Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2026: Asia’s most “worth-it” stay
Welcome to the Cathay Members’ Choice Awards. Our annual awards celebrate the very best in travel, dining and lifestyle – as voted by you, our global community of tastemakers
After counting the votes, we’re thrilled to announce the results of this year’s awards. Discover Asia's most “worth-it” stay, as well as the three nominees that made it to the shortlist.
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Winner: Natural Hot Spring Renka-no-yu Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo, Kyoto
Blending traditional ryokan touches with decisively modern digs, Natural Hot Spring Renka-no-yu Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo has become one of Japan’s most talked‑about value finds. Light wood features, plush beds, soothing onsen baths and welcome extras – from massage chairs to an authentic breakfast – craft an elevated experience that feels warm and considered. In a city like Kyoto, where comparably comfortable stays can cost far higher, this property stands out as a rarity synonymous with exceptional value, earning it more than a third of the votes.
Shortlisted nominees
Lohkah Hotel & Spa, Xiamen
You’re never far from nature at this urban oasis on the edge of Wuyuan Bay, the city’s “green lung”. Inspired by Xiamen’s coastal landscape, Lohkah pairs reflecting pools, mature trees and seamless indoor-outdoor spaces with a minimalist, almost monastic design for an instantly calming effect. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, the hotel also offers private balconies in every room, a 2,900-square-metre spa and the award-winning XIA Restaurant – all with nightly rates well below those of comparable hotels in the Chinese Mainland’s major cities.
Credit: Sean2008/Getty Images
98 Acres Resort & Spa, Ella
Set in the heart of Sri Lanka’s magical hill country, 98 Acres Resort welcomes guests into private wooden chalets overlooking tea plantations and misty peaks beyond. A secluded pool club, spa treatments featuring local tea, direct access to nearby trails, and a panoramic hilltop restaurant add to the appeal, while the architecture turns a spotlight on Sri Lankan vernacular – think pitched roofs, stone walls and open-air designs. The result is an immersive escape that feels like an extension of the landscape at a far more palatable price point than comparable stays in Bali or Japan.
Credit: lan Murdoch/Getty Images
Dwaraka The Royal Villas, Bali
Finding an affordable stay in Bali that still delivers on atmosphere and service is no longer a given. But Dwaraka The Royal Villas , tucked away amid tropical gardens and rice paddies in Ubud, outperforms its price point by a long shot. Thoughtful service, a secluded setting and graceful Balinese character come together for an effortless sense of jungle luxury. Beyond its spacious villas, the property also offers two pools, open-air dining and a tranquil spa, where treatments range from coconut scrubs and Balinese massages to candlelit rituals.