It was almost 4am in East Asia, and the second-best hotel of the world distinction went to the Passalaqua to the astonishment of the hoteliers present and viewers online like me. The Lake Como Regina descended from her throne with grace and anointed the stellar sucessor by the Chao Phraya, the Capella Bangkok. The frenzy and cravings for Capella reached the unprecedented height when John Blancos, the general manager, received the accolade from the academy in the majestic Guildhall. It was a moment of triumph to the Asian hospitality. Excitement, exaltation, and enquiry weaved up the Siamoise zeal in the following weeks, and to sojourn in Capella Bangkok or not to was absolutely the question amongst my global trotter set.

The night is yet tender, I retire into the cozy chaise and start to reck on the sojourn. I confide to myself, now a return to Kowloon is justifiable: the Peninsula.

At the confluence of southwestern Cambodia’s Kirirom, Bokor and Cardamom National Parks is a bold eco-tourism endeavour: a luxury tented camp in an 350 hectare private nature sanctuary saved from a dire destiny as a hardwood logging site by the Shinta Mahni Foundation founders, accoladed architect duo - Bill Bensley and Jirachai Rendtong.

Zeal at 4am in Taipei, I rarely stay up but make an exception for the hoteliers I truly admire. The announcement of the world’s 50 best hotels, or the Oscar awards of the hospitality industry, deserves my precious time as the chairs of the academy and recognized hoteliers gather in London, and impatiently wait for the result. The list of 2024 indeed reflects the post-COVID frenzy for luxury travel and accommodations and also delivers a clear view about the developmental trend and prospect in hospitality.

Adorned by spotless sandy beaches and stunning coral reefs, Phu Quoc is the offshore destination of the Gulf of Siam. It is quickly evolving from an unknown isle to the in-stage nice scape in less than a decade. I can never imagine my virgin voyage to Vietnam not sojourning in the archaic Hoian or revering the high colonialism in Hanoi but a dash to the jolly seaside of Phu Quoc. Still, never can I resist the temptation to travel with my set wherever we agree on, exotic or generic.

When I first flipped and read the novel, Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, and again as I watched the superb film adaptation starring Johnny Depp years later, I was intrigued by the lavishness of it all.