Nick Walton’s Welcome To Asia, October 2016

The Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is slated to open this month. Photo: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

The private island escape has always been the epitome of true luxury travel, and the Maldives is no stranger to pint-sized paradises available for a lucky few. The latest is Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, an indulgent retreat in the Baa Atoll, now taking bookings. The first private island for the group, and the world’s only exclusive-use hideaway located within a World Biosphere Reserve, the Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah is two hectares of blissful perfection, complete with seven guests rooms scattered across the islet, a tropical-chic beach house with sumptuous living spaces, a gym and library, and a dedicated dive centre; a Oceans of Consciousness Spa, and, naturally, a 62ft yacht for whale shark excursions and champagne-laced sunset cruises. Catering for up to 22 guests on an exclusive basis, the island is accessible via a 40-minute seaplane transfer from Malé International Airport, or a 20-minute speedboat ride from Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. 

Another big name opening for the Indian Ocean archipelago is that of the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. With just 77 villas spread across a nine hectare private island in the Dhaalu Atoll, this new hideaway promises to lift the luxury benchmark for the Indian Ocean when it opens this month. The first St Regis in the Maldives (and the first on a private island), this luxurious new hideaway has been created by Warner Wong Design, with a contemporary tropical persona inspired by nature itself. Villas feature manta ray-inspired curving roofs, all-timber exteriors and blown glass art, while the two-storey John Jacob Astor Estate, ideal for families, boasts a 92 metre private pool, over 600sqm of sun decks, a show kitchen, a private spa and a mini theatre. Look out for the resort’s six innovative dining experiences, which include an Asian specialty restaurant, a modern Italian eatery, an underground wine cellar, and a signature overwater bar. 

Visitors to Myanmar’s stunning Inle Lake have often had to rough it in the name of intrepid travel. No more. Sanctum Inle Resort opens this month with just 94 rooms on the shores of this iconic locale. Boasting an Olympic-sized pool, a lavish presidential suite, and signature restaurant The Refectory, which promises to boost the local culinary scene to new heights, the Brigitte Dumont de Chassart-designed retreat marries modern luxury with the timeless setting of the lake, best known for its stilted wooden homes, floating vegetable gardens and dexterous anglers, who propel their boats across the water with a single, one-legged rowing stroke. Be sure to leave time for a spot of pampering in the Sanctuary Spa, with its five treatment rooms and signature Tamarind Scrubs. 

As ideal for busy business travellers as it is a base from which to explore the thriving former imperial Japanese capital, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is slated to open this month. Set against 800-year old traditional gardens and back dropped by imposing Higashiyama Mountain, the sumptuous new hotel is located at the heart of the city’s temple district, offering close proximity to both business centres and some of Kyoto’s key landmarks. Boasting just 123 guest rooms and suites as well as 57 traditionally-inspired residences, the new Hirsch Bedner Asoociates-designed hotel will feature its own garden tea house, an intimate wellness concept, an indoor pool, and world-class dining, including an outlet of Michelin-starred chef Rei Masuda’s Sushi Wakon restaurant.