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Online travel magazine for Asian hotel reviews . airline seat surverys . shopping . spas

An exclusive collection of the best Asian hotels, resorts and spas

Bangkok flies high again, with S'pore, Bali and Tokyo

Smart Travel Asia 2025 Best in Travel Reader Poll Awards — Bangkok No.1 for Leisure, Singapore for Meets, Buahan tops in Bali for Sustainability

Bangkok (Wat Arun, centre) claimed No.1 again on our 2025 reader poll despite fluctuating fortunes and border skirmishes; Singapore (right) returned as No.1 for Meetings with a Top 10 for Leisure; Tokyo and Bali climbed with Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape (left) picking up No.1 for Sustainability.

BALI WATCH

Bali beds go wet and wilder

Luxe wars focus on eco-friendly stays and all natural feel

PROFILE

Interview with Peter Caprez, GM, JW Marriott Bangkok

How Peter Caprez turns old to gold

CITY HOTELS

HK hotels pull out all the stops

As Mandarin starts facelift, the action moves to TST

ADVENTURE

Tioman guide to resorts and dives

The Peninsula Hong Kong (left) remains the grand dame of the TST harbourfront with competition from contemporary competitors like the tall Rosewood (centre) turning gold in the sunset, and Regent (right)/ photos: Vijay Verghese

ESCAPES

Macau blends old world charm with Cotai casinos and attitude

Sabah jungle retreat, no-holds-barred Sandakan guide, Manila, big Samui resorts review, a Hanoi grab-bag, Vietnam beach resorts, top Penang spas, cool Bali resorts review. And Bali fun guide.

AIRLINES

End white-knuckle fear of flying

Fear of Flying cures, widest seats in economy, the widest business class seats to Asia, Small Asian airlines open up remote regions. Plus Private Jet deals. And the B-737 MAX-8

TOP CITIES

New Singapore lifestyle hotels

Hong Kong business hotels , a review of new Singapore eco-hotels, HK shopping guide, detailed new Bangkok hotels review, wow Tokyo, top Seoul hotels. Chiang Rai guide and KL shopping.

EDITOR'S RANT

How a manga comic played havoc with Japan travel

Author - Vijay Verghese Manga mania, comic book predictions, war, border tensions and kidnappings saw this year's 2025 Smart Travel Asia Best in Travel Poll turn into a roller-coaster. The need for brand clarity was evident and so was the demand for service and the human touch.

Colombo business hotels review and fun guide - street food along Marine Drive of an evening

Street food stalls of an evening along Marine Drive. Colombo's dining scene is lively, from colonial hangouts, to bustling markets, stylish fine dining, weekend jazz, and swinging nightlife.

CHINA REGION