Considering a luxury holiday to Asia this year? When it comes to destinations, you’ll be spoilt for choice, and in this particular region of the world, opulence often comes surprisingly at a good price. High-end hotels and fine dining restaurants are easy to find if you know where to look, and in some countries, even food market stalls boast Michelin stars. But you can still expect to pay a premium to eat and drink like royalty in certain countries, depending on which you choose.
To give you an idea of the wild variations in cost between each country, here, we take a look at a handful of destinations and how they compare – but ultimately, the amount you spend will depend on what you want to get out of your trip, and the sky really is the limit.
Singapore
One of the pricier inclusions on this list, Singapore is one of the cleanest nations in the world and attracts high-flying businessmen and women from across the globe throughout the year. It’s also a popular stopover spot for those visiting one of the many other destinations across South East Asia but, for the luxury lover, is more than worth your time in its own right.
Home to numerous high-end hotels including the Mandarin Oriental Singapore and Raffles – where the famous Singapore Sling cocktail was originally dreamt up – perhaps the most iconic of all is the spectacular Marina Bay Sands, which is spread over two towers and welcomes a host of affluent and celebrity guests throughout the year. Its lavish casino is a huge draw for the world’s high-rollers, who come to play with money to burn, while the two-Michelin starred Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda is undoubtedly the most sought-after dining spot in town.
Thailand
Thailand is by far the most popular tourist hot spot in South East Asia, and with good reason. Home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the world and offering up an array of tiny paradise islands to explore, it also offers mouth-watering cuisine, incredible history and culture, amazing wildlife and a seemingly endless array of opulent, high-end hotels – what more could you possibly want from a trip?
Thailand is popular with backpackers and budget travellers because of its incredibly affordable prices, but luxury lovers also flock to destinations like Phuket and Khao Lak each year to enjoy a restorative break in one of Thailand’s many spectacular resorts.
Pakistan
Pakistan might be one of the lesser travelled countries in Asia, but that also means it’s one of the best places to enjoy a luxurious experience at minimal cost. Several luxurious five-star hotels have sprung up in major cities over recent years, along with several exotic resorts and opulent guest houses in some of the major tourist hot spots.
In 2021, Condé Nast crowned Pakistan its number one travel destination of the year, and it seems they might just be onto something. Home to some breath-taking natural landscapes and a rich and intriguing culture, it could be about to see a major tourism boom – which means now is the perfect time to go. As long as you pay in PKR to avoid hefty GBP fees, a two-week stay here could be one of the most cost effective luxury breaks you’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying.
Indonesia
When it comes to the world’s most photogenic destinations, the island of Bali, Indonesia is easily one of the best. This beautiful place has become increasingly popular in recent years, initially with backpackers and low cost travellers but now increasingly amongst those keen to splurge on the finest luxury break money can buy.
The vast array of five-star hotels on offer here is quite simply breath-taking, and you can choose from those overlooking verdant forests and rice paddies to hideaways offering stunning ocean views – almost invariably with the infinity pool of dreams.
Because of the growing interest in the island, Bali has become increasingly westernised, which has driven prices up – but along with it, standards have become higher. It’s still possible to dine like a local for just a couple of pounds, but if you’re looking to splash out on a multi-course tasting menu with a wine flight, then you’ll have plenty of options in hot spots like Seminyak and Nusa Dua.
Average cost of a luxury break in Asia
With such dramatic variation in the cost of a stay at a luxury hotel or dinner at a high-end eatery between countries, calculating an average cost for a two-week trip is almost impossible – and of course, this is just a taster, because there are numerous other nations located in this region.
You can, however, gauge a rough idea once you’ve started to make some decisions about what you want out of your holiday. First, you’ll need to decide which destinations you’d like to include in your itinerary and whether you’d like to include more than one country, as well as how much you’d like to move around whilst there and whether you’d like to take domestic flights in order to save time. You’ll also want to consider any activities and excursions you’d like to do during your getaway.
Ultimately, it’s possible to spend as much or as little as you like – however, one thing is for certain; luxury is readily available in Asia, and you’ll have little trouble planning a lavish holiday you’ll be telling everyone about for years to come.
