The Best of 2015

The Italiandesigned pool deck at The Reverie hotel, in Saigon.

the

BESTof 2015

COURTESY OF THE REVERIE SAIGON

T+L ROUNDS UP THE COOLEST NEW OPENINGS IN BALI, RANGOON, HONG KONG, SINGAPORE AND SYNDEY, PLUS A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REST OF THE REGION. FROM BOUTIQUE HOTELS, TO HOMEGROWN FASHION, TO BATTER-FRIED CHICKEN, EACH DESTINATION HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR.

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/ the BEST of 2015 / BALI RESORTS

NEW VILLAS REFLECT LOCAL CULTURE ON INDONESIA’S ISLAND IDYLL. BY DAVID NGO THE LEAF JIMBARAN Balance and well-being just come with the territory at this luxury villa retreat in Jimbaran Bay, a beautiful stretch of coast known for its quiet beaches and fresh seafood. The sprawling The Leaf Jimbaran retreat opened in October, with 40 private pool villas and 10 Leaf suites all designed to showcase the beauty of the outdoors. There is an onsite organic garden and glass walls facing lush private verandas to promote relaxation and harmony with nature. It is easy to unwind with a team of butlers, chefs, babysitters and personal trainers on call to take care of your every need, so you can focus on your

every want. theleafjimbaran.com; villas from US$309.

INAYA PUTRI BALI The design of this garden estate, with 460 rooms spread across 9.1 hectares, is inspired by a traditional Balinese rice-barn or jineng. The revamped Indonesian architecture is set against a backdrop of tropical splendor, all white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees. inayahotels.com; doubles from US$120.

K ATAMAMA The group behind the famous Potato Head Beach Club is softopening this 58-room boutique hotel in sea-front Seminyak this month. It is the group’s first foray into hospitality, and they are going big, offering some of the largest living spaces of any hotel on the island. The 268-square meter onebedroom penthouse has a spa bath, dining and lounge areas and its own bar spread across two stories of luxury living. Design and décor are

the handiwork of local craftsmen, including tiles from Java and terrazzo made on site. the-katamama.com; Garden suite from US$319.

PADMA UBUD There’s no such thing as a mediocre view at this river-valley oasis in Ubud, Bali’s cultural heart; every single room offers a stunning vista, be it overlooking the 89-meter infinity swimming pool or staring out across the leafy expanse of the surrounding bamboo forest. All the little details are on-point reflections of Ubud’s artistic community, from handcrafted lamps to carved wooden tables inlaid with opalescent shells. padmaresortubud.com; doubles from US$325.

Lounge or swim laps at Katamama, Potato Head Beach Club’s new resort.

Marquee lights, Mexican fusion and margaritas at Fahrenheit.

C O U R T E S Y O F FA H R E N H E I T. O P P O S I T E : C O U R T E S Y O F K ATA M A M A

RANGOON VIA CANCÚN

BURMA’S BIGGEST CITY IS DRUMMING UP LATINAMERICAN FLAVOR.

BY MERRITT GURLEY FAHRENHEIT Follow the shine of marquee lights to this festive Mexican fusion restaurant. “We wanted to offer a relaxed atmosphere that was welcoming and affordable,” says cofounder Jeewee van Rooij, “where people can drink and dance.” On weekends the place is packed to the gills with friends spilling out into the street-side seating, clamoring for the dangerous Beerita (a Corona served

upside-down in a pitcher of margaritas) and the savory Myanmar empanadas. fahrenheit bar.com; dinner and drinks for two K26,000. + NIGHT SHELTER The team behind Fahrenheit also launched the city’s first monthly club night in July. The party will rotate venues, but regardless of the location, the crowd can always count on a hot DJ and great beats.

Check facebook.com/EventsYG for upcoming dates.

HUMMINGBIRD This three-story dining concept set in heritage buildings has style points to spare. The first floor is a Latin American restaurant, the second level is a retro speak-easy, and the third floor is a fairy light strewn outdoor rooftop terrace.

The menu is a modern take on Latin-American dining—try the

rum-and-tequila-flamed prawns served with grilled watermelon, for example. hummingbirdyangon.com; tapas and drinks for two US$35.

TIN TIN A Mexican street-food-style restaurant and tequila bar, by 57below (57below.com), the group that brought you Union Bar and Grill, Gekko and Parami Pizza, has set up shop on Bogalazay Street.

The tacos, burritos and quesadillas are served up hot on industrialstyle copper, tin and timber tables.

The menu was put together by Mexican chef Jorge Bernal, formerly the chef at Loco Mexican in KL, so expect hand-rolled tortillas and margaritas that pack a punch. facebook.com/tintinyangon; dinner and drinks US$35.

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