Originally Posted by LondonElite

I'd agree that Singapore is a long stopover rather than a destination. I usually combine one or two days at the end of a business trip to enjoy a bit of sunshine and pool, but honestly it's like a hotter version of many other cities. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine place, just not somewhere I'd bother with on holiday.

Bali, I believe, is overrated. There are some lovely parts, and some gorgeous resorts, plus you have the ability, as you say, to venture into the back country and towns, etc. If the weather is nice and the resort you are staying at has a nice beach (not all do!) then it's great, but I think a reality check is in order when I hear people saying Bali is like heaven on earth!

I suppose this is true for a lot of SE Asian islands, and Phuket and Koh Samui probably fit that bill as well, though I'd prefer the Chedi or Amanpuri there over Bali, and the food is much better. You might also want to check out the Malaysian west coast, Pangkor Laut, Datai, etc.

As far as the Maldives go, I'm really not sure about that. You really need to want to do nothing but sit on a beach or go diving. You are a prisoner in a luxury resort, and it gets very same after three days. On my fourth day I was going up the wall and took two extended diving days!