Every year, I promise to exercise more, eat less meat, cultivate a new hobby… I don’t exactly nail every resolution, but I still value how they help me to reflect and plan an even better year ahead. So in honour of the tradition, here are some of the best resorts and hotels in Asia to check out in 2020 while keeping those resolutions in check!
Resolution: Exercise more
Opening in March, One&Only Desaru Coast is taking over a pretty plot of land on the southeastern shore of Malaysia, about two hours from Singapore by car. The villas and suites – designed as an homage to Malaysian “kampung” villages – are wedged between a dense rainforest and the South China Sea, ensuring every guest has a fantastic view. Those hoping to exercise more in 2020 can try their hand at tennis, learn silat (traditional Malaysian martial arts) or test their mettle with a bit of kite surfing – the list of outdoor activities could keep you busy for months.
oneandonlyresorts.com/desaru-coast
Resolution: Live in the moment
Carpe diem in the New Year? Make a beeline to Bangkok where Capella Bangkok is opening on the Chao Phraya River in early 2020 with 101 suites and villas – all with river views – and alfresco spaces peppered across the property. Those who are making the most of every moment will want to indulge at one of the many restaurants on offer: dig into contemporary French and Italian at Côte by Mauro Colagereco, light and healthy Thai at Phra Nakhon by the water, or totally indulgent pastries at Stella. You only live once!
capellahotels.com/en/capella-bangkok
Resolution: Learn something new
Take a trip back through time at the highly anticipated Six Senses Fort Barware, which is slated to open in early 2020. Located about 68 miles from the cultural epicentre of Jaipur, this ambitious conservation project has transformed a 700-year-old fort once owned by the Rajasthani Royal Family into a luxury boutique hotel with just 48 suites. With a historic temple next door and buckets of history, you’ll come home with a much deeper understanding of northern India’s Rajput heritage, architecture and customs.
sixsenses.com/en/new-openings/fort-barwara
Resolution: Stress less
The “happiest country on earth” is welcoming a fresh new face this March: Six Senses Bumthang. Set in northern Bhutan near ancient temples and sacred sites, the boutique lodge promises the ultimate digital detox. Not only is it in an incredibly remote location but it’s also designed to feel like a “forest within a forest,” which translates to warm wood surroundings, an expansive spa and wellness center, and panoramic views of mountains.
sixsenses.com/en/resorts/bhutan
Resolution: Eat healthier
Next time you’re at the airport, skip McDonald’s and head over to Gordon Ramsay Plane Food To Go for a healthy veggie breakfast, nutrient-packed salads, sushi and a raw bar, or recently opened Duddell’s for cold-pressed juices and bottled kombucha.
More Travel reads on Liv: 3 Amazing New Wellness Retreats in Asia Everyone Should Try
