Where to go for luxury beach vacation in Southeast Asia?
Jan 22, 2019, 11:10 pm
#31
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I know there’s several ones, which one would you recommend?
I also just realized there’s a new Ritz Carlton property on Langkawi (albeit the beach looks just as bad as at the St. Regis). Could be interesting to do a comparison St. Regis vs. RC vs. Datai (possibly vs. Andaman)...
I also just realized there’s a new Ritz Carlton property on Langkawi (albeit the beach looks just as bad as at the St. Regis). Could be interesting to do a comparison St. Regis vs. RC vs. Datai (possibly vs. Andaman)...
Jan 23, 2019, 7:20 am
#32
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Jan 30, 2019, 8:10 pm
#33
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Yeah, i think what you are looking for is either Can Dao or Maldives. Maybe Sri Lanka could work. Vietnam has good beaches, unfortunately not many where there is also a true luxe property. Looking at Con Dao for Dec/Jan but still in early exploration stages.
I’ve been to the Andaman/ Datai and the beach was nice but otherwise we were totally unimpressed and would never make the trip there again.
I’ve been to the Andaman/ Datai and the beach was nice but otherwise we were totally unimpressed and would never make the trip there again.
Jan 31, 2019, 2:28 am
#34
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Yes, we want to go to the Maldives as well, but not for this trip. (Also, the beach and water really doesn't have to be Maldives quality, we're just looking for a nice resort.)
Sri Lanka is far from Singapore as well, and from what I've heard there are no nice beaches.
As for Con Dao, the only true luxury hotel is probably the Six Senses? And the rooms don't look that great...
Why were you unimpressed with the Andaman / Datai? I've read so many good things, especially about the Datai.
Our stay at the St. Regis Langkawi was one of the most beautiful stays ever, despite the artificial beach and not-so-great water.
Sri Lanka is far from Singapore as well, and from what I've heard there are no nice beaches.
As for Con Dao, the only true luxury hotel is probably the Six Senses? And the rooms don't look that great...
Why were you unimpressed with the Andaman / Datai? I've read so many good things, especially about the Datai.
Our stay at the St. Regis Langkawi was one of the most beautiful stays ever, despite the artificial beach and not-so-great water.
May 10, 2019, 10:41 am
#35
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I know Maldives is not in SEA and I have been also trying to find a beach and a lagoon like in Maldives in SEA. So far I have not been to do so. It is also the privacy that is attractive in the Maldives. Your beach is your beach and you do not have to share with anyone. The lagoon is so clear and the sand is so white and fine you can walk in the lagoons for a bit in most resorts. Yes the reef protects it too. I have found two in Philippines but there are no resorts there. One is in Ilocos Norte and called Pagudpud and the other one is in Mindanao and is called Mati and there are only day outing beaches.
May 16, 2019, 4:03 am
#36
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Luxury Beach Vacation Places in Southeast Asia?
- Rosewood Phuket, Thailand.
- Amankila, Bali, Indonesia.
- Hotel Tugu Lombok, Indonesia.
- Anantara Hoi An Resort, Vietnam.
- Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Indonesia.
- The Sanchaya, Bintan Island, Indonesia.
- The St. Regis Bali Resort, Indonesia.
- Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Indonesia.
May 16, 2019, 4:10 am
#37
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From what I've heard, the sea at the Sanchaya is not swimmable (dirty water).
The St. Regis Bali has an OK beach, but the sea isn't really swimmable either: When we were there, it was low tide basically the whole day and the water went far out... It was just mud instead of water.
The other hotels I can't comment on.
The St. Regis Bali has an OK beach, but the sea isn't really swimmable either: When we were there, it was low tide basically the whole day and the water went far out... It was just mud instead of water.
The other hotels I can't comment on.
May 16, 2019, 6:14 am
#38
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I will second the fact that I was not overly joyed with the Andaman. I was anticipating something spectacular......the beach was for sure and a few other things in the area but the hard / soft product of the hotel did not WOW whatsoever.
Facility is old - we were unlucky that the hotel was full and received a room that we thought was older? Floor creaked; rusted window frames, no balcony..........I don't know it just did not feel warm and cozy for some reason.When we went during the month of February it seemed to be pack with kids - love kids but was not relaxing and they were everywhere! The beach itself is beautiful and the surrounding rain forest too is awesome.
Much more to mention -which I did on the master thread way back. Glad we visited but we would not return. Believe it or not we had a more relaxing time at the Westin Langkawi for some reason and were treated especially well as a PLAT.....even though this place also isnt something to write home about.
Facility is old - we were unlucky that the hotel was full and received a room that we thought was older? Floor creaked; rusted window frames, no balcony..........I don't know it just did not feel warm and cozy for some reason.When we went during the month of February it seemed to be pack with kids - love kids but was not relaxing and they were everywhere! The beach itself is beautiful and the surrounding rain forest too is awesome.
Much more to mention -which I did on the master thread way back. Glad we visited but we would not return. Believe it or not we had a more relaxing time at the Westin Langkawi for some reason and were treated especially well as a PLAT.....even though this place also isnt something to write home about.
May 16, 2019, 3:46 pm
#39
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We did book the Andaman, but checked out after one night. Not a luxury property at all. 4 star package holiday atmosphere. There were other dissatisfied guests who also checked out early. Not good.
May 17, 2019, 10:01 am
#40
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I would disagree with this suggestion. It's not on or near* to the beach. It's not in an exclusive or luxurious area. I didn't find the hotel itself to be very luxurious. Upscale? Yes. Luxurious, imo it's not.
*Okay, it is somewhat near to beaches, but for a guest looking for a "luxury beach vacation" this is not what they are looking for.
*Okay, it is somewhat near to beaches, but for a guest looking for a "luxury beach vacation" this is not what they are looking for.
May 18, 2019, 11:13 pm
#41
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I used to do the beach-chase bit in SE Asia, but Samoa and especially the Seychelles really ruined me on that. I can't speak to the comparative points on the luxe hotels but would point out in Thailand that they can't save the national parks from ruination, much less the non-protected areas. I'm trying to think of one that's stayed unspoiled since my first trip in 1992 and can't.
In the Seychelles and Fiji, IIRC, the highest-end places can get their own islands. Also possible in the Bahamas, I s'pose. And the Maldives, which might not exist except for a seawall around Male in 40 years, so maybe it carries the most urgency.
In the Seychelles and Fiji, IIRC, the highest-end places can get their own islands. Also possible in the Bahamas, I s'pose. And the Maldives, which might not exist except for a seawall around Male in 40 years, so maybe it carries the most urgency.
Jul 29, 2019, 3:22 am
#43
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Last time I checked, Sri Lanka was not a beach destination at all.
I’m done with South-East Asia for beach holidays. It’s not the right destination.
I’ll only do city trips there from now on.
I’m done with South-East Asia for beach holidays. It’s not the right destination.
I’ll only do city trips there from now on.
Jul 29, 2019, 4:57 am
#44
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Jul 29, 2019, 5:41 am
#45
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I’m still intrigued by there Philippines if that counts as SEA. Even though it seems like there are very few luxury hotels.
Other than that, it seems like SEA simply doesn’t have great beaches.
I went to Corsica last week and the water was crystal clear. The food is amazing, people are friendly and it’s safe.
The front desk agent who checked us in told us he’d been to the Seychelles and he didn’t understand all the fuzz as the water looked just like in the Corsican village he’s from.
I didn’t know a place like this exists in Europe - it was better than the (admittedly, small) parts of the Caribbean I’ve seen. As I’m mostly based in Europe, I can go to Corsica (or maybe Sardinia or Montenegro) and save money on flights. Admittedly, there aren’t many luxury hotels in Corsica, but you don’t have to worry about safety, food poisoning, denghue etc. - 4 star hotels or AirBnB’s are perfectly fine.
In retrospect, Southeast Asia seems like a massive waste of time in that regard - at least when traveling from another continent. In European winter, I’ll probably go to the Maldives or the Caribbean or something like that for a beach vacation, but definitely not Southeast Asia.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Asia, but the beaches have been disappointing.
Other than that, it seems like SEA simply doesn’t have great beaches.
I went to Corsica last week and the water was crystal clear. The food is amazing, people are friendly and it’s safe.
The front desk agent who checked us in told us he’d been to the Seychelles and he didn’t understand all the fuzz as the water looked just like in the Corsican village he’s from.
I didn’t know a place like this exists in Europe - it was better than the (admittedly, small) parts of the Caribbean I’ve seen. As I’m mostly based in Europe, I can go to Corsica (or maybe Sardinia or Montenegro) and save money on flights. Admittedly, there aren’t many luxury hotels in Corsica, but you don’t have to worry about safety, food poisoning, denghue etc. - 4 star hotels or AirBnB’s are perfectly fine.
In retrospect, Southeast Asia seems like a massive waste of time in that regard - at least when traveling from another continent. In European winter, I’ll probably go to the Maldives or the Caribbean or something like that for a beach vacation, but definitely not Southeast Asia.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Asia, but the beaches have been disappointing.