World-class beaches, hilltop stations with epic hiking and whitewater rafting right outside the door, temples galore and wildlife encounters that range from penguins to elephants are all in store when you plan a road trip in Asia and the Pacific. And some of the most exciting and accessible adventures you can launch in the region — from some of the prettiest hotels in this part of the world — wrap exploration and relaxation up into one tidy package.
Read on for road trip inspiration in Australia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Korea, and get set to get wowed.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Indonesia
Surrounded by the iconic rice terraces of Ubud, right along the Ayung River, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a destination for relaxation and wellness, as well as adventure, in southern Bali.
Once you tear yourself away from the resort’s gorgeous grounds and exquisite Mandapa Spa — complete with a yoga pavilion, meditation temple, saunas and more — hop in the car to road trip south on the island to see the legendary surf break at Uluwatu, go shopping and café-hopping in Canggu, or set out on a sunrise hike to witness the volcanic majesty of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest peak.
The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart in Australia
Diminutive fairy penguins, the perfect crescent of sand at Wineglass Bay and the chance to spot the Southern Cross in some of Australia’s inkiest night skies are just a few of the highlights you can look forward to during an island road trip around Tasmania.
When you’re not out exploring the wild island, settle in for an urban stay at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, with a central location in Hobart’s sophisticated waterfront precinct. The hotel was repurposed from past-their-prime buildings and mixes Georgian, art deco and modern architectural elements to dazzling effect.
Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa in Thailand
Settle into a luxury hotel room or decadent beachfront villa at the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa and you have an idyllic base for a road trip around Thailand’s largest island. In Phuket’s southern reaches, Kata Beach is considered one of the most spectacular in all of Thailand that doesn’t require a boat to reach it.
On the island’s eastern side, commune with wildlife in recovery mode at the ethical Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. And right nearby, venture into the island’s last remaining evergreen rainforest and hike to waterfalls at Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Back at the resort, settle in for a Thai massage at Quan Spa or relax by the hotel’s sprawling swimming pool overlooking the sea.
JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa in India
Hill station adventures in the Garhwal Himalayas are the stuff of road trip dreams when you plan a vacation in India’s Uttarakhand state and make the JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa your luxurious Himalaya base.
The hotel overlooks a grand valley in the hill station of Mussoorie, which is known as the “Queen of the Hills” for its lush natural beauty. Spectacular walking trails are at your doorstep here. But hop in the car, too, for a road trip an hour south to reach Bhatta Falls, where you can swim in the natural springs.
Or head north from the hotel to Nainbagh for family-friendly river-rafting adventures on a mountain river with mild Class I and II rapids.
Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto in Japan
Put scenic drives around Kyoto prefecture on your itinerary when you stay at Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto, where an authentic Japanese-style stay awaits along the Hozu River in the Arashiyama Hills.
You can choose from Japanese Ryokan-style rooms or suites with private open-air baths and private Japanese gardens. Some of the best area road trips include heading north from the hotel to visit the bathhouses of Kinosaki Onsen, experiencing a tea farm in Kyoto Tea Country and wandering in awe through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto itself.
The Westin Josun Busan in South Korea
Korea’s bustling port city of Busan is an ideal stepping off point for road trips to the region’s peaceful beaches, mountains and temples. Check in at The Westin Josun Busan and you’ll be perfectly situated between Dongbaek Island and Haeundae Beach, the most famous in Busan.
Enjoy the hotel’s sea and skyline views and restorative on-site recreation opportunities that include an indoor swimming pool as well as a children’s pool. Then hit the road for the scenic coastal city of Tongyeong or visit Daegu and its famous Yangnyeong Market, known for its vast selection of traditional medicines that include ginseng and endless other herbs and roots.
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