The Best City Hotels in Asia in 2016

By Stephanie Wu
July 06, 2016
Courtesy of the Peninsula Shanghai
Asia’s biggest capitals are major destinations for both business and leisure travelers. Often, these travelers are one and the same: a huge number of business travelers in Asia tack on a weekend of sightseeing after a week in a conference room.

This is just one of the reasons why Asia has some of the best city hotels in the world. In cities like Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Beijing, which are saturated with visitors, the best hotels stand out for their convenient locations, up-to-the-moment design, and impeccable service.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated hotels on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value. Properties were categorized as city or resort based on their locations.

This year’s winners for best city hotels in Asia are in some of the continent’s busiest hubs. Large brands known to sophisticated travelers around the globe dominated the list — and those based in Asia made an especially strong showing, including the Peninsula, Swire Hotels, The Leela, Oberoi, and Mandarin Oriental. All are known for their five-star service, with staff who are often able to predict their guests’ needs before a request is made.

“A grand hotel with impeccable service in all areas,” one T+L reader commented about the Leela Palace New Delhi, which ranked third in the category. “The staff saw to our every need with a greeting and a smile.” 
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No. 10: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore

Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton

Score: 93.35

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No. 9: Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, Hangzhou, China

Courtesy of The Four Seasons

Score: 93.39

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No. 8: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand         

Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Score: 93.68

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No. 7: The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street

Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton

Score: 93.90

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No. 6: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental

Score: 94.11

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No. 5: Shinta Mani Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Courtesy of Shinta Mani Hotel

Score: 94.12

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No. 4: The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India  

Courtesy of the Oberoi, Gurgaon

Score: 94.42

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No. 3: The Leela Palace New Delhi, India

Courtesy of the Leela Palace New Delhi

Score: 95.06

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No. 2: The Opposite House, Beijing

Courtesy of the Opposite House

Score: 96.76

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No. 1: The Peninsula Shanghai

Courtesy of the Peninsula Shanghai

Score: 97.01

It tops the category for the second year in a row for good reason. You can see the Peninsula Shanghai’s incredible service from the moment you step out of the airport, where a fleet of Wi-Fi-equipped Rolls-Royce Phantoms pick up guests who book a Deluxe Garden Suite or higher. The rooms are beautifully appointed and designed for convenience. “The closets are the largest I have ever seen,” marveled one respondent. The much-loved hotel breakfast (with dim sum and Western options) is served in the lobby, which is big enough for families, but also has quiet nooks for conducting a bit of business.

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By Stephanie Wu