From treetop hideaways to remote island retreats, these Southeast Asian stays are unforgettable.

In a region as diverse and beautiful as Southeast Asia, incredible hotels are around every corner. And boundless experiences await - whether it’s private beachside villas, clifftop dining or wildlife encounters, there’s a luxury hotel with all of this and more. Luckily, we’ve rounded up the hotels and resorts where these are only the beginning of the adventure.

Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang - Bay Phsar - Pool Restaurant .png — Credit: Patricia Parinejad

1. Zannier Phum Baitang, Cambodia

At the gateway to Cambodia’s UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat, Zannier Phum Baitang is all lush green meadows and rice paddies. Away from the backpackers and busy restaurants in the centre of Siem Reap, it’s a peaceful base, yet just a short ride to ancient ruins, markets and more.

Guests can rest their heads in one of 45 private stilted villas, either with a private terrace or plunge pool and stretching garden views. Each is inspired by traditional Khmer homes, featuring wood and rattan and soft furnishings in earth tones. Hang out in the Sunset Lounge, a century-old farmhouse or visit the Spa Temple, which includes a yoga pavilion and 50-metre infinity pool.

So far so luxury, but the cherry on top are Phum Baitaing’s roster of experiences, which range from a private tour of Siem Reap in a Land Rover Defender to a tethered helium balloon flight offering aerial views over Angkor Wat.

Golden Triangle Four Seasons Elephant Camp — Credit: Four Seasons

2. Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand

In Thailand's far north, close to the border with Laos and Myanmar, Four Seasons Golden Triangle is the pinnacle of immersive luxury. The long list of customised excursions includes watching the local elephants in their natural habitat, learning to make rattan or hopping in a Land Rover for a champagne safari.

Accommodation leans into the traditional, luxury safari style, with tents featuring rustic bamboo and hardwood furniture and views over neighbouring Myanmar, and the hotel holds just 51 guests at full capacity. Despite the remoteness, Nong Yao Restaurant has rotating menus of Thai, Burmese, Laotian and International cuisine, or guests can enjoy wine tastings in the cellar and sundowners at Burma Bar.

Buahan Banyan Tree Escape Indonesia Infinity Pool

3. Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape

Hidden in the jungle and featuring a true indoor-outdoor design, views at Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape look out over peaks and the valley below. The hotel was the inaugural ‘Banyan Tree Escape’ in Indonesia, a concept which combines unique experiences, wild landscapes and sustainability.

The property is spread over four levels and is adults-only, with just 16 villas that have no walls and vaulted roofs. Each one, known as a balé, has a private plunge pool and gazebo, and inside, home comforts such as a double vanity, copper bathtub and a comfy king-sized bed draped in a breezy canopy, have all been created with care by local craftsmen.

There aren’t any TVs, but it’s easy to stay occupied with active pursuits such as trekking, cycling or hiking up Mount Batur. The property has one restaurant, Open Kitchen - it’s a zero-waste, plant-based space that uses delicious Balinese produce, but guests can also try local flavours at The Botanist Bar, which mixes up local ciders, kombuchas and cocktails.

Nirjhara Resort Indonesia Sunrise Couple Waterfall — *Insider tip:*

Nirjhara has teamed up with Vela, a luxury charter yacht that sails to Raja Ampat, Komodo and the Spice Islands. It has six staterooms, a private chef, and activities such as diving, spa treatments and desert island excursions.

4. Nirjhara Bali

Nirjhara is a Balinese hideaway we could stay in forever, just a few miles from Tanah Lot, yet a world away, surrounded by rice paddies, jungle and a natural waterfall (hence the well-chosen Sanskrit name). Enjoy the sound of it cascading into a pool below from the hotel’s central infinity pool, which lies at the heart of the property.

Accommodation is divided into suites and villas: the Canopy Suite is a one- bedroom treehouse with a private rooftop, while villas come with infinity pools, decks and jungle or river views. Hidden among the palm trees, each is a sanctuary modernised with indoor-outdoor bathrooms, a gourmet minibar and a Bang & Olufsen sound system, plus handmade, artisanal furnishings.

While staying in your room could be excused, Nirjhara's The Retreat beckons with herbal remedies and meditation in the yoga shala. Little extras like a cinema, and excursions such as horseback riding, cooking classes and sunrise surfing give guests the full ‘eat, pray, love’ experience. And on the subject of food, the hotel’s sustainability shines through at Ambu, which serves three meals per day using locally-sourced ingredients.

Nihi Sumba Indonesia Suite overlooking the beach

5. NIHI Sumba

It’s not too cliche to claim that paradise really can be found on the remote shores of Sumba, a beautiful island rimmed with golden sand and a central heart of tropical jungle. It’s around an hour from Bali, but it’s worth the trip. A series of private villas and treehouses with grass thatched roofs and open-air living spaces are where guests spend most of their time. The beach is within touching distance, and so is everything else, thanks to a personal butler that comes with every villa.

As for what to request first, begin with the most famous - swimming with horses in the gently lapping surf, but don’t miss a trekking to a hidden waterfall or snorkelling in the dazzling blue waters. NIHI Sumba's spa experience is equally unparalleled, with jungle yoga, underwater meditation and a half-day Spa Safari on the menu. Whether guests head to Ombak, the hotel’s main gastronomy hub, Nio Beach Club or one of the bars, ‘shoes off’ is a consistent motto and ingredients are true farm-to-table.

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