1. Bangkok – Perpetual motion
Bangkok has always been known for its hustle and bustle. Soon the Thai capital will boast Southeast Asia’s largest railway terminal as well. In November, Bang Sue Grand Station, containing 26 platforms over four floors, is expected to open, shuttling passengers all over the country and the wider region. Replacing the iconic Hua Lamphong station’s former hub—which will become a railway museum—the new station will support intercity, underground, commuter and high-speed services. Two luxury hotels have also opened on Bangkok’s riverfront: Andy Miller and Richard Scott Wilson’s playful Capella Bangkok, where each room and suite has a river view, and the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, which offers open-air terraces, pools and a lobby art-exhibition space. Recent restaurant openings include Aksorn—by legendary chef David Thompson, who creates dishes from vintage Thai cookbooks—and Charmgang, which opened before the pandemic shutdown, known for its curry.
2. Hanoi – Renewed life in the Old Quarter
Vietnam’s 1,000-year-old capital is embracing change while maintaining a strong sense of identity. This balancing act is exemplified by the new Capella Hanoi, a 47-room hotel where architect Bill Bensley pays homage to the opera of the Roaring ’20s, while the city’s more flamboyant side is showcased in another major hotel opening: Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake, a glimmering building billed as the world’s first gold-plated hotel. Hanoi’s incredible street-food culture is another source of fierce civic pride. Lovers of pho, the city’s signature dish, were gratified when Pho Gia Truyen—one of Hanoi’s most legendary vendors—was recognized in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants “Essence of Asia” list in 2020, a collection of storied venues that represent the spirit of gastronomy in the region
3. Desaru Coast, Malaysia – A beach escape
The saying “If you build it, they will come” is very true of Desaru Coast, an ambitious new resort area in the state of Johor. Spanning more than 3,900 acres along a pristine 17-km stretch of beachfront real estate, the area offers some of Malaysia’s most coveted luxury bolt-holes. In 2020, the One&Only Desaru Coast, the brand’s first property in Asia, debuted as a spectacular tropical sanctuary with a spa and golf course. Also newly opened is the Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas, with lush gardens and lagoon swimming pools. Other draws include championship golf courses and cruises through the Sedili Wetlands, a freshwater swamp home to the endangered water trumpet. The imminent opening of the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal will offer increased transit options for Singapore and Indonesia.
4. Siargao, Philippines – Surf’s up
While destinations such as Boracay, Cebu and Palawan nailed the mass market, the teardrop-shaped island off the coast of Mindanao until recently had been best known to a dedicated band of surfers lured by consistent waves. But the secret is out, and new spots are popping up on the island, including the beachfront Inara Siargao Resort, an intimate five-suite property that can be booked on Instagram. Just before COVID-19 shutdowns, Siargao got additional cell towers to improve data connectivity, which will be a boon to tourism when it reopens to vaccinated international travelers.
5. Singapore – Superlative city-state
Singapore frequently tops lists as one of the world’s greenest, safest and most ethnically diverse cities, among other superlatives. Adding to the Southeast Asian city-state’s many attributes: The Clan Hotel Singapore, a sleek and centrally located establishment which opened this year with a top-floor infinity pool and a Rolls-Royce airport transfer for suite guests. By contrast, the new 198-room Dusit Thani Laguna hotel—on the grounds of the Laguna National Golf & Country Club, about 10 miles from the city center—feels like an isolated oasis. It offers access to two championship golf courses, three swimming pools and a Thai-influenced spa, as well as a complimentary shuttle to downtown. In an effort to further boost local tourism, Singapore is extending its SingapoRediscovers program—originally slated to end in June—through the end of the year, issuing vouchers to residents worth around $74 to spend on tours, hotel accommodations, attraction tickets and more.
According to time.com
(https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2021/)
