Alila Luang Prabang (NEW)

Luang Prabang, Laos
Local It architect Duangrit Bunnag loses the stones and bare cement with this brand new Alila property, his quietest, most meditative yet. One could argue that he did little more than repaint an old colonial-era prison, tile the floors and drop in some well-crafted furniture. But we like to think that this marks a return to elegance in the world of minimal design hotels. With private gardens and pools, the retrofit packs the latest accommodation trends into a deceptively simple design.
Trippin’: The outdoor sandpits to light a little fire in your suite’s private garden during the cool months.
Rates start from US$170 (B5,135). +856-7126-0777, www.alilahotels.com/luangprabang

East Hotel (NEW)

Hong Kong
Enough with the countryside. Let’s head to the skies, kick back in a suspended bubble seat and enjoy dizzying views of Hong Kong harbor. East pitches itself as a business hotel—and is in a very business-focused district—but with a few sexy friends and some bottles of bubbly, we’re pretty sure we could become oblivious to the surrounding suits and have a swinging time in a Harbour Corner room.
Trippin’: The 32/F Sugar “Bar.Deck.Lounge” is a pretty sweet spot to watch the sunset with cocktail in hand.
Rates start from HK$1,250 (B4,865). +852-3968-3968, www.east-hongkong.com

W Retreat Koh Samui (NEW)

Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Speaking of bubble seats and real-life moments lifted straight from a Hed Kandi album cover, W has finally landed in our fair kingdom, starting with Samui (the place by the old Russian embassy, on Sathorn, is still under construction). This waterside property manages to be modern without being boring thanks to its use of bright colors and futuristic shapes.
Trippin’: A submerged sofa in an infinity pool with a panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand.
Rates start from B19,000. www.whotelkohsamui.com

LIT Bangkok (JAN, 2011)

Pathumwan, Bangkok
We’re longtime fans of architectural firm Vaslab. But the bold showroom they designed for Honda, near the Crystal Design Center, was never opened to the public; so we’ve been left to hunger for a chance to experience their deconstructivist architecture in the flesh. With its detached façade and series of terraces, LIT won’t just be a cool hotel: it’ll be a great new hangout in a part of town that has plenty of art (BACC, Jim Thompson) but not many exciting places to chill.
Trippin’: Bathtubs with views of central Bangkok.
Rates TBA. Behind Bangkok Art and Cultural Center, opposite MBK and Siam Discovery Center.