Far-flung trips tend to take a tad more planning, but these boutique hotels in Asia are worth every air mile. If Bali feels a bit ‘been there, done that’, the Gili Islands are a lesser-visited alternative if you’re hoping to get into a tropical state of mind (and looking to unwind), while two luxury openings in the major Chinese port of Quanzhou combine coastal relaxation and city break action.
1. Villa Tokay, Lombok – Indonesia
On a teeny-tiny island just off the coast of Lombok lies Villa Tokay, a cluster of tropical hideaways inspired by nature (think leaf-shaped bamboo structures and curving tidal shapes). The indoor-outdoor villas encourage guests to spend most of their time barefoot, in a hammock suspended above the pool (if you’re a lucky resident of the Leaf villa) or soaking up your palm-fringed surroundings from a relaxing flower bath in a freestanding tub hidden amid the foliage.
There’s complimentary snorkelling gear to grab and bicycles to borrow when it’s time to answer the siren call of Gili Air – chilled beach clubs, coconut farms and coffee shacks dot the island, and you can even swim with sea turtles on the north-eastern shoreline.
Villa Tokay | Book Now
2. Kaipuu on the Reef, Quanzhou – China
Bookings from January 2024
Teetering in total tranquillity above the natural rocks of Quanzhou, rooms at Kaipuu on the Reef are nestled into the crescent-shaped beach and come with sparkling sea vistas. The minimalist interiors have been meticulously styled by Chongqing-based designer, Xie Ke, artfully blending a soothing, stone-based palette with natural materials, clean lines, and vast sheets of glass to flood the spaces with those milky-blue views. A primordial reef is preserved within the foyer, and vast monoliths of stone and columns have been elegantly layered around the grand entrance.
Spend your days gazing out from the panoramic Bar Reef, with wine in hand, visit the Cigar Bar, or indulge in the highest hospitality with tea ceremony in the Tea Loft, complete with local handmade snacks. Take a dip in the curved infinity pool that seamlessly aligns with the horizon and sky.
Kaipuu on the Reef | Preview Now
3. Kaipuu Belfry, Quanzhou – China
Once a bustling shopping hub, the Quanzhou Belfry Department Store has been transformed into Kaipuu Belfry, complete with a Quanzhou-inspired local restaurant and a rooftop bar. From here, you can watch over the neighbourhood as you sip your drink and plan your exploration of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-rated sights. Xie Ke is also behind the honey-toned interiors here, creating a modern, minimalist canvas of all-white walls and pops of accent colour – making the bedrooms (dubbed Studios and Lofts) inviting spaces to work, sleep and relax. There’s plenty to explore in the bustling street scene below the hotel, but beyond Quanzhou there’s Quingyuan Mountain to hike and Fujian temples to visit.
Kaipuu Belfry | Book Now
Share this article
Latest stories
Surfer stays and tropical hideaways: top boutique hotels for October
October is the ideal month to mix autumn cosiness with a dose of winter sun. Think an Australian surfer-chic stay on a working farm with crackling wood-burning fires, or a striking architectural gem on Mexico’s surf-kissed Mazunte coast. If it’s sun you’re chasing, island boltholes in the Caribbean await, while
Caribbean island-hopping in the Lesser Antilles: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda
There’s no rule that says your Caribbean escape has to be a one-island affair. Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda are close enough to link in a single trip — and different enough to keep every day feeling new. This Lesser Antilles itinerary links three Leeward Islands; Anguilla’s laid-back, barefoot glamour with
Susafa: the eco-friendly farmhouse to book in rural Sicily
Trade the crowds of Palermo for something quieter, slower, and more soulful in Sicily’s rugged interior. Susafa, a centuries-old farm turned sustainable hotel, offers a different kind of Sicilian escape. This isn’t the place you come to check off sights. Instead, your days unfold gently, lingering by the pool, strolling
The ultimate Madrid city guide
Sometimes overlooked by other European capitals, Spain’s biggest city has so much to offer from world-class museums and galleries to talking-point architecture and a lively music scene. Madrileños also take food (and drink) very seriously, and whether you want to prop at the bar for the tastiest tortilla or your
