Five Colonial hotels in Asia

Old-fashioned comfort, a dazzling setting and a G&T. All this can be yours, says Katie Monk

Hotel Majapahit - Indonesia

In the heart of Surabaya – Indonesia's second-largest city – the Majapahit is a grand old dame of Dutch colonial splendour, with its colonnaded structure set around courtyard gardens and fountains. It was here in 1945 that the raising of the Dutch flag was said to have sparked the battle for Indonesian independence. Its 143 rooms and suites feature lavish furnishings with marble and gold bathrooms, oriental rugs and antique cabinets.

Hotel Majapahit, 65 Jalan Tunjungan, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia (00 62 31 5454 333; hotel-majapahit.com). Doubles start at US$115 (£68), including breakfast.

Glenburn Tea Estate - India

Glenburn is a working tea estate, run by the Prakash family. Built in 1860, the refurbished property has four guest rooms with open fires, old-fashioned bathtubs, plantation-style furnishings and antiques. Go rafting, tour the tea fields or just kick back with a G & T. A further four rooms are in the new wing, with two more in a log cabin at the edge of the estate.

G lenburn Tea Estate, PO & District Darjeeling, West Bengal, India (00 91 98 300 70213; glenburnteaestate.com). Doubles start at Rs18,000 (£234) full board, with airport transfers and activities.

Sun House - Sri Lanka

With seven rooms and suites and a cosy living room, the Sun House feels more like a private residence than a luxury hotel. It overlooks Galle's historic fort and the Indian Ocean, and its rooms have four-posters, cool, whitewashed interiors and antiques, and there is a pool surrounded by tropical gardens.

The Sun House, 18 Upper Dickson Road, Galle, Sri Lanka (00 94 91 438 0275; thesunhouse.com). Doubles from US$203 (£119), including breakfast.

Majestic - Malaysia

The city of Malacca has a long history as a trading port. Overlooking the banks of a river, the Majestic is a 1920s mansion that re-emerged this year as a luxury hotel after major renovation. The original house contains the reception area, restaurant and library, full of antiques and Portuguese tiles. In the new wing are 54 bedrooms and Spa Village.

The Majestic, 188 Jalan Bunga Raya, Malacca, Malaysia (00 606 289 8000; majesticmalacca.com). Doubles start at US$288 (£169), room only.

Foreign Correspondents' Club - Angkor, Cambodia

A former French governor's residence, the FCC makes the perfect base from which to explore the temples of Angkor. Its 29 rooms are positioned around a saltwater pool or in tropical gardens. There is a spa, art gallery, billiard room and restaurant serving Khmer cuisine, but best of all is the cocktail bar. Like its Phnom Penh counterpart, the FCC is the place to sink a few rum sours after sightseeing.

The Foreign Correspondent's Club, Pokambor Avenue, Siem Reap, Cambodia (00 855 63 760 283; fcccambodia.com). Doubles start at $130 (£76), including breakfast.