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\nBy Diana Hubbell
\nTravellers have long looked towards Asia \u2013 with its shimmering azure waters and near-limitless selection of palm-fringed white-sand beaches \u2013 in their search for paradise.
\nIntrepid hippies put the area on the map as a tourist destination in the 1960s. The intervening years, meanwhile, have seen rustic bamboo beach shacks edged out by a growing phalanx of upscale hotels and resorts.
\nIndeed, these days it is just as likely to be high-powered investors making for the region\u2019s resort destinations as singlet-wearing backpackers and other holidaymakers. \u00a0
\nCountries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines, can ably cater to the most demanding of buyers, with sumptuous properties ranging from secluded island hideaways to palatial residences with easy access to first-class restaurants and highly developed transport infrastructure.
\nMORE:\u00a0The Mediterranean is still the dream second home for wealthy Asians
\nInvestors who are as keen on powder snow as granules of sand are equally well catered for. Japan has come into its own as a winter-sports destination, with the legendarily consistent supply of fresh snow in the northern island of Hokkaido matched by an ever-expanding portfolio of apr\u00e8s-ski options.
\nFor those searching for a home away from home in regional hubs, meanwhile, urban hotel residences are on the rise. In fact, the growing number of metropolitan options has been one of the key trends in the resort residence market over the past couple of years.
\nThe upcoming Four Seasons Private Residences on the banks of the Chao Phraya river is one of the most highly anticipated developments in Thailand\u2019s capital Bangkok, while the Residences at Mandarin Oriental have proved popular for their dead-central locales in Asian cities such as Taipei and Macau.\u00a0
\nIt is little wonder that demand has spiked across Asia as investors seek to capitalise on their potential for both personal and financial gain
\nAnother interesting progression has been the emergence of China as a real player in the resort residences sector. The southern island of Hainan has long been touted as the nation\u2019s luxury playground and the new Sanya EDITION is as opulent as you might expect, while other options in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are as appealing as anything on the country\u2019s coastline.\u00a0
\nWith this allure in mind, it is little wonder that demand has spiked across Asia as investors seek to capitalise on their potential for both personal and financial gain.\u00a0
\nThe benefits of resort property ownership are aplenty. Unlike with a condominium or an independent villa, the tedious logistics can easily be delegated to either the resort itself or a third-party management company \u2013 a boon for investors with limited time on their hands. Upon arrival, residents are treated to the same warm welcome and high-end amenities as a resort guest, with the bonus of additional privacy and familiarity. Though many residences come equipped with state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, it never hurts to have myriad dining options nearby, not to mention other perks such as state-of-the-art fitness centres and spas.\u00a0
\nMany of the more extravagant villas also cater to extended families. For instance, at Andara Resort & Villas in Phuket, the privately owned six-bedroom Villa 3A features an in-house bar, spa room, and billiards area for adults, as well a private cinema and games for kids.\u00a0
\nAs appealing as a private bolt-hole may be, most investors getting in on the action are doing with the hope of netting a considerable profit. Luxury resorts tend to boast in-demand locations to match their stature. In the case of Villa 3A at Andara Resort & Villas, the property\u2019s advantageous perch on a cliff overlooking Kamala Beach means it is unlikely to decrease in value. Similarly, the privately-owned Mansions, lavish two to five-bedroom residences at the Bulgari Resort Bali, sport a private funicular leading from the vertiginous bluffs of Uluwatu directly down to the Indian Ocean.\u00a0
\nProperty values may rise and fall, but internationally recognised hospitality labels have a cachet that transcends the whims of a volatile market and adds value even to remote locales
\nThe initial investment may have been staggering, but these assets represent a stable, long-term investment due to their limited availability and prestigious names. In fact, hospitality titans such as Ritz-Carlton have begun marketing \u00fcber-luxe residences that are independent of any resort, but still hope to take advantage of the brand\u2019s respected reputation for exemplary service, design and d\u00e9cor.
\nProperty values may rise and fall, but internationally recognised hospitality labels have a cachet that transcends the whims of a volatile market and adds value even to remote locales. Ultimately, resort residences offer the utmost in comfort and a high level of security of return on investment. Of the many options around the region, here are some of the finest. \u00a0
\n1. Amanpuri<\/p>\n