Alila Villas Uluwatu (rooms from $675) is a favorite among the design-oriented resorts, which opened in 2011. With its breathtaking view and serene atmosphere, the 5-star resort has set the standard for a seaside getaway.
A cabana lounge and infinity pool at Bali's Alila Villas Uluwatu.
A room with a view. The Amanoi Spa in Vietnam's Aman Resorts looks out at a mountain view from its terrace.
Aman Resorts, rooms from $750, located on a rugged coastline an hour east of Ho Chi Minh City, opened in September. The free-standing bedroom pavilions are recommended of Gen Hershey of Beverly Hills travel agency Genuine Access.
The resort, reached via a flight on a custom seaplane with calf-leather interiors ($1,500 round-trip), roosts on five small islands and has four restaurants, a hammam and moonlit yoga classes.
Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy's new hotel group Cheval Blanc is winning rapturous reviews for its second property, which opened in November, a tropical haven with 46 villas boasting 23-foot-high ceilings and private pools (rooms from $1,300 a night) on the island of Randheli.
A garden villa at Cheval Blanc. The new resort brand is named after LVMH's acclaimed wine estate in Bordeaux.
The spa at LVMH's new Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives features the luxury company's Guerlain products and is located on its own dedicated island.
The Maldives already boasts an underwater suite (Conrad Maldives Rangali Island), spa (Huvafen Fushi) and restaurant (Hilton Maldives Resort). Now there are government-approved plans for an offshore resort, the futuristic Water Discus Hotel, courtesy of a Dubai developer, where every room will be 30 feet down.
Design-junkie fans of COMO hotels will flock to the 66 villas and suites Maalifushi (rooms from $800), which officially opens in April. Located in the very remote southern Thaa Atoll, it offers classic over-water spa treatment rooms and accommodations, with pale neutral furnishings, and a nearby deserted island for picnics.
A spa treatment room at Maalifushi by COMO.
The 5-star Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran is located near Jimbaran Bay, home to many famous seafood restaurants. It is the ultimate location to explore Bali and is a reasonable distance to the province's popular attractions. The resort features a 1,300-square-meter saltwater lagoon and the Serenity Spa and Salon.
An events pavilion extends out over the pool at the Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran.
Niyama, meaning discipline or restraint in ancient Sanskirt language, stays true to its name with its peaceful aura.
Niyama resort is located in the south-western atoll of Dhaalu and features over-water pavillions, 24-hour spa and floating restaurant and lounge. Underwater music club? Check.
On the more famed but increasingly overdeveloped island of Phuket is COMO Hotels’ Point Yamu (rooms from $457), located on the less-trafficked east coast and conceived by Italian design icon Paola Navone, who has created furniture for Armani Casa.
Point Yamu is located in Phang Nga Bay and is the 10th member of the award-winning 5-star hotel group COMO.
The all-suite Regent Bali (rooms from $360) has debuted in the exclusive Sanur District on the island's southeast coast, complete with a private beach, soft gamelan music in the morning and 10 acres of gardens filled with frangipani trees.
Reserve the 7,100-square-foot beachfront villa (from $1,600) with a view of a nearby island.
The Stairs, built by the visionary Philippe Starck, is located in the Petitenget neighborhood of Seminyak, Bali.
The Stairs comprises 12 private villas, each with its own swimming pool, that have been outfitted with pieces from different artists from around the world. The hotel is known to not mimic a particular trend or pattern, but represent the soul of Bali and the friendliness of its people.
The resort's arrival area.
One of Vana Belle's suites featuring ocean views and a private infinity pool.
Vana Belle resort is a prime location in Thailand for its beachfront view of the Gulf, luxury design and ivory sand.