We recently embarked on a private voyage aboard the Loy Dream of Anantara Hotels and Loy Pela from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Over four days, we sailed down the Chao Praya River from a pier in the city center towards the Gulf of Thailand before turning north for Bang Pa-In Palace and Thailand’s ancient capital on a restored century-old Thai rice barge.

Most travelers fly to Thailand for a beach holiday, a cultural excursion in Chiang Mai, or a food trip in Bangkok. We decided to make the trip across Asia to re-discover a very short stretch of Thailand in the most unusual way: by retracing the journey taken by the first foreign dignitaries to set foot in Thailand, sailing from the Gulf of Siam to Ayutthaya to pay respects to the King.

Taking the red-eye from Tokyo to Bangkok, we arrived early enough to beat Bangkok’s infamous traffic and drove directly to Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. Here, moored at riverside, the Loy Dream, a restored rice barge with two staterooms, making it the perfect private charter for families, was waiting for us.

We were early for our 8 a.m. departure, so tropical fruit and fresh coconut juice appeared while we waited. Before long, two stewards, one dressed in the cruise uniform and the other in more formal Thai dress, approached us.

“Welcome to Bangkok,” one of them said. “We will be taking care of you for your cruise.”

They led us down to the river, where we saw Loy Dream for the first time. I’d seen photos of it when booking. However, meeting it in person for the first time gave it depth and life.

Meet the Loy Dream, a Century-Old Thai Rice Barge

I had wanted to charter a boat somewhere in Asia this summer, but I had been quite specific about what I did not want. Modern yachts, however luxurious, were out. There are plenty of them in Asia and the Mediterranean, and after a while — like many cruise ships in a certain category — they begin to look the same. It’s just the wallpaper and the color scheme that differs.

I wanted something that spoke to me specifically of Thailand.

The Loy Dream was exactly what I had hoped for. At 18 metres, she was long and low on the water. She still had the broad wooden hull of the rice barge she once was and a covered upper deck that looked almost as though a small Thai house had been placed on top. Round portholes punctuated the hull; dark timber, carved panels and ornate railings replaced the chrome and glass of a modern yacht.

Approximately a century old and restored for private luxury cruising, Loy Dream has just two staterooms and accommodates a maximum of four passengers. Against the high-rises of Bangkok, she looked wonderfully out of place. For the next four days, the entire boat belonged to us.

Within minutes of boarding, I knew I had made the right decision. In my mind at least, Bangkok had become Old Siam.

Inside Loy Dream

Within minutes of going onboard, I was already taking photos of everything. The main deck, with its traditional Thai accents, was so picturesque, and the observation deck was especially inviting.

I was about to sit down and relax when our steward invited me to further explore the boat.

“Perhaps you would like to see your stateroom first and prepare for the voyage?” our steward suggested. It was true. I was still wearing my sleeping travel wear from Tokyo, which was not quite vacation mode, and I needed to unpack to get the frenetic Tokyo vibe out of my system.

I followed him down a staircase and through a narrow hallway to a room at the end. This was to be my room, and I immediately liked it.

It was unconventional and slightly challenging considering the number of steps to navigate in one room. However, Anantara Hotels and Loy Pela had done what they could with the basic boat, since it had after all began life as a workhorse of a boat rather than a floating hotel.

The stateroom was deep rather than conventionally wide and arranged over several levels to fit the proportions of the original barge.

The walls were washed in pale celadon green, with polished timber underfoot, carved Thai screens, and a round porthole looking directly onto the river. Several steps above the entrance, the bed occupied its own raised wooden platform, almost like a room within the room, dressed in white linen and Thai textiles.

Down a few steps was a dressing area with an elaborate mirror. Beyond it came the surprise: a generously sized bathroom with a proper glass-enclosed shower and plenty of room to move around.

Loy Dream may have begun life carrying rice, but nobody was asking us to live like cargo. This is a luxury barge for travelers seeking a different way to travel. I had imagined spending hours on this raised bed with a book, watching the river through the porthole. In fact, I think I sat there exactly once.

Almost all our waking hours were spent upstairs because it was truly special.

Life Aboard Loy Dream

The covered upper deck ran almost the length of the boat, with polished floorboards, black woven chairs, Thai furniture, flowers, a dining table and broad openings on either side. At the bow, ornate railings framed the river ahead.

My favorite place was a green daybed piled with Thai silk cushions. From there, I could put my feet up and watch live alone the river. Perfect, especially with some fresh coconut juice.

We had barely unpacked when the first activities began. The Anantara Hotels and Loy Pela Voyages do not just offer you a boat. When you book with them, you get an entire experience curated just for you.

My daughter had a yoga session, while a practitioner from Anantara’s spa turned part of the upper deck into a treatment room for my gua sha facial, using a jade scraper and roller. My husband had a traditional Thai massage nearby.

Meanwhile, Bangkok continued as usual outside.

Lunch on the Chao Phraya

By noon, our private chef had made an appearance and discussed with us the extensive line-up of food he had in mind for our journey. Prior, I had sent over dietary preferences and requests (pad Thai!), which were duly noted.

“You wanted fresh coconut juice with every meal,” he said. “Just to let you know that we have thirty coconuts onboard.”

Meals aboard were generally served as multi-course menus rather than family-style spreads, and the table was set with the most beautiful Benjarong tableware.

Having dined in the best restaurants in the world, there was nothing to fault — especially when one realizes the tiny kitchen the chef has to work with on an 18-meter boat, and the high standards guests expect the team onboard to uphold. This is not the world’s most expensive four-day cruise; but neither was it the cheapest in the luxury category.

Our first lunch began with a composed salad, followed by prawns and crisp pastry, and finished with ripe mango, purple sticky rice and coconut cream. The dishes were extremely good.

“This is much better than I expected,” I said to my husband, who had always been skeptical of any kind of cruise from the start. But this one one him over from the start.

From the River to Muay Thai

The voyage was to be four days of learning about the traditions and culture of Thailand in a most personal way. That afternoon we began our discovery with a destination hardly on the bucket list of most travelers to Bangkok: the great green expanse contained within a bend of the Chao Phraya and commonly known as Bangkok’s “green lung.”

Our guide was waiting with bicycles and tricycles. Our first stop was a Muay Thai school set among greenery and ponds, run by a former boxing champion who had retired from competition and was now teaching local children.

“Muay Thai is tough on the body,” he told us. “I spent my life hitting my body intentionally to make it tougher in every way. Even my bones are larger due to trauma.”

Today he passes on his same winning technique to school children who come to practice after school.

FROM THE CHAO PHRAYA TO GRANADA

From a private teak barge on Thailand’s Chao Phraya to a one of the most romantic hacienda in southern Spain, some of the best journeys are about having an extraordinary place almost entirely to yourself.

Discover La Esperanza Granada — a private luxury villa near Granada for exclusive stays, weddings and celebrations in Andalusia.

Only a few hours earlier, I had been lying on the upper deck having my face worked over with a gua sha stone. Now I was standing beside a rice field watching children learn how to box.

We ended the excursion at a Hindu temple, where there were few foreign visitors and plenty of local worshippers going about their devotions. These were relatively simple stops, but that was part of their appeal. They offered glimpses of life beyond the Bangkok most visitors encounter.

After this visit, we returned to Loy Dream and continued south.

Cocktails on the Gulf of Siam

By early evening, cocktails appeared on the bow.

Flowers had been tied to Loy Dream’s ornate railings, and cocktails and a tray of Thai appetizers were set out as the light began to fade. Beyond our glasses were freighters, working ships and the lights of the industrial waterfront.

It was an unusual setting for welcome cocktails on a cruise in Thailand, and far more interesting than the conventional sunset panorama I had expected.

“Would you like another drink?” our steward asked. Of course we did. Every reasonable wish was possible on this boat.

Dinner for Three

Dinner was served beneath the curved wooden roof of the upper deck, where the table had been laid with flowers, wine glasses and exquisite Benjarong tableware.

Our chef had planned the welcome dinner as a Thai interpretation of surf and turf. A procession of small appetizers was followed by an impressive lobster served on a plate with garnishing.

“I thought we were having a pomelo salad,” I remarked to the butler, scrutinizing that evening’s menu.

“That is our chef’s version of pomelo salad, Madame,” he replied, with a smile.

I looked more closely at my food. Indeed, the garnish next to the lobster was a ball of pomelo and pickles that were to be eaten with the lobster.

“This is the most decadent pomelo salad I’ve ever had,” I said. It was also among the most delicious too.

We ended our first day with drinks on deck overlooking the ships, docks and factories of the Gulf. It had been a remarkably full day—yoga, spa treatments, lunch, cycling, Muay Thai, a temple visit, cocktails and dinner—but it had never felt as though we were being marched through a programme.

From Bangkok to Ayutthaya by River

The following morning, Loy Dream turned around and began travelling north.

We passed through Bangkok again, watching the city assemble itself from the river: luxury hotels and residential towers, old palaces, Buddhist temples, working piers and riverside houses, with boats continually cutting between them.

Then Bangkok began to fall away.

The buildings became fewer and lower. The factories disappeared. Concrete gave way to vegetation, and traditional Thai river houses began appearing along the banks. Some were modest; others were substantial wooden homes that made us wonder who had once lived there—perhaps an aristocratic family or a prosperous merchant.

Eventually even the houses too became scarce.

Into the Greenery of the Chao Phraya

There were stretches of river where almost nothing appeared to be happening at all. Ahead was broad water; along the banks were dense vegetation and great patches of aquatic plants. Occasionally another boat appeared, or a temple, or a wooden house. Then there would be nothing again for quite a while.

This was where the bow came into its own. Two woven chairs faced forward on the polished wooden deck, with nothing between us and the view except Loy Dream’s ornate railing.

This part of the voyage was particularly enjoyable because there was nothing specific we were supposed to be looking at. We could read, listen to music, have a massage or simply sit at the bow and see what appeared around the next bend.

Sometimes nothing did, and that was perfectly fine.

Arriving in Ayutthaya by River

Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya served as the capital of Siam for more than four centuries, until its destruction by a Burmese army in 1767. At its height it was one of Asia’s great centres of commerce and diplomacy, with connections extending to China, Japan, India, Persia and Europe.

Its geography explains much of its success. Ayutthaya developed on an island surrounded by three rivers connected to the sea. Foreign merchants established communities there, while the Siamese court conducted diplomacy with governments thousands of miles away.

Arriving by river put that history into context. Instead of appearing as an isolated collection of ruins reached after a drive from Bangkok, Ayutthaya became the destination of the waterways that had helped create its wealth and importance.

The boat charter included a private guide for the duration of the cruise, as well as local guides where needed. With our guide, we spent several hours exploring Ayutthaya Historical Park and other temples, walking among red-brick monasteries, weathered prangs, large Buddha images and enormous old trees that had grown around the remains.

Afterwards, it was back to the Loy Dream for a light lunch of salads and sandwiches.

At Your Service

The rest of our days followed a similar pattern, expertly arranged by Loy Pela and Anantara Hotels, but with enough flexibility to ensure that the itinerary never became an obligation.

We learned to make traditional Thai sweets from mung beans, visited temples and historical sites, and also enjoyed long periods for reading, listening to music or simply doing very little on deck.

At one point in Ayutthaya, after walking around in the heat, we decided to change our planned day..

“Can we have another Thai massage?” I asked.

A few telephone calls later, it was arranged.

The Famous River Prawns of Ayutthaya

The chef outdid himself on this cruise, and every meal was wonderful. This was definitely not the usual catered food on a cruise. However, the highlight was the Ayutthaya river prawn, which is enormous and so tender when caught fresh.

We were fortunate enough to have these twice.

Our chef simply grilled them, leaving the flesh firm without becoming tough and allowing their natural sweetness to come through. The Thai seasoning he used paired perfectly.

One Last Temple

Before our first meal on our last day, we went ashore to a local temple to give thanks for our safe and happy journey. The crew had purchased baskets of food for each of us in advance to present as offerings.

We joined local worshippers, conspicuous as the foreigners in the group, presented our baskets and received a blessing from a monk, accompanied by a sprinkling of holy water from a ceremonial brush.

Then we returned to the boat for the chef’s version of a farewell brunch.

Caviar on a Century-Old Rice Barge

Calling it brunch hardly did it justice.

A large seafood platter occupied the centre of the table, piled with crab legs, prawns and mussels. Beside it sat a large tin of caviar with blinis and the usual accompaniments, along with salads and several other dishes that might reasonably have constituted lunch on their own.

Caviar had not been on my list of things I expected to eat aboard a converted Thai rice barge.

Halfway through the meal, our steward approached.

“Are you still hungry?”

“Not really,” I said. “But it will be a crime to say no to more of his delicious food.”

“Our chef would be delighted to prepare his specialties for you.”

Since this was our final meal aboard, refusing seemed unnecessarily sensible.

There were eggs Benedict and other Western breakfast dishes. I asked for Thai noodle soup and pad Thai.

Naturally, we ordered them.

Back to Bangkok

And so our final approach to Bangkok was made over an increasingly improbable brunch of seafood, caviar and blinis, followed by eggs Benedict, noodle soup and pad Thai.

It was far too much.

We ate it anyway.

Outside, Bangkok gradually returned. The banks became more densely built, and houses were followed by temples, hotels and high-rises.

Four days earlier, we had left the same city aboard an old wooden rice barge, travelling south through factories and freighters towards the Gulf of Siam. Then we had made a U-turn and travelled north through a completely different landscape of traditional river houses, vegetation, temples, royal palaces and the ruins of Ayutthaya.

That, ultimately, was what made the voyage interesting. We had seen the Chao Phraya not simply as a backdrop to Bangkok but as a working river, a transportation route, a link to Thailand’s history and, for four days, the view from our own front deck.

Driving from Bangkok to Ayutthaya would have been considerably faster. Three hours to be exact. But this was precisely the point. We were not seeking to check attractions off a sightseeing list, but to experience a part of Thailand in the most unusual way.

The Loy Dream antique rice barge had been on my bucket list and now I was happy to cross it off. For travelers seeking authenticity, this cruise falls into the same category as the Orient Express train journeys although it is not as seamlessly luxurious.

The price points are also different. Chartering this boat may not be cheap, but it is also not expensive for travelers seeking the unique.

My four days onboard were relaxing and happy. Although I did disembark the Loy Dream with one very specific problem: I had developed a taste for freshly caught Ayutthaya river prawns, and I was going home to Tokyo.

FACTS ABOUT VOYAGES WITH LOY PELA / ANANTARA

What is Loy Dream?
Loy Dream is an 18-metre restored Thai rice barge operated by Loy Pela Voyages by Anantara. The private vessel has two air-conditioned ensuite staterooms and accommodates up to four guests.

What is the itinerary?
Our four-day, three-night private voyage departed from Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort and travelled south along the Chao Phraya towards the Gulf of Thailand, historically known as the Gulf of Siam. Loy Dream then turned north, travelling through Bangkok towards Bang Pa-In Palace and Ayutthaya before returning to the city.

What is life aboard like?
Most of the day is spent on the large covered upper deck, which contains the dining area, seating and daybeds, with open views of the river. The two split-level staterooms below have air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms.

What about food?
A private chef prepares meals aboard. Our menus included multi-course Thai lunches and dinners, lobster, Ayutthaya river prawns and a final seafood-and-caviar brunch. Meals were served on Benjarong tableware.

What can you do along the way?
Excursions vary with the itinerary and can include temples, Bang Pa-In Palace, Ayutthaya Historical Park and local experiences. Our voyage also included yoga, spa treatments, Muay Thai, a Thai dessert-making lesson and additional massages arranged along the way.

How flexible is it?
Because Loy Dream is privately chartered, there is considerably more flexibility than on a conventional cruise. Activities can be adjusted and additional experiences arranged where possible.

Who is it best for?
Couples, families or two couples looking for a private alternative to a conventional river cruise or modern yacht charter, particularly travellers interested in Thai history, food and life along the Chao Phraya.

Information and reservations:
Loy Pela Voyages by Anantara. Current itineraries, prices, inclusions and availability should be confirmed directly at the time of booking.

READ MORE ABOUT THE BEST CRUISES IN THE WORLD IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

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The first thing you notice is the quiet. It’s a particular hush that takes hold the moment you step through the entrance of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Ceiling fans turn overhead. The marble stays cool even in the heat. Outside, motorbikes. In here, something that feels borrowed from a different century.
Which is fitting, because a different century is more or less what you’re standing in.

Graham Greene stayed in this building in 1951, working as a correspondent for Paris Match. He wrote The Quiet American here. Somerset Maugham came in 1923 and finished The Gentleman in the Parlour in the parlor — the room, the book title; it was that kind of era.

Charlie Chaplin honeymooned here in 1936 with Paulette Goddard, after they married in Shanghai. The hotel named suites after all three of them. The concierge at the Bamboo Bar will make you a Graham Greene martini, and it’s worth having one just to sit with the absurdity of that for a moment.

From Historic Hotel in Hanoi to Luxury Hacienda and Wedding Venue in Spain

Inspired by the timeless elegance of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi? Continue your journey at La Esperanza Granada, an award-winning romantic hacienda surrounded by olive groves and mountain views in southern Spain.

The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi: One of Asia’s Most Historic Hotels

The Metropole opened in 1901, built by two French entrepreneurs — Gustave-Émile Dumoutier and André Ducamp — just as Hanoi was becoming the capital of French Indochina. Six dollars a night got you a room, three meals, and the run of what was immediately the finest hotel in the city.

Within a few years it was also the first place in Indochina to screen motion pictures.

For the next several decades, the hotel served as the social center of colonial Hanoi — the place diplomats ate, writers worked, and anyone passing through with money or influence made a point of stopping. The guest list was not subtle: Ho Chi Minh hosted political meetings here. Fidel Castro stayed. Presidents Bush, Clinton, and Trump all came through at various points in history.

In February 2019, the hotel hosted a two-day nuclear summit between the United States and North Korea; Kim Jong Un took an entire floor.

That breadth — colonial French society to Cold War summits to 21st-century diplomacy — is what makes the Metropole unusual. Most historic hotels claim heritage. This one has receipts.

The Bunker Beneath the Bamboo Bar

The war years left a more physical mark. During the American bombing campaigns of 1972 and 1973, the hotel sheltered journalists, diplomats, Joan Baez, and Jane Fonda in an underground bunker below the building.

When the war ended, the bunker was sealed and eventually forgotten entirely. It was only rediscovered in 2011, when engineers renovating the Bamboo Bar jack-hammered through 280 millimetres of reinforced concrete and found a network of flooded corridors and chambers. Baez apparently sang one night while sheltering down there. The hotel has a partial recording. The bunker is now part of the daily Path of History tour.

From Government Guesthouse to Luxury Landmark

After independence, the hotel was renamed Thong Nhat — “Reunification Hotel” — and operated as a government guesthouse. By the 1980s the building had deteriorated badly. Its revival came through an unlikely figure: a French hotelier named Jacques Herbert, who happened to have married the daughter of Ho Chi Minh’s first finance minister. He negotiated what became Vietnam’s first successful joint venture between a foreign company and a local partner.

The Metropole reopened in 1992 under the Pullman name, later passing to Sofitel. In 2009 it became the world’s first Sofitel Legend property.

Two Wings, Two Eras — Heritage vs. Opera Wing

The hotel now has 358 rooms across two buildings that share a courtyard but not much else in atmosphere.

The Heritage Wing — the 1901 original — has dark hardwood floors, louvred shutters, vintage illustrations on the walls, and art-deco marble bathrooms. Meanwhile, the Opera Wing, added in 1996, is neoclassical and considerably quieter, with higher ceilings and larger rooms. Families and people on work trips tend to end up there. People who want to feel like they’re somewhere specific book the Heritage Wing.

About the Coffee a Bartender Invented During Wartime

Le Spa du Metropole was named Vietnam’s Best Hotel Spa at the 2026 Tatler awards. The signature treatment is a Kansu bowl massage, and French skincare lines SOTHYS and Anne Semonin cover the facial menu. There is a heated outdoor pool in the garden courtyard.

The six restaurants and bars include Le Beaulieu, which boasts of serious French cooking, and La Terrasse. The latter is a pavement café where the thing to order is Vietnamese egg coffee.

The Vietnamese egg coffee has its own Metropole origin story. In 1946, with milk impossible to find during wartime rationing, a hotel bartender named Mr. Giang started using whipped egg yolk instead. The result — thick, sweet, served over strong Robusta — is now one of Hanoi’s most copied drinks. You can still get it where it was invented.

What the Condé Nast Traveler Triple Crown Actually Means

This year, Condé Nast Traveler gave the Metropole what it calls the “Triple Crown” — a simultaneous listing on the Hot List, the Gold List, and the Readers’ Choice Awards. Only 396 hotels in the world have achieved all three.

Travel + Leisure has had it on the 500 Best Hotels list for six years running. Neither publication gives those distinctions out lightly, and neither readership is easily impressed.

READ MORE ABOUT THE BEST HOTELS IN THE WORLD IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

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FIRST IMPRESSION OF MILLEN PENANG

When I got out of the car, the hotel’s gold-toned façade drew my gaze. I also noticed a water fountain at the front entrance that looked slightly out of place.

I found myself captivated by the fountain and inquired with the hotel staff about its unique structure. They revealed that this striking fountain is known as “The Mark,” a signature anchor symbolizing the hotel’s artistic identity.

In every property under the Autograph Collection, guests will find a hallmark guest experience unique to each hotel. The staff explained that the purpose of “The Mark” is meant to kickstart conversations (which it did in my case)!

Designed by Malaysian artist Pamela Tan, the Peranakan-inspired ironwork honours the ornamental fountains once found in front of the mansions along the street during Penang’s gilded past.

THE GRAND LOBBY

Stepping into the Grand Lobby feels less like a hotel check-in and more like an immersive entry into a “living gallery“. As an Autograph Collection property by Marriott, it has a distinctive style. -a modern reinterpretation that reflects the neighbourhood’s old-world affluence.

PENANG’S MILLIONAIRE’S ROW

To fully appreciate The Millen, it helps to begin with its setting. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the road on which the hotel stands was the epicentre of wealth in Southeast Asia. Lined with seaside mansions owned by European traders and Chinese tycoons, it was where fortunes were made, deals concluded, and influence flowed across the Straits. Today, this storied stretch—Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah—is still fondly known as Penang’s Millionaire’s Row.

ART AND STORYTELLING THAT INSPIRES

At The Millen Penang, a refined “Colonial contemporary” aesthetic is established with quiet confidence. Black-and-white geometric marble floors and sleek black steel-framed mirrors are used to reference the island’s colonial past. Yet, the overall design is anchored firmly in the present, creating an interior narrative that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Quirky and playful artworks fill the hotel, thoughtfully curated to spark joy. Rather than offering static, museum-like halls, The Millen Penang serves as a living gallery of wit. Guests discover art in passing, ultimately transforming their stay into a memorable, scavenger-hunt-like journey.

Near the entrance, a horse sculpture – Forged in Motion by Aboud Fares stands as a quiet tribute to Penang’s equestrian heritage of the 1800s. Crafted from interwoven iron strands, the horse seems alive in mid-stride, infusing the past with a sense of movement and modernity.

Large-scale paintings punctuate corridors and public areas, creating moments of contemplation. At the lift lobby, Loh Chee Peng’s “The Pixelated Captain“ portrays Penang’s founder Francis Light, A clever interplay of perspective serves as a visual metaphor for the island’s evolving spirit.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

In guest rooms, smaller works are carefully placed to draw attention to subtle textures, colours, and lines, reinforcing the theme of thoughtful, experiential design.

In keeping with the hotel’s “Colonial contemporary” theme, the guest rooms at The Millen Penang feature a beverage cabinet designed to look like a vintage luggage trunk.

This “luggage bar” anchors the room’s storytelling. It evokes the golden age of travel, when merchants arrived on Penang’s shores with lives packed into sturdy, leather-bound trunks. The piece offers a warm, organic contrast to sharp white marble and dark wood floors, reinforcing the “traveller’s sanctuary” feel.

This clever design choice turns a standard hotel amenity into a piece of functional art. Despite its old-world appearance, it is a high-tech “mini bar” housing:

• A Nespresso Vertuo machine for premium coffee.
• A selection of Whittard of Chelsea teas, honouring the hotel’s British-Malayan heritage.
• A temperature-controlled kettle and a built-in refrigerated drawer for cold refreshments.

Inside the “luggage bar,” a pair of whimsical bird sculptures sit beside wine glasses, adding curated charm. These monochromatic, dotted forms contrast beautifully with the room’s sharp industrial lines.

Furthermore, the guest rooms reflect the grandeur of heritage mansions through their generous scale. Ranging from 42 to 142 square meters, these spaces feel remarkably expansive. High ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows maximize the layout, while offering sweeping views of the city or sea.

BATHROOM AESTHETICS AT THE MILLEN PENANG

Marble flooring transforms the bathroom into a luxurious sanctuary featuring a deep, freestanding bathtub and dual vanities. Furthermore, oversized rain showers with premium brass hardware drive the hotel’s vintage-meets-modern dialogue. These expansive layouts feel exceptionally indulgent, especially within the massive 142-square-meter suites.

ROOFTOP OASIS AT THE MILLEN PENANG

Level 9 serves as the hotel’s dedicated wellness floor, where the state-of-the-art gym, infinity-edge swimming pool and in-house spa are located. The swimming pool is a masterclass in urban escapism. Perched above the bustling streets of George Town, the saltwater-treated pool offers breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. Guests looking to dip or sip can order cool brews, artisanal beers, and light snacks from the Pool Kiosk.

Nut&Meg Wellness Spa honours Penang’s history as a global spice hub. Specifically, therapists incorporate local ingredients like nutmeg and pandan into every treatment. Furthermore, private ensuite suites and rhythmic rituals provide guests with a restorative sensory escape.

Meanwhile, at Blacklinen, skilled chefs transform dry-aged meats and coastal seafood into smoky masterpieces on a charcoal grill. Additionally, a curated wine cellar complements the menu. Together, these elements create a destination where rustic fire meets high-end elegance.

GASTRONOMIC FLAVOURS

Lili on Level 2 offers a refreshing take on modern Malaysian cuisine. This all-day dining restaurant specialises in upscale comfort food. Furthermore, the menu embraces the tradition of shared dining to create a vibrant communal experience.

Mornings at Lili are refreshing with hydroponic greens and premium à-la-carte selections. In particular, the Millionaire Row’s omelette is the undisputed star. This decadent river prawn and crab dish is topped with rich lobster bisque.

This ground-floor lobby lounge Good Society is characterized by high ceilings and delicate botanical accents. A diverse menu of tempting refreshments or signature cocktails is available from 11am onwards.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED STAY

The Millen Penang turns the act of staying into an experience—one that inspires reflection, creativity, and a deeper connection to place. A stay at the hotel will appeal to you if you appreciate design, clever interiors, and the vibrancy of camaraderie. Just a five-minute drive from the famed Gurney Drive, the hotel offers both cultural immersion and effortless access to Penang’s vibrant heart.

The artwork ‘Hotel Exploration’ by Malaysian watercolour artist Penny Tan encapsulates our experience quite succinctly.

“As guests arrive and settle in, they are drawn into the hotel’s many offerings—elegant dining, serene spa rituals, and the timeless allure of its refined interiors. With each moment, the hotel reveals a different facet of experience: from the grandeur of the staircase to the quiet elegance of window views, every space invites discovery, layering the guest journey with curiosity and charm.“

Address: The Millen Penang, 55 Jln Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Website: themillenhotel.com

Images by The Millen Penang. Additional photos by Florence Ang (taken with an HONOR Magic 7 Pro smartphone)

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What makes these gardens worth spotlighting is not simply their foliage. It’s the way space, light, and climate come together to create something emotionally resonant. A ginger forest that hums with tropical life. A courtyard that carries the scent of imperial history. A palm grove that frames the turquoise sea. A vertical green wall that softens a skyline.

In a region where megacities race upward and resorts multiply each year, these hotel gardens offer a rare counterbalance — places where travelers can slow down, walk barefoot on soft earth, and reconnect with a more contemplative rhythm of living. Thus, these make interesting stay options for travelers headed to Asia.

Below are some of Asia’s loveliest hotel gardens, and the hotels that nurture them.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay, Vietnam : A Ginger Forest by the Sea

Set along the unspoiled shores of Vietnam’s south-central coast, about 2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Azerai Ke Ga Bay sits in a peaceful seaside enclave far removed from Vietnam’s busier beach towns. The area is known for its wide, empty beaches, local fishing villages, and the historic Ke Ga Lighthouse — the oldest in the country. This is where travelers come for space, calm, and a gentler rhythm of tropical life.

At the heart of the resort lies the remarkable Ginger Forest, an 1,800-square-meter garden woven with hundreds of ginger species collected from across Asia. The landscape feels almost primeval. Tall, leafy plants rise from deep green undergrowth, releasing a warm, faintly spicy fragrance that drifts through the air. Sunlight filters through the glossy leaves in shifting patterns, creating shadows that dance slowly across the forest floor.

Narrow pathways wind through the foliage, offering guests quiet corners for reflection, photography, or simple wandering. The resort hosts yoga sessions and guided meditation here — moments that blend naturally into the garden’s atmosphere and make the Ginger Forest feel not just ornamental, but spiritual. Positioned between the spa, pool, and the beach, it has become a sanctuary within a sanctuary, grounding guests before they continue their day.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay is an all-villa hideaway designed with luxurious simplicity — clean lines, natural materials, and an aesthetic that lets the landscape speak. The Ginger Forest is its soft, meditative heart.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

Azerai Ke Ga Bay is a serene all-villa resort set along a quiet stretch of coastline — perfect for travelers seeking space, silence, and refined simplicity.

• For beach lovers: The long, soft-sand beach is ideal for sunrise walks.
• Nearby experience: Ke Ga Lighthouse — the oldest in Vietnam — is a short boat ride away.
• For wellness travelers: The spa is one of the best on this coast, offering detox programs, massages, and slow-living rituals.

Discover One of Spain’s Most Beautiful Hacienda Gardens

If hotel gardens inspire you, discover Spain’s most exquisite hacienda garden retreat at La Esperanza Granada.

Set on a private hilltop estate with panoramic views, the hacienda features formal Moorish-inspired courtyards, Mediterranean terraces, vibrant floral gardens, and quiet walking paths framed by olive and citrus trees.

It is one of Spain’s most unique garden hotels, blending Andalusian architecture with serene landscape design.

Click here to explore La Esperanza Granada — your next garden escape in Europe.

TIA Wellness Resort, Vietnam : A Garden Charged With Energy

Located on the serene beachfront of Da Nang, along Vietnam’s central coast, TIA Wellness Resort is known as one of the country’s pioneering wellness retreats. Set between the Marble Mountains and the East Sea, the area blends spiritual landscapes with a long, sweeping beach lined with casuarina trees. Travelers come here for sunrise rituals, spa immersion, and a style of hospitality shaped around mindfulness rather than opulence.

At the heart of the resort lies the Wellness Garden, a space that feels not just planted, but alive. Rosewood trees cast soft, dappled shade over winding stone paths. Mangroves, tall ferns, and dragon trees rise above a lush botanical floor, creating a canopy that rustles gently whenever ocean breezes blow inland.

Parakeet flowers, with their bright tropical flare, cluster near the waterfall pool. The sound of falling water becomes a constant, soothing rhythm — a natural soundtrack to the day’s slow, healing pace. The air is lightly perfumed with jasmine from pinwheel flowers, a scent that drifts through the garden in delicate waves.

Guests settle into shaded cabanas with books and herbal teas, or pause here between the resort’s signature breathwork, meditation, and spa therapies. The garden is not a decorative feature — it is an extension of TIA’s philosophy that transformation begins with nature, silence, and gentle sensory awareness.

TIA Wellness Resort’s aesthetic is modern, serene, and deeply holistic. And the Wellness Garden is its vibrant, breathing core — a place where travelers exhale the moment they arrive.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

TIA Wellness Resort is celebrated for its all-inclusive wellness concept that integrates spa treatments, breathwork, meditation, and nutrition.

• For wellness travelers: Daily massages and mindfulness sessions are included.
• Local exploration: The resort is minutes from the Marble Mountains and My Khe Beach.
• For creatives: TIA is known for hosting retreats on breathwork, artistic expression, and healing.

Palace Hotel Tokyo, Japan : Front Row Seat to the Imperial Palace Gardens

In a city defined by neon, high-speed trains, and endless motion, Palace Hotel Tokyo occupies one of the most astonishingly serene addresses in the Japanese capital. Located in the prestigious Marunouchi district — Tokyo’s business and luxury heart — the hotel sits directly across the moat from the Imperial Palace’s East Gardens, one of the city’s most historic and cherished green spaces.

This rare location gives the hotel a perspective few visitors ever experience: Tokyo not as a futuristic metropolis, but as a place shaped by centuries of royalty, artistry, and quiet seasonal beauty.

Step outside, cross the stone bridge spanning the palace moat, and the shift is immediate. The pace slows. Sound softens. And the dense cityscape dissolves into a vast sweep of green. The East Gardens unfold in layers — ancient stone ramparts, plum orchards, winding gravel paths, tranquil ponds, and the atmospheric remains of Edo Castle, once the largest fortification of its time.

The seasons shape the experience like a living calendar:

• Spring brings clouds of cherry blossoms along the castle walls.
• Summer is lush with iris gardens and shaded walkways.
• Autumn glows with fiery red and amber foliage that seems to ignite the garden.
• Winter reveals its minimal, architectural beauty — stone, water, silence.

For guests of Palace Hotel Tokyo, many rooms and suites offer balconies overlooking the Imperial Gardens — an extraordinary luxury in a city where private outdoor space is rare. Mornings begin with mist rising from the moat; evenings end with lantern-lit reflections on the water. The hotel’s understated elegance, fine dining, and impeccable service blend perfectly with this view, creating a stay that feels refined, contemplative, and unmistakably Japanese.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

Palace Hotel Tokyo is one of Japan’s most elegant urban hotels.

• Room tip: Many suites feature balconies overlooking the Imperial Gardens — a rarity in Tokyo.
• Nearby: Marunouchi’s luxury boutiques, art galleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants are within walking distance.
• For culture travelers: The Imperial Palace cycling route on weekends is unforgettable.

While in Tokyo, Try Japan’s Most Exquisite Dining Experience

If your travels bring you to Tokyo, you may wish to explore one of Japan’s finest gastronomic experiences. Nagatacho Ōhka offers an extraordinary, invitation-only culinary journey crafted by master chefs and rooted in Japanese seasonality and precision.

Read more about Nagatacho Ōhka Private Restaurant

The Anam Cam Ranh, Vietnam : A Kingdom of Palms

The Anam Cam Ranh sits on 12 hectares of tropical waterfront, anchored by almost 3,000 palm trees swaying rhythmically in the coastal wind. These palms, along with frangipani, banyan, hibiscus, and bougainvillea, create a backdrop that feels cinematic — lush, warm, and perpetually sunlit.

Meticulous early planning ensured the gardens grew exactly as envisioned. Today, the property feels like a botanical sanctuary with light filtering through fronds and pathways lined with flowers in full, jubilant bloom.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A luxurious oceanfront resort with a nostalgic Indochine aesthetic.

• For beach lovers: Long Beach is one of Vietnam’s most pristine stretches.
• Nearby: The fishing villages of Cam Ranh offer local markets and seafood dining.
• For families: The resort offers kids’ clubs, multiple pools, and vast outdoor spaces.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Cambodia : Heritage on the Lawn

The iconic Raffles Lawn is framed by mature tropical trees and old-world architecture — a serene green that mirrors the elegance of nearby Angkor temples. Lanterns glow softly at dusk, the air warms, and the garden becomes one of Siem Reap’s most atmospheric outdoor spaces.

The gardens feel deeply connected to the hotel’s 93-year story, evoking an era when explorers and scholars passed through on their way to the temples.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A landmark hotel with historic gravitas and classic hospitality.

• Nearby: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm are all within short driving distance.
• For culture lovers: The hotel hosts curated experiences, including temple tours and Khmer cultural evenings.
• For slow travelers: The pool — one of the largest in Cambodia — is a peaceful place to unwind after temple visits.

Alma Cam Ranh, Vietnam : A Riot of Tropical Color

At Alma Cam Ranh, flowers rule. Red Button Ginger blooms across the resort in brilliant scarlet, attracting butterflies and bees. Purple Showers, Yellow Bells, plumeria, and cherry blossoms fill the walkways with color and scent.

Coconut, banana, and mango trees offer shade and visual abundance. The experience is joyful, vibrant, and deeply tied to Vietnam’s tropical botany.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A lively beachfront resort ideal for families and groups.

• For ocean lovers: Water sports, beach walks, and snorkeling are all available nearby.
• Nearby: The Cam Ranh coastline offers viewpoints, local eateries, and scenic drives.
• For families: Multiple pools, a cinema, and onsite activities keep everyone entertained.

Maia Resort Quy Nhon, Vietnam : Sculpted Calm by the Coast

Maia Resort’s gardens are defined by the Storm Tree, a resilient coastal species that forms a natural green frame around each villa. Pathways lined with tall palms and tropical foliage give the resort a peaceful flow, aided by a 37-person landscaping team that tends every detail daily.

The effect is a garden that feels curated but not forced — natural, soft, and deeply connected to the coastline.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A stylish beachfront retreat in one of Vietnam’s emerging coastal destinations.

• Nearby: Ky Co Beach and Eo Gio cliffs offer dramatic landscapes.
• For food lovers: The resort is known for its strong culinary program and local seafood.
• For explorers: Quy Nhon has Champa towers, fishing villages, and hiking trails.

The Hari Hong Kong : A Vertical Garden Above the Streets

In a city where green space is rare, The Hari’s three-story vertical garden rises along its façade like a piece of living art. The greenery cools the building, softens the neighborhood’s energy, and creates a calming arrival experience.

At night, the illuminated wall becomes an urban landmark — a gentle reminder that nature can thrive even among skyscrapers.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A chic boutique hotel perfectly placed in Wan Chai.

• Nearby: Star Street’s cafés, boutiques, and galleries are steps away.
• For design lovers: Interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners give the hotel a refined, residential feel.
• For explorers: Victoria Harbour and the tram to The Peak are close by.

A Green Reprieve in a Busy City

Zentis Osaka, Japan

Zentis Osaka surprises guests with an arrival through a verdant urban garden of Japanese maple, cherry trees, laurel, and pepper vine. A double-sided fireplace links the indoor lounge with the outdoor terrace — creating a rare, cozy oasis in downtown Osaka.

The plants soften the modern architecture, creating a sense of retreat despite the hotel’s central location.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A design-forward hotel with a calm, understated luxury.

• Nearby: Kita’s shopping districts, galleries, and restaurants are within walking distance.
• For culture lovers: Osaka Castle is a short ride away.
• For foodies: The city’s famed street food neighborhoods, like Dōtonbori, are easy to reach.

Beautiful Gardens in Every Form

These gardens — whether vertical, coastal, historic, or tropical — remind us that beauty thrives in many forms across Asia. They offer not only tranquility, but also deeper insight into local culture, geography, and design. And for travelers, they become part of the journey itself — the pauses between adventures that linger longest in memory.

READ MORE ABOUT BEAUTIFUL HOTEL GARDENS IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

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Steam rises from thermal baths, trams skim the edge of the Danube, and somewhere nearby, the scent of paprika drifts from an open kitchen window. Every path eventually pulled us toward a single destination: a steaming bowl of gulyás, Hungary’s most beloved comfort food.

Here, gulyás is about tradition, warmth, and feeling of being welcomed.

Our search began where the city’s flavors feel most alive.

The Best Goulash in Budapest

Gettó Gulyás

The Jewish Quarter has a pulse that never quite slows. Street art covers aging facades, ruin bars hum with conversation, and café windows glow against the winter dusk. On Wesselényi Street, the sidewalks are narrow and uneven, framed by tall, slightly worn apartment buildings that lean gently into each other, as if sharing secrets. At dusk, light pools in the lower windows and the alley smells faintly of paprika and smoke.

A man leaning in the doorway of a small corner restaurant watched us approach, a cigarette balanced between his fingers.

“You’re going in for the gulyás?” he asked with a grin. “Good. You won’t forget it.”

Satisfaction made to order

Inside, the noise of the neighborhood evaporated. The room felt like a winter refuge — exposed brick walls, vintage lamps, and the soft, rhythmic clink of spoons against ceramic bowls. A server set our order down with quiet confidence.

“This is how we do it on the plains,” she said. “No shortcuts.”

The broth shimmered with paprika and caught the light like stained glass. Csipetke noodles settled into the bottom of the bowl; the beef surrendered the moment the spoon touched it.

A silver-haired woman at the next table leaned toward us.

“Don’t rush,” she said. “Gulyás doesn’t reveal everything at once.”

And it didn’t. It told its story slowly.

Wesselényi utca 18, District VII — Jewish Quarter

Hungarikum Bisztró

The Parliament district is Budapest at its most cinematic. The Danube glints just beyond the imposing Gothic spires; embassy buildings and ministerial halls stand grand and serious, their façades polished like old silver. Yet tucked between all that power and history, on a quiet side street paved in smooth stone, is Hungarikum Bisztró — a restaurant with lace curtains, embroidered tablecloths, and a chalkboard menu that looks handwritten every morning.

When we arrived, a short line had already formed. A couple ahead of us turned and whispered, as if letting us in on something sacred: “We drove from Vienna. This is the best goulash in Budapest. My husband refuses to eat goulash anywhere else.”

Escape to La Esperanza Granada — Andalusia’s most private hacienda for full villa buy-outs

(When silence, space, and sky are part of the experience.)

Home is where the stomach is

Inside, the air was warm with the smell of paprika and roasted onions. The server placed our bowls on the table with reverence.

“This is our national pride,” she said. “If this isn’t good, nothing is.”

The broth here was deeper, rounder — smoky from paprika toasted before simmering. The beef softened at the slightest touch. Bread absorbed the last ribbon of broth like it was sealing a promise.

When the waitress returned, she nodded at the empty bowls.

“You see? Gulyás hates goodbyes.”

Steindl Imre utca 13, District V — Parliament District

Stand25 Bistro

This was our third visit to Stand25 Bistro, home to what many Hungarians consider the best goulash in Budapest. Indeed, it has been excellent each time.

During our previous visits, this popular bistro, where chefs Szulló Szabina & Széll Tamás lead the kitchen, was located inside a food hall just a few steps away from the Hungarian Parliament. It’s a part of the city where you’ll find old Budapest mixed in with something sleek and modern. Glass storefronts sit beside prewar façades, and office workers slip into cafés where chefs hold Michelin stars. Stand25 was in a rather obscure corner in the middle area of the food hall, with an understated entrance — minimalist, clean, confident enough not to announce itself.

Inside was casual but special. Think polished wood, soft lighting, white plates that look more like gallery pieces than tableware. On our last visit, we ordered the same menu as always: French onion soup, goulash and Esterhazy cake. Goulash is served as an appetizer here but portions are big, so we skipped the main course.

The waiter leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Good choices. The goulash is a must,” he said.

The broth glowed with a soft red-gold sheen. Vegetables were cut with geometric precision. Each spoonful unfolded layer by layer — paprika, then sweetness, then depth.

A man sitting at the bar lifted his glass toward us, after observing our giddiness.

“The best goulash in Budapest,” he declared. “Don’t argue.”

We didn’t.

1013 Budapest, Attila út 10

Pozsonyi Kisvendéglő

Újlipótváros felt different from other districts. Located in quieter, more residential neighborhood, it’s the kind of place where greengrocers know their customers by name. Tall trees shade the sidewalks. Mothers push strollers. Bicycles outnumber taxis.

Pozsonyi Kisvendéglő sits on a corner surrounded by bookstores and old apartment blocks with wrought-iron balconies. Through its windows, we could see red-checked tablecloths and handwritten menus propped against pitchers of wildflowers.

Inside, the hum of conversation was low and unhurried. A server approached our table and set down steaming bowls of goulash, assuming we were there precisely for this.

“You look like you need warmth,” he said. “This helps.”

The goulash here has more vegetables and tenderness. Like it was made with a grandmother’s heart.

At the next table, a group of elderly Hungarians played cards. One of them tapped his spoon against the bowl and announced to his friends: “Here lies the meaning of life.”

We believed him.

Radnóti Miklós utca 38, District XIII — Újlipótváros

Before You Order your Goulash

Visitors often assume goulash is a stew. Not here in Hungary. Goulash is a soup — clear, expressive, full of paprika. Pörkölt is the thick, rich stew. One warms you, while the other anchors you. Both deserve their own pilgrimage.

The Perfect Goulash Day in Budapest

• Lunch at Hungarikum Bisztró.
• A walk along the Danube.
• Tram to the Jewish Quarter.
• Dinner at Gettó Gulyás.

Some cities are understood through landmarks. Budapest can be understood through a bowl.

Why Goulash Endures

Goulash is neither about the paprika, nor the beef. Your encounter with this local favorite begins the moment you step in from the cold and warmth finds you.

Some experiences are ladled onto a big bowl right in front of you and it;s gone in half an hour. However the memory stays long after the flight home.

READ MORE ARTICLES ABOUT TRAVELING IN HUNGARY IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

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Bhaya Soul launches soon as Vietnam’s first all-inclusive wellness-focused vessel.  Operated by Bhaya Cruises, a company shaping overnight voyages in the area for almost two decades, the new ship promises something different.  .

A Boutique Retreat at Sea

Bhaya Soul limits capacity to just twenty suites, each with a private terrace and a soaking tub pointed toward the water.  That detail alone signals a shift in philosophy. Instead of maximizing passengers, the design offers more personal space and uninterrupted views.

The absence of noise also stands out. No relentless activity schedule or overhead reminders pushing you from one location to the next. Morning movement sessions take place on the upper deck with the bay as a backdrop. Guests are encouraged to shape their day according to energy, not obligation.

Your own private world: La Esperanza Granada, an authentic hacienda for 14 persons in Andalusia

(We go here to think clearly — and dream bigger.)

Dining onboard the Bhaya Soul in Halong Bay

The culinary approach emphasizes regional ingredients, with produce from nearby farms and seafood sourced locally.  Dishes promise to be thoughtful without being theatrical. Aromatic broths, bright herbs, seasonal textures. Meal pacing appears to be designed around conversation rather than turnover.

Rest as the Itinerary

Each guest receives a wellness treatment onboard the Bhaya Soul spa.  No upsell. Just a gentle invitation to enjoy the serene atmosphere with subtle lighting, natural textures. And, of course, the scent of lemongrass guiding you toward stillness.

Daily offerings include stretching, guided breathwork, or reflective sessions on deck. Participation is optional. Guests can join or can simply enjoy time on their terrace with a book. There is an emphasis on choice rather than performance.

Exploration Without Overload

Shore experiences appear equally curated. Kayaking through Ba Hầm Lake brings travelers into a secluded lagoon accessed through narrow rock openings.  Tiên Ông Cave introduces stalactites surrounding an ancient archaeological site.  And in Việt Hải Village, bicycles — instead of vans — lead visitors through gardens and freshwater ponds.  

These are not high-volume sightseeing stops. Just opportunities to enter the landscape rather than rush through it.

Travelife Guide: Top 5 Places to Visit in Ha Long Bay

1. Tiên Ông Cave (Cave of the Elder Fairy)

An atmospheric cavern filled with stalactites and archaeological traces of ancient human settlement. Soft lighting reveals dramatic rock formations that feel sculpted by time rather than nature.

2. Ba Hầm Lake (Three Tunnel Lake)

A serene lagoon accessible only by kayak through narrow water passages. Protected by limestone walls, the lake offers mirror-like stillness — one of the most peaceful spots in the bay.

3. Cát Bà National Park

A lush biosphere of jungle trails and rare wildlife. Trek to viewpoints for sweeping panoramas of forest merging into sea, or cycle through the park’s small coastal villages.

4. Vạn Giá Floating Village

A community that has lived on the water for generations. Wooden houses float on calm channels, connected by small boats instead of streets. A glimpse of traditional life in the bay.

5. Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)

Ha Long Bay’s grandest grotto. Caverns open into cathedral-like chambers, illuminated to reveal years of erosion carved into waves, spirals, and columns.

Limited Voyages That Go Deeper

Bhaya Soul begins its inaugural season with two Soul Sanctuary sailings on November 10 and December 3.  These departures feature expanded reflective sessions, guided movement, and longer restorative sequences. Even so, guests remain free to set their own pace.

A Promising Way to Experience Ha Long Bay

The most appealing part is the return of unhurried time. From what we’ve seen, Bhaya Soul encourages attention to the landscape rather than distraction from it. The pace feels measured. The design respects silence. And the itinerary centers on connection — connection to place, to self, and to the natural rhythm of the bay.

We have not sailed yet, but it is rare to find a travel experience that aligns so closely with what many of us now seek: depth, intention, and presence.

Ha Long Bay is spectacular. Bhaya Soul appears to offer a way to experience it with grace.

READ MORE ARTICLES ABOUT VIETNAM IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

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I was intrigued when I first heard about Nagatacho Ohka. This private restaurant in Tokyo has no website and no public phone number. At first, I expected little more than exclusivity. However, I was unprepared to be amazed.

After all, I have stayed in some of the best hotels in the world and dined at the finest restaurants. My standards are high. Even so, my interest was piqued.

On a recent stopover in Tokyo, I accepted an invitation to dinner from Christine Cunanan, the director of Nagatacho Ohka. She lives mainly in Tokyo, yet also owns La Esperanza Granada, a luxury hacienda-style hotel in Southern Spain that was recently awarded Best of the Best for 2025 by Trip Advisor, placing it in one of the top 1% of all lodgings worldwide.

READ MORE ABOUT LA ESPERANZA GRANADA, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLA IN ANDALUCIA

A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE IN TOKYO

Nagatacho Ohka sits in a 100-year-old wooden building near the official residence of the Prime Minister of Japan. Previously, it was a famous soba and shabu shabu restaurant owned by the family of Akira Kurosawa, Japan’s most celebrated film director.

The restaurant closed during the pandemic. During that time, Christine Cunanan and her partners took over the space. They renovated the entire building to the highest standards, working with some of the finest craftsmen in Japan. “We didn’t really have a budget in mind when we renovated this,” said Christine. “We just wanted to be the best dining experience in Japan.”

THE BEST OF JAPANESE FOOD

And indeed, the result exceeded my already high expectations. Every design detail felt impeccable. From the start, the long, dark bar — inspired by a Kyoto machiya townhouse — made a statement. 

Meanwhile, the lively open-plan Chef’s Counter seated 15 guests in an atmosphere of energy and warmth.

Upstairs, four private rooms awaited. Each carried a different mood and theme, yet all were beautiful. If you asked mewhich one was best, I would have no answer. It truly depends on who you are with and what kind of mood you are in.

Q&A with Christine Cunanan, Director of Nagatacho Ohka

Q: Is it true that Nagatacho Ohka is the best restaurant in Tokyo?

A: I like to think so. There are very few restaurants in Tokyo — if not in the world — that are private and non-commercial. Without the pressures of a commercial establishment, we are free to offer the best dining experience possible. Many guests afterwards tell me that dinner at our restaurant was one of the best food experiences they’ve had.

Q: If you are the best restaurant in Tokyo, are you also the most expensive?

A: We are definitely not cheap. But price is relative. However I can 100% confirm that most foreign guests feel satisfied with their experience because they oftentimes return on their next visit to Japan, and sometimes even twice or thrice on the same visit. This would not happen so often if guests did not feel we offer value.

No restaurant will be able to please everyone, especially as the value of a dinner depends on the perceptions of each person and his or her personal circumstances. However, most of our guests are very happy with the Nagatacho Ohka experience.

Q: Some people are wondering why they see so few Japanese guests compared to foreigners.

A: First, we tend to put foreigners in our first floor Chef’s Counter because they like sitting around the counter and watching the chefs. Meanwhile, Japanese guests are usually regulars who have their favorite rooms for entertaining on the second floor. They rarely book the chef’s counter because they prefer to dine in privacy. For this reason, a diner eating at our Chef’s Counter will probably see mostly other foreigners dining in the restaurant. The Japanese members are all in the private rooms upstairs.

Second, we are a private restaurant and we have decided to accept only Japanese diners who are friends or associates of our restaurant partners. It is a very strict policy because the owners want to relax only with people they know. Currently, the restaurant caters to only 50 Japanese and their friends and associates.

Meanwhile, foreign guests can eat at Nagatacho Ohka on an introduction basis. For example, if you know me or someone I know, or if you are a guest of one of our luxury travel partners, then you are able to easily book at Nagatacho Ohka as long as we have availability. So the window is larger as many of Tokyo’s top hotels such as the Four Seasons, Bulgari Hotel, Aman Tokyo, Janu Tokyo and the Park Hyatt Tokyo send their guests to us.

THE WORLD’S ONLY JAPANESE LACQUER ROOM

For dinner, we began in the Urushi no Heya, said to be the world’s only Japanese lacquer room. Frankly, it was stunning. A long lacquer dining table dominated the space. The ceiling, also covered in lacquer, glowed with elegance. Most impressive, a golden peacock stretched across the room — etched in delicate detail and mirrored above. You have to see itto truly appreciate its beauty.

Dinner itself was unforgettable. At Nagatacho Ohka, there is no set menu. Instead, chefs — many trained in Michelin-starred restaurants — roll out wagons filled with seafood, vegetables, and the finest beef in Japan. Yes, the finest beef, and not just A5 wagyu.

This beef comes from a farm in Kagoshima, southern Japan, recognized by the Japanese beef industry as producing the nation’s #1 meat. From these ingredients, chefs and guests create a menu together. Diners share their wishes, and the chefs suggest dishes. For my part, I asked for the house specialties, steak, and garlic rice.

WONDERFUL BEGINNINGS AT NAGATACHO OHKA

But first came the appetizers, paired with flutes of sparkling sake. “We also have champagne,” Christine explained, “but really good sparkling sake is rare outside Japan. I always recommend it to foreign guests.”

We began with caviar tucked inside a cheese-flavored brioche bun. (Who would have guessed this pairing would work so perfectly?) Next, a delicate sandwich of chateaubriand from the Kagoshima farm appeared. After that, I enjoyed slices of tender abalone with thick seaweed sauce and sushi rice.

By then, I was already happy. Every bite felt like a promise of what was still to come.

THE FIRST DREAM MENU

But this was not dinner yet. It was only the beginning. The rest of the meal unfolded like a dream.

We began with two kinds of sashimi, lightly seared over charcoal and seasoned only with salt. There was no need for soy sauce. The fish included black throat (nodoguro) and golden eye (kinmeidai), both delicate and flavorful.

Next came a traditional Japanese clear soup. It featured a perfectly filleted slice of spring fish (amadai) and a crisp tempura of vegetables and swordfish. The swordfish tempura was unforgettable — light, crunchy, and full of flavor.

THE MAIN EVENTS

After that, we tasted buttery Hokkaido scallops, sautéed and topped with rosemary purée. Then came something unexpected: an original pasta made from live French lobster, with noodles shaped like a cone. At first glance, I would never have guessed it was pasta.

Finally, a beautiful steak arrived, paired with fresh wasabi and sea salt from Himeji in Western Japan. A bowl of garlic rice sat on the side. I said “finally” because I thought the meal was over.

To my surprise, Christine handed me another menu. “This is our comfort food menu,” she said. “Japanese love to end a fancy meal with comfort food, so we offer soba and even spaghetti Napolitan. You cannot leave without trying them.”

HOW TO CREATE A DREAM DINNER

We ended up ordering about seven dishes from the comfort food menu, and every single one was delicious. The soba, for example, is prepared by a famous soba master who works full-time onsite. He has been making soba for more than thirty years. His handmade noodles, mixed with 80% buckwheat flour, are so delicate it is hard to believe they are cut by hand.

Other standouts included omelette rice made with egg yolks the color of golden sunshine, a crisp minced meat cutlet, and the signature spaghetti Napolitan. As food lovers know, this dish does not exist in Italy. It was invented in Japan long ago, based on what people imagined Italians ate. In truth, there is no spaghetti Napolitan in Italy, so Japan is the only place you can enjoy it.

At Nagatacho Ohka, the version is addictive. The pasta has just the right touch of spiciness, with thin slices of sausage folded into the sauce. And for those who prefer extra heat, a bottle of Tabasco comes on the side — exactly the way it was served in Japanese coffee shops decades ago, before Tokyo became the cosmopolitan city it is today.

WHERE TO EAT SPAGHETTI NAPOLITAN IN TOKYO

As food lovers know, there is no such thing as spaghetti Napolitan in Italy. This pasta was created in Japan decades ago, inspired by what people imagined Italians ate. In truth, the dish does not exist in Italy, so Japan is the only place where you can enjoy it.

At Nagatacho Ohka, their version is irresistible. The pasta has just the right level of spiciness, with thin slices of sausage mixed into the sauce. For those who like extra heat, a bottle of Tabasco comes on the side. This detail reflects tradition, since spaghetti Napolitan was once served the same way in Japanese coffee shops before Tokyo grew into the cosmopolitan city it is today.

SWEET ENDINGS AT NAGATACHO OHKA

Nagatacho Ohka also offers a long dessert menu. After such a feast, I chose a simple medley of homemade ice cream in original flavors.

First, a refreshing plum and perilla leaf sorbet acted as a palate cleanser. Next, came a creamy kinako ice cream, flavored with roasted soybean flour. After that, a Japanese cinnamon ice cream arrived, with crunchy bits of bark folded in. Finally, the matcha ice cream closed the meal. Matcha is common in Japan and abroad, but this version used the highest grade of green tea. The taste balanced perfectly between subtle sweetness and refined bitterness.

Just like everything else at Nagatacho Ohka, the desserts were better than expected.

(Guests staying at top Tokyo hotels like Aman, Bulgari, Janu, the Grand Hyatt, the New Otani and the Ritz Carlton, among others, can book Nagatacho Ohka through their concierge. Or you can message Christine Cunanan on LinkedIn and tell her you read about the restaurant in my LinkedIn post.)

READ MORE ABOUT THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN TOKYO IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

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During this pandemic, not a few people have asked themselves where to get away from it all. With a virus running rampant, many are looking to go on safe holidays away from crowds and cities. Well, the AAA Four Diamond Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado is probably the best place to get away from it all.  

NOTHING ELSE AROUND BUT A LUXURY RANCH

This family run ranch with a million acres is about 25 miles from the nearest traffic light. It has a herd of 100 horses so you might say that it’s a traditional ranch. However, it’s also a luxury resort. There is a staff guest ratio of over 1 to 1, and distinct adult or family times during the year. Vista Verde Ranch is also a great favorite forsolo travelers searching for a wide-open space and an escape to nature.

WHAT TO DO IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

The ranch has many outstanding riding experiences. Beginners can take a trek through the incredible Rocky Mountains. Meanwhile, the more experienced can participate in the full cattle round up every September. Vista Verde Ranch invites guests to head out and help round up the cattle before the snow arrives. There’s a lot of ground to cover, too. 16,000 acres of forested land in total. This high adrenalin activity is definitely a bucket list activity with a difference. However, it’s not for the faint hearted.

WHAT IS SNOGA

The ranch is also introducing SNOGA this winter. This is really a trek and a yoga session combined. Guests snowshoe out to a rustic cabin for a yoga class by a cozy fire. All levels are welcome and the teacher adjusts the session to the level of the guests. After yoga, the guests snowshoe back to their own private cabins.

Vista Verde is quite unlike the usual trekking ranches. They take great pride in helping guests with all levels of riding abilities to improve their skills and enjoy the experience. In fact, Vista Verde’s “horse program” kicks off with an orientation that works from the ground up.

HOW TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH A HORSE

The staff first teach guests how to communicate with their assigned horse and understand the language of equines. The ranch wranglers take time and care to pair each guest with the horse most appropriate for them, and this will be their “own horse” for the week. This allows riders to develop a unique and special relationship with their horse during their stay. And it makes all the difference in the ranch experience.

HORSEBACK RIDING A LA CARTE

After that, each guest can create what they want. They can go on leisurely and scenic trail rides through the Aspens or attend specific clinics in the arena. The ranch also offers small group lessons or instructional trail rides for guests who want to learn specific riding techniques for real time situations. Each rider can choose how much they want to put into or get out of the time they are on horseback. 

For the chillier months there is an indoor heated arena for winter riding. Furthermore, lessons and clinics are available for all riding levels. For those who simply wish to enjoy the mountains, there is something magical about trekking with a blanket of fresh snow under hoof. Then there’s also the opportunity to head out on one of the ranches very own horse sleighs. The latter is a great favorite among guests.

OTHER ACTIVITIES AT VISTA VERDE RANCH

Although the Vista Verde Ranch is famous for all things equine, they also provide diverse activities. Guests can enjoy everything from cross country skiing and sleigh rides to photography and wine tasting courses. The ranch is well known for its wine collection, having received the coveted Award of Excellence by the Wine Spectator.

The ranch has 15 private log cabins with hot tubs on each deck and three lodge rooms. Each of the cabins is named after the local mountains. They are rustic on the outside but cozy and luxurious inside. Most are spacious, with a sitting area for relaxing with a favorite book while keeping warm around the wood-burning stove under the star lit sky.

Read more about the best travel experiences in the world in Travelife Magazine.

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The benefits of working in nature are undeniable. A recent case study showed that the wellbeing of employees increases by being away from urban life. 22% of participants felt less depressed and more calm and happy when they were working and living close to nature. Now the Swedish government hopes to further boost workers’ mental health, especially now when remote is working increasingly taking a toll on many people’s wellbeing.

THE WORKATION TRAVEL TREND

Swedish researchers investigated the benefits of the new popular workation travel trend which combines work with a vacation. Traveling less often and staying longer in one place reduces the negative impact on the environment. Furthermore, a workation provides a sustainable alternative for people growing tired of working remotely from their home.

Swedish and International reseach has shown that exposure to a natural environment is beneficial for our health in many ways. The study, which was conducted in cooperation with researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet, did a case study over two weeks.

This case study included five people who were monitored when working from their usual home office for one week. Then they were monitored at an accommodation close to nature, just outside the capital of Stockholm for another week.

BENEFITS OF WORKING IN NATURE

The study showed clearly the benefits of working in nature. Mental health and wellbeing increased by 22%. Participants felt less depressed. In fact, the stress they perceived decreased by 48% after the week spent in nature. In addition, sleep quality also improved. The participants fell asleep 51% faster. They experienced longer and better quality of sleep when they were working from their nature offices.  

OUT OF OFFICE OFFICES IN SWEDEN

The new Out Of Office Offices include some of the best workation accommodation options across Sweden. They are spread across the country and are all unique in their own way. Whether these offices are located in the archipelago or in the forest, they are all close to nature. These offices offer beautiful scenery for calm and creative days while also being fully equipped to suit a work-from-home lifestyle.

“This last year has accelerated the development of workation travels,” said Nils Persson, Chief Officer, Marketing and Communications at Visit Sweden. He added: “We think that this is a travel trend that is perfectly suited for the time we are living in at the moment.”

EXPERIMENT RESULTS

• Study participants felt mentally better working in nature during the experiment period than during the working week before.
• The perceived stress of participants decreased by 48% while cognitive stress decreased by 50%.
• The wellbeing of participants also increased by 22%. They felt less depressed and more calm, harmonious and happy.
• Overall vitality increased by 27%. Participants felt more alert, energetic and strong.
• Participants fell asleep 51% faster and each sleep bout lasted in average 23% longer.
• Significant decrease of depressive symptoms (such as inertia, general concern and lack of interest) by 44%.

Photo credits: Tina Stafrén / Visit Sweden

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Guests can now pay with two of the most popular cryptocurrencies instead of the usual cash or credit card. The introduction of the crypto payment option at this famous Swiss lifestyle hotel further promotes mainstream usage of cryptocurrency in the hospitality industry. The Chedi Andermatt is implementating this in partnership with payment service provider Worldline and the Swiss cryptocurrency service provider Bitcoin Suisse.

Many hotels and their clients regard making payments with Bitcoin or Ethereum as attractive, safe and convenient. Four years ago, The Chedi Andermatt began thinking about accepting cryptocurrencies as a service to guests. However, these needed to be done in a secure way, with risky rate fluctuations circumvented. Fortunately, WL Crypto Payments from Worldline met these conditions satisfactorily. The Chedi Andermatt is now one of the first Swiss hotels using Worldline cryptocurrency infrastructure.

PAYING WITH BITCOIN AND ETHEREUM AT THE CHEDI ANDERMATT

“We’ve known for a long time that cryptocurrencies have a future in the hotel business,” said Jean-Yves Blatt, General Manager of The Chedi Andermatt.

He continued: “As cryptocurrency payments become ever more widespread and gain ever more acceptance, we are proud to be one of the first Swiss luxury hotels to offer guests secure cryptocurrency payment options. This makes a clear statement to our clientele that we are open to new technologies, as we offer this new payment experience as an additional service.”

Hotel guests can pay at the front desk of The Chedi Andermatt with Bitcoin and Ethereum for amounts starting at CHF 200.00. They can do this just as easily as they can with conventional means of payment. With WL Crypto Payments, the hotel can now accept payments in cryptocurrencies without subjecting guests to volatility risk. The cryptocurrency transactions are immediately converted into Swiss francs following confirmation.

CRYPTO PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR SWISS HOTELS

“Worldline enables acceptance of all national and international means of payment,” said Marc Schluep, CEO of Worldline Switzerland. “We provide the latest payment technology in the interest of a smooth payment experience for guests. Recently we added cryptocurrencies at the POS to the means of payment we cover. We’re very glad The Chedi Andermatt as an industry leader is now joining this exciting new development.” 

Following the launch of the new cryptocurrency payment option at The Chedi Andermatt, further crypto projects are planned together with Bitcoin Suisse.

OTHER HOTELS IN EUROPE ACCEPTING BITCOIN

Elsewhere in Europe, many other hotels are considering accepting bitcoin and ethereum payments from guests. The new La Esperanza Granada hotel and private villa in Andalucia, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, has also announced that it is planning to accept cryptocurrency payments soon.

The Pavilion Hotel Group has also announced that it will be accepting payments by bitcoin at The First Roma Hotel and The First Dolce in Rome, The Pavilions Lisbon and The Pavilions Madrid.

Read more about luxury hotels in Europe in Travelife Magazine.

Photos of The Chedi Andermatt are courtesy of the hotel.

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