The Lunar New Year ushers in a season of renewal, joy and togetherness across Asia. In 2026, the Year of the Horse—symbolising energy, freedom and forward momentum is being celebrated with thoughtfully curated experiences at luxury hotels and resorts, blending cultural traditions with contemporary hospitality.

Beachfront Feasts and Fire Shows in Thailand

On Koh Samui, Banyan Tree Samui hosts a festive beachfront celebration on February 17, featuring a Mongolian-Chinese feast, international barbecue, live music and a fire show under the full moon. The evening promises a vibrant blend of flavour, performance and seaside ambience.

Meanwhile, Banyan Tree Krabi offers a Chinese New Year BBQ Night on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, pairing live music and fire performances with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea, creating a relaxed yet celebratory atmosphere.

In Chiang Mai, Meliá Chiang Mai’s Mai Restaurant & Bar welcomes the festive week with a Thai-Chinese a la carte menu served alongside Chinese teas and panoramic city views, celebrating cross-cultural flavours from February 17–23.

Tet Traditions Come Alive in Vietnam

Across Vietnam, Tet celebrations take centre stage. The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne mark the season with ceremonial Cay Neu bamboo planting, dragon dances, family-style Tet menus, calligraphy sessions, and cultural workshops ranging from Chung cake making to traditional crafts.

On the Cam Ranh Peninsula, Alma Resort hosts a week-long programme of Tet festivities featuring cultural performances, wellness experiences, kids’ activities and festive dining, encouraging families to reconnect against the backdrop of Long Beach.

In Da Nang, TIA Wellness Resort embraces the reflective spirit of the New Year with workshops, lantern ceremonies, beach yoga, dragon dances and cultural sharing sessions, combining mindfulness with tradition.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, a heritage icon, presents a rich Tet programme featuring lion dances, puppet shows, traditional art exhibitions and hands-on workshops, celebrating Vietnam’s cultural legacy through immersive experiences.

Wellness-led celebrations continue across Fusion Resorts and Hotels, where Tet-themed dining, family activities and special stay packages blend festive cheer with rejuvenation across multiple destinations in Vietnam.

Family-Focused Festivities in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, The Hari Hong Kong introduces its “Better Together Family Package,” offering family-friendly accommodations, creative in-room activities for children, flexible check-in privileges and curated touches designed to bring families closer during the Lunar New Year.

Timeless Luxury in Cambodia and Vietnam

In Phnom Penh, Raffles Hotel Le Royal welcomes the Lunar New Year with a special stay package featuring exclusive privileges, dining credits and elegant Raffles-style hospitality.

Across Vietnam, Azerai Resorts celebrate Tet with understated elegance—offering yoga sessions, cultural workshops, festive dining, market excursions and family-friendly activities at Azerai Ke Ga Bay and Azerai La Residence, Hue.

As the Year of the Horse begins, these luxury destinations across Asia showcase how Lunar New Year celebrations continue to evolve—honouring heritage while creating meaningful, immersive experiences for modern travellers seeking culture, connection and renewal.

Shangri-La Colombo has announced the appointment of Andreas Streiber as its new General Manager, effective immediately. A seasoned hospitality professional, Andreas brings decades of global experience across upscale hotel operations, with a strong focus on guest engagement, operational excellence, and sustainable business performance.

Prior to joining Shangri-La Colombo, Andreas served as General Manager of Shangri-La Bengaluru, India. His association with the Shangri-La Group spans an impressive 25 years, during which he has held several senior leadership roles across China and India. Throughout his journey, he has played a key role in driving brand growth, service innovation, and operational performance across diverse markets.

In addition to his extensive experience within the Shangri-La Group, Andreas has also worked with internationally recognised hospitality brands including Hyatt Hotels and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. This broad exposure has strengthened his expertise across hotel operations, food and beverage, sales and marketing, financial planning, and talent development.

Known for his strategic leadership style, strong interpersonal skills, and commitment to service excellence, Andreas will oversee the overall strategic direction and daily operations of Shangri-La Colombo. His focus will remain on enhancing guest experiences, empowering teams, and reinforcing the hotel’s position as one of Colombo’s most distinguished urban hospitality destinations.

Commenting on his appointment, Andreas Streiber said, “I am delighted to take on this role at Shangri-La Colombo and to work alongside a passionate team committed to heartfelt hospitality. Colombo is a vibrant destination, and I look forward to building on the hotel’s strong foundations while creating meaningful experiences for our guests and colleagues alike.”

The era of one-dimensional travel is quietly fading. Today’s travellers no longer want to pick a single vibe and stick to it. Instead, they seek destinations that allow them to move freely between adventure and calm, indulgence and simplicity, outward exploration and inward reset. Destinations that offer this kind of fluidity are fast becoming the new benchmarks for meaningful travel.

Here are five global destinations that let travellers experience many moods in one journey.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
For Nature Lovers and Adventure Enthusiasts

Ras Al Khaimah offers a rare balance between high-adrenaline adventure and unhurried coastal living. Mornings can begin atop Jebel Jais, home to the world’s longest zipline, followed by a leisurely brunch at 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest restaurant. Afternoons open up possibilities such as gyrocopter flights with Jazirah Aviation Club or kayaking through the Al Rams Mangroves, where flamingos and herons often make an appearance. As the day slows, Al Marjan Island sets the tone for evenings by the sea, with resorts like Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island offering beachside swims, spa wind-downs, open-air dining at Ula and sunset drinks at Neo Sky Bar overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

Krabi, Thailand
For Wellness Seekers and Luxury Connoisseurs

Krabi effortlessly blends deep wellness with refined luxury, especially at Phulay Bay, the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Days here unfold entirely at the guest’s pace. Sunrise yoga sessions overlook the Andaman Sea, followed by Thai herbal compress rituals and breakfasts curated around personal rhythms, all guided by a dedicated butler. Then comes complete retreat. Villa doors close, private pools take over and time dissolves into reading, floating and stillness. Phulay Bay brings together indulgence and introspection without forcing a schedule.

Doha, Qatar
For Big-Moment Lovers and Calm Collectors

Doha caters to travellers who shift between social energy and solitude. At Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, one side of the property pulses with activity at the Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park, complete with roller coasters, surf riders and wave pools. Cross over, and the mood transforms entirely. Beachfront villas, adults-only pools, private cabanas and long stretches of quiet shoreline create space for complete sensory withdrawal. The resort allows guests to follow their mood rather than resist it.

Bali, Indonesia
For High-Energy Seekers and Slow-Travel Purists

Bali’s rhythm is all about contrast. At The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, the experience begins expansively with cliff-top views, sunrise walks along Sawangan Beach and open-air breakfasts overlooking the ocean. As the stay unfolds, the energy softens. Villas turn inward, shaded courtyards replace schedules and plunge pools encourage pause. Spa rituals favour long, traditional Balinese therapies, while dinners stretch late into candlelit evenings. Bali allows momentum to fade naturally, without forcing stillness.

Colombo, Sri Lanka
For Outward Explorers and Inward Resetters

Just outside Colombo, The Wallawwa offers an elegant counterpoint to the city’s vibrancy. Mornings begin with slow breakfasts on a shaded veranda inside a restored manor house, surrounded by manicured lawns and quiet gardens. Step outside, and Sri Lanka reveals its lively pulse through tuk-tuks, temple bells, fish markets and coastal drives. Evenings bring a return to calm with garden dinners, chilled pools and deep quiet. The Wallawwa allows immersion without overwhelming the senses.

The best journeys today no longer demand consistency. They reward contrast. Because modern travel is not about choosing a single mood, but about enjoying the freedom to experience them all.