Cover Defining excellence in hospitality in Asia, from restaurants to hotels and bars, with Tatler Best
Defining excellence in hospitality in Asia, from restaurants to hotels and bars, with Tatler Best
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Uncover the meticulous process and criteria that define Tatler Best’s top 100 hotels, restaurants, and bars in Asia
Tatler Best is Asia’s definitive guide to the top 100 hotels, top 100 restaurants and top 100 bars in the region, celebrating excellence in hospitality and dining. With its 27 Best in Class awards— eleven for hotels, nine for restaurants and seven for bars—Tatler Best stands apart from similar honours. Nominees were selected based on expert insights, with input from Asia’s most discerning globetrotters, culinary connoisseurs and drinks specialists, reflecting the evolving tastes of the region’s most savvy travellers.
Tatler Best jury co-chairs handpicked a jury of more than 400 individuals, including Tatler editors, established food writers, travel journalists, influencers and, importantly, members of Tatler’s community across Asia, who are known for their sophisticated takes on where to stay, eat and drink.
Read more: Introducing Tatler Best, the ultimate celebration of Asia’s finest hotels, restaurants, and bars
The process to identify the Tatler Best 100 in Asia hotels began with a voting form that was designed by industry veteran Yona he Poda. The form evaluated key factors such as service, design, sense of place, sustainability, food and beverage offerings, and the overall guest experience. For the Best In Class nominees, Tatler community members, selected for their taste and global travel expertise, were tasked with nominating two hotels in each of 10 categories, including Best Heritage Hotel, Best Design Hotel and Best City Hotel. Each vote further refined the selection, whittling down the list to only the most immaculate gems in Asia’s hospitality crown.
Above The regions represented in Tatler Best 100
The regions represented in Tatler Best 100
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The voting process combined qualitative and quantitative assessment. Jury members provided written feedback on their experiences, which was reviewed alongside scores in each category, with scoring for each category being mandatory. This two-fold evaluation ensured that each nominee was rigorously vetted, with special attention given to consistent excellence across all categories. Scores were aggregated, and the top-performing hotels across multiple categories emerged as finalists. The Tatler Best top 100 hotels list was then determined by these aggregated scores, with the Hotel of the Year being the property with the highest overall rating.
Crucially, Tatler Best awards are not “pay to play”—establishments cannot enter the judging process by paying a fee, nor can they secure nominations or placement on the list through payment of any kind. Jury members declare all stakes in any establishment and are barred from voting for any they have a stake in. This ensures the integrity of the selection and that every establishment is judged solely on its merits. Tatler Best is grounded in real-world, up-to-date assessments from a jury who truly understand high-end hospitality. “The Tatler Best designation carries the imprimatur of a discerning, well-travelled community, making it a particularly coveted endorsement within the luxury sphere,” says he Poda.
Outstanding service is the hallmark of a remarkable hotel. Beyond luxury, it’s the subtle details that set the best apart. As Sean Fitzpatrick, Tatler Asia’s chief experience officer and Tatler Best jury co-chair, notes, “Often, what makes a hotel truly exceptional is not the hardware but the invisible touches,” like noticing a guest’s preferences and making subtle adjustments. This delicate precision, when perfectly balanced, fosters loyalty, creates memorable stays and generates word-of-mouth recommendations.
Above Uncover the meticulous process and criteria that define Tatler Best
Uncover the meticulous process and criteria that define Tatler Best
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The same principle applies to restaurants and bars: while quality of food and drinks are paramount, it is the overall experience that makes the greatest impact. An exquisite restaurant seamlessly combines great food with atmosphere and finessed service. From the warmth and professionalism of the staff to the subtleties in design and meal flow, every element elevates the experience. Similarly, a great bar transcends inventive cocktails; it’s about mood, lighting and energy too. As Andy Cheng, regional head of dining at Tatler Asia and jury co-chair, puts it, “Extraordinary restaurants and bars are distinguished by their meticulous service and keen attention to detail, combined with culinary skills that weave a story through each meal and cocktail, leaving a lasting impression that beckons you to return time and again.”
Compiling the Tatler Best 100 in Asia restaurants and bars involved a thorough process that drew on 40 years of Tatler Dining’s commitment to excellence. A master list was curated by Tatler’s regional dining editors before being passed to the jury for voting. Jury members could only vote for restaurants and bars that they had personally assessed in the past 18 months. The 20 highest-scoring restaurants and bars comprise the Tatler Best 20 in each market; these qualified for inclusion on the respective Tatler Best 100 in Asia restaurants and bars lists. These names were then eligible for nomination to the Best in Class awards. The nominated names underwent a further round of voting by the jury, determining a single winner for each category.
Tatler Best serves as an authoritative guide for astute travellers and industry insiders alike to Asia’s ever-evolving hospitality scene and the region’s most exceptional places to stay, eat and drink. We are thrilled to celebrate the region’s brightest stars from hotels, restaurants and bars at the upcoming Tatler Best of Asia event in Bangkok on November 24 and 25, as well as a new era of excellence in the industry.
The Process
Hotels
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Exceptional Service: The best hotels provide intuitive, personalised service at every level of the guest experience, anticipating visitors’ needs without being intrusive.
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Outstanding Design: Striking architecture and interior design leave a lasting impression. From the moment you enter, you can tell these hotels are not your run-of-the-mill luxury properties; there’s a distinctive charm and individuality that sets them apart. Lighting and landscaping are also considered.
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Sense of Place: Great hotels go beyond aesthetics to create meaningful connections between guests and the local culture and community. This is often achieved through thoughtful design elements and exclusive, authentic experiences.
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Sustainability: HNW travellers are increasingly conscious of their environmental and social impact, choosing hotels that embrace sustainability practices—such as waste reduction, energy-efficient systems and sustainable sourcing—and integrate these seamlessly into the guest experience.
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Food and Beverage Excellence: These properties house high-quality restaurant and bar options that enhance the overall guest experience.
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Amenities: High-end amenities that meet the needs of the hotel’s unique demographic are available, whether it’s a state-of-the-art wellness centre or family-friendly facilities.
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Luxury at all levels: A sense of luxury is consistent throughout the hotel. For example, all room categories meet high standards of luxury and comfort—there might be better options such as suites, but there are no bad options.
Restaurants and Bars
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Ambience and setting: The overall atmosphere, design and vibe of the venue create a comfortable and inviting environment that enhances the overall experience.
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Excellence in food and drink: The taste, presentation and overall quality of the food and drinks are of an exceptional standard.
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Wine and spirits: A well-curated selection of wines and spirits is available, and guests are guided by knowledgeable staff.
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Innovation, variety and sustainability: Menus should offer well-balanced, creative dishes that complement the drinks and reflect sustainable practices.
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Service and hospitality: The venue is staffed by attentive, well-informed staff who provide seamless, courteous service.
Best in Class Awards
Hotels: Best Boutique Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Design, Best Heritage Hotel, Best Innovation, Best New Hotel, Best Resort, Best Wellness Retreat, Best Destination Hotel, Best Service, Hotel of the Year
Restaurants: Best Design, Best Innovation, Best New Restaurant, Best Pastry Chef, Best Service, Best Sommelier, Legacy Award, Rising Star, Restaurant of the Year
Bars: Best Design, Best Innovation, Best New Bar, Best Service, Legacy Award, Rising Star, Bar of the Year
The Tatler Best awards is in partnership with TUMI, Mastercard, The Macallan and Dusit Thani Bangkok.
Follow our extensive coverage of Asia's best hotels, restaurants and bars on Tatler Travel and Tatler Dining, and on Tatler Asia Instagram.
