Navera Phuket in Thailand is a coastal resort where patrons can admire the Andaman Sea in privacy and comfort (Photo: MGallery Hotel Collection)
Vacation season has hit its peak. Whether you are exploring the bustling Japanese capital or finding peace in the African wilderness, spare no expense when it comes to comfort. Pick from these luxurious hotels when planning your next adventure.
1 Hotel Tokyo
Japan
US-based 1 Hotels has always put two things at the forefront of its mission: providing luxurious stays around the world and keeping sustainability at its core. Those who love to travel mindfully and in style will be familiar with their offerings ranging from London to Copenhagen. In May, the hospitality company introduced its first property in Japan, 1 Hotel Tokyo.
Located in Akasaka Trust Tower, near the Imperial Palace Gardens and Roppongi, the hotel channels the feeling of a little oasis of greenery in the bustling city. It boasts 211 rooms, including 24 suites and three penthouses. The nearby tourist spots are alluring, but one might be hard-pressed to leave when lush amenities such as the pool, hammam, gym and spa beckon a visit.
Leaning fully into nature-led design, the space features plants in every nook and cranny of its public areas and rooms. Ōya stone — a volcanic variety from Tochigi prefecture — is used in various decorative elements, linking the hotel closer to the country’s landscape.
Environmentally conscious efforts are evident in doors made of recycled timber from the building’s construction site itself and hangers made from responsibly sourced rubber. A filtered water faucet in each room encourages guests to refill bottles rather than buying new ones, and a sand hourglass by the shower acts as a gentle reminder of their water consumption.
The gin-focused lobby bar, Spotted Stone, takes a low-waste approach by making use of as much of each ingredient as possible. Citrus skins are reprocessed and juiced into homemade cocktail syrups. The 1 Less Thing programme invites visitors to leave behind unwanted clothes for donation, while the hotel also holds upcycling lessons and workshops on composting kitchen waste.
Meliá Serenity Cam Ranh Beach Resort
Vietnam
If the idea of a seaside vacation abroad appeals to you, look no further than Vietnam’s Cam Ranh. The pristine coastal city boasts white sand beaches and blue waters best admired from the comfort of a cosy stay. Spain’s Meliá Hotels adds to the area’s opulent waterfront lodgings with Meliá Serenity Cam Ranh Beach Resort. Set in Long Beach, the establishment offers private villas, beachfront bungalows and single rooms. These tranquil quarters act as a gateway to wellness, with guests encouraged to indulge at the on-site Yhi Spa or kick back at one of eight eateries. The resort opens on Oct 1, and welcomes kids and pets so loved ones can join in the holiday.
Ubuyu
Tanzania
Opening in August, Ubuyu is the latest addition to the Banyan Tree Escape brand that upholds an eco-conscious ethos with thoughtful hospitality. The retreat, situated amid storied baobab trees and roaming fauna in the undiscovered jewel of Ruaha National Park, will offer a slice of reprieve honouring the protected area’s ecological and cultural setting.
Enkang, the traditional circular settlements of the Maasai ethnic group, largely inform the resort’s design, with communal lounges and corridors flowing seamlessly with the surrounding terrain. At its crux is the Living Room, which embraces a “Disconnect to Connect” concept and acts as a gathering place to form meaningful ties within a shaded, wall-less space.
The six villas — comprising one- to three-bedroom configurations — are built with intention. Organic shapes reflect vernacular architecture and the curves of the nearby Ruaha River while furniture made from Mninga, an African hardwood, is carved by artisans.
Adventure can be expected over the course of one’s stay. There are opportunities for thrilling wildlife encounters during game drives, on walking safaris, or high above the plains in a hot air balloon. Accompanied by guides, visits to the Isimila Stone Age Site pull guests further into the land and lives of its people. These experiences encourage individuals to become a more introspective version of themselves.
Capri by Fraser
Malaysia
Penang is a popular getaway for tourists and locals alike. Its heritage lanes house history and Michelin-starred bites, drawing those with a discerning eye and appetite. For those seeking to explore George Town and its cultural offerings, the recently opened Capri by Fraser allows visitors to connect with the region, whether for short trips or longer, leisurely ones. Housed in a preserved shophouse and a 22-storey tower along Jalan Magazine, the hotel boasts 248 rooms and residences. The most sumptuous option is the 1-Bedroom Premier, which comes with separate living and dining areas as well as a kitchenette for a home-away-from-home experience. The property is pet-friendly, with special amenities and exclusive grooming partners to pamper your furry friends.
Eha
Estonia
Nestled on Hiiumaa, an island in the Unesco-protected West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, is Eha, which will soon welcome patrons in October. A meeting point between woodland and ocean, this sanctuary is enclosed by the Baltic Sea and centred around untouched natural landscapes, far removed from the din of city life.
Designed by visionary Tiit Trummal, the property mimics the country’s architectural traditions. Lodgings are sleek and airy, consisting of secluded suites and forest houses with reed-thatched roofs alongside windows that frame the expansive views of the great outdoors. Interiors feature an earth-toned palette as well as tactile furnishings made from sustainably sourced oak, linen, limestone and wool.
Furthermore, refined dining affairs are unveiled. Helming the kitchen is a Michelin Green-Starred chef, who will prepare rich plant-based and pescatarian-forward dishes using ingredients such as wild seaweed and fermented berries.
Yearly seasons — including a fifth, transitional period known as Springrise — determine the rhythm of available wellness programmes. A standout is the thermal suite, derived from local sauna culture, where steam rooms, cold plunges and hydrotherapies help to detoxify the body.
Activities such as gardening, tea ceremonies and estate trails also allow guests to immerse themselves in the native environment, finding kinship with the landscape through mindful and attentive approaches. These initiatives reinforce the establishment’s philosophy of a quiet reset — both physically and spiritually.
Navera Phuket
Thailand
Set to launch later this year, Navera Phuket is the newest coastal resort by hospitality brand MGallery Collection, uniting Sino-Portuguese heritage with contemporary maritime design. Equipped with a personal pool and butler service, each of the 48 suites and villas is built with the highest quality of comfort and privacy in mind. Those staying as a family or group of six can bed down in the Stargazer’s Suite, a 190 sq m residence that features nautical and celestial motifs, as well as an expansive balcony ideal for viewing the night sky. To round out their stay, patrons are encouraged to explore the Andaman Sea — from paddleboarding near Surin Beach to cruising between Laem Sing Cove and Waeo Island.
These articles first appeared on July 20 and 27, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
