When can we travel again? Many of us are wondering when we will be able to travel again. When it is safe to travel then you should decide which destination you’ll be visiting first. Here we list two of the most favourite holiday destinations in Southeast Asia that you can put in your travel bucket list. Recommended resorts are included to help you choose where to stay and experience a memorable and pleasurable holiday.
Thailand
The Land of Smiles was recently pronounced No. 1 in the world for its ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort. As such, the people of Thailand have been mildly inconvenienced if at all during these corona days. To make those smiles even wider, the Kingdom hosts some of the world’s best beaches and islands – now somewhat restored to blissful tranquility. For anyone living in Thailand, there’s a pretty good choice of mesmerising beach destinations to consider – especially with these special promotional offers.
Banyan Tree Krabi
Opened its door on 24 October, Banyan Tree Krabi is a 72-key luxury resort nestled on a verdant hillside with spectacular vistas of limestone cliffs rising from the sea. About a 45-minute drive from Krabi International Airport, the new resort backs onto a lush national park and Naga Crest Hill, granting three ultra-luxury beachfront pool villas, 10 beachfront pool villas, and 59 pool suites—each of which has its own private pool—a westward-facing view of sunset over the Andaman. A natural spring flows downhill into the property where it is transformed into a flower-fringed canal ferrying springwater to the sea. Facilities at Banyan Tree Krabi include two restaurants: Saffron Restaurant and The Naga Kitchen, as well as a beach bar, a kids’ club, a fitness centre, a meeting centre, and in keeping with Banyan Tree’s global wellbeing branding — a rainforest-themed spa. Banyan Tree Krabi is now offering a special reduction of over 50% in villas and suites until 30 April 202. (www.banyantree.com/en/thailand/krabi)
Meliá Koh Samui
Another great staycation option is Meliá Koh Samui, a luxury resort on Choeng Mon Beach. After celebrating its grand opening in January this year, the Meliá Koh Samui has joined the Thai government’s “Let’s Travel Together” campaign to deliver a much-needed shot in the arm to the Kingdom’s tourism industry. Under the campaign, Thai citizens are offered a 40% rebate of up to 3000 Thai Baht (USD 96) per room per night on the best prices on Melia Koh Samui’s website, for bookings made for stays from now until the end of the year. The luxury resort on Choeng Mon Beach is also offering complimentary airport transfers and a 50% discount on treatments at its YHI Spa. The 159-room and 41-suite resort opened on 10 January 2019, unveiling a lagoon pool that loops through its ground like a river, an infinity pool, two restaurants, an executive lounge, a swim-up bar, spa, fitness center, ballroom and for families, a kid’s club, outdoor playground and a mini water park, its accommodations include suites made from refurbished teak wood vessels that are more than 100 years old. (www.melia.com)
Vietnam
Another famous holiday destination is Vietnam, known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities.
Vietnam has been hailed the world over for its response to the global pandemic. The country notched up some 99 consecutive days without a single case of COVID-19 via community transmission until a virus flare-up was detected in Danang late last month. With Vietnam’s national borders still shut tight amid the global pandemic, the country’s tourism industry is very much reliant on domestic travelers. The following deals by resorts in Vietnam support the local authorities’ campaign ‘Vietnamese people travel to Vietnamese destinations’ designed to encourage locals to explore their own backyard.
The Anam
The Anam is one of Vietnam’s top coastal resorts and the first truly luxurious property in up-and-coming Cam Ranh, a pristine coastal destination removed from the hustle and bustle of nearby beach city Nha Trang. Experience an exhilarating stay at The Anam, boasting 77 villas and 136 rooms and suites. The Anam also features a French-inspired fine dining restaurant, all-day dining restaurant, a Vietnamese restaurant and bar, a classical bar, a beach club, in-room dining, a 10 treatment-room spa, indoor and outdoor movie theatres, three capacious swimming pools, ballroom, conference rooms, recreation and fitness centre, a tennis court, yoga room and deck, kids club, putting green, gift shop and more. With a designed inspired by the Indochine era, the 12-hectare resort has launched two-day packages available until 20 December 2020. Each package includes the complimentary use of the resort’s picture-perfect swimming pools, fitness centre, and tennis court, a free steam, sauna and warm jacuzzi session at The Anam Spa, and access to the resort’s stretch of Long Beach, renowned as one of Vietnam’s finest beaches. The ‘Premium Day Use Package with Lunch’ includes a complimentary tea, coffee or soft drink on arrival as well as one Vietnamese set menu comprising a starter, a main course, a portion of veggies, soup and desert with an additional tea or soft drink. The ‘Premium Day Use Package with Spa’ includes The Anam Spa’s signature 60-minute ‘The Anam Arising’ massage, during which a therapist uses traditional Vietnamese and Balinese massage techniques such as palm pressure and swiping movements to focus on pressure points and tension relief. The package also includes use of a private locker, a welcome drink at the spa and a herbal tea and snack after the massage. (www.theanam.com)
Alma Resort
Located in Cam Ranh, Alma Resort has unveiled an awe-inspiring host of world-class facilities, such as an eclectic selection of restaurants helmed by leading chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, a classical bar, pool bar and beach bar, and mini supermarket. Other drawing cards include a science museum, waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, art gallery, cinema, convention centre, amphitheatre, youth centre with virtual reality games, kid’s club, water sports centre, gymnasium and yoga room and an 18-hole putting green. And with that, Alma Resort welcomes travellers with a stunning fresh concept of space, luxury and natural elements designed to create a new style of vacation in a new style of resort. With a 196-pavilion and 384-suite resort that commands 74 acres of beachfront, 14 sublime food and beverage outlets and a cascade of 12 beachfront swimming pools, the new five-star resort is offering day passes (single & family day pass) affording locals and expats to its infinity swimming pool, 6000 square meter water park and stretch of Long Beach as well as food and beverage vouchers. (www.alma-resort.com)