Best of Travel 2022 – Eat, Stay, Spa

Best of Travel 2022

We were grateful to see countries opening up again mid-way through 2022, enabling us to satisfy our seemingly insatiable itch to explore the world once again. We got in a good six months of luxury gourmet travel and here reflect on some of the highlights in this list of Best of Travel 2022. (Click on the title links for specifics on each place.)

Best of Travel 2022

Destinations

Destination of the Year – Sardinia, Italy

Reasons to visit Sardinia: With crystal clear water (and nothing to bite you), a spectacular coastline that changes from north to south and east to west, incredible food and beverage, history, arts, culture and friendly hospitality, Sardinia topped our travel list this year. If you have not yet been, put it high on your list.

Best Day Out – Day Tour Cagliari with Sardinia Experiential

Reasons to visit Cagliari with Sardinia Experiential: all of our loves – good food, great wine, culture and the beautiful outdoors – were satisfied in an itinerary curated just for us that was highly enjoyable and informative. 

Best Undiscovered Gem – Thermal Spring Spas, Italy

Reasons to visit thermal springs spas in Italy: Italy is divided into 17 regions with over 320 certified thermal spas on Federterme’s list. Each flows with one of several types of thermal waters and offers health and beauty treatments designed to capture their natural therapeutic properties. The research base backing these treatments is so extensive that 90% are accredited by and claimable from the National Health Service. Visitors can find anything from rustic and affordable to super luxurious spas with fine restaurants and accommodation to match.

Best Outdoor Destination – Coffs Harbour, Australia

Reasons to visit Coffs Harbour: Located on the northern coast of NSW, Coffs Harbour and the surrounding region are rich in natural beauty. From the mountains to the sea, subtropical rainforests to wet eucalypt forests, rivers and hinterland, the great outdoors is not only celebrated but clearly mapped and pathed making it easy for strollers to adventure seekers to take pleasure in the pristine natural environment.

Best International Spa – Thalassa Sea & Spa, Pullman Timi Ama Villasimius

Reasons to visit Thalassa Sea & Spa: extensive facilities and a comprehensive menu based on the benefits of the sea; professional, highly-trained therapists; an absolute dedication to self and wellness; must experience at least once the Sensory Wellness Area.

Best Service with a Smile – Bali

Reasons to visit Bali: Alongside the natural beauty, luxury stay choices and happening food and beverage scene, the number one reason we keep returning to Bali is the warm and friendly service with a smile that the locals are known for. It’s one of the few places in the world where when asked how you are, people actually stop and pay attention to your answer.

Luxury Stays – Malaysia

Best Stay Sarawak – Cove 55 Luxury Seaview Villas

Reasons to visit Cove 55: boutique accommodation in a beautiful environment; quiet, luxurious nature retreat only 30 minutes from Kuching; lovely ocean and mangrove views; pretty grounds; fantastic infinity pool; excellent craft cocktails; friendly and genuinely kind and caring staff.

Best Stay Sabah – Shangri-La Rasa Ria

Reasons to visit Shangri-La Rasa Ria: direct beach access; some of the best sunsets in the country; integrated resort with extensive facilities including access to a top-notch golf course; beautifully manicured gardens; a more exclusive environment and rooms with a private jacuzzi on the balcony in the the Ocean Wing; a comprehensive range of activities and facilities for families in the Garden Wing.

Best Rainforest Retreat – The Datai, Langkawi

Reasons to visit The Datai Langkawi: incredibly beautiful natural surrounds from the rainforest to the sea; incredible spa; spacious rooms with mini-bar included, luscious organic bath products and dream-inducing bedding; excellent dining options; great craft cocktails; expert staff; serious efforts towards sustainability that are well-worth supporting.

Best Heritage Hotel Malacca – The Majestic Malacca

Reasons to visit The Majestic Malacca: a heritage stay embraced in luxury with warm, gracious service; great location by the river.

Best Heritage Hotel Penang – Seven Terraces

Reasons to stay at Seven Terraces: beautiful heritage property meticulously restored; excellent location in the heart of George Town’s World UNESCO Heritage Site; pool; exceptional service.

Best Beach Villas – The Danna Langkawi

Reasons to stay in the luxury beach villas at The Danna Langkawi: direct access to the beach; private infinity pool; total party pad; spacious setting; fabulous Italian food at The Terrace; new beach bar; only 20 minutes from the airport. *Book directly via The Danna Langkawi’s website using THEYUMLIST promo code, and you’ll not only get a 15% discount and a bunch of other benefits but also a special “yummy” treat! 

Most Relaxing Stay – Ambong Pool Villas

Reasons to stay at Ambong Pool Villas: spectacular sunrise or sunset views; restaurant and rooftop bar with beautiful vistas; private pool villas; exclusive location; friendly and helpful staff; wellness program.

Best Standard Rooms – Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas

Reasons to stay at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas: direct beach access; beautiful grounds; high-quality rooms with premium fittings; every room has a balcony; fabulous beach-side restaurant; gracious service. 

Most Peaceful Weekend Getaway Driving Distance from KL– The Kasturi, Cherating

Reasons to stay at The Kasturi: peaceful private pool villas with views to the sea; a serene experience surrounded by nature – the sea on one side and the jungle on the other; quick escape from Kuala Lumpur (3 hours mostly on a quality highway); pack a cooler of treats and enjoy your time uninterrupted in the villa.

Best Themed Stay for Kids – Barbie™ Ultimate Staycation, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur

Reasons to stay: The Barbie™ Ultimate Staycation will surely put some pink fun into the hearts of the young and old alike. Various all-in packages are available such as Made in Malibu and Suite Dreams, inclusive of the themed room stay, meals and other privileges. 

Best Weekend Beach Getaway – Casa del Mar, Langkawi

Reasons to visit Casa del Mar: intimate luxury boutique hotel with the beach at the door; convenient and quick access to the airport; a stroll away from a multitude of entertainment and dining options; friendly service welcoming you “home.”

Best City Hotel – Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

Reasons to stay at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur: excellent location; superb food and beverage outlets; well-kept and comprehensive facilities; huge pool with a view over KLCC and the park; club room benefits; great happy hours; professional, thoughtful and friendly staff.

Luxury Stays – Global

Best Bed & Breakfast – Casa Villamarina Tenute, Alghero

Reasons to stay at Casa Villamarina Tenute: beautiful setting in lush, manicured gardens and vineyards; taste Sella&Mosca wines on-site at your leisure with no need to drive afterwards; the comforts of contemporary accommodation in an attractive, historic place; a short drive to Alghero (header photo) and the area’s stunning scenery.

Best Resort Location – Pullman Timi Ama Villasimius

Reasons to visit Pullman Timi Ama Sardegna: stunning location by the sea and protected marine park of Capo Carbonara; on a pond that pink flamingo call their home; extensive manicured gardens; only an hour from Cagliari; excellent food and beverage options; extensive facilities, services, food and beverage choices; the wonderful Thalassa Sea & Spa.

Best Pool – Munduk Moding Plantation

Reasons to stay at Munduk Moding Plantation: villa with heated private infinity pool and jacuzzi that drops down to the mist of the mountains; breathtaking views; warm Balinese hospitality; crisp mountain air and fresh local produce; a walk through the coffee plantation and the opportunity to see the process from cherry to cup.

Best New Resort – Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua

Reasons to stay at Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort:  Comfortable and airy rooms, fashion-forward, stylish property with plenty of amenities, buggy to their private beach club, excellent spa, and attentive, happy resort staff. Perfect for families, groups of friends, and digital nomads seeking flair and fun. 

Best Remote Stay – MĀUA Nusa Penida

Reasons to visit MĀUA:  Revive and reset in nature, sustainable travel, panoramic views, smiling, friendly service, private pool villas, the place to stay for access to some of the island’s most iconic sights such as Diamond and Kelinking Beaches, generous portions of fresh, tasty, healthy food.

Best City Views – Shangri-La Sydney

Reasons to stay at Shangri-La Sydney: stunning views of Sydney Harbour including the Opera House, Darling Harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge; fantastic location; must try Altitude restaurant for a special occasion; Horizon Club with more of those incredible vistas; professional, kind staff; an iconic stay in the city. 

Best Overall Stay Experience – Andaz Bali Private Pool Villas

Reasons to stay at Andaz Bali: a beautiful property enveloped in lush greenery; spacious accommodation; contemporary Balinese design; direct beach access; excellent food and beverage options – best hotel breakfast yet!; lots happening in the surrounding area of Sanur; gracious Balinese hospitality at its best; private pool villas.

Food & Beverage

Most Unique Restaurant Location – The Cave Bali

Reasons to visit The Cave @ The Edge, Bali: a unique dining experience in a cave with extraordinary food to match; a thoughtful vegetarian menu; good beverage pairing.

Most Unique Restaurant Location – Koral Restaurant, Nusa Dua

Reasons to visit Koral Restaurant: Unique underwater location below an aquarium with spectacular fish viewing, divinely delicate fine dining experience, and attentive service. 

Prettiest Restaurant Setting – Kubu at Mandapa, Ubud

Reasons to visit Kubu at Mandapa: stunning, unique setting in a striking green valley with a fresh stream running through it; well-executed menu of European-Mediterranean inspired recipes made with premium ingredients; wonderfully gracious and helpful staff.

Most Picturesque Winery – Siddùra

Reasons to visit Siddùra winery:  located on the outskirts of the medieval village of Luogosanto in the north of Sardinia, Siddùra winery has one of the prettiest settings we’ve come across; natural irrigation and the warm Mediterranean climate create conditions not only for delicious wine grapes but for picturesque scenery too.

Best Handcrafted Spirits – Silvio Carta

Reasons to drink Silvio Carta: products made on 100% natural ingredients sourced from their own Mediterranean fields; a third-generation company still run by the grandfather, son and grandchildren; Vernaccia di Oristano is something special; must-try Silvio Carta’s Giniu, Mirto and their recipe for a kick-ass negroni.

Best Wine-paired Meal – Altitude, Shangri-La Sydney

Reasons to try visit Altitude: spectacular views and a menu to rival them; wine lovers must try the iconic wine pairing to get a taste of some of the best Australia has to offer.

Best Beach Club – Potato Head Bali

Reasons to visit Potato Head Beach Club:  Casual daytime fun, beachside location, innovative exotic cocktails, super friendly staff, outstanding commitment to sustainable practices and innovation.

Best Sustainable Concept – Locavore Bali

Reasons to visit Restaurant Locavore: an unwavering commitment to local, sustainable, no excuses, no compromises; surprising dishes; exciting but exceptionally well-balanced flavours and textures; you must include the drinks pairing – it makes something great, greater; book NOW before this chapter ends; stay tuned for what’s coming NXT in the first quarter of 2023.

Best Fine Dining Experience – Apéritif Restaurant & Bar, Bali

Reasons to visit Apéritif Restaurant & Bar: exceptional fine-dining from location to service to menu to beverage pairing; creative and meticulously prepared international recipes with local flavours; wonderful service; excellent wine pairing; an experience exceeding all expectations.

Best Local Ingredient Menu – OITOM, Kota Kinabalu

Reasons to visit OITOM: Artistry is evident in each mouthful, each flavour profile, and the careful treatment of each individual ingredient. From its black background, OITOM seeks to illuminate guests with the ultrabright flare of truly Malaysian fine dining. 

Best Local Ingredient Menu – Roots, Kuching

Reasons to visit Roots Kuching: a celebration of local ingredients; lovely setting – stylish yet casual; delicious craft cocktails; friendly service team; a must when visiting Kuching.

Best Local Ingredient Menu – Beta, Kuala Lumpur

Reasons to visit: Explore the myriad of uncommon Malaysian ingredients in a single location; rotating menu that changes roughly every four months; you’re essentially getting an education on the rich edible resources in Malaysia with a Beta KL flair; well-balanced cocktails that do a very good job of highlighting local ingredients.

Best Local Ingredient Menu – Locavore, Ubud

Reasons to visit Restaurant Locavore: an unwavering commitment to local, sustainable, no excuses, no compromises; surprising dishes; exciting but exceptionally well-balanced flavours and textures; you must include the drinks pairing – it makes something great, greater; book NOW before this chapter ends; stay tuned for what’s coming NXT in the first quarter of 2023.

Best Local Ingredient Menu – Cuca, Jimbaran

Reasons to visit Cuca Restaurant Bali: a beautiful restaurant inside, outside and everything in between; the garden setting is charming and fresh while a seat at the kitchen bar is for lovers of cooking excitement; excellent vegan and vegetarian options; order the Chef’s Tasting Menu to take the pain out of choosing and a steal for a tasting menu of this quality; a MUST if you have the opportunity to visit Bali. 

Best Local Ingredient Menu – Rumari, Jimbaran

Reasons to visit Rumari: Pristine nature environment with spectacular vistas, impressively layered original progressive South East Asian menu, sustainable approach to fine dining, superb table-side service.

Best Local Ingredient Menu – Room4Dessert, Ubud

Reasons to visit Room4Dessert: a unique evening out; a must for dessert-lovers for sure, but even non-sweet tooths will find the experience enjoyable; a chance to taste the possibilities when a pastry chef truly has access to the freshest of ingredients; sure, you can swoon over a meeting a celebrity and his team too; a good all-around feel with a team who are clearly appreciated by and greatly admire their leader.

What were your best travel experiences in 2022? Do leave a comment below with your recommendations for the upcoming year.

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