views along Jimbaran Bay. The Spa at Jimbaran Bay is near the sea and utilises sea-salt crystals, seaweed and natural ingredients.

In fifth place is the quintessentially Thai Amanpuri, Phuket, and its Aman Spa (the first by Amanresorts), followed in sixth place by the Six Senses Hideaway Samui, set on a secluded headland to the north of Samui Island with cinemascope views of the sea and brilliant monsoon sunsets.

The luxurious riverside The Peninsula Bangkok was voted seventh. The hotel’s spa is a joint development with the spa consultancy ESPA and occupies a characterful three-storey Thai colonial-style building overlooking the river and set at the back of the hotel’s gardens and stepped swimming pools. It has several treatment rooms, including four rooms for couples. Commented one voter, “It may be on the wrong side of the river but this hotel stands conventional wisdom on its head. Imagine arriving to your lodgings on a boat, down a river steeped in history and colourful everyday life.”

Soneva Gili by Six Senses is in joint eighth position (down one notch from seventh in 2008). The place is engagingly eccentric, close to Malé, the capital island. Rooms here are born of fantasy, self-contained timbered enclaves sprouting from a lagoon. At the top end are the Private Reserves and Crusoe Residences. Some villas require a rowboat to shuttle you around. What could be better than that? Of course, the Six Senses Spa.

Spas – and their arcane menus – have entered our lexicon in a big way and it is clear that the demand for pampering is set to grow

Ranked joint eighth is the majestic Thai heritage recreation, the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai, an essay in Northern Thai fantasy set amidst lush rice paddy fields with a strong spa suite. It has climbed up one notch from ninth in 2008.

In ninth spot is a longtime Phuket favourite, albeit far to the north of the island on Mai Khao Beach, the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa. This is an all-in-one resort with tremendous kids’ facilities, conferencing, an eco-friendly disposition, and a dedicated spa where treatments can go on for a lifetime. The spa has several treatment suites and offers menus for one or two, including herbal wraps and facials, Thai herbal steam and a selection of baths.

And placed tenth on the spa hotel list is the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. The ultra-modern Hong Kong setting offers fabulous harbour views. Expect 17 treatment rooms and two spa suites. Pick from sauna, steam, flotation tank, crystal steam, rhassoul clay and vitality pools. You get the idea...

Others on our Top 25 List in this category have earned this distinction out of a field of well over 1,000 prime candidates.

ASIA
2009 Rank	2008 Rank
1. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong	1
2. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore	2
3. The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore	3
4. Raffles Hotel Singapore	5
5. Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong	4
6. Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok	7
7. Island Shangri-La Hong Kong	6
8. Conrad Bangkok	7
9. Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket     Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi	11 8
10. Dusit Thani Bangkok      Sheraton Hanoi Hotel	10 9
11. Conrad Hong Kong	11
12. Shangri-La Hotel Singapore	13
13. AYANA Resort and Spa, Bali      JW Marriott Hotel, Hong Kong      Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai	13 12 10
14. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit,         Bangkok	15
15. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok	14
16. JW Marriott Hotel, Bangkok	16
17. InterContinental Bangkok	19
18. Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur	18
19. The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai      The Westin Beijing Financial Street	23 17
20. Conrad Tokyo	22
21. Grand Hyatt Beijing      Grand InterContinental Seoul	- 20
22. Sofitel Wanda Beijing	25
23. The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta	21
24. Centara Grand at CentralWorld,         Bangkok, Thailand	-
25. Grand Formosa Regent, Taipei      Millennium Hilton Bangkok Hotel      Raffles Dubai      Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya	24 8 - -

The Best Conference Hotels of Asia category was hotly contested with several familiar faces from the “Best Business Hotels” section featuring again, albeit in different guise and altered positions. The first seven spots were very closely fought with only marginal differences in the vote. This was a vote not for mega-conference hotels but corporate venues for quality meetings.

The Best Conference Hotel in Asia award goes to the gleaming black-marble Grand Hyatt Hong Kong (ranked first in 2007 and 2008). Despite coping with large numbers especially when there’s a sudden influx from the neighbouring Convention Centre, the hotel maintains a brisk manner with courteous service and attentive staff. Dawdle in the lobby for a microsecond and a black-suited staffer will be at your side in a flash eager to help in your quest. Its quality F&B is another fine feather in the cap. It is followed in second spot by the stately and grand The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (which ranked second in 2008). This is a sprawling colonial-style experience with crisp service and evocative architecture. It is also a great place from where to watch the Singapore night F1 race. Says one voter, “We held our corporate meeting at the Fullerton. We changed our plans, they altered the setting. We changed our numbers, they modified their approach. I simply cannot find fault. It is an exceptional establishment.”

The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore is seemingly entrenched in third (the same position it occupied in 2008), its place in the polling spotlight aided in part due to its location close to conferencing venues and excellent in-house meetings facilities away from the hurly-burly of Orchard Road. This is a space age venue built to impress, and that it will do in spades.

In fourth position (up from fifth) is the Raffles Hotel Singapore. The Raffles is of course a colonial confection worth a visit in any event, conference or not, and is most flatteringly depicted in the late evening when the up-lights streak on. We should underline again that our poll looks not at vast conference hotels but properties that offer good meetings facilities for mid-sized corporate events.

The modern and minimalist Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong ranks fifth with the well situated Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok in sixth. The Island Shangri-La Hong Kong is a strong seventh with an excellent location for work or pleasure, and eighth spot goes to the elegant Conrad Bangkok. Ninth position for best Asian conference and meetings hotel is shared by the stunning heritage Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket. They may be as dissimilar as chalk and cheese but both offer excellent facilities and service for corporate events and get-togethers.

Still in Vietnam, it’s the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel that ranks joint tenth in the Best Conference Hotels of Asia category (modestly down one rung from 2008). Sited on a lake with a resort feel this is a popular conference choice with an away-from-it-all appeal. And sharing tenth place is the refurbished Dusit Thani Bangkok, now even more “centrally” located with an underground metro stop and a BTS SkyTrain station both within a few metres of its doors. The “new” Dusit is all spit and polish with a fresh spring to its stride.

Others on our Top 25 List in this category on the accompanying chart have earned this distinction out of a field of well over 1,000 prime hotel candidates. The vote is in. Check out these excellent spas, hotels, resorts, cities, airports, and airlines. You never know, you may be in line to experience some award-winning service.

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