Experience Travel Group has revealed its top 12 'reincarnated' hotels in Asia – a dozen iconic and unusual properties with a past. From foreign occupation to ancient civilisations and colonial grandeur, there are some spectacular buildings that have been painstakingly renovated into beautiful hotels that capture the exotic history of the region. Bespoke holiday company Experience Travel Group has unrivalled knowledge on everything Asia has to offer, creating tailor-made itineraries for Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysian Borneo, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives. 

Experience Travel Group's top 12 weird and wonderful 'reincarnated' hotels across Asia are:

• Tintagel, Sri Lanka - Previously home to three of Sri Lanka's political leaders, the Tintagel Hotel is a stunning, heritage-style boutique hotel in a lovely spot in Colombo.
• Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole, Vietnam - This colonial charmer of a building used to be a hideout during the Vietnam War, with the bomb shelter still open to guests today. One of Hanoi's finest luxury hotels, the Metropole fuses colonial era grandeur and modern style and comforts.
• Amangalla, Sri Lanka – This hotel was part of a complex of buildings that made up the headquarters of military commanders and their staff during the Dutch occupation. The hotel now offers Aman luxury in a beautifully restored building in the heart of Galle.
• Governor's House, Cambodia - As the name would suggest, this hotel was once home to a senator of Phnom Penh city. It is a Colonial style mansion, gloriously converted into a 12 room boutique hotel.
• Fullerton, Singapore - This historic luxury hotel in the heart of Singapore has previously housed the nation's General Post Office, The Exchange and the prestigious Singapore Club.
• Amansara, Cambodia - This stylish and modern hotel in Siem Reap was the former guest house of King Sihanouk and provides the ultimate base for the wonders of Ankor.
• Horathapola Estate, Sri Lanka - This early 19th century building in Gampaha is a former coconut estate manager's bungalow offering unpretentious luxury on a still-working coconut estate.
• Sala Lodges, Cambodia - These lovingly restored Khmer-style stilted cabins are all totally individual and were once homes to rural dwellers, however abandoned during the time of Pol Pot. They were moved to Siem Reap town and restored to an authentic yet luxurious hotel.
• Ambassadors, Sri Lanka - This luxurious five bedroom villa inside Galle Fort used to be the residence of Sri Lanka's Bangladeshi representative.
• Ariyasom Villa, Thailand - This boutique hotel was built around a 1940s house in central Bangkok and was a private family residence during the Second World War. It remains in the same family hands today.
• Tamarind Village, Thailand - A rogue entry here; whilst the building wasn't used for anything, the charming small hotel in Chang Mai was built in traditional style around a sacred, 200-year-old tamarind tree.
• Lunuganga, Sri Lanka - This former estate in Bentota was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa and is a vast garden fantasy land that reflects of lifetime of labour and love.

Please visit the website at www.experiencetravelgroup.com, or find out what the team has been up to recently on their blog or via Twitter @ExpTrav.

To discuss feature ideas or press trip opportunities, please contact Lauren Hughes or Nat Frogley.

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Notes to Editors:

Founded in 2004 by Tom Armstrong and Sam Clark, Experience Travel Group has grown from featuring Sri Lanka to also specialise in Thailand, Laos, Malaysian Borneo, Burma (Myanmar), Maldives and the 17,000 islands of Indonesia.  Intimate knowledge of these destinations, combined with its engaging, enriching service ethos and an ability to create extra-ordinary local experiences, sets Experience Travel Group apart from the rest.

Experience Travel Group is a fully bonded ATOL agent (ATOL number 9324); a member of ABTA (membership number Y544X); and a member of AITO. The company's Sustainable Travel Policy is about continual improvement, monitoring and evaluation, and is available online at www.experiencetravelgroup.com/info/responsible-travel.

For further press information please contact:

Lauren Hughes (lauren@bacall.net) or Nat Frogley (nat@bacall.net) at Bacall Associates

Tel: 08704 288 401 Web: www.bacallassociates.co.uk