For travellers returning to Southeast Asia, the appeal is no longer limited to the familiar rhythm of beaches, poolside afternoons and island escapes. Increasingly, the region is being discovered through its landscapes, traditions, cuisine and slower, more immersive experiences. Where stays becoming a gateway to experiencing the destination itself.
From the limestone landscapes of Ninh Binh, the cultural richness of Chiang Mai to the island energy of Koh Samui, these destinations offer a different way to experience Southeast Asia.
137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers a very different perspective on Thailand, where the experience extends well beyond the country’s celebrated beaches. At 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai, the historic character of the property provides a natural introduction to the city’s cultural and colonial heritage, while its location makes it easy to venture further into northern Thailand.
The destination invites a slower kind of exploration. Like discovering local markets, temples and neighbourhoods, experiencing northern Thai cuisine, or venturing into the surrounding countryside. The region’s craft traditions and Lanna heritage add another layer to the journey, making Chiang Mai particularly rewarding for travellers who want to connect with the culture behind the destination.
Jiva Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
In northern Vietnam, Jiva Hoa Lu places the landscape firmly at the centre of the stay. Set amid the dramatic karst formations and waterways of Ninh Binh, the property offers an opportunity to experience one of Vietnam’s most distinctive regions at an unhurried pace. Days can unfold around the surrounding countryside — from exploring the waterways and limestone scenery of Trang An to cycling through rural villages and discovering the cultural heritage of the ancient Hoa Lu capital. The experience is less about ticking off attractions and more about spending time within the landscape, with the hotel providing a tranquil base from which to explore it.
Samujana, Koh Samui
Koh Samui may be synonymous with tropical beaches, but Samujana offers a different way to experience the island. Its private villas create the space for travellers to move beyond the conventional resort routine and shape their days around the destination. The property also sits alongside a rocky beachfront, offering a more natural coastal setting rather than the traditional sweep of a sandy resort beach. A stay can mean exploring local food and island life, heading out on the water, discovering quieter corners of Koh Samui or simply gathering with family and friends around a private villa. The emphasis is on flexibility and privacy — allowing the island to become part of the experience rather than simply a backdrop to it.
Capella, Bangkok
In Bangkok, the experience shifts from natural landscapes to the city itself. Set along the Chao Phraya River, Capella Bangkok offers a perspective of the Thai capital that is rooted in its riverside setting, the neighbourhoods, culture and culinary traditions that surround it. Rather than treating Bangkok simply as a stopover, the property provides a base from which to engage with the city at a more considered pace. Exploring historic communities, discovering local food, visiting temples and galleries or simply spending time along the Chao Phraya reveals a side of Bangkok that goes beyond its familiar landmarks. Here, the destination becomes as much a part of the stay as the hotel itself.
Together, these destinations reveal another side of Southeast Asia: one shaped by landscapes, heritage, food and the freedom to explore at a more personal pace. For travellers who have already experienced the region’s iconic beach destinations, the next journey may be about going a little further inland, taking the slower route and letting the character of each destination lead the way.
