We ask the experts: What makes a great destination hotel?

While resorts are often set in breathtaking locations, Giles believes that what makes a great resort is how it “seamlessly blends into its surroundings”. For example, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi offers a beautiful blend of ancient rainforests, limestone cliffs and pristine beaches to allow travellers to connect with the island’s natural beauty. “This integration fosters a sense of escapism and reality,” he explains.

Similarly, Raffles Bali was designed to blend with the landscape while offering views of the ocean and majestic volcanoes of Bali.

“The breathtaking blend of landscapes from ocean and hills to volcanic vistas create a sense that Raffles Bali is a destination on its own,” Herting adds.

Lyons also believes that the “essence of place” plays a significant role towards a great destination resort. Lyons continues: “True luxury lies in crafting an environment that feels like a sanctuary, where every detail enhances the sense of serenity.”

The concept of luxury in destination hotels is constantly shifting. On top of having a good location, wide dining options and great hospitality services, travellers are also looking for personalised experiences.

Rosewood Phuket’s general manager Andrew Turner shares: “Today’s travellers seek meaningful experiences that resonate with their values.” This trend has led to the property offering unique experiences like eco-conscious dining and personalised wellness journeys. Rosewood Phuket also has a dedicated butler team that provides guests with “tailored attention” while further customising wellness and dining experiences for a “seamless stay”.

To ensure that each guest receives a personalised experience, Banyan Tree Phuket’s general manager Sittichai Jitnatham shares: “It stems from our ethos that luxury is [equivalent to providing] personalised attention to people and spaces.” He adds how the property pays attention to pre-stay requisites and provides guests with curated experiences from sunset cruises to bespoke cycling tours around the neighbourhood.

Likewise, Phuket’s Amanpuri offers thoughtfully designed experiences, providing guests with a sense of connection to nature, culture and wellbeing. Lyons continues: “Every experience at Amanpuri is crafted to evoke a sense of discovery, tranquillity and renewal, ensuring that each guest’s stay is as unique as it is unforgettable.” Amanpuri offers a diverse array of experiences for every traveller from holistic wellness programs to yacht experiences. Giles adds that “memorable, tailored experiences are vital to creating a lasting impression”.

Nihi Sumba chief executive James McBride shares how the property is constantly evolving and improving to suit the needs of its guests. He adds how the property is set to build a tennis court and a stable at the spa safari for the horses “because it’s all relevant”. He continues: “So every year you come back, there’s always something new.” These new and relevant experiences will inspire guests to return.  

Edition’s senior vice president and global brand leader George Fleck explains: “At Edition, we pride ourselves on anticipating our guests’ needs, offering personalised and unique experiences that never go unnoticed.” He adds that this is how the brand constantly provides its guests with “that feeling of home”.

Speaking of experiences, travellers increasingly opt for authentic cultural experiences. Herting shares: “The idea of luxury is no longer about extravagance. It’s now about authenticity, personalisation and unforgettable experiences.”

Modern luxury travellers want to connect with their destination on a deeper level, swapping traditional opulence for unique local experiences.

This shift has reshaped how destination hotels and resort have curated their offerings, inspiring them to provide activities that immerse guests in local culture. For one, Raffles Bali has a range of authentic cultural experiences that allow guests to connect with the island’s rich heritage, such as the Balinese house visit that explores traditions of Balinese architecture. The experience also allows guests to gain deeper insight into the island’s cultural and spiritual traditions.

For One & Only Desaru Coast, general manager Jerome Pichon shares how the luxury resort aims to “connect our guests with local communities and cultures through exceptional experiences”. The property offers a range of unique experiences from dining options to immersive cultural activities like Silat Melayu lessons. The latter is a Unesco-listed form of martial art inspired by Malaysia’s rich native flora and fauna.

Technological integration continues to enhance guest experiences significantly. Features such as mobile check-in, smart room controls and virtual concierge services are becoming the standard in many destination hotels. These innovations improve convenience and allow for personalised experiences tailored to individual guests.

That said, face-to-face service should not be overlooked. Como Hotels’ chief executive Olivier Jolivet shares: “Service delivered with both great technology as well as really strong face-to-face service has never mattered more to our customers.” While data collection is key, with hotels anticipating guests’ needs through technology, human contact is as important. He continues: “Knowing our customers has to be about more than data. It’s about people and the quirks you observe by noticing [instead of] noting on a form.”

Giles shares how Four Seasons Resort Langkawi Malaysia uses technology to enhance convenience and personalisation for guests. For example, its Four Seasons App allows guests to customise their stay, allowing them to communicate directly with the team and make reservations or requests all from the comfort of their devices.

“This ensures that every guest’s preferences are catered to, while also allowing for a seamless and intuitive experience throughout their stay.

It’s clear that there has been a shift in the needs of the modern luxury traveller and destination hotels are pulling out all the stops to suit these requests.

Fleck agrees that the concept of luxury in destination hotels has transformed significantly, especially in recent years. “Today, it transcends extravagant hotels or places; it's about unlocking desire, discovery, and crafting deeply immersive experiences,” he continues.

Moving away from aesthetics and amenities, a truly remarkable destination hotel provides personalised services and authentic experiences that cater to each traveller, offering a unique one-of-a-kind experience for every visit while also providing privacy, personal connections and a sense of place.

General manager of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas Serge Cuypers explains it best: “Throughout these shifts, the most successful destination hotels have consistently evolved to meet changing traveller preferences, while maintaining a strong sense of place and commitment to exceptional service.”

As travellers increasingly seek unique experiences, destination hotels continue to play an essential role in shaping the future of travel.

This story is part of the Tatler Best series, showcasing the finest in Asia across hotels, restaurants and bars. Tatler Best is sponsored by Tumi and Dusit Thani Bangkok. For more information visit the website media.tatlerasia.com/list/best

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