Like Christmas and New Year’s, the Chinese New Year holiday is a popular time to travel. If you want to get in on the best flight and hotel deals, it’s time to start booking – you’ll thank us when prices start skyrocketing in January! Here’s our round-up of great destinations to head to.
InterContinental Koh Samui Resort – Thailand
Treat the fam to a fun getaway on the sunny Thai island of Koh Samui this CNY break. The InterContinental Koh Samui Resort is a stunning beachfront property on the island’s southwest coast, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and with a sandy white beach. The views from the resort to the Gulf of Thailand, Five Islands and Ang Thong National Marine Park can only be described as epic! Relax in the resort’s elegant rooms, suites and villas – including a Club two-bedroom residence villa and a Club Napa Reserve three-bedroom residence villa. This is a kid-friendly resort, too, with a great kids’ club, Planet Trekkers. There are also four restaurants and bars, the Baan Thai Spa by HARNN and other fun activities to keep everyone entertained. If all that’s not enough to entice you to make a booking, at the recent World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony, the resort won “Asia’s Leading Beach Resort 2019” and “Thailand’s Leading Beach Resort 2019”.
Also…
To celebrate the Year of the Rat, the hotel is rolling out a special offer for guests who stay three nights or more (in any of the rooms, suites or villas). Along with your stay, daily breakfast is offered plus a daily resort credit of THB888 nett for spending on F&B or spa treatments. You’ll also get exclusive round-trip airport transfers and a relaxing 60-minute Thai massage.
samui.intercontinental.com | icsamui.rsvn@ihg.com
Bawah Reserve, Anambas Islands – Indonesia (near Batam)
If you like a destination that isn’t on many people’s radar, you’ll love Bawah Reserve. This private resort is spread across six beautiful islands in Indonesia, and is an 80-minute seaplane journey from Batam International Airport. You’ll love the lush natural setting here, with the resort literally encircled by coral reefs, mangroves and jungle. Enjoy diving and paddle boarding, or take it down a notch and lounge by the pool, book a treatment at the spa, or catch a movie at the open-air cinema in the evening.
When it comes to accommodation, you can take your pick from elegant suites and overwater bungalows. The former are done up in Robinson Crusoe style for a true island vacation feel; for larger groups, the two-bedroom villa is a great option. Stays at Bawah Reserve are all-inclusive, with various dining options available including The Boat House Bar & Restaurant and Treetop Club House Restaurant, or, for lighter bites, The Grouper Beach & Pool Bar.
scottdunn.com/sg/bawah-reserve
Villa Inle Resort and Spa – Myanmar
This Chinese New Year break, why not go somewhere different? Shanti Travel offers ready-made itineraries and tailor-made vacations for different interests and budgets. One of their favourite destinations that still has an off-the-beaten-track vibe is Myanmar, just a three-hour flight from Singapore. Tailor-made tours by Shanti Travel allow you to explore a heap of the country’s many wonders, from Yangon’s shopping streets and a cruise on the Irrawaddy River to the acclaimed archaeological wonders in Bagan and a boat ride on Inle Lake.
The Shanti team recommends staying at Villa Inle Resort and Spa. The luxury property offers views of mountains and the famous lake, and the villas come with a living area and private balcony, with interiors decked out with local paintings. The best time to visit Myanmar is between November and February.
The Apurva Kempinski Bali – Indonesia
A beachfront stay in Bali? Yes, please. The Apurva Kempinski in Nusa Dua has luxurious rooms, suites and villas (one-, two- and three-bedrooms) with private pools, lounge areas, outdoor showers and access to the Villa Lounge. Or, you could opt for one of the junior or specialist suites that have private plunge pools. Whatever you choose, be sure to check into the ocean-facing Apurva Spa for a pampering sesh during your stay. There are also six restaurants, bars and lounges, including Izakaya by OKU.
The hotel is offering a special CNY package from $345 per night (18 to 31 January), which includes a three-night stay package in a Grand Deluxe room, a Chinese buffet dinner and daily breakfast.
kempinski.com/the-apurva-kempinski-bali
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort – Maldives
There’s nothing quite like a trip to the Maldives – all that stunning turquoise water; wow! Stay at the new InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort in Hanifaru Bay, and can look forward to immersing yourself in that wonderful water to snorkel amongst feeding whale sharks and reef manta rays. The property has beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences to choose from, including two-storey lagoon and overwater villas that come with private infinity and jacuzzi pools. Or, go all out with the luxurious two and three-bedroom residences.
You can take your pick from six restaurants and bars during your stay – and don’t miss a visit to the AVI Spa, which has six overwater treatment villas, steam rooms, ice fountains, a yoga pavilion and a fitness centre. All guests enjoy Club InterContinental benefits, such as breakfast, afternoon tea and refreshments for the entire family.
EAST, Hong Kong
This stylish hotel has a great rooftop bar overlooking its Quarry Bay location (near Taikoo Place and Cityplaza) and Victoria Harbour. Come up here to enjoy a bit of tapas and some DJ-spun tunes. Rooms at EAST have high ceilings, views of the city and harbour, and a rain shower. You can also enjoy the use of the 24-hour gym and a heated pool (great for the winter months), and there are various on-site bars and restaurants, including all-day restaurant Feast.
In February 2020, the hotel will be offering a special 10th-anniversary room package, with exclusive themed menus also available at Feast during the Chinese New Year holidays.
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