#1 Bangkok

Tuk Tuk in Bangkok Asia’s Best Awards 2022 Cities

There are endless reasons why Bangkok long-reigned as the most visited city in the world — and the metropolis is picking up just where it left off pre-Covid. If warm smiles, spicy street food, and feeling the wind in your hair as you glide through the city on a motorbike or tuk-tuk are appealing, Bangkok certainly hits the mark. If you prefer high-threadcount linens in your private-pool suites and Michelin-starred meals, the city also has you covered. Whether you’re just spending a night en route to the islands, using Bangkok as a hub for further exploration of Southeast Asia, or visiting for what we advocate should be a dedicated vacation in its own right, there is no shortage of options.

A handful of great hotels opened during the pandemic, and the newest on the scene is the upcoming Standard in the Mahanakorn King Power building. With diverse, delightful new restaurants to try — think the whole gamut, including elevated Thai spot Lahnyai Nusara, upscale ramen destination No Name Noodle, and modern-Latvian cocktail-forward The White House — you might want to invest in a pair of those elastic-waisted elephant pants just for the trip home. When night falls, exciting Old Town spots like Mahaniyom and Opium are among the hottest new drinking establishments. No matter how much time you have to spend in Asia’s City of Angels, you’ll be wooed once again.

TOP 10 ISLANDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

#1 Phuket

Phuket Old Town Asia’s Best Awards 2022 islands

It is no secret that Phuket has enjoyed the strongest reopening post-Covid, so little surprise that for 2022 the easy-to-access destination was crowned winner of the best islands category in the first ever Asia’s Best Awards. Since the most famous isle in the Andaman Sea hosted the region’s first Sandbox program, which allowed vaccinated visitors to enjoy a more relaxed version of quarantine, the destination off the southwest coast of Thailand was a viable getaway for months when other tropical getaways were closed to tourists or challenging to access.

In addition to the sandy stretches of postcards and the buzz of Patong, Phuket is home to a wide range of neighborhoods – do you want uber-luxury, beach club party vibe, local hipster, family friendly, or yoga and detox? There are plenty of unique accommodations, outdoor activities, and attractions to explore on Thailand’s largest island. And wow, is Phuket Town coming into its own; take a day’s break from the beach for photogenic Sino-Portuguese architecture and a thriving food and bev scene.

New hotel openings are compelling reasons to return to the island now, as are events like the impending international sailing regatta Phuket Raceweek June 29 to July 3 – and the fact that, minus the pre-Covid group tours that thronged the island, you can see the famed islands of Phang Nga Bay with fewer folks blocking your view… well, for now. Happily, direct flights make it a viable weekend trip from many cities in Asia and perhaps a slightly longer stint from elsewhere around the world.

#2 Koh Samui