Timeless elegance
Glenburn Penthouse, Calcutta, India
‘Frenetic’ doesn’t begin to describe Kolkata. West Bengal’s 300-year-old capital fuses the historic legacy of India with the remnants of a British colonial past into a buzzing architectural, artistic and cultural melange.
The vibrance and creativity of the city are central to its charm, but it’s nonetheless refreshing to step beneath the cool white arches and across the monochrome tiles of the Glenburn Penthouse.
Paneled rooms, carved balconies, and antique furniture speak of a sophisticated, muted luxury and assured elegance. A sundowner sipped on the terrace will spirit you back into old-world Calcutta, while you take in the spectacular views of the modern-day Kolkata landmarks.
Timeless elegance in the frenzy, Glenburn Penthouse, Calcutta
Traditional with a twist
Rachamankha Boutique Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Truly a hidden gem, you’d be forgiven for walking past Rachamankha Boutique Hotel on the street without giving it a second glance.
Not least because its next-door neighbour is Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai’s best-known temple. But cross through the colonnaded courtyards within, and you’re transported into an aesthetic masterpiece of architectural serenity.
Designed in the style of traditional northern Thai housing, using the same lime plaster and handmade bricks as the local temples, the hotel has a delightful simplicity that belies the luxury within.
Hidden quadrangles and secret gardens are designed to enchant, and antiques from across Europe, Asia, and Africa abound, while the library is home to 2,000 books.
Surrounded by the remains of the old city walls and moat, this is a fortress of solitude in the best possible way.
Rachamanka Boutique Hotel
Your own private island
Azerai, Can Tho, Vietnam
From the bustling city of Can Tho, take a boat ride across the Hau River in the Mekong Delta to discover Azerai, set on the secluded Con Au Islet, a literal private island in Vietnam.
The lush gardens and banyan trees lend a sense of privacy and opulence, and it’s easy to imagine yourself a movie star rejuvenating in their secret retreat.
The contemporary design is balanced by traditional Vietnamese wooden furniture, creating a soothing, tranquil ambiance. A drink on the deck surrounded by floating lily pads precedes an informal, but ideal, meal at the all-day café or grill.
The vibe is small plates and platters for sharing while lounging by the pool or in the gardens. Totally A-list, totally fabulous.
Cai Rang Floating Market close to the Azerai in Vietnam
Back to the beach
Koh Jum Villas, Krabi, Thailand
A retro Thai beach experience, at Koh Jum Villas you’ll find yourself time travelling back to those heady days when visitors first discovered the magic of this country’s white sands and turquoise waters.
Sustainable luxury in individually designed villas awaits, set along the 700-metre-long beach or in the tropical gardens. This is the untouched Thailand that you hoped for, but couldn’t believe, still existed.
The seclusion and sense of separation are a rarity, and you’ll feel more like a castaway than a tourist when you take to the beach.
If you can tear yourself away from the soft sands, you can re-energize by going mountain biking or climbing, diving, island hopping via speedboat, or exploring the nearby Phi Phi National Marine Park.
The beach at Koh Jum Villas, Krabi Province, Thailand
Sustainability, tranquillity, all guilt-free
The Barefoot Eco Hotel, Hanimaadhoo, Maldives
For anyone who’s experienced The Maldives before, The Barefoot Eco Hotel will come as something of a surprise.
Rather than a clutch of luxury villas plonked on a paradise island will little regard for the local environment or community, the resort on Hanimaadhoo is embedded in the island’s culture, and built entirely on eco-tourism principles.
Side projects include a fish market, sewage system, and waste management programme, and the immersive nature of the hotel means you’re welcome to tour these fascinating endeavours.
But if you’d rather spend your time lazing on the private beach, browsing the boutique, dining on freshly caught seafood, or diving one of 30 divine sites, you can have endless fun with a clear conscience, knowing you’re integral to the success of this one-off social enterprise.
The Barefoot Eco Hotel, Hanimaadhoo, Maldives
CURIOUS ABOUT TRAVEL?
Head to our website for more ideas and information about travelling to Asia.
You can get in touch on 0203 993 0597. Alternatively, fill out an online enquiry form to start your journey.
Melissa is one of the original members of team ETG. Having travelled extensively worldwide and worked in the industry for years, she pioneered our holidays to Southeast Asia in 2006. Now, as our Head of Product, Melissa makes sure we offer the most varied and interesting holidays in the business. She is famous for her eye for detail and works tirelessly to ensure each ETG experience is the best it can be. Melissa loves working in travel not only to feed her own wanderlust but because she gets to spark curiosity in others too – not least her two children, who have been lucky enough to accompany her all over Asia.
