A LoyaltyLobby reader left me a question regarding cities and hotels that I look forward to revisiting once countries in the region open up.
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Here’s a question that a reader left:
What are your favorite cities and hotels in Asia that you are looking forward to revisit?
I am personally miss Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka
This is a question that I get asked quite frequently, or what is my preferred destination or the best hotel I have ever stayed at.
Over the past 10 years, I have probably spent roughly half to two-thirds of each year in Asia, and the rest mainly in Europe and Latin America.
There are countries that I haven’t been for a while that I would like to revisit, such as Cambodia and Myanmar (once the coup is over). My goal last year was to go to Bhutan for the first time, but plans obviously fell apart.
I tend to choose hotels based on what is the purpose of my visit, how long I am staying, and whether I am by myself or traveling with someone. I also like to trying out new or hotels that I have not previously visited (part of my job).
Previously, I wasn’t too fond of Kyoto but learned to like the city (without tourists) during my prolonged stay last year, and I cannot wait to return.
Tokyo definitely is on my list, too, due to so much to see and do regardless of how many times you have been there.
I like Hong Kong, but the city is changing due to China taking more strict control and suppressing democracy, not honoring the one country, two systems deal that was supposed to last for 50 years after the UK hand over the region China in 1997.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is definitely on my list, and I have spent several months there (remember those InterContinentals on the PointBreaks?).
You cannot beat Bangkok and Thailand in general for the variety of good hotels, pricing, and service.
Conclusion
I am more of a city person than a beach one, although I tend to visit Bali a couple of times a year and brief visits to other holiday destinations in the region to check out new hotels, such as the Maldives.
It isn’t easy to name hotels that I really miss or genuinely like because the quality of the service and the hotel hardware are usually highly correlated with the price – the more expensive the hotel – the better the service.
Let’s look at Tokyo. I can comfortably stay at the Park Hyatt, Hilton Shinjuku, Hyatt Regency, or even Tokyu Stay (cheap Japanese hotel chain). All are very different, and each worth the money.
BTW people often tend not to like my replies to questions because it is most of the time; my point is that “it depends”. I don’t particularly appreciate dumbing down issues to merely 1, 2, and 3; that tends to be the preferred way to oversimplify complicated issues.
I cannot wait for the pandemic to turn endemic and borders again open without quarantines and endless Covid-19 tests.
For me it’s Mandarin Oriental KL. What a wonderful time.
Thank you for your article…it brings such fond memories and hopes…
I miss China, Bangkok…Singapore!!! Bali…. Japan, Japan, Japan….
Vaccinated and ready to go!!!
you figure you will be a Darwin award loser? I’ll take that bet!
I was fortunate to stay at some wonderful Marriott properties. Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, the stunning JW Marriott Hotel Macau, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, where I had the most amazing upgrades, but my all time fav property is Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, an unpretentious hotel but I had spent 8 months there on a contract few years back, and it was like a second home and staff were like family. Look forward to and always stop in for a few nights when on that side of the world.
I come to your web site for travel-related insights but not political lecturing on HK and China. Compared to the current restored social stability, I suppose you prefer the 2019 HK riots when rioters routinely blockaded the airport, smashed up public transportation systems, randomly attacked visitors from mainland China, and even set fire to an old man who disagreed with them?
@travel_dreamer:disqus Who cares about why you are visiting this website or not?
Did you invest in Loyalty Lobby? Are you researching and writing the articles here?
If you are not happy with the editorial line of the website, get the F. out of here.
You won’t be missed by anyone.
I’ve got a feeling the so called >travel dreamer< is only one of those wumaos, the internet is rife with them
2019 HK was all about freedom and democracy, and those two things have far more beauty in them than mainlanders will ever understand.
you forgot private property
Why the communist party dictator is so afraid of democracy and open elections?
What is your take on Uyghurs on forced reeducation/labor camps?
Let me save him the trouble of what would be his silly whattaboutism reply – “but but but what about USA supporting Israel genocide of Palastine? Or native Indians in USA?”
LOL, it must be taught in elementary school. “When in doubt, say what about”.
Hahaha.
China should do what Iseral does now.
You read too much into the article’s comments on HK – there wasn’t anything political it was brief and factual.
To give your polar opposite to it’s meaning was uncalled for and frankly rather churlish. An apology is in order
That reminds me of the very pretty young churl I dated in high school. Ah, but I regress.
You need a dictionary – together with an education.
Lighten up, son. Marshall McLuhan wishes you well.
John wasn’t making political commentary. He made an objective observation that Hong Kong has changed due to the reasons he listed. The three things he mentioned (stricter control, suppression of democracy, and not honoring the 1997 deal) are not of his opinion; they are more or less facts. Whether or not you (or he) think those actions were good or bad for Hong Kong, is a personal opinion and more in line with what you call “political lecturing” – which is what you, not John, is doing.
I, personally, preferred Hong Kong before China began purposefully and systematically blurring the lines between “one country, two systems,” which, if you are keeping score, is a core reason behind the Umbrella movement and the current protests.
John,
Great poll.
November – December (I’m an optimist), I’ll spend 4 weeks in Thailand (Bkk, Hua Hin, Phuket, Patts) and 2 weeks in Vietnam (HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An). Can’t wait till Q4, 2 years away from SE Asia was too much (food, people, cultures). I’m still a Hilton Diamond so I’ll stay there whenever possible. I like and appreciate your website.
Thanks
The most fabulous view in Tokyo is from the outside whirlpool at the Hilton Odaiba. Well, actually, the view from the rooftop suite with the outside private bath/whirlpool is better, but I can’t afford that!
I miss Bali. Every time LL uses the HGI pool image, my heart yearns!
High end favorites: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Tokyo and Hong Kong; Park Hyatt Kyoto; Raffles Singapore; Peninsula Hong Kong; Rosewood Luang Prabang (hillside tents); Rosewood Beijing; Park Hyatt Shanghai. Good value and excellent: Park Hyatt Saigon and Siem Reap; Raffles Grand d’Angkor (Siem Reap); Sofitel Metropole Hanoi; Grand Hyatt Tokyo.
Just got confirmation that what I suspected would happened did occur: My flight from Toyoko in September was cancelled. A little odd that JAL cancelled my return flight from Haneda to Honolulu but no word about departing flight. Now that it is cancelled I have the option to get my money back or rebook through April of 2022. I will take the refund. So unfortunately there goes my chance to go to Japan, in 2021 now I will probably have to wait a few years. I was really looking forward to staying at the Ritz Carlton in Toyoko. For me the nicest hotel I have stayed in was the Four Seasons in Punta Mita (Mexico) pretty spectacular.
Interesting – I really don’t miss Osaka, but miss Kyoto big time – out of say Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, my first choice would be Kyoto – I’m very curious what is it that you didn’t like about it?
Westin Ho Chi minh. Amazing concierge lounge. Friendliest staff on the planet. Amazing food. Last stay June 2018.