Smart Travel Asia

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Online travel magazine for Asian hotel reviews . airline seat surverys . shopping . spas
An exclusive collection of the best Asian hotels, resorts and spas

Best in Travel Poll 2024 - Smart Travel Asia Magazine

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Which brands still retain that elusive feel good factor?

2025 Best in Travel Poll by Smart Travel Asia magazine - an annual reader vote

Our annual reader poll runs June through August with no paid-for nomination lists. This is a free, fair, and open poll with an unlimited universe. Do let us know your favourite airlines, hotels and destinations.


SAFETY

Volcano disrupts Bali flights

Mt Lewotobi erupts 18 June in East Tenggara, Flores.

PROFILE

Interview with Dr Iwan Dietschi, Senior VP Hospitality MGM China

'How Dietschi ups loyalty at MGM

SPACES

Tiny pod hotels can be big fun

Think social spaces, bars, cool design, and even views.

SHOPPING

Guide to the best airport duty-free shopping

Best airport duty-free rates

More stories in Smart Travel Asia

ESCAPES

Sandakan walk on the wild side with sun bears, turtles, orangutans

Sabah jungle retreat, no-holds-barred Chiang Rai fun guide, Manila, big Samui resorts review, a Hanoi grab-bag, a look at Vietnam beach resorts, top Penang spas and Bali resorts review.

AIRLINES

Finding the widest seats and best leg stretch spots in business class

Fear of Flying cures, widest seats in economy, the widest business class seats to Asia, Small Asian airlines open up remote regions. Plus Private Jet deals. And the B-737 MAX-8

TOP CITIES

Macau , churches, casinos, top beds

Hong Kong business hotels, a review of new Singapore eco-hotels, tips for fun in Macau, HK shopping guide, new Bangkok hotels review, wow Tokyo, top Seoul business hotels. KL shopping.

EDITOR'S RANT

New search engines drop invasive data scraping

Author - Vijay VergheseAs search gets swamped by advertisers, it is time for travellers to explore alternatives that protect privacy, wipe user tracks, and actually serve up useful results. And the names are fun too. Think Swiss Cows, Kagi, Duck Duck Go. That should be enough to pique some serious interest.

CHINA

Shanghai shopping for all tastes

Shanghai business hotels, the top Sanya fun guide and Xian, Shenzhen corporate meetings, family fun in Guilin, the best Beijing business hotels, and Guangzhou Canton Fair.

SOUTH ASIA

Goa fun guide to beaches, beds

Mumbai business hotels review, hot Gulmarg ski resorts, more on Bangalore business hotels, top tips in our Sri Lanka resorts review, Goa resorts review. A Kathmandu fun guide and Yangon.

ADVENTURE / SPORT

Best Asian golf from sea to sky

Phnom Penh, a detailed Mergui islands guide, wickedly good Tioman dives, an insightful Sabah fun guide to jungle adventure plus Himalayan Nepal Treks around the Annapurna Circuit. Plus Bhutan fun guide, and a look at the best Asian golf courses.

SPA ESCAPES

Taiwan spa hideaways

Taiwan spa resorts, and a Taipei fun guide with 22 must-do things. Plus our Taipei business hotels review.

ISLANDS

El Nido guide, resort reviews

Plus our Cebu resorts review for lovers, divers and an exotic Maldives resorts review for all tastes. Palawan resorts review.


Jim Thompson silk, Thai icon
Raffles Sentosa Centara Hotels & Resorts MGM COTAI JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok Regent Taipei MGM Macau Hotel Indigo Bangkok