We’re always excited by the idea of a beach getaway from Singapore! Luckily, there are plenty of divine destinations just a ferry or short flight away. We’re talking staying in a fab beachside resort with amazing food, views and places to explore (including the pool and bar.) or peaceful private islands! Here’s a handful of nearby destinations to book before the next public holiday in Singapore. Plus some stunning places to book if you’re searching for where to stay in Bintan to Thailand, contenders for the top beach resort in Malaysia and more!
Dreamy Indonesian island resorts
Looking for something easy for a long weekend getaway? The dual island resorts of Telunas are a slice of paradise that’s just 50km from Singapore.
Only two ferry rides away, Telunas Private Island is an intimate beach holiday resort with 15 spacious two-storey Overwater Villas and five couples-only Ridge Villas (each with a private plunge pool.) The overwater option comes with a large balcony with a double-chaise lounge to soak in the incredible views. You’ll enjoy front-row seats to spectacular sunrises and unforgettable star displays at night – something we don’t see much in the city! There’s also plenty of space to unwind in your king-size bed, large living room and sleeping loft for kids. For more R&R, book their signature overwater massage.
Near Telunas Private Island is Telunas Beach Resort, with a large stretch of sand that’s great for wandering or relaxing on while you enjoy a beach-side massage. The resort’s overwater bungalows are ideal for families and groups. There’s even a three-bedroom option that can accommodate up to 12 guests.
At either beachside resort, you can spend the day resting in a hammock with a good book or pick from the huge range of activities.
There’s kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, deck jumping, traditional fishing, a village tour and more on offer.
Special promotion
Want 25 percent off your room rates at Telunas? Use the promo code “PLAN&SAVE25” when making a booking three months or more in advance.
Discover more and make the most of the special promotion at telunasresorts.com
A top beach resort in Malaysia
In the Perhentian Islands off the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula, life still moves along to the rhythm of a bygone era, with no roads and no cars. Set amongst this tranquillity is Bubu, a top beach resort in Malaysia in a lush green setting on one of the two main islands, Perhentian Kecil. At this minimalist property just metres from the white sandy stretch of Long Beach, you’re invited to enjoy the landscape’s natural beauty or settle down with a good book. The 36 rooms and 18 private villas provide ample space for relaxing.
Of course, you can also choose to be more active, spending your day snorkelling in crystal clear water to find tropical marine life, jungle trekking, island hopping, reeling in a catch with a fishing guide, cruising as the sun sets and exploring local crafts and food.
For more rest and rejuvenation, visit the resort’s Grape Tree Spa to book a traditional treatment, and try dishes filled with local flavours from the two on-site restaurants.
Book a stay at this top beach resort in Malaysia at buburesort.com
Escape to a Bali beach resort
Just steps away from the beach, The Legian Seminyak, Bali lets ocean views take centre stage. This elevated boutique resort is understated, locally inspired and luxurious, from the sea-facing one- and two-bedroom suites to a spacious three-bedroom beach house with direct access to the sandy shores of Seminyak.
Grab a light entrée and cocktail by Proof Creative Singapore, the team behind two of 28 Asia’s 50 Best Bars at The Pool Bar and The Ocean Bar. Come evening, the hotel restaurant whips up delicious dishes such as rijstaffel, grilled seafood and steak, along with recipes using local techniques and sustainable ingredients. While you dine, look out over an iconic three-tiered infinity pool.
The resort spa has beachfront treatment rooms where you can experience four-hands massages, a “Javanese sea wave”, and ancient Balinese treatments. For wellness holidayers, there are warm plunge whirlpools, a cold plunge pool, sauna, steam rooms, a gymnasium powered by TechnoGym and also daily yoga and water-sports classes.
For more exclusivity, the adjacent property, The Club by The Legian Seminyak, Bali, is a private estate with a 30-metre pool and 13 private pool villas. Here, your stay also includes a dedicated butler, limousine service, laundry, daily afternoon tea, cocktails and canapés and a complimentary in-room private bar.
Check out these two properties at lhm-hotels.com
Where to stay in Bintan
Located on the pretty Treasure Bay waterfront just five minutes from the Bintan-Singapore ferry pier is an oasis where adventure meets indulgence. ANMON offers desert themed glamping accommodation set on a sprawling 20,000-square metre space. It’s also just a stone’s throw from Southeast Asia’s largest man-made lagoon, Crystal Lagoon.
The Instagrammable teepeestyle tents are designed with earthy tones and feature all the comforts of home. Each one has an enclosed patio to lounge in, private bathrooms and complementary high-speed internet. It all makes for a unique travel experience!
Step outside to indulge your taste buds at The Compass Rose, the inresort restaurant set between the sand and an outdoor pool. Alternatively, swing by the TIPI bar for signature cocktails, mocktails and shisha.
Throughout your stay, the digital concierge service ensures all guests have 24-hour access to assistance and can easily make booking requests for water sports, ATV rides, a barbecue outside your tent and more. Families with children aged five and up love the activities on offer and the overall getaway experience. Perfect for the next school holidays, or public holiday in Singapore.
Find out more about where to stay in Bintan with adventure on your door step at theanmon.com
An easy beach getaway from Singapore
This private island is just two and a half hours from Singapore – perfect for a mid-week break or long weekend. Located off the east coast of Bintan, Indonesia, Nikoi Island is a haven for nature lovers wanting to contribute to a long-term positive impact on the places they visit.
Ringed with white sandy beaches, colourful coral reefs and huge granite boulders, this 15-hectare island is stunningly unspoilt. Here you can spend your day snorkeling, stand- up paddle boarding, kayaking and exploring the island’s diverse marine life.
For little ones, the kids’ club activities include jetty jumping, coconut tree climbing and woodcraft. Not to mention a treasure hunt around the island at 5pm every day, as well as after-dinner marshmallow roasting at a beach bonfire! For mum and dad, there’s a spa, a bar that stays open until the last guest goes to bed and dining experiences celebrating fresh local ingredients.
Find out more about this private island at nikoi.com
A Phuket beach side resort
Situated in the heart of Patong, M Social Phuket is a creatively designed property with a modern feel. Here, you’re surrounded by trendy bars, shops and dining options with the iconic Patong Beach a short stroll away.
The 418 hotel rooms and suites are colourful and luxurious with new AI voice-controlled assistants in each room. Facilities include a day spa, two outdoor pools and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.
One of the joys of going on a beach getaway from Singapore is exploring the dining scene and you won’t need to go far. At M Social Phuket you’ll find two restaurants and two pool bars with diverse culinary offerings. Beast & Butterflies offers breakfast, casual daytime dining and boat-totable seafood in the evenings. For something lighter, Bincho Izakaya is a lively Japanese sushi and sake bar.
By the pool bars, Sun-Kissed and After Glow, find a haven with views of the serene Andaman Sea. Grab a cocktail, lay out in the sun or take part in nightly entertainment to celebrate life by the sea. The hotel also has a ballroom space ideal for a special event or fairy-tale wedding.
Holiday in Thailand by booking this beachside resort at msocial.com/phuket
Bintan beach getaway from Singapore
Just an hour from Singapore, Bintan is ideal for a long weekend over a public holiday in Singapore. If you are wondering where to stay in Bintan, The Sanchaya, is an elegant estate featuring 29 villas and suites and a private residence.
Keen to escape the heat during the day? Settle inside the resort’s library, take a dip in the 50-metre infinity pool or enjoy some R&R in the spa. Alternatively, do a workout in the gym or beachside yoga pavilion, play some croquet or take a wander through the expansive tropical gardens.
You won’t need to go far for a delicious meal either. The property is home to two exclusive restaurants for guests only, an alfresco Thai grill beside the pool, and a dining room with lovely views. There’s also 24-hour in-villa dining, a bar and a wine cellar.
Looking at a getaway for the next public holiday in Singapore? Discover more about the property at thesanchaya.com
A private beachside resort on Bintan
Nature meets elegance at this hidden oasis on Bintan. The property is fringed by tropical greenery on one side and the South China Sea on the other. Located on the island’s south-eastern shore, the beach resort in Bintan is reached via a 55-minute ferry ride from Singapore and then an 80-minute scenic drive.
The 127 rooms have simplicity and sophistication at their heart. They include 22 one-bedroom beachfront villas, 80 one-bedroom vista and garden terraces, 15 one-bedroom deluxe sea-view villas and four opulent two-bedroom villas. Try one of the many activities on offer at the beach resort in Bintan, which include a batik workshop where you’ll learn the traditional skill of dyeing fabric and take home your own personalised batik masterpiece!
More on this Bintan beach resort at cenizaro.com
Take a ferry to a top beach resort in Malaysia
If you’re looking for a beach break with minimal travel time, Desaru is just a short ferry ride from Singapore. Making it perfect for a quick escape during a weekend or public holiday in Singapore. Stay at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, which is located along the clear coastal waters and features sea-view rooms to opulent standalone villas with private pools.
The One-bedroom Lagoon Pool Villas offer an ample 110 square metres of space and a plunge pool – perfect for small families and couples. Even roomier are the Two-bedroom Villas, featuring traditional Malaysian design with a twin bedroom on the ground floor and a master bedroom upstairs. They accommodate four adults and two children comfortably. In addition to in-villa dining (and private barbecues!), guests at this top beach resort in Malaysia can also try steak, seafood and regional favourites at the beach holiday resort’s restaurants.
Escape to Malaysia on a public holiday in Singapore
Situated on the northwest tip of the island of Langkawi, The Datai is located in an ancient rainforest overlooking the tranquil Datai Bay. This top beach resort in Malaysia has 121 rooms, villas and suites offering breath taking nature views. Elevated among treetops, in the heart of the rainforest, the dining outlets – The Gulai House, The Pavilion, The Dining Room and The Beach Club – pay homage to the exotic flavours and culinary traditions of the region and beyond.
Bespoke facilities include The Nature Centre, an educational facility and home to resident naturalists and marine biologists. You can also try Ramuan treatments and VOYA facials at The Spa. Among the leisure facilities are three pools, The Health Club offering everything from yoga to silat, and retail outlet The Boutique. Oh, and one of the most scenic golf courses in the world!
Tranquil beachside resort in Thailand
Offering lovely views of Layan Beach, The Pavilions Phuket is just 20 minutes from Phuket airport. So it’s perfect for a long weekend, or perhaps a short beach themed break incorporating a public holiday in Singapore. The resort houses private pool villas and spacious suites.
Guests can enjoy gourmet eats at the two signature restaurants, The Plantation Club and Firefly. As the sun sets, head to 360 Bar for drinks and panoramic views. Spend the day enjoying a fun cooking class and whipping up yummy traditional Thai dishes. Alternatively, pamper yourself from the selection of traditional Thai healing therapies and soothing Western rituals at the spa.
Thai beach getaway from Singapore
The first thing that will strike you at this beachside resort on the quiet southwest coast of Koh Samui are the views over the Gulf of Thailand. This five-star beach holiday resort also offers many room options to suit different travellers. You can choose between spacious ocean view rooms, pool villas or a family villa at The InterContinental Koh Samui.
Indulge in a relaxing afternoon at Thai Spa by Harnn – pamper yourself with a soothing massage or a refreshing scrub. You can also go kayaking, snorkelling or diving, or visit nearby islands. If you’re travelling with kids, the flight time to this Thai beach holiday from Singapore is only a few hours. Plus parents can have a break by dropping their kids off at the Planet Trekkers kids’ club. There are loads of fun activities you can organise for ages four to 12, from beach soccer to nail painting.
Private pool villas in Vietnam
Located on Vietnam’s south central coast, this all-villa property comes with infinity-style pools, in-room villa host services, spacious sundecks and oversized bathtubs. You can choose a preferred room scent, too, and enjoy Anantara’s signature natural soap collection. The properties also come with an in-villa wine cellar and delicatessen, including a selection of charcuterie, cheese and locally-made ice cream.
There’s a swim-up bar that’s great for sampling premium cocktails, Vietnamese craft beers and Cuban cigars. And be sure to tuck into local seafood and regional eats at Sea.Fire.Salt, the resort’s signature restaurant.
Vietnam vacay at a beachside resort
Opened in 2019, Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort in Vietnam is a seaside getaway located southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy stunning ocean views and take your pick from the resort’s wide range of rooms, suites and villas.
Fancy a private pool? Each of the villas comes with one. You can even enjoy a floating breakfast in it! For larger groups, there are two- to three-bedroom villas spacious enough to house everyone comfortably. Meanwhile, the beachside resort’s Kids’ Club will keep little ones busy with a variety of activities. These include arts and crafts, fancy dress and painting.
Enjoyed reading about where to book a top beach resort in Malaysia and further afield for the next long weekend or public holiday in Singapore? Discover more of the best short breaks from Singapore and then check the rest of our Travel section for inspiration!
Can’t get away for a break? Here’s a list of great things to do in Singapore,
