Cover Photo: Courtesy of One&Only Desaru Coast, Malaysia

Though we may not be able to travel for the time being, we're letting you know the best new luxury hotels that are still opening in Asia this year. Dream now, book later.

Travel restrictions getting you down? Tap into some wanderlust and get excited for the day we can venture out of Hong Kong again with these luxe new openings in Asia. From beachfront private villas, to city oases and heritage-steeped new properties, here's where we're looking to book after the pandemic.

See also: 6 Ways Luxury Travel Will Change After Covid-19, As Predicted By The Experts

1. Four Seasons at Bangkok Chao Phraya River, Thailand

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Overlooking the Chao Phraya River in the centre of Thailand’s energetic capital, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok promises to be an urban sanctuary. 

Surrounded by galleries, boutiques, restaurants and cafés, the hotel's peaceful setting offers a respite from the bustling city outside – with the property featuring dramatic gardens, cascading waterfalls and sweeping river views from its outdoor lap and infinity pools.

Speaking of the concept which blends the outdoors with the in, designer Jean-Michel Gathy describes the hotel as "Sometimes dramatic. Sometimes intimate. But always charismatic," allowing the natural beauty of Thailand and the city’s urbane charms to come together in every aspect of the interiors.

Once open, the hotel will house 299 guest rooms, including suites with garden terraces and a two-storey Presidential Suite, along with an urban spa and six dining and drinking options – offering everything from authentic Cantonese cuisine and seasonally-inspired Italian cuisine, to bespoke cocktails, craft spirits and cigars, and freshly-baked treats.

Currently slated to open in the fall, reservations are open from October 2020.

fourseasons.com

2. The Legian Sire Lombok, Indonesia

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Reachable by a 40-minute flight from Bali, The Legian Sire is nestled on one of Lombok's most pristine beaches. Expected to open in August 2020, the new boutique suite and villa resort is sure to attract crowds with its barefoot luxury offerings and stunning views of the famous Gili Islands.

Perfect for a beachside getaway, all suites are generously sized at 1,200-square-feet and feature ocean views, with the resort also housing both a 55- and 75-foot infinity pool. 

With a distinct focus on wellness and promising to offer a revitalising stay, The Legian Sire takes a holistic approach to bespoke spa treatments, offering not only vitality pools, but also nutrition and fitness programs that are tailored to balance the body and soul. The hotel's three dining venues, including an all-vegetarian restaurant, are set to make the most of the property's organic fruit and vegetable gardens. 

lhw.com

3. One&Only Desaru Coast, Malaysia

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If you're wanting to book in for a secluded island retreat post-pandemic, keep an eye out for One&Only's new property, which is set to open on Malaysia's Desaru Coast this summer.

The retreat is nestled on the south-eastern shoreline of Malaysia, and features more than a kilometre of white sand beaches, housing a private beach club for dining and water sports, an indulgent destination spa, and a range of luxury suites featuring private plunge pools.

Once open, One&Only Desaru Coast will also feature a variety of dining and drinking destinations, including Ambara which will offer the honest flavours of Malaysia and the Mediterranean coast; contemporary sushi restaurant Hoshi; open-air bar Dusky Monkey; and the Malaysian-inspired pool cafe Essential. 

oneandonlyresorts.com/desaru-coast

4. The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, Japan

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Expected to open its doors this July, The Ritz-Carlton Nikko will be situated on the eastern shore of Lake Chuzenji. Found two and a half hours north of Tokyo, the area of Nikko features stunning landscapes, along with Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples set in a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Layan Architects + Designers of Melbourne oversaw the interior design of the hotel’s public spaces, guestrooms, and suites, with Principal Johannes Hart commenting that "The spirit of Nikko, indeed the very design philosophy of this hotel, is all about nature and immersing oneself in the beauty of the place,” promising that the hotel will be a sophisticated, warm and welcoming setting, showcasing aesthetics that are treasured by the Japanese such as the transition of light and shadow, an abundance of natural wood and stone textures, and the changing of the seasons.

The 94 guestrooms and suites of The Ritz-Carlton Nikko are also set to unite modern flair with a graceful Japanese aesthetic. Inspired by traditional Japanese residential design, all residences feature a private balcony that melds seamlessly with an engawa lounge area – not forgetting the generously sized stone bathrooms, which are each equipped with a deep-soaking tub and a shower that overlooks a Zen rock garden.

ritzcarlton.com

5. Raffles Bali, Indonesia

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Opening July 2020, Raffles promises to bring together the very best of local tradition and global culture in its new luxury resort in Bali. Situated less than 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport, a private limousine transfer will transport guests away from the crowded streets of Jimbaran to this hidden corner of the island.

The beachfront resort is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, with each of the private villas offering unparalleled panoramic ocean views. From the 470 square-metre Ocean Pool Room, to the expansive 900 square-metre Presidential Villa, all villas feature luxuries such as private pools, al fresco dining areas, modern and elegant interiors and ocean-facing bath tubs.

Throughout your stay at the new luxury resort, Raffles Wellbeing Butlers also promise to be on hand to ensure you have an unique and unforgettable experience, anticipating your every need and offering a personal guide to the island's traditions and rituals.

raffles.com/bali

See also: Bucket List Travel: The Trips Our Editors Can't Wait To Take Post Pandemic

6. Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, Japan

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Located on an ancient site in Kyoto, Hotel The Mitsui is set on what was previously the location of the Kyoto home of the Mitsui ruling family (Kitake), for more than 250 years, spanning from the end of the 17th century to the mid-Showa period.

The newly built hotel utilises the site’s ancient structures in its features, such as the entrance and stone gardens, but uses modern designs and techniques to develop a property
that is set to stand at the very pinnacle of luxury hotels in Japan.

Steeped in over 300 years of history, the Kajii-no-Miya Gate has been restored and stands at the entrance to the hotel. Inside, the hotel features 161 guest rooms, spanning from 50 square-metres to a 210 square-metre Presidential Suite. Guests can also look forward to relaxing in the expansive spa, featuring Kyoto's natural Onsen spring water, and hotel's two restaurants which will utilise the freshest ingredients from all over Japan.

hotelthemitsui.com

7. 1 Hotels Haitang Bay, Sanya, China

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Known as one of the top beach destinations in China, 1 Hotels Hating Bay is the latest luxury hotel to open in Sanya. Sitting in a prime location on Hainan island’s beautiful shoreline, the luxury resort is soft-open now, with several of the hotel's restaurant outlets expected to fully open by the end of 2020.

Nature-inspired and with sustainability at the forefront, the hotel features dappled light filtering in through leaf-sheltered skylights and stacks of salvaged Chinese roof tiles, with the strategic planners Oval Partnership making use of locally sourced natural materials, such as lava stone and red cedar, with innovative green technologies.

Speaking of the opening, Company Director and project leader, Dr Lin Hao explains, “Our inspiration for the 1 Hotel Haitang Bay project is deeply rooted in the vision of the 1 Hotels brand, which aspires to be a relaxed, comfortable, natural and open environment for travelers, by crafting a more tangible and imaginative sustainability that celebrates the DNA of 1 Hotels.”

Guests can look forward to relaxing in the 294 spacious and beautifully furnished rooms, suites and villas, which range from 62 square-meters to 1,300 square-meters, with stunning views of the garden, poolside or the sea. The hotel will also feature seven dining venues, a sunlit Sky Deck, natural farm, fitness centre and 1 Hotel Spa by Bamford from the UK, along with five swimming pools.

1hotels.com

8. The Clan Hotel, Singapore

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Set to open towards the end of 2020, The Clan Hotel in Singapore promises to offer a taste of modern luxury, with just a touch of nostalgia.

Located in the heart of Singapore's heritage area, which has now evolved as the thriving Central Business District, the hotel is in close proximity to Raffles Place, Collyer Quay and One Fullerton, as well as heritage streets such as Far East Square, Telok Ayer Street, Amoy Street, Club Street, Ann Siang Hill, Lau Pa Sat and Chinatown and the unique Singaporean sights of the Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay.

The hotel's design draws inspiration from a bygone era, with intricate detailing evoking an unpretentious yet opulent feeling. The 324-room property is comprised of three room types: Deluxe Room, Premier Room and Grand Premier Room, with each offering highly customised services such as limousine transfers and luggage forwarding, a welcome tea ceremony with Chinese tea and traditional snacks, and a turndown service with blooming flower tea and essential oil rollers.

The hotel also offers stunning city views from its 30th floor Sky Pool, with the same vistas on offer at the the sky Gym, for those who are looking to stay active.

theclanhotel.com.sg

See also: 7 Gorgeous Hotels Around The World To Dream About Now, And Book For Later

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