Experience luxury hotels in Asia, where discovery meets sophistication

Sometimes, luxury is understated. At Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, subtle refinement sets the tone in rooms and suites with light pastel colors and carefully chosen artwork. Such timeless grace blends delightfully with views of the sweeping modern skyline stretching into the distance. Skyscrapers lining lush parks may bring to mind Manhattan as you view the capital from the rooftop pool.

The cityscape is at its finest around sundown, and the Belga Rooftop Bar & Brasserie on the 32nd floor is the perfect place to savor it. Along with this Belgian restaurant, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit houses Japanese and Italian dining spots, while scents of Parisian-style quiches, terrines and patisserie items fill the air at Le Macaron café.

Where you find rooftop pools, you'll often find captivating views — a pairing as joyous as coffee and leisurely mornings. Luxury hotels in Asia provide some of the finest examples, including Sofitel Singapore City Centre with its backdrop of distinctive architecture. As you float serenely in the water, the breathtaking walkway linking the rooftop gardens of the 50-story The Pinnacle@Duxton is visible right from the pool. 

This Sofitel pool is framed by abundant greenery, putting you in what feels like your own private garden within downtown Singapore. The vegetation's verdant colors are reflected in the sleek glass buildings surrounding the hotel, adding to the special vistas that accompany your swim.

Locally sourced wood and stone define the authentic Balinese design at this distinctive beach hotel in Bali. The banyan tree – a symbol of Balinese spirituality – provides inspiration, particularly in the striking art installation in the lobby, towering like a living tree up to the circular wood ceiling. Art, architecture and nature in harmony.

Wood carvings and metalwork encapsulate Balinese batik artwork, in which flowing, floral designs bring the gracefulness of nature into interior spaces. The same concepts of Balinese traditions and local natural elements appear throughout the hotel, from the market-style Kwee Zeen restaurant to the design of the swim-up bar, which is reminiscent of the lobby masterpiece.

The aura at this Sofitel address in the South Korean capital evokes the golden age of travel, with the interflow of French design and local flair that often defined this period in history. Immerse yourself in Art Deco surroundings elevated by Korean modernity and bold design elements, linking the past to the vibrant culture of the cutting-edge metropolis. City views unfold from rooms and suites that feature soothing, cream-colored décor. 

In several of the excellent restaurants, views of Seokchon Lake bring Seoul into the visual setting, and the city skyline merges with furnishings honoring 1920s France. Sip champagne or whiskey in the glittering Latitude32 on the 32nd floor – with stars on display through vast windows. The result is an alluring fusion somewhere between space travel and a Parisian speakeasy. Heartful Korean hospitality links each venue.

Set in the shadow of Angkor Wat's soaring temples, Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort in Siem Reap is a haven on lush grounds where the low-rise buildings are cradled by trees. Glide into the serene spa to seek out Ayurvedic oil treatments, herbal body scrubs and traditional Khmer massages. Gaze out at the abundant gardens as you relax into an Indian massage or breathe in the aroma of scented candles. Embarking on a journey of discovery as a family? Treat children to a choco wrap spa treatment.

Out in the gardens, the lagoon-style pool awaits with its palm-tree island. On a calm afternoon, you may hear nothing but the sounds of gently flowing water and the calls of tropical birds in the trees. Find wellness, too, on the 18-hole golf course, which adds to the abundant green space in this Green Globe-certified hotel. After a round, head to lunch or dinner at Mouhot's Dream restaurant. The dining room is housed in a pavilion over the mirror-like lake, adding to the sense of tranquility. Inside, warming scents of French classics like lobster bisque are treatments for the soul.

Head out of the city and find serenity overlooking idyllic Tanjong Beach, where the golden sands are lined with palm trees. So too are the grounds of Sofitel Sentosa Resort & Spa, a peaceful hillside retreat on Sentosa Island with resident peacocks strolling in the gardens. The 33-meter outdoor pool invites you to work out with several laps, or to simply close your eyes as the warm breeze drifts in from the sea.

Enjoy an early stroll or yoga session on the beach as the morning sun highlights the tips of the waves. Concierge-led weekly walks or runs provide an opportunity for a guided exploration of the island.

The hotel's Arise wellness retreat introduces transformative experiences like sonic healing and guided meditation.

The joy of staying at urban luxury hotels in Asia lies in the ability to step out into a metropolis with every imaginable sight, sound and scent engaging the senses. In sprightly Ho Chi Minh City, the sizzle of street food competes with the engines of motorcycles that zip by in a blur, and market stalls overflow with color. Embrace it all at Sofitel Saigon Plaza right in the downtown heart of Vietnam's largest city.

Plan your exploration from a vantage point provided by the rooftop pool on the 18th floor. At the end of an enthralling day, return to the rooftop and order a cool drink from the poolside bar before scanning the skyline for landmarks you visited, like the Bitexco Financial Tower with its observation deck. The central location puts you within a short walk of other iconic sights, like the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.

Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia's most dynamic and spectacularly diverse cities. Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara offers easy access to the capital's distinct neighborhoods, from Chinatown to the Brickfields Little India area, while being based in the leafy district of Damansara. This is the place to soak up authentic local life and cultural connections in a vibrant residential locale known for al fresco dining and the Suma Orientalis Fine Art gallery.

This Sofitel location fuses French zest and the sparkle of the Malaysian capital, and a similarly effervescent mix fizzes up on the cocktails at the rooftop bar. Lime juice, pineapple juice and mint add all the freshness of Damansara's abundant nature and greenery.

Even in this great metropolis, nature is cared for and respected with a zero single-use plastic policy and Green Globe certification. To delve further into the natural world, hike in the lowland tropical haven of Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve.

Grandeur, heritage, epicureanism. Be immersed in it all at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, where Le Beaulieu restaurant is as legendary as the city itself. A prestigious locale since 1901, the venue exudes old-world elegance. Take your seat along a blue velvet banquette beneath cascading crystal chandeliers. Then, select from a menu of revered French classics elevated by touches of Vietnamese gastronomy, like duck confit with Phu Quoc pepper sauce. The exceptional wine list befits luxury hotels in Asia and around the world, delighting connoisseurs with more than 100 Grand Cru Classés from the finest chateaux.

This storied hotel in the charming Old Quarter is also home to Spice Garden, spotlighting haute Vietnamese cuisine. At La Terrasse, picture Parisian al fresco café culture but with the unique bustle of life in Hanoi as the backdrop.

Absorb history in the hotel's Heritage Wing, where there are suites named after Charlie Chaplin and Graham Greene, who stayed in 1936 and 1951.

Luxury hotels in Asia are as dedicated to art de vivre as the finest hotels in Paris and other great European capitals. At Sofitel Mumbai BKC, the art of living is embodied at Jyran restaurant, where ornate floral motifs and intricate geometric patterns bring to mind historical Indian palaces. 

Scents from tandoor ovens are irresistible, and cocktails from the gin bar are wonderfully refreshing in the warm air of the mood-lit terrace. Travel + Leisure Awards highlighted Jyran for its authentic North Indian cuisine, with Awadhi Gosht Dum Biryani and Kakori Kebabs among Chef Waris Qureshi's signature dishes. Explore the hotel's culinary scene further with visits to Tuskers, the sophisticated vegetarian restaurant, and Artisan Bar & Lounge with its house-smoked charcuterie.