Cover Desa Potato Head in Bali, Indonesia, thinks global and acts local (Photo: Desa Potato Head)
Desa Potato Head in Bali, Indonesia, thinks global and acts local (Photo: Desa Potato Head)
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From a growing love for boutique hotels to exploring under-the-radar destinations, these are the travel trends to watch in 2025
This week, Tatler attended IMM Asia, an annual travel conference held in Singapore, where travel editors and content creators from around the world come together with some of the biggest names in travel, from leading hotel brands—including Four Seasons, Capella and Hyatt— to tourism boards, to find out what what's in store for 2025 and beyond.
Inspired by the conversations we had over the three-day event, it got us thinking about what to expect in the travel space and how the way we travel is changing.
These were the key takeaways on travel trends for 2025.
Size matters
And probably not in the way you think. The smaller or more intimate a hotel is, the better, as more travellers opt for boutique accommodations. According to statistics by Trip.com presented at IMM Asia 2024, demand for boutique hotels is at an all-time high.
Storytelling through design, environmental impact, connection to the local community and creating an authentic “sense of place” are increasingly influential factors when choosing where to stay.
After all, hotels can create immersion or isolation. It can foster connection or create distance. A hotel can make a guest feel comfortable enough to embrace a destination—which, in turn, can lead to that magical moment when the destination embraces them.
See also: 7 boutique hotels that are so under the radar, they likely won't pop up on your next Google search
The path less travelled
Travellers are looking for less obvious, “if you know, you know” spots to explore, whether that’s dining recommendations or under-the-radar travel destinations—like San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, Sintra in Portugal or Furano in Japan.
Lonely Planet's recently released list of 30 must-visit destinations for 2025 included the likes of Chiang Mai in Thailand, Toulouse in France and Pondicherry in India.
This ties into the travellers' growing love for boutique hotels, as they discover charming independently-run properties in these lesser-known locales. Plus, not only is this a great way to have a more authentic travel experience, it also takes some weight off destinations overwhelmed by mass tourism while supporting smaller—and no less, if not more beautiful—destinations.
Think global, act local
More hotels are connecting with their local audience, establishing themselves as cultural hubs on their home turf. Like Desa Potato Head in Bali—my editors are probably sick of me waxing lyrical about this place, but I genuinely believe it sets a precedent for the future of hotels.
Operating as more of a village than resort, its unique approach to cultural programming spans art, music and wellness. Meanwhile, The Upper House in Hong Kong has a cult-like following among the city’s fashionable set for its exciting pop-ups and support of local talent.
Hotel bars—once considered daggy and “tourists only” territory— are also making a comeback. Think The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Titsou Bar at Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York and BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok.
Slow travel
Slow travel remains one of the fastest growing travel trends, as the world’s leading hotel brands continue to invest in superyachts to sleeper trains—making the journey as much a part of the experience as the destination itself.
In 2022, Ritz-Carlton launched its Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and its inaugural ship, Evrima. In September this year, it debuted its second vessel, Ilma, an inky midnight-blue ship that boasts 224 guest rooms. Next year, its third ship, Luminara, will mark the collection's debut in the Asia-Pacific region.
Investing in slow travel is a clever way for hotel groups to entice travellers to explore multiple properties, particularly those in harder-to-reach destinations. In February this year, Aman announced a luxury train service that would take guests from bustling Jakarta to one of its most awe-inspiring hotels, Amanjiwo, in Central Java.
In March, Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond Train, returned to the tracks in Malaysia after a major restoration , boasting seasonal menus curated by acclaimed Taiwanese chef André Chiang, who put a fine-dining spin on classic Chinese and Malay dishes for its passengers.
Well, well, well
Wellness in the travel sector is nothing new, but what's on offer continues to go from strength to strength. Whether that's medical-grade facilities, a broader spectrum of treatments—travelling for aesthetic procedures is stronger than ever—or unexpected destinations making their mark as wellness hubs.
Vietnam is steadily emerging as a wellness destination. Namia River Retreat in Hoi An will open this December, offering holistic treatments rooted in thuoc nam, or traditional Vietnamese medicine.
The Singapore Tourism Board shared that it is developing a wellness attraction at the Marina South Coastal site to grow wellness tourism, offering a mix of holistic and immersive experiences that include therapeutic art, floatation or light and frequencies-based therapies.
Combining this trend with the aforementioned growing demand for boutique hotels, Small Luxury Hotels—which has a portfolio of over 500 independently-operated hotels—teased a platform for its wellness-focused properties in 2025.
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
