Gimme five ... luxury new Asian resorts

This is the latest member of Design Hotels, recently renovated and redesigned by the architects who built the Datai in Malaysia. The 96 all-suite Lalu, overlooking Sun Moon Lake in unexplored central Taiwan, is also owned by GHB hotels, whose chairman is Amanresort founder Adrian Zecha. Lalu has a 60-metre swimming pool, a spa offering Taiwanese organic treatments, including traditional Tui Naa Massage (deep tissue using acupressure), four restaurants, including a traditional Chinese Tea House, and seven villas with individual swimming pools, courtyards and pavilions.

Prices from £255-£1,094 per night. Design Hotels (0800 169 8817; www.designhotels. com).

Pimalai,Thailand

Fifty miles south of the southern Thai province of Krabi on Ko Lanta Island are the 75 Thai-styled rooms of the new Pimalai resort. Each has either a bathtub, overlooking Ba Kan Tiang bay, or sundeck and open-air shower. There is direct access to 900 metres of beach and the spa menu includes massages and facials as well as a flower-filled bathing pool and body wraps. An infinity pool overlooks the tranquil blue of the Andaman Sea.

Seven nights with Travelbag (0870 890 1460; www.travelbag.co.uk) from £752pp, including B&B and flights.

Puri Wulandari, Bali

It's cool to stay away from the beach. Just outside the rural Balinese town of Ubud, with views over the Ayung river and lush rice terraces beyond, Puri Wulandari is Bali's latest luxury boutique hotel. The 35 thatch-roofed villas have open-air living rooms, showers, private pools and butler service. The spa combines a gym with beauty salon treatment rooms, a sauna and plunge pools. The bar overlooks the sacred valley.

Seven nights with Scott Dunn World (020 8682 5020; www. scottdunn.com) from £1,830pp, including B&B and flights.

Nihiwatu, Indonesia

To the east of Bali, the undeveloped Sumba Island now has the nine-villa resort of Nihiwatu. Lying on a private beach on the south-west coast, the contemporary Indonesian-style furnishings and thatched roofs hide air-conditioned living areas and open dining rooms with sea views. The Jungle Spa has massage and body treatments, and yoga classes are offered in Rumah Menari, the reception and meeting hall built according to traditional Sumba spirit-house design.

Seven nights all-inclusive with Scott Dunn World (020 8682 5020; www.scottdunn.com) from £1,985pp, including all non-alcholic drinks, complimentary massage, horse-riding tour and return flights.

Ana Mandara, Vietnam

Managed by the same company as the luxe-Crusoe resort of Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, the new 68-suite Ana Mandara on the beach in Nha Trang is designed as an old Vietnamese village and furnished with native wood and rattan. All rooms have views over the bay and private terrace. The open-air restaurant serves oriental and western fusion cuisine, and a water sports centre provides snorkelling, diving, jet skiing, windsurfing and parasailing.

Seven nights with Elegant Resorts (01244 897886; www.elegantresorts.co.uk) from £1,145pp including B&B and flights.