Star Alliance - Recommended destination in South-east Asia - and routing?

I wasn't sure if I should post this in a general travel forum or here, as it's a mix of travel destination recommendations and *A routing requirements. I think routing is the more important piece, so I settled on this forum.

As a part of a larger trip, we are planning a mini 3-stop trip in SE Asia, starting and finishing in Singapore. The other fixed destination is Hong Kong. What I'm looking for is the third stop. Some that are on the list are Phuket or Ko Ko Phi in Thailand, or maybe Bali.

This is where routing comes to play. This will be a *A award ticket, and I couldn't find a legal routing (using ANA's tool), since for example, all options for HKG-DPS are through SIN, which is originating point so not allowed.

So, the question for experienced Asia flyers is this - what would be a good destination to fit in SIN-HKG-xxx-SIN route, that can be flown using *A? It's preferable that xxx is a coastal/beach destination, and under 3 hours of flying from HKG/SIN? And of course, so that it can be routed using *A award (I have an option of using UA or NH miles, probably in C)

Thanks!

You could try SGN for a short flight from HKG on UA. I haven't done that one yet, but would like to try it out.

Depends on your standard and expectations. Southeast Asia has such a wide range.

Koh Phi Phi, while gorgeous and amazing, is no luxury stop. It's a haul to get there (no airport, need to take buses and boats) and there isn't much for luxury accommodation on the island. But if you like it cheap and beautiful, it's a great place.

If you prefer an easy luxury stop, then go Bali, Phuket, or Koh Samui.

Enjoy!

This one is a little tough because from a *A carrier perspective you're looking at SQ and TG. However some of the ex-Singapore locations to exotic places are served by SQ's affiliate Silkair which is not a *A member, so that doesn't help you. TG does go HKG-Phuket but you're stuck having to get from Phuket to SIN.

If you're somewhat adventurous and could consider suffering a bit on one of the legs, you could try one of the low cost carriers out here to make up Phuket-SIN. Jetstar is pretty reliable. But watch out you're not loaded up with luggage! All the Asian LCCs charge something for checked baggage. Just remember that as far as the *A award ticket is concerned you'll have an open jaw - not sure if you can book that (it's the north asia/south asia thing).

One other thought. If you want to get a feel for HKG-DPS (Bali) flights, there's a thread started today that's in the Hong Kong (Asia/destinations) forum that you might want to take a look at. Note that the airlines mentioned in that post are not *A.

Look at sgn-dad.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

I forgot to mention Koh Samui in my original list (plus I listed Ko Phi Phi as Ko Ko Phi, happens to me all the time ;) ). As you can see most are "resort" type destinations, as the rest of the trip is focused mostly on larger cities, so that's supposed to be our few days or relaxation.
We're probably ok with less luxury, but "getting there" part is more of an obstacle.

As for the routing, I did originally look at regional LCCs, got a few recommendations from some friends. So that's an option, even as covering that one leg, assuming I can do the open-jaw. I generally have no problem doing a short leg on a regional LCC in Y, it was more of a continuity/luggage thing - we're doing the main portion of the trip on UA in C, and it's 2+ weeks vacation, so I'm guessing 2 bags, probably under 50lbs. I guess paying (whatever that charge is) on one leg is not going to take us into bankruptcy ;)

Any routable destinations in the area that haven't been mentioned yet? (btw. thanks for the SGN suggestion, would not have crossed my mind)

I don't believe I saw when you were planning to travel? This will be critical for where you decide to go. The rainy season varies for the Thai islands and tends to end sooner in the south and east. It is a little longer for Koh Samui because of its location. Koh Phi Phi and Phuket are nice, but IMHO a little touristy and overdone. You could consider Koh Lanta in Thailand. A bit of a hike to get to, but well worth it. Fly BKK-KBV (Krabi) on TG and then take a mini van and boat to get there. I can highly recommend it. Check out the Layana resort. Really, mellow and a wonderful place to spend a relaxing trip after the hustle of SE Asian cities. Krabi is nice as well. I have not really spent much time there, but it would cut out the bus and boat transfers you have with Koh Lanta.

Regardless, enjoy! SE Asia is wonderful.

Koh Phi Phi and Phuket are nice, but IMHO a little touristy and overdone. You could consider Koh Lanta in Thailand. A bit of a hike to get to, but well worth it. Fly BKK-KBV (Krabi) on TG and then take a mini van and boat to get there. I can highly recommend it. Check out the Layana resort. Really, mellow and a wonderful place to spend a relaxing trip after the hustle of SE Asian cities. Krabi is nice as well. I have not really spent much time there, but it would cut out the bus and boat transfers you have with Koh Lanta.

Regardless, enjoy! SE Asia is wonderful.

I agree with this post a 100%. Last summer I spent time in Krabi, Phuket, Koh Lanta, and Phi Phi for a day.
Phi Phi was over touristed even in the off season, too many boats, not enough space on the beach. Phuket is over touristed, over priced and full of package tourists. Krabi was nice but a bit boring in the summer. Lanta was my favourite place by far. Its so peaceful and relaxed, you can motorbike around the island, and the beaches are great too.

Not to take anything away from the Thai beach towns but I much prefer Bali. The Seminyak area for beaches or Ubud for inland hills. In general, I think the hotels, villas, and restaurants are more sophisticated and much better values. Just avoid Kuta like the plague. It's almost as bad as Phuket. Of course, as others have stated the weather should be considered, too.

All I can think about for HKG-XXX-SIN using *A award is BKK and SGN.
I'd look for LCC option.

I have had the opportuniity to travel thoughout SEA. Krabi is very nice, easy flights from Bkk, Sgn is so much different, remember to get a visa before travelling. Sgn is a large city with lots of history, great people, food, Krabi is laid back, beaches and quiet. Not much to do in Laos, or Cambodia. Sgn would be my choice, and you can get there from HKG quite easily.

Another vote for SGN. The UA flight HKG-SGN-HKG is almost always available for awards, SIN-SGN is also easy.
From SGN you need to take another domestic flight (vietnam airlines online has good prices). There are many places with nice resorts, but as mentioned you need a visa for vietnam. Easiest to get from the San Francisco consulate, because you don't need to send your passport.

Also there are tons of cheap flights from SIN on several low cost carriers to many places, so you could go almost anywhere. Bali is one of my favored, also Brunei has the Empire Hotel (not much in Brunei, but the hotel is different and nice).

In China there are several places on Hainan Island (also Visa, flights from HKG fairly inexpensive).

Again FT proves to be excellent source for all sorts of information. Thanks for the recommendation, SGN was definitely not something we thought about.
Time of the year - early March. If I understand correctly, this is a fairly good time weather-wise.
Also, great pointers on Krabi, wasn't even on the radar, and based on initial search, it looks beautiful. How easy/fast is the transportation from the airport to the island/hotels?

Unfortunatelly, I'm trying to squeeze this in into a larger itinerary, so this side-trip won't be as long or as relaxed as I'd prefer (about 3 days), but nonetheless, we'd like to add some downtime and beach time.

Looking at the potential routings, I see something like SIN-HKG-BKK-BKV-BKK-SIN (combination of SQ and TG mostly). Btw what's AB6 on TG? My guess is A300-600, right?

bbelovic, you are an SPG Plat and may want to consider a visit to one of the SPG properties in Bali or Lombok for excellent service and suite upgrages.

Oh, and on the subject of local destinations, what are the opinions on one that requires no flying what-so-ever from SIN, Bintan? No advice needed re: *A routing ;) but since we're talking about places...

bbelovic, you are an SPG Plat and may want to consider a visit to one of the SPG properties in Bali or Lombok for excellent service and suite upgrages.

Any particular recommendations?

Krabi you can fly directly into from BKK on TG. Its about a 45 minute flight from BKK. Then van transfer to your hotel, which should be minimal, depending on where you stay. If you go for Koh Lanta. You would fly to Krabi, then take a 45 minute van ride to the ferry terminal. You can arrange a speed boat from here through your hotel to take the 30 minute boat speed boat ride. At the Layana they bring you right onto the beach at the hotel. The owners are typically there to greet you. Its a nice arrive.

If the weather is bad or you choose not to do the speed boat option, your van gets on the car ferry. Short trip across to the island, then another 45 minutes driving, depending on where you are staying on Koh Lanta.

Good luck.

Saigon itself isn't worth visiting for more than a few hrs. You could catch a quick flight from there to see Angkor Wat in Cambodia from there, though.