In honour of the new year, I’m dedicating this column to soon-to-debut retreats across Asia. From sustainable resorts to underwater suites, these fresh faces should fill up your 2018 bucket list in no time.
Six Senses Bhutan
The happiest country on earth is welcoming a new wellness retreat: Six Senses Bhutan. The hotel concept will include five distinct lodges, scattered across the country in Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Paro. Each address will showcase its own character via unique architecture that celebrates the local culture – think reclaimed wood cottages, forest lodges, mud-brick farmhouses, and gorgeous mountain chalets.
www.sixsenses.com/resorts/bhutan.
COMO Uma Canggu
Opening this February, COMO Uma Canggu aims to provide luxury surfer lodgings in the heart of Bali’s Canggu coastline – away from the clogged arteries of Seminyak. If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, this is the place: The 119-room retreat (which includes a few three-bedroom penthouses should you be traveling with friends) promises beginners’ classes, as well as advanced waves for veterans. Around the grounds, travelers can also explore the 10-kilometre beach with a beach club, ocean-front restaurant, yoga, Pilates, personal training and the brand’s signature spa services.
Jalan Pantai Batu Mejan, Echo Beach, Canggu, Badung 80361, Bali, Indonesia, +62-361-3022-228; www.comohotels.com/umacanggu.
Atlantis Sanya
I’ll be the first to admit that Sanya isn’t exactly on par with Hawaii, but the island continues to attract big-name hotels – each bigger and better than the next. The latest to join the palm-fringed fray will be the Atlantis Sanya. If you’re looking for a wild weekend break from Hong Kong, the resort should keep you busy with its dedicated Aquaventure Waterpark, aquariums, oceanfront restaurants and underwater Signature Suites that provide floor-to-ceiling views of the Ambassador Lagoon.
Atlantis Sanya, Haitang Bay, Sanya 572000, Hainan, China; www.atlantissanya.com.
Amanyangyun
A highly anticipated new retreat from Aman Resorts, Amanyangyun is slated to open this month. Located about 30 kilometres south of Shanghai, the 37-room hotel is the product of a massive restoration project that spanned more than 15 years. Both the Ming- and Qing-dynasty-era stone village houses and the 10,000-tree camphor forest were relocated 700 kilometres from their original home in Fuzhou, where they were threatened by the construction a new reservoir.
6161 Yuanjiang Rd, Minhang District, Shanghai, China 201111, +86-21-8011-9999; www.aman.com/resorts/amanyangyun.
Shinta Mani Wild
Since I’ve written about Shinta Mani Wild in a previous column, will keep it short. The highlights at this Bill Bensley-designed nature sanctuary? Nature conservation projects, safari-like expeditions through Cambodia’s national parks, alfresco spa treatments, a waterfall bar, and old-world tented accommodations worthy of Jackie O. Count me in.
Shinta Mani Wild, +855-63-964-123; shintamani.com.
