Home Travel Inspiration 5 of the most unique hotels across Asia

5 of the most unique hotels across Asia

Bypass boring brands. Choose from our boutique beauties, instead.

by Melissa Nicholas

You know those corporate internationalised, sanitised, homogenised hotels? They’re everywhere. You could be anywhere. They feel like… nowhere.  

Bland, brand accommodation. Just, why?

Especially when we’ve gone out and tracked down the smartest, chicest, most charming, most atmospheric rooms, retreats, lodges and live-long-in-the-memory stays most travellers can only dream of.

5 of the most unique hotels in ETG’s collection:

Rascal Voyages, Indonesia

These two Indonesian boats are the stuff of legend: seriously. Best described as exclusive floating villas with all the touches of a five-star hotel, they’re both heavenly and promise an absolute adventure. A journey onboard is Asia’s answer to an expedition in the Galápagos or a safari in Africa. Think wild landscapes and paradisical coves all to yourself, only accessible by this teeny fleet. Epic animals in the air, on land and beneath the waves. One-off moments – like sipping a G&T atop the infinity rooftop deck as the sun turns the glassy water around you into molten gold and gazing up at the Milky Way glowing above you as you dine under the stars. You’ll be replaying the magic in your head for years to come. Go on, let your inner rascal out to play…

Speak to our trusty Travel Team to be one of the first to experience a Rascal voyage and see how we can weave it into your Indonesian getaway

Uga Chena Huts, Sri Lanka

Benefit from 20% off*

Tucked into the wilderness between Yala National Park and the Indian Ocean, this luxury camp has a real sense of place. The sea doubles as a natural watering hole, so it’s not unusual to see wildlife like elephants stopping by for a drink, nearby. Each thatched ‘cabin’ (more like a plush pavilion) comes with its own private plunge pool, clean and serene interiors, and top-notch creature comforts. And, the food? It’s worth writing home about, too.

Gangtey Lodge, Bhutan

You may well have got a feel for this luxurious lodge while watching the current BBC series, Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. In the words of Monica and Rob, this secret farmhouse gives guests a truly unique experience. Take part in immersive excursions on the lodge’s doorstep – from joining local monks at the Shedra to visiting a traditional farmhouse where butter and cheese is churned every day – before returning to your retreat and sinking into a Bhutanese hot stone bath. Heaven.

Experience this firsthand on our Luxury Bhutan adventure

BABA Eco Lodge, Thailand

This is one of the most exciting picks from our Thailand hotel collection. While the phrase “the hotel blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings” has become a bit of a travel writing cliché, it fits the bill for BABA Eco Lodge: perfectly. This unspoiled piece of paradise is made up of just 27 villas: each and every one unique in style and layout. So, whether you’re a family looking to take over a spacious beach house or a couple after a romantic hideaway, you’re going to love it here. It’s off-grid island life at its best.

Enjoy a few nights here while exploring Southern Thailand’s Hidden Gems 

Chambal Safari Lodge, India

While India’s palatial hotels tend to steal the spotlight, we encourage you to set your sights on its lesser-known lodges if you’re after a truly one-of-a-kind stay. One of our favourites is Chambal Safari Lodge: a family-run oasis set within untamed grounds with boat safaris and intriguing cultural experiences (and an impressive eco footprint to boot). Get the inside scoop by watching our Travel Talks vodcast where our co-founder, Sam, chats with the affable owner, Anu, in situ.

Experience the joy of staying here on a journey from East to West: Highlights of the Gangetic Plain

*20% off the incredible Uga Chena Huts for travel between the 1 September 2024-31 October 2025. Offer must be booked before the 31 October 2024. Terms and conditions and blackout dates apply.

TEMPTED TO STAY AT ONE OF THESE UNIQUE HOTELS?

Let’s make it happen! Talk to us on 020 7924 7133 .

Alternatively, fill out an online enquiry form to start your journey.

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