Asia and the Pacific are expected to be hot destinations for luxury travel in 2025. Each year we turn to Jack Ezon, the CEO and Founder of EmbarkBeyond, a luxury travel agency that specializes in celebration travel. And each year Jack spotlights for us and you his picks for the top luxury hotel openings for the year. This week we go to Asia and the Pacific.
Australia
1. 1 Hotel Melbourne
1 Hotels opens this 277-room property in the central waterfront, providing a fresh, urban oasis on the Yarra River. The Bamford Wellness Spa, waterfront views, and locally sourced, reclaimed building materials set a mood of low-impact lavishness.
Indonesia
2. NIHI Rote
The spectacular NIHI Sumba opens a new sister property on a secluded corner of Rote Island in West Timor, with 25 thatched-roof private pool villas. Set in front of the beautiful Bo’a beach, which offers world-class surfing waves year-round, this is one of Indonesia’s (and the world’s) most wild and undiscovered locations, offering off-grid experiences and the same adventurous spirit as NIHI Sumba.
3. Regent Bali Canggu
Taking up a coveted stretch of the surfer-favorite Canggu coastline, the beachfront hideaway sits among 15 acres of gardens with 150 suites and villas, finally offering a luxury option for hard-core surfers in Bali.
Japan
4. Rosewood Miyakojima, Okinawa
Located on a small island off the coast of Okinawa, the new Rosewood will be Japan’s first luxury island resort with just 55 private villas with private pools and unobstructed sea views. It occupies a secluded peninsula surrounded by beaches and rock formations. It offers activities such as snorkeling at Yabiji, Japan’s largest coral reef expanse; diving through underwater caverns teeming with marine life; and outstanding deep-sea fishing. It’s also more easily accessible than you might think–a 20-minute drive from Miyako Airport or a 30-minute drive from Shimojishima Airport, which receives direct flights from Hong Kong and major cities in Japan.
5. Park Hyatt Tokyo
The original “Lost in Translation” tower hotel in Tokyo reopened after a two-year renovation in time for its 30th anniversary. Expect fully redone public and event areas, restaurants and bars, and larger, updated rooms.
6. Capella Kyoto
The 92-room urban resort will be located near Kenninji Temple in the Higashiyama District, walking distance to some of Kyoto’s most important sites. The location is known for its geiko (or geisha) heritage and will curate cultural experiences with the Miyagawa Maiko Performance School.
7. Regent Kyoto
Located in a historic garden, Regent Kyoto’s idyllic location is currently home to the famous restaurant Tsuruya. With more than 100 years of history and traditional wooden buildings, Tsuruya is a must-visit place.
8. Cassia Hirafu, Niseko
Just minutes from the Hirafu ski slope, Cassia will have 50 rooms plus 113 residential accommodations, ranging from one-bedrooms to villas, all operated by Banyan Tree.
Maldives
9. Mandarin Oriental, Maldives
The 130-villa resort will stretch across three private islands along Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Male Atoll in the Indian Ocean. It will be accessible by a 20-minute speedboat transfer from Male’s Velana Airport.
Thailand
10. Six Senses The Forestias
A forest experience in Thailand? Yes! The resort’s 27 residences, three to five bedrooms, are set around a woodland lagoon. Connect with nature on walking trails, in tai chi and yoga sessions, and by exploring local festivals. Alongside the Six Senses London location, it will launch the first Six Senses Place membership club in Asia, offering residents and hotel guests a new kind of social and wellness club.
11. Aman Nai Lert Bangkok
Aman brings its urban sanctuary to bustling Bangkok in the new Nai Lert Park development. The development features 52 suites and 50 residences in a new Jean Michel Gathy building with wraparound views, open-air terraces, and a central atrium.
