Mark Wong Of Small Luxury Hotels Of The World Discusses Quirky Stays, Timeless Design, And Sustainable Travel

Some years ago, I visited a fortune teller who told me that I would always be 'in transit.' It turns out she was right—30 years in this industry, and I'm still constantly travelling," quipped Mark Wong over call to Outlook Traveller.Wong is the senior vice president of the Asia Pacific region at Small Luxury Hotels of the World, based out of Singapore. Staying at some of the most luxurious boutique hotels in the world is his job. "I started my career in marketing and advertising, not hospitality. I was an 'ad man' on Madison Avenue in New York. A lot of my clients at the time were in the airline and travel industries, and through that, I developed a fascination with the travel world." Wong worked with companies like Hyatt and American Express and ventured into e-commerce travel before joining SLH."As I always say, the world is the office. Travel is my work and my passion, and people often ask when I plan to retire, but I say, 'Why retire when I'm already living most people's retirement dream of travelling?'"When you stay at as many beautiful hotels as Wong does, they leave you with an exceptional collection of stories.For instance, staying on an island in Indonesia where the only mode of transport was on donkey back is an anecdote that never gets old. "You take a two-hour boat ride from the mainland to the island to get there. Once you arrive, there are no cars—just donkeys to carry your luggage. It's such a throwback to a simpler, more rustic way of life."Another tale he loves to recount is about when he went to review a hotel in Myanmar, travelling from Thailand by boat to get there. "Once on the island, we were completely disconnected—no internet, no cell phone service, nothing. You could only access Wi-Fi in the lobby; once you were in the villas, you were truly off-the-grid. It was a digital detox in the truest sense."Daring DesignsWhen evaluating hotels, Wong is invariably drawn to the architecture and the interiors, often noting down design elements that he would want in his house. One hotel that Wong still remembers for its eccentricity is the Cuvée J2 Hotel in Osaka that is themed around champagne. "The hotel is entirely designed around champagne, with each room dedicated to a different champagne label. The design is minimalistic, which is typical in Japan, and each room has its own floor. The hotel itself is built to resemble a champagne cellar—everything is hidden behind minimalist panels, and there are no labels on the doors. It is a striking example of minimalist design with a very unique theme."Discovering unusual stays is what makes Wong's job so interesting."The owners of heritage Dawn Luxury Hotel in China spent seven years restoring the building, searching for craftsmen and authentic materials to rebuild it exactly as it was in its original form. The architecture is traditional, with no nails used in the construction—everything is tongue-and-groove. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and it is a true masterpiece of old Chinese architecture. You just don't see that kind of attention to detail in modern buildings anymore." The hotel, located in the Weishan Ancient City, Yunnan, requires a bit of a walk to reach because the narrow streets have been preserved as they were centuries ago to maintain their historic feel. "It's fascinating because it's not just a historical site; it's a living, thriving community. People are still going about their daily routines—making noodles the old-fashioned way, and so on."Memories That StayWhen you travel as extensively as Wong does, it could get a little isolating. And that's where the people you meet along the way come in."Meeting people is always an interesting part of this job. One memorable experience was in Myanmar. We were there on a business trip, but on the same boat there was a Thai lady and her American husband. They were very adventurous travellers, always seeking out unique places. They thought we were on holiday, but we were there for business."He recalled how being stuck on an island with them meant doing many activities together, which led them to become good friends who still keep in touch. "It's funny how that happened. We were the only two groups of guests on the island, and the owner of the hotel was very much involved in everything, which made it feel like a communal experience."When asked if there is a place in India he loves, Jaisalmer is the instant answer. "I really enjoyed Jaisalmer, especially because we explored areas close to the Pakistan border. It was an untouched part of India for me. It's one of those places that people don't typically visit, but it was an incredible experience." Small Luxury Hotels of the World is focusing on rebuilding relationships in India this year and are looking to onboard six or seven hotels by the end of this year.Evolving Luxe Travel and SustainabilityThe travel landscape is always evolving. Luxury travel is an inherent part of that evolution. "I think luxury travel is becoming more mature," said Wong, elaborating that people are moving away from the ostentatious displays of wealth and focusing more on the quality of the experience."After the pandemic, people are choosing more laid-back forms of travel—like road trips or train journeys instead of jetting around. We're seeing this more with itineraries that span different regions of a country. People are now spending more time in one place and really learning about the local culture and history. Some of our properties are so small that guests get to know the owners, who are often passionate about their hotels and destinations." Some SLH PropertiesLe Mas Barossa : Barossa Valley, South AustraliaThe Stay: Rustic farmhouse meets French chic with a vineyardUSP: Only guests over the age of 16 are allowedRooms: 4AQUA the Dahabaya : Luxor, EgyptThe Stay: A small albeit sumptuous ship that sails across the NileUSP: Plenty of stops from temples of Luxor to the Valley of the Kings to absorb Egypt's historyRooms: 8The Dawn Luxury Hotel : Nanzhao Town, Yunnan, ChinaThe Stay: Historic hotel inside ancient Weishan city that lets you step back in timeUSP: The hotel's butler will take you on a night-time tour of the ancient cityRooms: 15Suryagarh : Jaisalmer, RajasthanThe Stay: A modern-day fortress built from golden sandstone amid the Thar dunesUSP: Stargazing and plenty of architecture, culture and folklore to discover in the areaRooms: 89