A Random Pick of Asia’s Resorts

It’s amazing how many really beautiful resorts there are all over Southeast Asia. Sometimes when I watch shows such as the ‘Top 10 Beach Resorts’ or ‘Most Romantic Getaways’ on cable TV – and they are clearly US-produced programmes with a very US-centric perspective – I can’t help but suspect the producers haven’t seen the really wonderful resorts and hotels in Asia. Honestly, some of the so-called ‘best hotels’ in those ratings look like 4-star jobs to me, compared to the really beautiful resorts in our part of the world. It is true that the best service in hotels and resorts are also found here – add to that gorgeous architecture and bang for the buck, why would you need to go anywhere else?

 

Here’s just a few random picks….

 

Parasea Resort in Phuket, Thailand is pretty luxe and romantic, perched on the cliffs of Kamala overlooking the Andaman Sea. Located along what’s called ‘Millionaires Mile’, it’s about 30 minutes from the airport but secluded. You can luxe out in your villa, go island hopping to Phi Phi Island, veg out by the sea over Champers and gourmet nibbles. They have an Exclusive Lovers Getaway Weekend Package, which sounds a little campy to old married couples, but I guess if you are freshly in love, it can be super romantic.

 

The secluded Eskaya Beach Resort in Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines is another luxurious spot, unique for its private 600-metre wide private white beach and family friendly ways. Take a 20-minute helicopter ride from Cebu to get to the resort and stay in its 15 private villas. Do as little as you want or go island hopping by kayak or traditional sail boat and meet dolphins along the way, join a whale-watching journey and see them breaching and feeding on their annual migration path, go picnicking, scuba diving, or chill out at the beach or the spa.

 

The resort is offering two Family Getaway Weekend Packages which sound really tempting in our books. The first, priced at US$3,800 is a 4D3N package for up to 6 persons with accommodation at a Beachfront Family Villa with private swimming pool, whirlpool bath and sea view. It includes two way transfers, breakfast, a 60-minute Shiatsu Massage per person, daily evening cocktails and free use of mountain bike, kayak, pedal boat, free wifi, etc. A 5D4N package for six goes at US$6,400 in the same kind of accommodation. In addition to what you get from the previous package, you also get full board, Handuraw Spa Treatments, 90-minute “Hilot” Therapeutic massage, 30-minute Foot Spa.

 

How about buying your own over-water beach house? The place where the moneyed and savvy are buying their holiday spots is in Cambodia’s pristine Koh Rong Archipelago. Song Saa Private Island, the first luxury private island development to be completed, is offering some over-water and beach villas for sale through sole agent CB Richard Ellis. (It takes place at Sky Lounge, The Upper House, Hong Kong on 7th April).  

 

Dubbed as an eco-friendly luxury resort, Song Saa Private Island will feature 27 ‘rustic chic’ rainforest, beach and over-water villas, each with private pools and sizes ranging from 135 sq.m. to 297 sq.m. The resort features an over-water restaurant and lounge just off the island’s shoreline and surrounded by ocean, infinity pool, gym, spa & wellness centre, yoga & meditation centre and a beachside water sports centre offering a range of activities such as sailing, diving, kayaking and snorkelling. Priced at USD 600,000 all villas offer an 8% guaranteed yield for five years. This is apparently the only development in Southeast Asia to offer over-water villas for private ownership on 99-year leases. It’s accessible by seaplane from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, where 2 daily flights will be operated by the resort.