Travel + Leisure Readers’ 15 Favorite City Hotels in Asia of 2025

From Hong Kong’s glittering skyline to the frenetic street markets of Bangkok, Asia’s top cities have captivated T+L readers with their blend of deep history and modern edge. In New Delhi, travelers are presented with a cultural feast of ancient forts, bazaars, and dynamic cuisine, while Kuala Lumpur dazzles with its sky-high towers and rich multicultural heritage. The immersive experiences in these cities also extend to their hotels, which are some of the world’s most luxurious and design-forward properties—and which stay in the imagination long after a journey ends.

How Voting Works

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

Regent Hong Kong City views from a lounge area at the Regent Hong Kong. — Regent Hong Kong

City views from a lounge area at the Regent Hong Kong.

What Readers Loved

Thailand, our 2025 Destination of the Year, remains ever-popular with readers, and this year is no exception. The Southeast Asian nation had four hotels on the list, including Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (No. 7), a longtime favorite for “service that’s best in class,” according to a reader. Another superfan noted that “my wife and I have stayed here over 250 nights over the last 23 years. They always welcome us back like it’s home.”

Rising up the list this year is the runner-up, EQ Kuala Lumpur, which improved from its No. 5 spot in 2023 (and was absent from last year’s awards). Located in the city center, the 440-room luxury hotel stood out for its “amazing food and accommodations,” and the “stunning view from Sky51,” referring to the property’s rooftop bar, which hosts live bands and DJs.

The highest ranked hotel from India is the recently renovated Taj Mahal in New Delhi (No. 4), and was joined by Taj Lands End in Mumbai (No. 10), which has sweeping views over the Arabian Sea. China, meanwhile, had five properties on the list, including the 213-room The Middle House (No. 10) in Shanghai’s Dazhongli neighborhood, known for its extensive art collection and sleek, contemporary interiors by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni.

Read on to learn this year’s winner, which earned a near-perfect score.

“My wife and I have stayed here over 250 nights over the last 23 years. They always welcome us back like it’s home.”

T+L Reader

The Winner

Regent Hong Kong

Not only did Regent Hong Kong take top honors in this category (improving on its runner-up status last year), but it was also the winner in our Hong Kong city hotels category. And it’s no wonder: This 497-room Kowloon property underwent a complete makeover in 2023, overseen by Hong Kong-born, Milan-based designer Chi Wing Lo, and is known for delivering on all fronts. As one reader put it, the Regent has an “incredible location, views, very sophisticated design, and attentive service.” Another reader concurred that “the view is just too beautiful. No one can compete with that,” referring to the hotel’s position overlooking Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Other first-rate amenities here include the rooftop terrace with three infinity pools; the Regent Club, a separate and exclusive lounge where guests can stop in for breakfast and refreshments throughout the day; and the Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, Lai Ching Heen, popular for its dim sum lunch.

World’s Best Awards 2025