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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

Top awardees from HK and Macau to Bkk, S'pore, Manila

Winners pose with Award Certificates for the 2026 Smart Travel Asia Best in Travel Reader Poll

The Peninsula Hong Kong is the No.1 Best Luxury Hotel in Asia (far left Editor Vijay Verghese with GM Commercial Peter Edholm); No.1 for Service, Giovanni Viterale GM Raffles Sentosa Singapore (centre left); Craig McMahon with the No.1 Spa Hotel award for Banyan Tree Samui (centre right); and (far right) Torsten Richter GM of the reimagined Anantara Hotel Siam voted the No.1 Best New Hotel in Asia. See the 2026 Travel Poll Results.

SINGAPORE

S'pore new luxe bed choices

Why eco-friendly and lifestyle are luxe buzzwords

POLL WINNERS

Winners' Album for 2026 Awards

FAMILY TRAVEL

Holidays with kids made easy

Child-friendly resorts from Sanya to the Maldives

PROFILE

Iwan Dietschi, VP MGM Macau, gets to the root of luxury hospitality

Iwan Dietschi: it's a people business

Bangkok hotel rooftop lounges and skybars serve up views wines, and vinyl

As biggies Fairmont and Grand Nikko open in Bangkok how does our review rate them vs Ritz, Dusit Thani, Andaz and Kimpton Maa-Lai?

As 400-key biggies luxe Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit (room above) and Grand Nikko (far right) — part of the Okura family — open, how do they compare vs Ritz-Carlton, Andaz One Bangkok (far left), Dusit Thani (with some clever foodie surprises - centre right), Siam Kempinski, new-look Anantara Siam, and lifestyle retreat Kimpton Maa-Lai? Our review/ photos: Vijay Verghese

DESTINATIONS

Pen Manila and Mandarin set to butt heads in a chic vs classic match-up

Sabah retreat, no-holds-barred Bali resorts review, detailed Manila hotels guide, big Bangkok lifestyle hotels review, a look at Vietnam beach resorts and Asian casino hotels guide + all about Macau.

SPOTLIGHT

KL new lifestyle hotels add whimsy

Bali resorts review sea to sky, Asian medical tourism guide and a look at Manila business hotels; Manila casinos; Chiang Rai guide

AIRLINES

Bag the widest seats in economy

Fear of Flying cures, widest seats in economy, the widest business class seats to Asia, Small Asian airlines plus Private Jet deals

TOP CITIES

Fun trawl of Saigon's new hotels

Hong Kong shopping guide, KL shopping, Bangkok new hotels review and Bangkok shopping guide; wow Tokyo, top Seoul tips

EDITOR'S RANT

And who's minding the door?

Author - Vijay Verghese Hotel concierges and doormen are the unsung heroes of travel awards, working behind the scenes beating down taxi rates, saving elephants, comforting pooches and loaning umbrellas, even to strangers. These are all little touches but as the first point of contact for travellers, they instil long lasting memories of the hotel brand.

Winners of the 2026 Smart Travel Asia Best in Travel Reader Poll — Bangkok Best Holiday Destination

Bangkok was again voted the No.1 Holiday Destination in Asia, a rank it has held since 2023. Tokyo ranked 2nd while Kyoto and Bali jointly shared 3rd place. Pictured here, Bangkok Pride Parade. The city was voted in for its excitement and colour but also ranked No.2 for Business and Meetings. Our WINNERS' ALBUM

CHINA REGION