Skip to main content

On the Bleeding Edge: The 4 Most High-Tech Hotels in Asia

It wasn’t long ago that color TV, free HBO, and vibrating beds were enough to draw road-weary travelers to a hotel. Now, guests demand more — a lot more.

Asia is home to some of the most modern, most high-tech hotels in the world where state-of-the-art amenities are table stakes. Here are just four of our favorites.

Recommended Videos

The Peninsula Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan)

The-Pennisula-Tokyo-Japan
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Few cities set the bar for “high-tech” like Tokyo. Among the city’s flagship hotels is The Peninsula Tokyo — an uber-luxury property minutes from Tsukiji fish market in the high-end Marunouchi business district. All 314 guest rooms are outfitted with more than 3,000 Internet radio stations, large flat-screen TVs, customizable mood lighting, and Skype-capable wireless phones. What’s more: guests have exclusive access to a fleet of luxury cars including BMW 750s, a Tesla Model S, and two Rolls-Royce Phantoms.

W Singapore at Sentosa Cove (Sentosa Island, Singapore)

W Hotels is well-known as one of the chicest, most modern hotel brands in the world. So, it’s no surprise that the W Singapore at Sentosa Cove provides guests with ultra-high tech luxury amenities. Sleek LED lighting pulses throughout the hotel, setting a nightclub-esque atmosphere. The beautiful outdoor pool features underwater speakers streaming swish electronic music, and loaner iPads are available at the private poolside cabanas. Rooms feature 40-inch flat-screen TVs, Bose speakers, and iPod docks while the flagship, $9,000-per-night Extreme WOW Suite even boasts a private DJ booth.

Pengheng Space Capsules Hotel (Shenzhen, China)

Pengheng-Space-Capsules-Hotel-(Shenzhen,-China)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Shenzhen’s Pengheng Space Capsules Hotel isn’t the city’s swankiest hotel, but it’s arguably one of the most high-tech. The staff consists entirely of robots, from the reception desk to the waitstaff to the doorman. Add to that a liberal use of neon lighting, multiple computer banks, and 17 capsule beds (not full rooms) designed to resemble hyperbaric sleep chambers a la Alien and the result is a distinct, futuristic, spaceship-inspired look and feel. Amenities are relatively thin, but that means super affordable pricing in a city that can prove prohibitively expensive for travelers.

The Henn na (Sasebo, Japan)

Henn-na-hotel-Japan
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Japan’s Henn na (or “Weird Hotel”) makes heavy use of robotics not for novelty purposes, but for efficiency. Unlike the Pengheng Space Capsules Hotel, it relies on a blend of robots (at check-in, for example) and human workers to optimize the visitor experience. The front desk reception is capable of checking guests in for the night and engaging in basic conversation in English or Japanese. Guest rooms feature a minimal, Japanese-inspired aesthetic and typical tech amenities like free Wi-Fi and touchscreen HVAC control panels. However, all include a doll-sized robotic personal assistant to provide guests with local dining and entertainment recommendations.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Think twice before booking—travel expert warns against these 5 hotel types
Think twice before booking that airport hotel
A hand opening a hotel room door with the room interior in the background

Have you ever scored what seemed like an unbelievable hotel deal, only to show up and realize it wasn’t quite the dream stay you imagined? The truth is, not all hotels are created equal, and sometimes those bargains come with hidden downsides. 

To help travelers avoid a rough night’s sleep (or worse), I spoke with Javier Sobrino, Founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform that curates one-of-a-kind stays in stunning destinations. He shared with me the five types of hotels you should never book, no matter how tempting the price tag looks.

Read more
My favorite experiences in Malta (that you’ll want on your itinerary)
How to experience Malta’s food, wine, and history
Malta

Though it spans only 122 square miles and ranks as the 10th smallest country in the world, Malta has so much to see and do. Located just south of Sicily, Italy, this tiny island country has so much to explore, from top-tier wineries to fortified cities like Mdina. For the traveler who likes to see, run, do, and explore -- Malta has so much to uncover. I never ran out of things to explore here during my recent visit. In fact, I found myself wishing I had booked a longer vacation, feeling pressed for time. Take note: You won't want to miss these five things to do in Malta (and its sister islands) on your next visit.

Day trip to Gozo

Read more
I didn’t expect fine dining and virtual dodgeball — but this Orlando resort delivered
Caribe Royale Orlando offers sports, fine dining, and family fun in one spot
Caribe Royale Orlando

Though I've visited Orlando dozens of times in the past couple of years, I always seem to find a new resort to explore every time I visit. The Orlando area is home to over 450 different hotels and resorts, which leaves me with lots of options to choose for an Orlando getaway. During my most recent visit to the area, I stayed at Caribe Royale Orlando, an expansive, all-suite resort located just a few miles outside of Walt Disney World.

Unlike many hotels in the area that are heavily Disney-focused, this unique resort offers a little something for every age group. From sports simulators to fine dining options for adults to a kid-focused pool with a 75-foot waterslide, here's a look at Caribe Royale Resort Orlando's elevated take on a classic family getaway and what made it feel different than other Orlando resorts I've stayed at.

Read more