Business Traveller India – December 2025

Summary

Bangkok's pulse of Thai spirit anchors the December 2025 Business Traveller India — an issue that also traces wine tourism through Europe's greatest vineyards and examines how dinner traditions connect across continents.

The cover story (p.24) takes readers beyond Bangkok's Sukhumvit hotels into the city's creative districts, temple-to-table dining scene, and the new gallery quarter on the Chao Phraya River. Jaipur and Udaipur are profiled as Rajasthan's regal gems (p.36), with specific heritage hotels for corporate retreats. Wine tourism in Europe (p.58) covers itineraries through France, Italy, and Spain designed for business travellers with one extra day. Tables of splendour (p.50) transforms homes into entertaining havens. The taste of togetherness (p.66) explores dinner traditions across Asian and European cultures.

The St. Regis Singapore, Grand Hyatt Singapore, and Akira Back are reviewed in Tried & Tested. Bhuwaneshwar's 10-year transformation is covered in From the Archive. Monaco is the hot ticket.

—————

Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Features

p.24 · Bangkok: The Pulse of Thai Spirit
The feature explores Bangkok's multilayered identity through its art galleries (Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, River City), its temple-to-table dining (Sorn, which holds two Michelin stars), and its emerging creative district on the Chao Phraya's east bank. Takeaway: the new MRT Orange Line connects Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city centre in 25 minutes for $1.50 — faster than the Airport Rail Link during peak hours.

p.36 · Reflections of Royalty
Jaipur and Udaipur as Rajasthan's regal gems for corporate retreats. The feature covers six heritage hotels, from the Taj Rambagh Palace to the newly restored Alila Fort Bishangarh. Takeaway: Alila Fort Bishangarh's "Royal Boardroom" package includes a personal historian who narrates the fort's 400-year history during the meeting break — $500 for 10 people including lunch.

p.50 · Tables of Splendour
How to transform homes into havens of style and grace for entertaining. The feature profiles an interior stylist who works with Mumbai-based executives to redesign their dining rooms for client entertainment. Takeaway: the stylist's "one-hour table reset" technique uses layered lighting (three sources minimum) and a single natural element as a centrepiece.

p.58 · Wine Tourism
In the footsteps of Europe's greatest wine regions. The feature covers a 7-day itinerary across Bordeaux, Barolo, and Rioja, designed for business travellers with one extra day in Europe. Takeaway: the TGV from Paris to Bordeaux takes 2 hours 4 minutes — day-trip from Paris to Bordeaux for a wine tasting at Chateau Margaux's new visitors' centre.

p.66 · The Taste of Togetherness
Dinner traditions across Asia and Europe are compared. The feature explores how the shared-plate culture of Asia contrasts with the sequential-course culture of Europe, and how each affects business dining dynamics. Takeaway: when hosting Asian clients, order three dishes per person and place them in the centre — this signals generosity and equal sharing.

▸ Insight

p.22 · Tailored Loyalty Experiences
A look at how corporate loyalty programmes are being personalised using AI across airlines and hotel groups. Takeaway: Accor's "ALL" programme now uses AI to recommend specific room floors based on your previous preferences — allow data sharing in your profile to activate this.

p.23 · Business Travel Reimagined
A think-piece on how the post-pandemic business trip has transformed. Takeaway: the most important metric for a business trip is no longer cost-per-mile but "relationships-per-hour" — calculate this before accepting a meeting request.

▸ Reviews

p.76 · The St. Regis Singapore
A review of this iconic Singapore property, covering the butler service, the spa, and the meeting facilities. Takeaway: the St. Regis's "Bloody Mary" room-service cart — a rolling bar that arrives with all ingredients for made-to-order bloody marys — is available from 7am for pre-meeting confidence.

p.78 · Grand Hyatt Singapore
The recently renovated Grand Hyatt on Orchard Road is reviewed. The new 10-treatment-room spa and the business floor are evaluated. Takeaway: the Grand Hyatt's "Business Class" room category includes a dedicated check-in desk and a personal concierge who handles all restaurant bookings — request this when booking.

▸ Regulars

p.08 · Hot Ticket: Monaco
Monaco's business-travel appeal is highlighted, with new direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Nice. Takeaway: the Monaco Helipass from Nice Airport costs $170 and takes 7 minutes — book it online for a guaranteed slot within 30 minutes of landing.

p.17 · Shillong
A guide to Meghalaya's capital for corporate retreats. The new co-working space at the Shillong Club and the revived golf course at the Shillong Golf Club are covered. Takeaway: the Shillong Golf Club is the wettest golf course in the world — book the morning tee time for the lightest rain.

—————

Editor's Take

The December 2025 issue is an India-focused travel magazine doing what it does best: sending readers to specific places with specific recommendations. The Bangkok cover story avoids cliches — no Khao San Road coverage, no ping-pong show references — and instead focuses on the city's creative economy. The wine-tourism itinerary is a standout, designed for the exact scenario a business traveller faces (one extra day in Europe). Weaknesses: the "Tables of Splendour" feature is clearly an advertorial for a single interior stylist — the magazine should disclose this. The "Business Travel Reimagined" piece is too short to develop its "relationships-per-hour" thesis, which is actually interesting. The Bhubaneswar archive piece is a vanity project — ten years of data with no analytical insight. Best suited for India-based luxury corporate travellers and wine enthusiasts.

Strengths
• Bangkok cover story avoids cliches with specific creative-district addresses
• Wine tourism itinerary designed for a single extra day in Europe
• St. Regis Singapore butler service details are genuinely useful

Weaknesses
• Tables of Splendour reads as undisclosed advertorial
• Bhubaneswar archive piece lacks analytical value

Verdict: Recommended — Buy it for the Bangkok guide and the wine itinerary; they justify the cover price.