TBA | The Very Heart of Asia's Lifestyle | The Beat Asia
At the 2026 Ceremony of Asia’s 50 Best Bars held in Macau at Wynn Palace on July 28, 2026, Hope & Sesame Guangzhou was crowned this year’s winner, becoming the first bar from Mainland China to win the coveted Best Bar in Asia title.
Mainland China Tops Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, Hope & Sesame Rises to No. 1At the 2026 Ceremony of Asia’s 50 Best Bars held in Macau at Wynn Palace on July 28, 2026, Hope & Sesame Guangzhou was crowned this year’s winner, becoming the first bar from Mainland China to win the coveted Best Bar in Asia title.
The Beat Asia sits with Mius Founder Shelley Tai to talk introversion, running a bar versus bartending, and her Altos Bartenders' Bartender of the Year win.
Meet Aqua Bar Bangkok's Head Tinker, Ryan Dela Vega, as he talks about viral bartending reels, Dubai beginnings, and the challenges of being a mixologist.
Discover the Best Venues for Events
Guides to Asia's Top Spaces
MORE GUIDES →Browse Asia's Top Spaces
BROWSE ALL Asia SPACES →Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong stands as one of Central’s most prestigious event venues, combining legendary service with an unrivalled location in the heart of the city. Bathed in natural light, its function spaces have been thoughtfully redesigned with a refined residential feel, creating an atmosphere of comfort, discretion, and luxury for both corporate events and social occasions. Spanning 11,800 square feet over two dedicated floors, the hotel offers elegant, versatile, and technologically advanced venues that can accommodate everything from high-level board meetings of 11 delegates to large-scale conferences and celebrations of up to 600 attendees.On the second floor, The Chater Room serves as a contemporary centrepiece for events overlooking Victoria Harbour. This 5,692-square-foot stately venue features a generous pre-function area ideal for registration, networking, or cocktail receptions. Its flexible design allows the space to be divided into intimate rooms — Statue Square, Alexandra, Victoria, Edinburgh, and Gloucester — each equipped with high-tech capabilities while preserving a sense of calm, tradition, and understated sophistication.The Connaught Room on the first floor carries a rich legacy as the ballroom of choice for Hong Kong’s social elite for over half a century, making it a standout choice for gala dinners, weddings, and milestone celebrations. Comprising six interconnecting spaces that can be combined to host up to 380 guests, it seamlessly blends modern audiovisual technology with classic interiors and graceful oriental accents. Guests may arrive via the hotel’s grand staircase or by elevator, before being welcomed into private pre-function areas ideal for themed breaks, pre-event receptions, or stylish event registration.
InterContinental Grand Standford Hong Kong
Situated along the iconic Victoria Harbour in East Tsim Sha Tsui, InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong is a five‑star waterfront hotel offering a comprehensive portfolio of meeting, conference, and wedding venues. The hotel features 14 purpose-built event spaces, designed to support everything from boardroom meetings and press conferences to large-scale banquets and wedding celebrations.The venue collection includes pillar-less ballrooms, modular meeting rooms, private dining venues, and exclusive harbour‑view suites. Signature spaces such as The Academy Rooms, Opera Rooms, Forum Rooms, Grand Stanford Signature Suite, and The Mistral provide flexibility in layout and scale, supported by professional in‑house event consultants.With a maximum venue size of approximately 1,387 sqm (14,930 sq. ft.), advanced audio‑visual infrastructure, and integrated catering services, the property is well suited for corporate functions, incentive events, and formal social occasions. Its location places guests within walking distance of shopping, entertainment, and transport links, while maintaining a contained and professional event environment.
Kimpton Maa‑Lai Bangkok
Kimpton Maa‑Lai Bangkok offers a collection of event spaces designed with a contemporary, human‑centered approach, bringing together daylight, purpose‑built layouts and a polished residential atmosphere. The hotel’s 578 sqm of meeting space presents a mix of flexible studios, an expansive Grand Studio, a boardroom, the foliage‑rich Urban Oasis garden, and the elevated Maa‑Lai Library penthouse. Each venue is built to support creative sessions, social moments or milestone occasions, combining understated styling with warm textures, natural light and modern practicality.The Grand Studio on the sixth floor serves as the hotel’s primary venue for mid‑size celebrations, presentations or gatherings. Surrounding it are six studio rooms that can operate independently or be combined for larger programming, supported by circulation spaces that allow smooth guest movement. The Maa‑Lai Library stands out as an apartment‑style event setting with a spacious balcony, while Urban Oasis offers an organic open‑air contrast, ideal for casual receptions or wedding moments. The spaces maintain Kimpton’s signature balance of design, comfort and hospitality, encouraging hosts to shape events with their own personality.Whether for corporate sessions or intimate celebrations, the hotel’s meeting floor is intentionally curated to provide a sense of ease and flow. Thoughtful conveniences, such as on‑floor breakout kitchens and integrated technical support, help reduce complexity, allowing teams and guests to focus fully on the experience.
Raffles Singapore
Raffles Singapore stands as one of the world’s most iconic heritage hotels, a timeless sanctuary in the heart of the city’s bustling civic and business district. Declared a National Monument in 1987, this colonial-style masterpiece has been meticulously restored to preserve its historic grandeur while introducing modern luxuries. Guests are welcomed into an estate of lush tropical gardens, elegant courtyards, and storied spaces that have hosted luminaries from Rudyard Kipling to Elizabeth Taylor.The property offers an unparalleled blend of history and sophistication, featuring legendary butler service, world-class dining, and bespoke wellness experiences. From the famed Long Bar to refined restaurants like 藝 yì by Jereme Leung and 1887 by André, Raffles is a celebrated culinary destination. Its Raffles Spa and 25-meter outdoor pool provide holistic rejuvenation, while the Raffles Arcade elevates shopping with curated luxury brands.Perfect for grand celebrations, private meetings, or intimate escapes, Raffles Singapore remains a beacon of elegance and cultural heritage — a veritable oasis amid Singapore’s modern skyline.
