Opinion / From Singapore to Thailand, our pick of Asia’s best luxury hotels, nightspots and spas from 2018
Capella Singapore, the site of Donald Trump’s talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was just one of the many properties to catch the eye
As 2018 draws to a close, here are some of what I think are Asia's best luxury establishments curated from over 220 hotels, restaurants and spas we've reviewed this year.
Yet there will not be any cause for celebration if the environment buckles under the weight of the industry's shortfalls in timely conservation efforts.
As the wind of austerity rises in a world shackled by natural calamities, trade wars and political uncertainties, the past 12 months will be remembered as a year of exponential growth for luxury hotels of all shapes and sizes in many major cities in Asia. (Kuala Lumpur alone boasts six to seven new luxury hotels in the last 12 months).
However, even as watchers wonder if the spike in supply will be matched by a rise in demand, there are more pressing issues at hand – and 2019 must be the year major players move together as one to combat environmental degradation caused by the hospitality sector.
While there might be imperfections aplenty, this is still a lofty industry that can fulfil dreams and execute fantasies.
As we welcome a hopeful 2019 that may see more positive and practical steps taken by the industry to save the environment, we would like to honour some of the best establishments – chosen from Asia’s hotels, restaurants and spas – that we have reviewed in 2018.
Top environmentally-conscious hotel – Jaya House River Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia
To emphasise the environmental message, this is a hotel that is 95 per cent plastic-free and recycles its cooking oils into hand soap and biodiesel.