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From the spiced delights of Singapore’s hawker centres to Koh Samui’s powdered beaches and serenity among Bali’s emerald highlands, the best way to explore Southeast Asia’s array of experiences is with a multi-stop escape.
In this hyperconnected corner of the world, you’ll find frequent flights, modern airports and surprisingly inexpensive tickets (albeit rising in price as a result of global conflict), all making intraregional travel slick and simple. So, while cross-country adventures have long been considered a rite of passage for backpackers, a new generation of travellers is doing it their way, swapping shoestring budgets and crowded trains for curated experiences and refined comfort. Map out your route and you can experience a continent’s worth of culture in one trip, exploring street markets, temples and dazzling skyscrapers by day, then retreating to the sophisticated calm of a stylish retreat. After all, you’ve already flown 10+ hours to reach Southeast Asia; you might as well make the most of it.
From the buzz of Bangkok to the multicultural riches of Singapore, and from Thai island escapes to Bali’s spiritual corners, Hilton’s curated portfolio of properties ensures you’ll always enjoy a sanctuary from the urban rhythm. Try these itineraries to experience the best of Southeast Asia – without the backpack.
Itinerary one: a foodie adventure
In this corner of the world, food is at the heart of culture. From humble street food stalls to lofty Michelin-star restaurants, that combination of sweet, sour and salty is treated with reverence. This is where fresh produce feels like the deepest indulgence, with ingredients from land and sea turned into works of art right in front of your eyes.
Whet your appetite in Singapore
Singapore is the original melting pot, where every culture adds another layer of flavours for this nation of foodies. Dining out here is a revelation, whether it’s an elegant rooftop dinner or a late-night meal at a hawker centre. It’s the perfect place to start your journey. Hilton Singapore Orchard invites you to live like the locals. You’re set right on Orchard Road, Singapore’s most famous street, where upmarket shops and cafes rub shoulders with elegant restaurants. And you don’t even have to leave the hotel for great food. With five eateries to choose from, you can try Estate, the hotel’s buffet restaurant, known for Friday and Saturday night seafood buffets and Sunday brunch Singapore-style. Alternatively, go for local delicacies at Chatterbox and afternoon tea and cocktails at Ginger.Lily.
On to the culinary buffet of Bangkok
As multilayered and artistic as the city it calls home, KROMO Bangkok, Curio Collection by Hilton is inspired by the capital’s nickname “the city of nine gems”. A haven of opulence in jewel-coloured hues, the design embraces Thai-French style, as does the cuisine. Classic French bistro fare is served in the restaurant Colette, named after the iconic French author of Gigi and boasting cocktails inspired by her real-life travels. Head to the rooftop infinity pool and bar for sundowners and snacks, or venture out to explore the upscale Sukhumvit neighbourhood with its glamorous malls and vibrant nightlife. You’ll also find your pick of street food favourites right on your doorstep.
Sizzling seafood in Hua Hin
Where the city meets sea and sunset views, you’ll find Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa. It’s the perfect base for devouring sizzling seafood straight from the grill at the nearby Hua Hin night market and Cicada market. Set right on the beach, the hotel is great for gourmands, too. Sip sundowners at the 17th-floor rooftop bar – the highest in Hua Hin – then retreat to the White Lotus Restaurant for mouthwatering Sichuan and Cantonese dishes with Gulf of Thailand views. Gingerfire Restaurant honours Asian culinary heritage with its cuisine, while Chay Had Restaurant and Lounge combines Mediterranean cuisine with a Thai twist and beach vibes.
And for a sweet finish, Bali
In Nusa Dua, take advantage of Conrad Bali’s superb location on the pristine beach, where the Indian Ocean seafood is fresh, varied, and world class. The food at the hotel’s Indonesian Suku restaurant includes satay selections, Sumatran-style beef and Balinese prawns. And you’re not short of choice. Try beachfront dining in a Balinese pavilion at Eight Degrees South, eating fresh snapper and barramundi with a sea view. Or head out from the hotel with the culinary team to explore the Amed sea salt farm, or take a guided trip to Astungkara Way, the local organic farm from which the resort sources much of its produce.
Itinerary two: find sophistication without breaking the bank
One of the greatest draws of Southeast Asia is its accessibility. Here, you don’t have to pay a fortune to experience vibrant culture and world-class design. Food stalls can earn Michelin stars and if you choose the right hotel, you’ll experience great locations and be wrapped in comfort while enjoying uncompromising value.
Dive right into Singapore’s Little India
Singapore’s cityscape is interwoven with the influences of the cultures that call it home. Little India is perhaps the most evocative and colourful spot to make your base. Think glittering temples and street art, fabulous food and colonial-era shophouses. Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon sits at the heart of it all, just steps away from the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple. Take in the cityscape from the pool, enjoy all-day dining at Together and Co, then head out to explore Tekka market, a fantastic foodie hawker centre, or head to the nearby MRT station for trains across the city.
Find your vibe in buzzing Bangkok
Get ready for a sensory overload, this big, bustling city is a mix of tradition and modernity, temples and skyscrapers, and it is truly captivating.
For local flavour and a pocket of serenity, check in to Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside. Located one street back from the Chao Phraya River in the Khlong San district, the hotel has a relaxed, riverside retreat feeling in the heart of the city, with well appointed rooms (the hotel is only a few years old) and a culturally immersive vibe. Step just outside the doors, and find yourself in a jumble of charming street markets and authentic eateries; yet the Iconsiam centre is just steps away, offering world-class shopping, cultural performances, and upscale dining.
If you want to be in the centre of everything, DoubleTree by Hilton Bangkok Ploenchit is your base for exploring the vibrant Thai capital. The hotel brings the spirit of the city indoors, with cutting-edge contemporary design inspired by Bangkok’s urban cityscape. The business district is right on your doorstep, with its glittering towers and buzzing nightlife, as is Embassy Row, with its fantastic shopping and lush Lumphini park. Looking for a quiet retreat? Head to the hotel’s outdoor pool, or make a beeline for the day spa and treat yourself to a Thai massage.
Explore island life in Phuket
For white sands and the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, head to Phuket. In the heart of lively Patong, DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort offers a slice of calm as well as easy access to all the excitement. Think lush gardens and dreamy pools with swim-up bars, relaxed dining at the two restaurants, the Port and the Shore, and coffees and craft beers at Brew 33. The all-new Beer Bar is great for sunset views, too. The hotel has been recently revamped, every room has a balcony and there are also pool-access rooms. The soft sands of Patong beach are just a short walk away.
And unwind on the beaches of Hilton Garden Inn Bali Nusa Dua
Just a short walk from the soft sands, Hilton Garden Inn Bali Nusa Dua is a family-friendly haven where you can relax with a cocktail by the pool and soak up the best of the local culture. Join a Balinese cooking class, learn to make canang sari, the daily Hindu offerings placed at shrines in a show of gratitude, or take a tour of nearby temples to experience sunset views and Kecak dance performances. The hotel itself is bright and airy, has a great kids’ club and water sports are available at the nearby beach.
Itinerary three: a truly elevated escape
In Southeast Asia, luxury comes in so many different forms; with cityscape views from a glittering skyscraper, privileged access to a stretch of pristine sands, or as a hideaway tucked within lush landscapes where the silence is broken only by the local wildlife.
Start in style at Conrad Singapore Orchard
Near the Unesco-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens, Conrad Singapore Orchard is a green retreat that begins your journey with a splash of glamour. Set in a verdant, residential neighbourhood, you’ll have the galleries and dining options of Dempsey Hill on your doorstep. The hotel is also your local guide, offering cultural encounters to explore Peranakan heritage, edible garden walks in the nearby Singapore Botanic Gardens and nature walks, as well as culinary crafts. The hotel itself has 10 bars and restaurants to choose from: dine on Michelin-starred Cantonese fare at Summer Palace and Italian treats at Basilico, with its signature cheese room, and sip sundowners at Manhattan, which regularly appears on World’s 50 best bar lists. Take afternoon tea in the Teas Lounge, or head for the oh-so-cool East47, an Andy Warhol-inspired cocktail creation studio found behind drapes in the Manhattan bar.
Try the high life at Waldorf Astoria Bangkok
Towering over the city centre, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok combines Thai opulence and New York style with jawdropping Bangkok vistas. Here, you’ll soak up those skyline views, whether you’re swimming in the rooftop infinity pool, or sipping cocktails in the 57th-floor bar. A hotel that’s a destination in itself, you can indulge in Thai-inspired treatments at Waldorf Astoria Spa, dine out at Bull & Bear, famed as Bangkok’s highest steakhouse, or opt for decadent cocktails at award-winning The Loft. Heading out? Whether you’re looking for cultural sights like Erawan shrine or designer style at Louis Vuitton’s LV The Place and Cafe Dior, it’s all on your doorstep.
Find the ultimate beach escape at Conrad Koh Samui
When you think of those lush island landscapes and brilliant sands of southern Thailand, you’re picturing Conrad Koh Samui. A private cliffside retreat overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, here villas are set on stilts among the palms, offering infinity pools and panoramic views. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy morning yoga and nature-inspired spa rituals, relax on the private stretch of white sands, or dine on island-inspired cuisine with produce from the resort’s own Iris Farm (Koh Samui’s largest working farm). And you can enrich your stay with experiences ranging from Thai cooking classes to island-hopping adventures, tea sensory workshops to traditional long-tail boat experiences.
And soothe your soul at Umana Bali, LXR Hotels and Resorts
From one island escape to another, finish up with a luxury stay that is rooted in the philosophy of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy – the three causes of wellbeing; a blend of nature, people and spirituality. Umana Bali villas tumble down the hillside towards Melasti beach, where you can enjoy Uma Beach House, the resort’s day club. That said, each villa offers its own infinity pool and hot tub. And each stay is enhanced with immersive experiences, whether that is cultural interactions, local cuisine or wellness offerings inspired by ancient Balinese wisdom. From sound healing and outdoor yoga to Balinese dance on the beach, temple visits and culinary experiences that range from cooking workshops to Bali wine-tasting, a restorative stay here will connect you to the beauty and heritage of this island.
To plan your next Southeast Asian adventure with Hilton, visit here
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