From the revival of elegant hilltop hideaways to bold cruise explorations through Asia and an exciting new train adventure in Thailand, the season is filled with travel wanderlust.
As Asia embraces autumn, travellers are already mapping out their plans for the warmer months ahead, while also slipping off to weekends of blissful exploration, and our October Wunderlist round-up has a little something for every world wanderer, from China and Bangkok escapes for families and the chance to dive deep in the Indian Ocean, to doses of well-deserved pampering in Dubai, Hoi An and Bali.
Thousand Island Haven
Located in China’s “city of a thousand islands”, the new Angsana Zhoushan is set against the Wujian Mountain, overlooking the Thousand Island Coast just east of Shanghai.
Perfect for weekend escapes from the city, the new 222-room and villa resort is perfectly suited for families and is just 15 minutes from the ferry terminals, with direct boat access to both Putuo Mountain and Dongji Island, ensuring a vibrant yet tranquil base to connect with nature and local culture.
Inspired by Zhoushan’s maritime heritage, the hotel’s design incorporates textures from fishing nets, knots, feathers, and stone, while guest rooms and villas combine natural materials with modern comforts (we love the villas featuring private onsen pools).
This is an Angsana, so expect plenty of holistic pampering at the Angsana Spa, as well as the Angsana Onsen with its 16 outdoor pools and a dedicated children’s pool. There’s also a gym, indoor heated pool, yoga and meditation spaces, and a terrace for morning stretching.
Foodies will also be spoiled with innovative Cantonese cuisine at Chun Feng Restaurant, global and local flavours at Market Place, light, health-focused creations at Lingbo, and afternoon tea in the lobby lounge with panoramic views.
Families should look out for the “Angsana 101” programme, which offers cultural experiences such as fish basket weaving, cloisonné enamel making, sea salt lantern crafting, and traditional incense card workshops. For younger guests, the Terra Kids Club features both indoor and outdoor spaces for ages 3 to 6, encouraging exploration and creativity through play.
Time to Dive Deep
Indian Ocean resort Avani+ Barbarons Seychelles Resort is launching a new series of freediving experiences in partnership with Freediving Seychelles founder Sophie Walsh, the nation’s first certified freediving instructor and a national record-holder.
During the year-round encounter, guests can experience freediving in a safe and inspiring environment, whether through introductory pool-based sessions or open-ocean dives, with highlights of the programme including a full-day excursion by boat to Beau Vallon, where participants can practice freediving at two spectacular dive sites, Baie Ternay Marine Park and Lilo’t Island.
Tailored for small groups, the experience includes equipment, training and also the option to earn an internationally recognised AIDA Level 1 Certificate.
For younger water babies, Avani+ Barbarons also offers youth-focused courses, starting from age seven, blending water safety with confidence-building underwater games and the chance to gain a Dolphin Freediving Certificate.
The Power of Light
Talise Spa at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah has launched a selection of red-light therapy experiences, redefining intentional wellness with science-backed treatments to enhance physical performance, restore internal balance, and empower guests on their path to holistic well-being.
Red light therapies are proven to promote cellular repair, boost collagen, reduce inflammation, enhance circulation, and support recovery, and the new experiences include Red Light Yoga (a first for Dubai), during which yoga is practiced on medical-grade red light mats, helping to ease muscle tension, calm the nervous system, and support flexibility, with the light penetrating deep into the tissues, aiding recovery and promoting overall balance; and Red Light Therapy Bed sessions (available from November), which offer guests a full-body immersion in healing light to stimulate cellular regeneration, reduce muscle fatigue, and improve overall skin tone and elasticity.
Also look out for LED Light Therapy Face Mask sessions, which deliver a targeted skincare boost and can be added to any body treatment at Talise Spa to address a range of skin concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and dark spots; and Red Light Repair Therapy, a versatile add-on treatment that uses advanced, flexible LED technology to target both aesthetic and recovery goals, with guests able to tailor their session to support clearer skin, smoother texture, or muscle and joint relief.
Fun for the Kids in Bangkok
Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has introduced an imaginative sea-inspired kids club and themed Sealife family suites.
Surrounded by vivid underwater scenes, the Kempinski Kids Club offers a playful and immersive environment that sparks joy and curiosity with coral reef-inspired carpeting, wave-like ceiling patterns, and interactive sea life murals that feature Loma the Dolphin, Tuli the Turtle, and Silo the Seal, three cheerful marine mascots who guide young guests through a world of discovery, creativity, and fun.
From arts and crafts to storytelling, imaginative games like Ocean Clean-Up, and group play, children will be cared for by trained professionals while enjoying activities that promote environmental awareness and social engagement. A well-stocked pantry and cosy reading corners ensure comfort throughout the day. The club is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, offering parents peace of mind as they unwind elsewhere in the hotel.
Just steps away, the Sealife Family Suites extend the sea-themed journey with a vibrant, whimsical design that caters to both play and rest. Located adjacent to the Kids Club, each suite is hosted by the same marine mascots and features an undersea-inspired play space, complete with bunk beds, a treasure chest of toys and games, and souvenir sea sacks filled with surprises like a Kids’ Club passport, colouring book, and stickers.
Parents, meanwhile, can enjoy generous living areas, elegant furnishings, walk-in closets, and king-size beds that create a relaxing sanctuary for the whole family.
Wellness in Paradise
Conrad Bali will launch the new Conrad Spa this month, a reimagined wellness sanctuary dedicated to personal growth, immersive wellness, and cultural enrichment.
The Conrad Spa has been thoughtfully designed for global travellers seeking meaningful self-discovery and enriching experiences that begin with an Authentic Welcome Ritual, where guests are served a Lavender Blossom welcome drink, crafted from lavender flowers, butterfly pea flowers, green tea, black apple tea, and rose buds, a refreshing blend that sets the tone for relaxation and renewal.
Menu highlights include the Conrad Custom Massage, a fully personalised treatment that empowers therapists to intuitively respond to each guest’s unique needs, offering a massage experience that is free from routine and rich in authenticity; the Chakra Balancing Healing Massage, a rejuvenating massage combined with a chakra balancing ritual and crystal healing session; and the First Light Movement, which uses ISUN products during a five-phase treatment that includes an essential oil body wrap, a muscle-melting massage, and a graceful hand ritual, leaving guests glowing and revitalized.
Also, look out for the Conrad 5 Breaths Ritual, a grounding and awakening practice performed at the beginning and end of each treatment. This ritual guides guests through five intentional breaths while activating pressure points to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting deep relaxation and presence.
With a modern and sustainable approach, the Conrad Spa (formerly the Jiwa Spa) also introduces new amenities, including the Conrad Pantry Concept, a semi-private relaxation lounge, and a revamped retail layout, all thoughtfully crafted to elevate the guest journey. After each treatment, guests are invited to unwind with a serving of hot ginger tea and locally inspired snacks such as granola cubes, bamboo charcoal cookies, and dried fruit balls, a nourishing conclusion to a truly restorative wellness experience.
New Cruises for 2027-28 From Explora
If you’re an avid cruiser, you’ll love the new itineraries on offer in 2027-28 from Explora Journeys, which include the brand’s inaugural Journeys through Asia and the debut of EXPLORA V. Sailing from September 2027 to May 2028, the Collection includes close to 100 Journeys visiting 59 countries and nearly 200 destinations.
Asia will take centre stage as EXPLORA III embarks on the brand’s first-ever Journeys through the region. Over the course of 28 immersive Journeys, the ship will visit 47 destinations across Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Keelung and Kaohsiung – each one a maiden call.
With overnight stays in Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Okinawa, Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Ho Chi Minh City and Bali, guests will have the time and space to engage with local life in greater depth. From autumn’s blaze of maple and ginkgo trees in Kyoto to spring’s ethereal cherry blossoms in Shimizu and Nagoya in Japan, the Journeys align with Asia’s most evocative seasons. The itineraries will also coincide with major cultural events, including Golden Week during the stay in Shanghai and Chinese New Year celebrations onboard in January 2028 – marked with themed entertainment and traditional festivities.
Meanwhile, the line’s newest ship, EXPLORA V, will launch in December 2027, beginning with a distinctive approach to the Mediterranean. Her opening collection of Journeys explores the region during its quiet season, when softer light, cooler temperatures and fewer visitors allow for a more intimate encounter with culture and history.
The inaugural Journeys include 27 destinations across nine countries, with a maiden call in Salerno, gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Time ashore in places like Messina (Italy), Split, Dubrovnik and Kepez (Türkiye) allows for deeper exploration, while an overnight stay in Istanbul brings the city’s East-meets-West legacy to life.
A highlight of the season will be New Year’s Eve in Naples, where guests aboard EXPLORA V will enjoy a spectacular view of the city’s legendary fireworks display from the sea – a dazzling way to ring in the New Year.
After the Med, EXPLORA V will journey east to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula, where she joins EXPLORA I to offer a remarkable series of itineraries through Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
Luxury on the Rails in Thailand
A new luxury train is arriving in Thailand this November. The Blue Jasmine, a former Japanese sleeper train from the 1950s that’s been lovingly restored, will uncover the country’s charms as it explores temple-filled ancient capitals, serene riverscapes and historic UNESCO sites.
Boasting 10 carriages, this beautiful blue-hued train, operated by DTH Travel, will cater to just 37 guests on each journey, which will span nine nights and five provinces, round-trip from Bangkok.
Guests will visit key destinations like Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, with itineraries including boutique accommodation, gourmet meals, and guided excursions that include visits to Chiang Mai’s old town, ethical elephant sanctuaries, artisanal workshops and both the Crystal and Golden Temples, known for their dazzling mirrored interiors.
Hilltop Revival
Next month sees the return of luxurious Laotian retreat La Résidence Phou Vao after a comprehensive renovation that celebrates its rich heritage while introducing new contemporary luxuries.
Perched atop the tranquil Phou Vao Hill (known as the “Hill of Kites”), this reimagined sanctuary, now managed by HMD Asia, the acclaimed operators of Cambodia’s Shinta Mani Hotels, offers sweeping views of Luang Prabang’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and sacred mountains and elegant new spaces created by Sanya Souvanna Phouma, a direct descendant of the Laotian royal family that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary elegance.
Set within three acres of lush tropical gardens, the hotel’s architecture is a seamless blend of traditional Lao design and French colonial charm, and the new interiors fuse contemporary luxury with timeless Lao elegance, with all guest suites featuring newly rebuilt bathrooms, bespoke furnishings, handwoven textiles, and curated artworks that celebrate the property’s storied past.
The restaurant has also been completely reimagined as a French Brasserie, offering a refined yet approachable menu of timeless and contemporary French dishes. Alongside this, guests will be invited to discover a thoughtfully crafted Lao tasting menu, celebrating the rich flavours and culinary heritage of the region.
A New Look for Iconic Singapore Resort
With a renewed energy at the water’s edge, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove has unveiled 240 redesigned rooms and suites inspired by a tropical microcosm.
The transformation—on the heels of a phased renewal of SKIRT, the hotel’s signature open-fire restaurant, the spa, pool area and social spaces—offers cosmopolitan lines that nod to the city-state’s spirited history, with organic curves and verdant tones echoing Sentosa’s flora and fauna and the marina’s deep blue drifting through spaces anchored by warm wooden wall panels and floors with plush carpets.
All details of the refreshed rooms are intended to connect today’s modern traveller to the neighbouring marina cove’s idyllic charm and surrounding island views—best enjoyed from private balconies featured across most room categories.
New additions include Super King or Double Queen beds—both larger than the usual bed types found in most hotels—complemented by a pillow menu, vibrant coral-orange sofas echoing the glow of Sentosa’s sunsets, and new tech-forward touches, from 65-inch TVs to in-room Nespresso machines. Moments of repose also await with the choice of a rainforest shower or a separate bathtub, enhanced by MOMO bath amenities and indulgent robes.
Wellness in Vietnam
This November, Lumina Wellbeing unveils two signature all-inclusive retreats at Namia River Retreat, Hoi An’s first and only five-star wellness-inclusive resort.
Curated for wellness lovers seeking depth, transformation, and mindful luxury, the two programmes are designed to honour Vietnamese culture while offering contemporary pathways to holistic wellbeing. Together, they present two distinct yet complementary journeys that are rooted in Lumina Wellbeing’s philosophy of mindful, all-inclusive wellbeing.
The Vietnamese Herbal Detox (12–16 November 2025) is an all-inclusive retreat curated by Lumina Wellbeing in collaboration with Vietnam Detox, pioneers of Buchinger therapeutic fasting in Vietnam.
This immersive five-day experience is rooted in the art of fasting and Vietnamese herbal traditions, and guests will be guided through a holistic cleanse of freshly pressed juices, herbal broths, and teas while engaging in wellness learning, cultural immersions, and mindful movement.
The programme includes herbal workshops, reflexology, space-cleansing rituals, guided cycling through Hoi An, meditative river walks, and tailored spa therapies at Lumina Wellbeing Spa.
Alternatively, Nourish: Earth to Essence (21–24 November 2025) is a four-day journey into conscious living during which guests are invited to reconnect with their inner essence through conscious experiences, eco-somatic movement, and inner sustainability practices, interwoven with regenerative farming activities and explorations of Hoi An’s vibrant community.
From interactive cooking classes and mindful movement to systemic constellations and local excursions, the retreat blends ancient wisdom with modern leadership practices. It is designed for visionary leaders and seekers ready to align with purpose, drawing strength from nature while cultivating clarity within.