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For more information about these Hotels and Ryokans, or to plan your next luxury journey to Asia, please contact our travel representatives.
Email: info@kiplingandclark.com
Or Call: 1.800.345.3404
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K&C Founder Randy Lynch’s
2009 Top 10 Favorite Asia Hotels and Ryokans
Over the past several years clients and airlines alike have asked us for our opinions on the various hotels we have stayed at in Asia. Based on our 6-8 weeks of Asia travel a year, we have quite an array of luxury hotels/ryokans/resorts to choose from! So finally, the Lynch Family (Randy, Bev & Zennia) is unveiling our first annual 2009 Top 10 Favorite Asia Hotels and Ryokans.
(Please note our list excludes beach resort properties.)
1. TIED – Tawaraya Ryokan & Hiiragiya Ryokan – Kyoto, Japan
Amazingly, two of the most famous ryokans (Japanese inns) in Kyoto are located directly across the alleyway from each other. It’s difficult to distinguish Tawaraya from Hiiragiya – they both represent the very highest levels of high-touch service. A big part of Japan’s uniqueness is its wabi-sabi aesthetic. Wabi-sabi is a Japanese worldview/state-of-mind emphasizing simplicity and purity – the beauty and awe of all things humble, unpretentious and imperfect. Both ryokans successfully integrate the finest Japanese traditions and wabi-sabi philosophy with contemporary conveniences that seasoned travelers expect.
When staying at Tawaraya or Hiiragiya, one can expect a complete, comprehensive immersion into traditional Japanese culture, including a meticulously prepared and delicious multi-course kaiseki dinner. An added once-in-a-lifetime experience is a Kipling & Clark arranged private Geiko and Maiko geisha dinner at either ryokan. (Kipling & Clark can arrange through a private geisha house, “okiya”)
Our favorite rooms:
- Tawaraya – Total 18 Japanese style rooms – all outstanding!
- Hiiragiya – Total 28 Japanese style rooms (21 in main building and 7 in new Annex). Always request Japanese style room in main building.
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| 2. Four Seasons – Chiang Mai, Thailand
We have always had a special place in our hearts for the Four Seasons in Chiang Mai. Smaller in scale than the much more expansive Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai, the Four Seasons projects a more understated sense of luxury, thus engendering an intimate, Zen-like feel. Similar to the Mandarin, the Four Seasons staff is truly sincere and unbelievably kind. With the expansion of the Four Season’s Kid’s Club, the family luxury travel experience here is similar to the Mandarin’s.
We love the Lanna-style pavilion accommodations overlooking the lush, green terrace rice field’s grounds. Zen enjoys the morning rides on the two water buffalo working the grounds. The spa and cooking class here are extraordinary.
The local Thai aesthetic and approachable, Buddhist-centered staff make the Four Seasons Chiang Mai our favorite hotel in all of Thailand!
Our favorite rooms: Rice-Terrace View Pavilions
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3. TIED – Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong & Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
The Mandarin in Hong Kong and the Oriental in Bangkok are our two favorites in Hong Kong and Bangkok, respectively.
- Mandarin Hong Kong: Although we very much enjoy the Four Seasons, the Peninsula, and the Intercontinental in Hong Kong, we must give a slight edge to the Mandarin, especially since its 2007/2008 renovation. This place truly represents understated luxury. The renovation has resulted in the Mandarin’s former balconies being converted to lounge/study area extensions, with stunning Victoria Harbor views. We especially like the bathroom/amenities, including the vertical, swivel plasma TV/mirrors – so unique! The Mandarin offers a luxurious, peaceful oasis from the noisy, frenetic city outside.
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The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is our absolute favorite in Bangkok. Boasting a 130 year history of tradition and the highest level of service makes this place a truly unique luxury property. Unpretentious, understated, attentive. We particularly enjoy the Executive Suites overlooking the Chao Phraya River. Bev and Zen are big fans of the Oriental Spa, located just across the river from the hotel, designed in a traditional Thai-style house of beautiful teak wood. The Oriental Bangkok may have the largest, most varied breakfast buffet in all of Asia!
Our favorite rooms:
- Mandarin Hong Kong – Deluxe Harbor & Harbor Suite Rooms
- Mandarin Oriental Bangkok – River View State Rooms & Corner Executive Suites
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4. Gora Kadan Ryokan – Hakone, Japan
A short 45-minute bullet train ride from Tokyo, the Gora Kadan is a quiet, Shinto-Buddhistque oasis from the big city, offering its rejuvenating onsen (hot mineral springs).
Proprietress Mikawako, the third generation of Fujimotos to run Gora Kadan, has blended traditional Japanese ryokan hospitality with modern Western design in creating a luxurious ryokan spa experience. The Gora Kadan’s original building dates back to 300 years and was the summer home of the Kan’in-No-Miya imperial family.
We love the rooms with private granite open mineral springs bath, fed by the Gora Kadan’s natural springs. With its airy east-west fusion aesthetic, its wonderful (Kaiseki) food service, and total relaxation spa, Gora Kadan is definitely on our A-list for high-touch ryokans in Japan.
Our favorite rooms:
Japanese style room with private mineral springs bath!
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5. TIED – Grand Hotel D’Angkor (Raffles) & Amansara – Siem Reap, Cambodia
Most hoteliers would describe the Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor as a luxury 5-star hotel/resort, while Amansara (part of the Aman Resorts) fits into the other-worldly elite category. We very much like both properties, located just down the street from each other in Siem Reap.
- The staff at the Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor feel almost like family. In the five years that we have been visiting the Raffles, we have seen very little staff turnover, a glowing testament to the morale and dedication of the friendly, gregarious Khmer crew. Our daughter, Zen, is always invited for fun rides in the antique caged lift and enjoys bringing local friends to the attractive pool/spa area. Sorry, McDonald’s, Zen says the pool grill’s French fries are the very best anywhere! This early 20th Century French colonial style property is among our absolute favorites in Southeast Asia – we highly recommend the Personality Suites!
- Formerly the guesthouse of Cambodia’s King Sihanouk, Amansara represents the highest elite level of luxury accommodations. The service here is singular, extremely high-touch, personal and custom. In contrast to the friendly, airy Raffles where guests have the opportunity to mingle with others, we feel almost ensconced at the Amansara. When staying at one of the luxurious pool suite rooms, everything is managed insularly with little incentive to go outside the room. Our only chance at interaction with other guests was at breakfast. In the final analysis, Amansara may be better for couples and high-profile travelers wishing privacy, while the Grand Hotel D’Angkor is better suited for families and those wishing a more group dynamic environment.
Our favorite rooms:
- Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor – Personality Suites
- Amansara – Pool Suite Rooms
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6. Peninsula – Tokyo
The 24-story Peninsula has the best luxury hotel location in Tokyo, directly across from lovely Hibiya Park (think 5K run!), Imperial grounds, and adjacent to the amazing Ginza shopping district. Envisioned by architect Kuzukiyo Sato to look like a giant Japanese lantern, the Peninsula combines subtle, Japanese hospitality with the Peninsula tradition of understated luxury. (Zen rates the hot chocolate as the best in Asia!!)
Our favorite rooms: Grand Deluxe Park View & Deluxe Corner Rooms
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8. TIED - Banyan Tree – Lijiang (Yunnan, China) &
Hotel of Modern Art (HOMA) – Guilin, China
- Located just outside UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang, the Banyan Tree – Lijiang has created the perfect harmony of the local matriarchal Naxi culture and Banyan Tree’s predictably friendly customer service.
With all 55 of its villas looking out at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, this place has a spiritual soul-searching feel. Notwithstanding the Banyan Tree’s 6,500 ft location, the spa offers wonderful massage service from their Phuket-trained Thai staff!
- Hotel of Modern Art (HOMA) – Founded by a Taiwanese business entrepreneur in 1997, HOMA represents a lovely balance of world class sculpture, architecture, and art set against the backdrop of the natural beauty of the lush grounds.
Despite the somewhat limited English among the staff, the genuine kindness and warmth delivered here is truly heartwarming, with each guest room assigned a personal attendant. HOMA’s art workshop for kids is hands-on and fun! All 46 rooms here are individually designed with hip, funky decorations/artwork, along with flat-screen TVs, modern amenities, and a “wow” design aesthetic. I feel HOMA is THE place to stay if visiting Guilin.
Our favorite rooms:
- Banyan Tree, Lijiang – Deluxe Garden or Deluxe Pool Villa
- Hotel of Modern Art (HOMA) – Libre Family Suite
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9. Sofitel Metropole – Hanoi, Vietnam
We feel this is the best hotel in all of Vietnam! Conceived in 1901, the Metropole combines wonderful French colonial architecture/history with Vietnam’s cultural traditions of hospitality and services. Our family always feels at home here. Bev loves the modern Vietnam art work displayed throughout the first floor from local artists. Although there are really no bad rooms at the Metropole, the Opera Suite is a major treat!
Our favorite rooms: Opera Suite or Deluxe Room in Old Building
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10. Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel – Luang Prabang, Laos (close behind La Residence and Amantaka coming soon!)
As Luang Prabang is among our favorite hidden treasures in Southeast Asia, we are obliged to include a hotel in this sleepy, Buddhist town. Formerly the residence of Prince Souvannaphouma, the small, Maison Souvannaphoum is a boutique French-colonial inspired property that is the perfect place to immerse oneself in the local Laotian culture and the Laotian sense of openheartedness. The friendly, intimate service here is like staying with close relatives. In fact, while staying there during New Year’s, each morning a front desk attendant would come up to our room and braid Zen and Sofia’s (Zen’s cousin) hair in the local Laotian style, with great care and affection. This is a special place. An added bonus staying here is that the Maison is located on the street for the daily early morning Buddhist monks’ rice offering (alms).
Our favorite rooms: Residence Wing – Maison Room
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