Written by DLX Special Correspondent, Jim Sullivan
With a vibrant history, warm weather, perfect beaches and exotic natural beauty, Asia is an amazing destination for both downtime and adventure. Luxurious suites overlooking a grand city skyline or simply the graceful rivers in Asia make it a memorable getaway for any traveler. From peaceful Hue City, Vietnam to its capital Saigon, this under the radar country has fantastic accommodations with sweeping views even for budget-minded travelers.
Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia have many ancient ruins amid modern accommodations that help bridge the rich past of each country with technology-friendly hotels whose purpose is to spend some time there and unwind before exploring. Taiwan’s exciting city, Taipei, is driven by its strong economy and independently progressive culture that make it a modern attraction on its own. Here are 6 top suites in Asia with amazing views that compliment relaxation with adventure:
La Residence Hue over Perfume River. Photo courtesy of la-residence-hue.com
6 – LIVE AS LARGE AS AN AMBASSADOR IN OLD HUE, VIETNAM
The Resident’s Suite at Vietnam’s luxury La Residence Hotel and Spa in Hue commands the entire upper-story of the historic, main building. The suite’s French doors and multi-paned windows yield to a spacious, private terrace that provides panoramic views of the Perfume River, the landmark Truong Tien Bridge and the Flagtower Bastion of the 200-year-old Hue Citadel.
The 76-square-meter suite’s distinctive, circular shape and orientation beneath the historic mansion’s cupola makes for a daring and imaginative space. The high-ceiling main room contains a four-poster bed, a plasma screen television and DVD player, French drapery and art-deco appointments. The bright bathroom includes three sinks, a free-standing tub and a glass shower stall. Its well-lit nooks are furnished with desks and reading lamps.
Saigon Suite. Photo courtesy of The Reverie Saigon
5 – STAY IN A MODERN ITALIAN DESIGN MUSEUM IN SAIGON
No space is more emblematic of The Reverie Saigon’s grandiose, over-the-top appeal as the 2,981-square-foot Saigon Suite on the top two floors (38 & 39) of the hotel. The $12,000 per night suite’s living room soars two stories, its walls clad all the way in marble but for ample panes of glass that take in the sprawl of Saigon, one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.
Two of Italy’s leading design houses — Cassina and Poltrona Frau — collaborated on the suite’s décor, sparing no expense. Indeed, the hotel flew in one of Cassina’s craftsmen from Italy to ensure that its Veliero (Italian for sailing vessel) bookshelf was installed properly.
In the bedroom designed by Cassina, Le Courbusier’s iconic lounge chair stretches against one window, as much a work of art as a perch from which to take in the city. In a parlor of the bedroom designed by Poltrona Frau, the design house repurposed the aesthetics of a classic leather trunk as a mini-bar, a feat of imagination that one might expect from the firm that supplies leather seats for Maserati and Ferrari.
Also designed by Cassina are six wooden barrel chairs, surrounding a dining table as long as a conference table, all designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. In the corner of the dining area is the 357 Feltri chair, made entirely of wool felt.
Spa Suite at Galle Face Hotel, Sri Lanka. Photo courtesy of Galle Face Hotel
4 – SLEEP LIKE ROYALTY AT SRI LANKA’S GRAND DAME
Few hotels can rival the impressive historical guest list at the 151-year-old Galle Face Hotel. And even fewer offer a carefully curated selection of suites named after such notable visitors. Colombo’s Grand Dame has eight in its collection with the recently-restored Empress Eugenie, named for the French royal, as the pièce-de-résistance.
This signature abode measures a spacious 120 square meters (1,290 square feet) with a 60 square meter (645 square feet) terrace consuming the roof of the hotel’s iconic carriage porch. Overlooking the Galle Face Green, the capital’s treasured sea-side park, the Empress Eugenie has one of the best views in the city. Inside, the three-bedroom suite features French Louis XVI style furnishings from beds with tufted headboards to vintage chairs, chandeliers and a marble-topped dining table anchor the separate living/dining area, and the spacious grand bathroom includes a large free-standing tub.
Spa suite Bangkok. Photo courtesy of Sofitel Bangkok
3 – EXPERIENCE OPULENT LIVING IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
When Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit reinvented its lobby in early 2015, it earned the right to call itself the only hotel in the City of Angels with an art gallery. But to assume the artistic appeal of the almost-4-year-old property is limited to the ground floor level would be painting it with the wrong brush.
Near the top of the 32-story high-rise, the most discerning guests will find a pair of Imperial Suites, which are masterpieces in their own right thanks to features such as contemporary furnishings, marble bathrooms and refined dining rooms. The 170-square-meter spaces also offer big views of Bangkok, best absorbed from either a Sofitel MyBed or the private terrace, where tropical shrubs and fragrant candles line a plunge pool set high above bustling Sukhumvit Road.
Beach Room in Bintan Island. Photo courtesy of Sanchaya Bintan
2 – LUXURY AT ITS MOST LUXURIOUS ON SCENIC BINTAN ISLAND, INDONESIA
Just steps away from powder white sands, aquamarine waters and picturesque islands reminiscent of The Maldives, The Sanchaya’s presidential Vanda Villa anchors some of the world’s best beachfront. Priced at more than USD 12,000 per night, the sprawling 240m² villa complete with a 90m² balcony makes for a stunning expression of Asian chic.
The two-story, four bedroom villa features neutral, crisp tones, canopied super king size beds, large free-standing tubs and polished timber floors. As part of The Sanchaya’s push to pay homage to the captivating history and culture of Southeast Asia, the Vanda Villa is named after Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’ orchid. The villa’s rare, carefully-selected art and furnishings offer glimpses into the architectural heritage of Singapore, only a 45-minute ferry ride from Bintan Island.
Suite 11 at Grand Hyatt. Photo Courtesy of hyattdevelopment.com
1 – LIFE ON TOP AT THE GRAND HYATT TAIPEI, TAIWAN
Located in the vibrant Xinyi district in downtown Taipei, a stay at the Grand Hyatt Taipei not only offers a cityscape experience from up top but most importantly, it’s just a stroll to Taipei’s metropolitan hub — Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei International Convention Center and the towering Taipei 101. The City of Azaleas from 2,379 square-feet up at the Hyatt’s Presidential Suite never looked better.
Under the care of an internationally renowned Parisian design firm, this 221 square-meter apartment strikes a unique balance between East and West. At the entrance, the suite is divided into three cozy niches with a grand piano at center stage. Each room gives way to some form of entertainment, whether hosting a dinner party in the dining area, testing culinary skills in its state-of-the-art kitchen, catching up on some reading in the study, taking in the cityscape on the balcony or pouring a glass of wine at the bar.
With just a hint of burnt yellow color throughout, the modern Taiwanese style paintings, vases and decorative dishes give the space an added dose of local culture. In the bedroom, the goose-down king size bed is a lure to aficionados of deep sleep. The master bath’s all white marble floor extends up to its walls and is equipped with his and her sinks, a monsoon shower, steam room, jet spa and of course, Salvador Ferragamo bath products. To top it off, the master bath’s mirror even transforms into a TV.
A stay at the Presidential Suite not only features dedicated butler service but also complete access to the newly expanded Grand Club lounge on the 22nd floor with panoramic views of the city below.