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Time Out
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
These are Asia's most beautiful hotels in 2025, according to the prestigious Prix Versailles
From an intimate retreat in bustling Bangkok to a remote private island resort in Cambodia, 2025 has been a good year for hotel openings in Asia. Among them, the cream of the crop – properties so beautiful that they've been given a nod by the prestigious architectural award, Prix Versailles. Every year, the Prix Versailles crowns gorgeous venues around the world: hotels, airports, passenger stations, and more. This May, they recognised two Asian museums among the world's most beautiful. For the World's Most Beautiful Hotels 2025 list, Prix Versailles considered not only visual appeal but also the blend of innovation, heritage, and sustainability in each property's design. Out of the 16 newly opened or reopened hotels recognised as the most beautiful this year, Prix Versailles chose five standouts from Asia. Picks range from Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, consisting of refined hutong courtyard houses in Beijing, to Namia River Retreat, a wellness getaway on a peaceful islet near Hoi An, Vietnam. One notable laureate is Ran Baas The Palace, which reopened in November 2024 within the oldest Sikh fort. It's Punjab's first luxury palace hotel – "a masterclass in heritage restoration – and a joyful celebration of Punjabi culture and heritage", says Time Out travel editor Grace Beard. She was lucky enough to check into the property this year – read her full review of Ran Baas the Palace here. Another cool addition to the list is MGallery Sosei Sapporo. The hotel is located in Sapporo Factory, a mega shopping and entertainment complex that was once Kaitakushi Brewery. The location is significant, harking back to the beginnings of Western trade and industrialisation on Hokkaido during the Meiji era. Prix Versailles describes it as "a dazzling world of contrasts", with Western-style salons and Japanese living quarters ensconced in an industrial exterior. And if you ask us, the MGallery hotel collection is one to watch out for – our travel contributor recently visited Legacy Yen Tu MGallery in northern Vietnam and found a wholly unexpected wellness escape. We'd be remiss not to call out one more laureate: Raffles Sentosa Singapore. It's only been three months since its grand opening, so it must be pretty impressive to make the Prix Versailles list. The Raffles brand is immediately noteworthy thanks to the iconic five-star Raffles Hotel Singapore, but its second property different creature entirely. For one, it feels a world away from Singapore's city centre (while being a mere 15-minute ride from it), set in a leafy 100,000 square metre compound on Sentosa Island. Here, "meandering footpaths lead to dining spaces and hidden nooks, all the way down to the seashore". Find out more about Raffles Sentosa Singapore here. That's plenty to choose from for your next holiday – but if you'd like more inspiration across Asia, here's our round-up of the best hotels in the region right now. Asia's most beautiful hotels, as recognised by Prix Versailles 2025: Mandarin Oriental Qianmen – Beijing, China Ran Baas The Palace – Patiala, India MGallery Sosei Sapporo – Sapporo, Japan Raffles Sentosa Singapore – Singapore Namia River Retreat – Hoi An, Vietnam
Scotsman
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Scottish city named among ‘World's 10 best cities for culture' in 2025 by Time Out
In compiling this year's list, Time Out used two data sources. First, more than 18,500 people around the world were surveyed about culture in their city. Each city was then ranked according to how locals rated the quality and affordability of its culture scene. They were also asked about the cultural venues, events and festivals they love the most in their hometown. This data was then combined with scores from a panel of Time Out culture experts – Time Out's global network of city editors and culture experts – who voted for their favourite destinations. To ensure the list reflects cultural cities globally, only the highest-scoring cities for each country were included on the longlist. Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, said: 'Time Out's annual ranking of the world's best cities for culture is the definitive travel guide for those seeking a cultural city break where experiencing art in all its forms is affordable and accessible. Informed by the insights of 18,500 city-dwellers and a panel of Time Out experts, this list reflects the global destinations where art and culture isn't confined to mammoth museums and major arts venues (though there are plenty of those). 'Think pop-up festivals in unlikely locations, late-night museum parties, and a new class of creatives pushing the boundaries of performing arts. Each of these 20 cities has a lively programme of cultural events alongside legacy institutions for the arts – that's why they're the cultural capitals of today.' Take a look through our gallery to see the top 10 of Time Out's Best Cities for Culture in 2025 – and find the full list of 20 here: 1 . World's 10 best cities for culture in 2025 named Time Out has released its annual ranking of the World's Best Cities for Culture - and Edinburgh occupies a lofty position on the prestigious list. Photo: Time Out Photo Sales 2 . 1. Paris, France Time Out says: 2025 is a big year for Paris museums, from the reopening of the Grand Palais with a stunning exhibition from Dolce & Gabbana to the temporary closure of the Centre Pompidou, bowing out with Paris Noir, an ode to France's Black artists in the late twentieth century. In the city of light, its arts scene is embracing after-hours culture, with museums leaning into late-night events, including at David Hockney 25 and at the Nuit des Musées in May, where a number of museums will mix culture, music and light late into the night. Photo: Pixabay Photo Sales 3 . 2. Florence, Italy Time Out says: Florence's culture scene is a melting pot of Renaissance splendour and cutting-edge culture, including Tracey Emin's exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, open-air movies at Villa Vardini and contemporary dance in a Roman amphitheatre. Florence received the second-highest number of votes from Time Out's arts and culture experts, while 73% of locals said the scene was top notch. Photo: Pixabay Photo Sales 4 . 3. Edinburgh, UK Time Out says: Best known to some for the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, this Scottish city is also home to brilliant museums, a rich literary history and electric live music. But, just when you think you've seen it all, something new comes along – like the buzzing Days Festival, back for a second year this May with its underground dance lineup. Europe's first museum of contemporary Palestinian art also opens its doors, while Chappell Roan lights up the Summer Sessions with her only UK gigs beyond Reading and Leeds. Photo: Pixabay Photo Sales Related topics: EdinburghCultureStaycationsScotland
