A season-by-season Asian hotel guide

Some parts of Asia experience a much subtler change of seasons compared to the rest of the world. Even so, some hotels in the region truly come alive at one special time of year. Our Asian hotel guide outlines why you should visit these four properties during spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Spring: Gangtey Lodge

Gangtey Valley, Bhutan

Though many plan their trips to Bhutan to coincide with the migration of black-necked cranes during the winter, early spring is when lush green grass fields and pink rhododendrons come alive across the gently undulating glacial valley encircled by the Black Mountains. Here you’ll find Gangtey Lodge,  a farmhouse-style inn with 12 suites, each featuring a balcony that allows you to take in the vast Himalayan panorama surrounding the valley. For another angle on the fertile flora, head to the bathhouse and dive into a traditional hot stone bath to soak away joint pains and minor ailments.

Summer: Shinta Mani Wild

Kirirom National Park, Cambodia

At this eco-friendly jungle retreat , guests slide straight into summer on arrival via a 380-metre-long zipline over lush canopy and the Tmor Rung river. After sipping on one of the tropical-themed liquid offerings at the Landing Zone Bar, guests head back to one of the 15 Bill Bensley-designed tents before exploring the surrounding 350-hectare private nature reserve on foot, by kayak, on the hotel’s river pontoon or by motorbike with Wildlife Alliance rangers, who protect the park’s gibbons, tigers and elephants.

Autumn: Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan

Guests at the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto , located in the historic Higashiyama district, should take advantage of one of the garden-facing rooms and suites as the city’s foliage adopts vibrant hues of red, orange and fuchsia. After visiting the hotel’s 800-year-old garden and attending a private meditation session at the nearby Kennin-ji Zen Buddhist temple, head to the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park as its maple and ginkgo trees don their autumnal outfits.

Winter: Kudadoo Maldives

Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives

Those looking for an escape from the dreary days of winter should head to one of the nearly 1,200 Maldivian islands, where the sun shines year-round but especially during winter’s drier days. Located on a private island, the Kudadoo Maldives resort  runs entirely on solar-powered energy. And so can you: with 15 one- and two-bedroom villas, all built over water, guests can take advantage of private sundecks to soak in as much vitamin D as possible.