Banyan Tree Hotel

211 Upper Bukit Timah Road Singapore 588182

Thailand does ultra-luxe hotels extremely well but Banyan Tree Phuket edges to the top of our list. Although there are 150 villas, all with generous infinity pools, intelligent planting creates a sense of utter seclusion. Interiors have plenty of serene Thai influences such as silk screen prints, while fern-filled courtyards with huge baths offer yet more opportunity to luxuriate. If you can rouse yourself, there are plenty of world-class facilities to choose from, including spas and a golf course that winds through coconut groves. The property sits on old tin mine workings which were bought for a pittance by a canny developer and transformed into a 400ha holiday paradise that incorporates beautiful Bang Tao Beach and 30 restaurants and bars. There are even free 24-hour lagoon boats and shuttles around the site. Sunday brunch by the hotel’s main pool is an institution. A selection of delicacies from around the world includes fresh lobster, skillfully prepared sashimi and free-flowing champagne; our mouths water at the mere memory (banyantree.com).