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© yohanes.budiyanto, 2012

What a tremendous year of travel 2011 was. From Bali to Bangkok to Beijing; and from Saigon to Samui; to Dubai and Chiang Mai; it was such an amazing experience that I had to pinch myself to reassure that I was not dreaming.

Mega blockbuster Mission Impossible:4 has certainly rekindled my memorable experience at Armani Hotel Dubai, which is easily one of the highlights of 2011 travel. Arriving in the hot arid desert temperature, I was welcomed with the cool and ultra-glamorous design by Giorgio Armani, then only to be informed by one of the very helpful and hospitable Lifestyle Managers that Tom Cruise was recently filming scenes of the movie at the hotel and also the tower. It was a dream stay that I have been waiting so eagerly since its opening, and not only it finally comes true; but it exceeds all my expectation. Every aspect of the stay was truly breathtaking and memorable. The Bentley ride was awesome; the views were spectacular; the Italian food was sinfully delicious; the service was outstanding; the Armani-branded amenities are luxurious; and the in-room technology is truly mind-boggling.

Then came the unique stay at the Four Seasons Tented Camp at Golden Triangle in Thailand where guests arrive at the main resort compound through the Ruak river by speedboat and are warmly welcomed by the camp hosts who will guide guest through the resort, pre-arranged an itinerary for activities during the stay and escorted guests to the unique tented camp amidst beautiful and rejuvenating bamboo jungle. It was truly blissful and out of this world. The all-inclusive activities include cruising the Mekong delta with visits to local market and temples; Mahout training and elephant riding; spa sessions by the jungle and right down to all-inclusive food by the restaurants and room service; and the complimentary drinks by the tent's minibar and the resort's beautiful Burma Bar. It is literally heaven on earth.

The two experiences above are truly out-of-this world and who would ever wonder that there was still another hotel stay that could top these? Yes, it seems hard to believe, but my perennial favourite Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong in Hong Kong still tops my chart for the sixth year running. It was truly unbelievable. After 6 years, it has never ceased to impress me.

Foodwise, 2011 is another year of exciting dining adventure. I had the pleasure of sampling the fine dishes from the kitchens of the most amazing chefs, including Gordon Ramsay (Verre, Dubai); Nobu Matsuhisa (Nobu, Atlantis Dubai); Alvin "The Maverick aka Demon Chef" Leung (Bo Innovation, Hong Kong); Ignatius Chan (Iggy's, Singapore); Gray Kunz (Upper House, Hong Kong), Naoki Okumura (Aman Summer Palace); Justin Quek (Sky on 57, Singapore); Daniel Boulud; Henrik Yde-Andersen (Sra Bua, Bangkok); Mansur Memarian (Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab Dubai); Michael Han (Fifty Three, Singapore); Ebbe Volmer (Jaan, Singapore); Man-Sing Lee (Man Wah, Hong Kong) and Richard Ekkebus (Amber, Hong Kong).

Caprice at the Four Seasons Hong Kong was my favourite last year. This year, it is the Two Michelin Star Amber at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Chef Richard Ekkebus was so kind to say hi to our table and also presented a special Quail dish he cooked just for me as a special gift later that night, which was not even available in the menu. I dedicated a whole day just for Amber from breakfast until dinner, totalling 20 courses. It's worth to put a few kilos of weight for it.

Pictured above is the ultra-glamorous dining room at Amber in Hong Kong.

38 hotels stayed in 2011 and here are the best of the best:

1. Best Hotel
Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
#1 for the 6th consecutive year, since 2006

2. Best Resort
Four Seasons Tented Camp at Golden Triangle, Thailand

3. Best Room
Landmark Mandarin Oriental: L900 Landmark Suite
Armani Hotel, Dubai: The Signature Suite
The Upper House, Hong Kong: The Upper Suite
W Retreat Koh Samui, Thailand

4. Best Bathroom
Landmark Mandarin Oriental
The Upper House, Hong Kong
W Retreat Koh Samui, Thailand

5. Best Bed
Four Seasons Tented Camp at Golden Triangle, Thailand
Armani Hotel, Dubai
W Hong Kong

6. Best Service:
Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Armani Hotel, Dubai

7. Best In-room technology
Armani Hotel, Dubai

8. Best In-room amenities
Signature Suite @ Armani Hotel, Dubai
Stamford Crest Suite @ Swissotel Stamford, Singapore

9. Best Architecture / Design
Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing
Armani Hotel, Dubai
Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
The Upper House, Hong Kong
W Retreat Koh Samui, Thailand

10. Best Hotel Food
Armani Hotel, Dubai
Four Seasons Tented Camp at Golden Triangle, Thailand
Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
St. Regis Resort, Bali

11. Best View
Armani Hotel, Dubai
Address Downtown, Dubai
Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong
The Peninsula, Bangkok
Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore
Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Swissotel Stamford, Singapore

12. Best Pool
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
The Address Downtown, Dubai
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Hong Kong

13. Best Health Facilities
Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing
Four Seasons Tented Camp at Golden Triangle, Thailand
Grand Hyatt, Jakarta
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai

14. Best Spa
The Oriental Spa, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
The Dheva Spa, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
The Elemis Spa, St. Regis Bangkok

15. Best Location (Hotel)
Address Downtown, Dubai
Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Park Hyatt, Beijing
Park Hyatt, Saigon

Best Location (Resort)
Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing
Four Seasons Tented Camp at Golden Triangle, Thailand

16. Best Value
Armani Hotel, Dubai
Four Seasons Tented Camp at Golden Triangle, Thailand

CHECK THIS OUT TOO:
BEST OF 2010
BEST OF 2009

© yohanes.budiyanto, 2012

Let's cleanse ourselves from all the less positive past (year) and get ready for a very positive new year..
Happy New Year 2012!!!.. Best wishes..

Fantastic Suite
W Taipei

© yohanes.budiyanto, 2011

I can smell Christmas from my porch and I simply could not wait for my upcoming trip to this special place on the very Christmas Eve where the views are truly breathtaking; the atmosphere is that of pure relaxation and romantic; the design is unique; and the concept is groundbreaking. All amidst the hustle and bustle of an Asian metropolis, a city of contrast. It has made me overly excited this past few weeks and I can't wait to board that first midnight flight soon.. I will be 'home' this Christmas..

As for the Best of 2011? It's coming soon too. But here is a sneak peek of what represent the best of the year. Yes, you all have guessed it right by the look of the picture.. Easy one :D

© yohanes.budiyanto, 2011

An overview of Amanusa's beautiful pool amidst lush tropical gardens.

AMANUSA
Nusa Dua, Bali

General Manager: Sean Flakelar
Executive Chef: Hamish Lindsay
Architect: Kerry Hill

www.amanusa.com

© yohanes.budiyanto, 2011

Amanusa is one of the trio Amanresorts in Bali and is probably one of the most "accessible" resorts within the aman family, being conveniently located at the famous Nusa Dua Beach area where most of Bali's chain megaresorts from Grand Hyatt to Westin to St. Regis are to be found. Amanusa is situated on a more remote, hilltop location above the adjoining golf course away from the crowd; which makes it a golfer's ultimate paradise. Although it is not a beachfront resort, Amanusa still has access to the beach with its private beachside cabanas.

The feeling at Amanusa is much more contemporary than any of its other sisters, who usually exude a strong local culture and architecture. Thanks to Kerry Hill, Amanusa feels somewhat modern despite its Balinese thatched roofs; but that is probably its charm to offer a slight variation from its other Balinese sisters at Amankila and Amandari.

AMANUSA
Nusa Dua, Bali

General Manager: Sean Flakelar
Executive Chef: Hamish Lindsay
Architect: Kerry Hill

www.amanusa.com