Hong Kong's Peninsula hotel has been voted the best hotel in Asia by readers of Asia's Best Hotels & Resorts guidebook.

The guide, which has just published its second edition containing 400 hotels and resorts in 22 Asian countries, received more than 64,000 nominations from travellers for the region's best hotels.

Thailand's Banyan Tree was voted runner-up, and the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia, in Singapore was ranked third.

A 2004 online survey led to nominations for 3,732 hotels and resorts from people in 162 countries. The most popular choices were compiled by the editors and independent hotel inspectors.

David Tarsh, a consultant for the World Travel and Tourist Council and other associations, said: "The level of hospitality and service is sensational in many of these properties and they merit their positions."

The Banyan Tree in Phuket topped another poll, among visitors to Spafinder.com and readers of Luxury SpaFinder magazine. It was voted best spa in Asia in the Spa Finder 2005 Readers' Choice Crystal Awards for the best spas in each continent of the world.

Hotel and Spa Award Winners

Asia's Best Hotels & Resorts

Top five hotels
1. Peninsula, Hong Kong
2. Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand
3. Ritz-Charlton, Millenia, Singapore
4. Peninsula, Bangkok, Thailand
5. Grand Hyatt, Shanghai, China

Top five resorts
1. Banyan Tree, Phuket, Thailand
2. Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
3. Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort, Philippines
4. JW Marriott, Phuket Resort & Spa, Thailand
5. Ritz-Charlton, Bali Resort & Spa, Indonesia

Spa Finder 2005 Readers' Choice Crystal Awards Best Spas in the World

Best spa in Africa: Resident Tunis, Tunisia
Best spa in Asia: Banyan Tree, Phuket, Thailand
Best spa in Australia: Daintree Eco Lodge
Best spa in Europe: Evian Royal Resort, (formerly Royal Parc Evian), France
Best spa in North America: Canyon Ranch, Tuscon, Arizona
Best spa in South America: Kurotel, Brazil

By Amy Abrahams