Minor Hotels Dominates T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026
Global hospitality giant Minor Hotels has shattered its own records by securing an unprecedented 31 accolades at the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026. Cementing its status as an elite hotel supplier Indonesia and regional leader, the group’s flagship luxury brand, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, was officially voted the #1 Favourite Hotel Brand of the Year. From sweeping top rankings for luxury resort furniture architecture and design to optimizing regional hospitality procurement Bali and Southeast Asian operations, Minor Hotels secured five distinct number-one positions across critical destinations. This sweep spans from the UNESCO-protected properties in Laos to premium wilderness sanctuaries in Thailand, establishing a highly visible benchmark for world-class hospitality excellence.
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Minor Hotels Celebrates Record-Breaking Performance at T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026
Anantara Voted #1 Favourite Hotel Brand as Minor Hotels Secures 31 Wins Across the Region, including five prestigious number-one rankings
Minor Hotels, a global leader in hospitality, has surpassed its own benchmark with a record‑breaking 31 accolades in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific, up from 26 the previous year. Adding to this achievement, the group’s flagship luxury brand, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, has been named the #1 Favourite Hotel Brand of the Year, highlighting its resonance with travellers.
In Laos, Avani+ Luang Prabang set within a UNESCO World Heritage Site achieved the top spot as the #1 Best Hotel, with General Manager Max Chin also earning the title of #1 Best General Manager. The property further distinguished itself with high rankings in both the Best Hotel Pools and Best Hotel Spas categories. Rounding out the top honours, the serene riverside retreat Anantara Chiang Mai Resort was voted the #1 Best Upcountry Hotel in Thailand and also secured a #6 ranking for Best Hotel Pools.
The group’s success was evident across the region. In Vietnam, Anantara Hoi An Resort, set within a pocket of riverside greenery, was named #2 in Best Upcountry Hotels, while Anantara Quy Nhon Villas was recognised for excellence in spa services. In Bali, another hinterland gem, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, added to the momentum with a placement among the Best Upcountry Hotels.
In the Maldives, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas received five accolades, including #2 for Best House Reefs, #3 for Best Resorts, and top rankings for Best Resort Pools, Best Resort Spa and Most Outrageous Villas. Niyama Private Islands Maldives also performed strongly, with its exclusive Crescent compound ranked #3 for Most Outrageous Villas and its Drift Spa recognised among the favourites at #6.
Thailand remained a stronghold for the group, with Anantara Layan Phuket Resort ranking #3 in Best Beach + Island Resorts, while its spa — the whole‑of‑life wellness concept Layan Life by Anantara — was recognised among the top five in Best Hotel Spas. On another iconic Thai island, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort was likewise recognised among this year’s Best Beach + Island Resorts. Up north, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort secured #2 in Best Upcountry Hotels, with its jungle‑facing pool also earning a #6 ranking in Best Hotel Pools. In the Thai capital, the newly renovated grand dame Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel achieved #10 in Best City Hotels.
Minor Hotels’ unique travel experiences also received high acclaim. In the Transportation category, Mekong Kingdoms connecting Luang Prabang, Vientiane and northern Thailand, and Loy Pela Voyages, which sails between Bangkok and Ayutthaya, were ranked #2 and #4 respectively for Best River Cruises, showcasing the group’s versatility in luxury travel.
Further recognition was achieved in Cambodia, where Anantara Angkor Resort and FCC Angkor by Avani both placed in the Best City Hotels category, with Anantara Angkor also receiving an additional accolade in the Best Hotel Pools category. In Malaysia, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas was celebrated for its exceptional pool and resort facilities.
Additionally, GHA DISCOVERY, was recognised as the #1 Hotel Loyalty Programme. Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognises its guests through Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.
“The T+L readers have spoken and, with a record 31 awards, Minor Hotels stands among the region’s most celebrated hospitality groups,” said Nicholas Smith, Vice President Operations – Asia, Minor Hotels. “I am particularly proud of Anantara being named the region’s favourite brand, and of our teams in Laos and Thailand for securing their number‑one positions. These results reaffirm that our focus on innovation and on creating standout guest experiences continues to resonate with travellers.”
The Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific are based on the results of a readers’ survey, serving as a trusted guide for travellers seeking the very best in quality, service and amenities.
See the full rankings below:
Region-Wide Favourite Hotel Brand
Anantara Hotels & Resorts #1
Cambodia
Best City Hotels - Anantara Angkor Resort #4
Best City Hotels - FCC Angkor by Avani #6
Best Hotel Pools - Anantara Angkor Resort #9
Indonesia
Best Upcountry Hotels - Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, Bali #4
Laos
Best Hotels - Avani+ Luang Prabang #1
Best Hotel Pools - Avani+ Luang Prabang #3
Best Hotels - Anantara Spa, Avani+ Luang Prabang #4
Best General Managers - Max Chin, Avani+ Luang Prabang #1
Malaysia
Best Beach, Island + Upcountry Resorts - Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas #8
Best Hotel Pools - Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas #3
Maldives
Best Resorts - Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas #3
Best House Reefs - Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas #2
Most Outrageous Villas - The Crescent, Niyama Private Islands Maldives #3
Most Outrageous Villas - Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas #4
Best Resort Pools - Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas #4
Best Resort Spas - Anantara Spa, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas #4
Best Resort Spas - Drift Spa, Niyama Private Islands Maldives #6
Thailand
Best Upcountry Hotels - Anantara Chiang Mai Resort #1
Best Upcountry Hotels - Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort #2
Best Beach + Island Resorts - Anantara Layan Phuket Resort #3
Best Beach + Island Resorts - Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort #8
Best City Hotels - Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel #10
Best Hotel Pools - Anantara Chiang Mai Resort #5
Best Hotel Pools - Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort #6
Best Hotel Spas - Layan Life by Anantara, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort #5
Vietnam
Best Upcountry Hotels - Anantara Hoi An Resort #2
Best Hotel Spas - Anantara Quy Nhon Villas #5
Transportation
Best River Cruises - Mekong Kingdoms #2
Best River Cruises - Loy Pela Voyages #4
Hotel Loyalty Programme
GHA DISCOVERY #1
Editor’s Note on Brand Resilience: "Minor Hotels' leap from 26 to 31 awards within a single year proves that premium operational execution pays massive dividends in guest satisfaction. Anantara securing the #1 Favourite Hotel Brand spot is not a fluke; it's a testament to how effectively their immersive, localized resort strategies are dominating the modern luxury market."
