2010 summer vacation deals
JASSMIN PETER scouts the region for the latest and most glamorous travel deals for summer and beyond.
Be prepared for round-the-clock indulgence at the upscale Royale Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. Reminiscent of Malaysia's unique heritage architecture with its high-pitched tiled roofs, carved wooden designs and indoor rainforest trees, this plush five-star hotel also offers contemporary service and state-of-the-art facilities. And due to its prime location - central to most inner-city attractions including Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Aquaria KLCC, Malaysia's National Trust Badan Warisan, Kompleks Kraft (Craft Complex) and shopping havens such as Pavilion, Starhill Gallery and Lot 10 - it also boasts a spectacular view of the Petronas Twin Towers.
If you're travelling with friends or family for an extended period of time, opt for a serviced apartment rather than a hotel room. Comfortable, elegant and stylishly decorated, these apartments have a "homely" feel, are more spacious and are in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio configurations with cooking and laundry facilities.
For the ultimate pampering experience, visit the in-house Telaga Bunga Spa to enjoy hydrotherapy, reflexology, body scrubs, facials and massages. Choose from three signature restaurants: fine Malay dining at Bunga Emas, L'Heritage's French cuisine and the authentic Chinese fare of Tai Ping. For something less formal, Warisan Café has an open kitchen concept and offers a buffet and barbecue at the pool deck.
THE FINDER OFFER: Quote "Finder 2010" and enjoy two days, one night single or twin-share stay in a Superior room from RM499, inclusive of a 60-minute spa session for one and a RM100 dining voucher. Valid until December 15, 2010. www.theroyalechulan.com.my
Mongolian magic
Step out of the urban jungle and into nature as you tour Mongolia with Atrium Eco Travel. Your eight day, seven-night Steppes Experience package takes you through the amazing Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, situated at the westernmost edge of the Great Mongolian grassland steppes and home to rare wildlife and real Mongolian nomads. Hike, ride, bird watch, kayak and fish to your heart's content, and enjoy an authentic nomadic experience by sleeping under the stars in a ger camp. Groups of four can travel at just $1,290 per person (excluding flights). www.atriumecotravel.com
Enjoy an authentic, culture-rich Bali experience in your own villa - luxurious, extremely private and amazingly affordable. Bali Dream Villas has two villas with three and four bedrooms, ideal if you're organising a group vacation. Designed in classic Balinese style, these villas are located 30-minutes' drive from the airport in quiet Canggu village - a stone's throw from beautiful beaches, yet just 15 minutes away from cosmopolitan Seminyak. Both villas are family friendly with pool fences, cots, baby monitors, toys and delicious kid's menus. At your beck and call are chefs, housekeepers, security guards and a complimentary car and driver for exploring nearby shops, restaurants, golf courses, sights and temples. Other services include babysitting, spa treatments, yoga classes and medical assistance. Daily rates start at just US$298! FINDER OFFER: July and August bookings receive a complimentary bottle of wine, simply quote "Finder Offer Summer 2010". www.balidreamvillas.com
If you're travelling in August, take advantage of Chillout Bali's special offer and stay at Teman Desa Villa located near Echo Beach, Canggu Bali. Choose from four different types of villas ranging from two, three and four bedrooms and book for any six nights to get one night free! Prices start at USD350 per night inclusive of tax, private airport transfers, breakfast on the first day, a personal chef and laundry facilities. www.chilloutbali.com
Mia Villa Bali and sister property Albia Villa Bali are offering a 20 percent discount on all bookings made through their new iPhone application. Available until December 31, 2010, all you have to do to enjoy the offer is download the newly-launched free application from the iPhone App Store, search for Mia Villa Bali and follow the instructions! www.miavilla.com, www.albiavilla.com
Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve is the perfect blend of Krabi's finest offerings - panoramic ocean views, private plunge pools, lush indigenous flora - and Ritz-Carlton's hallmark luxury service. This resort personalises your holiday the way you want it to be, enjoy a light barbecue lunch on a secluded beach, meditate with local monks, or go elephant trekking to a remote picnic spot - your wish is Phulay Bay's command. Packages start from
$2,115 for three nights, including round-trip transfers from Krabi Airport, private butler service, daily breakfast, yoga, a 50-minute massage, one private dinner and unlimited WIFI. http://reserve.ritzcarlton.com/phulay_bay
Maldives relaxation
One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives is the place to indulge in maximum relaxation. Nestled amidst white sandy coves and stunning dive sites, this resort has private villas dotted discreetly along the shore for your ultimate privacy. De-stress with an all-encompassing pampering experience at the One&Only Spa by ESPA, complete with heated vitality pools, crystal steam rooms, stone saunas, lifestyle showers and stimulating ice fountains. This health and beauty centre boasts eight pavilion treatment suites, two double over-water spa suites and the holistic Pedicure de Bastien. Positioned right above the lagoon is The Chi Pavilion, which is perfect for a yoga, Tai Chi or mediation session. Check the website for packages. www.oneandonlyresorts.com
Book a Caribbean escape at Como Hotel & Resorts Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands before September 8 and get 25 percent discount on a variety of packages. Reconnect with loved ones and enjoy family-oriented accommodation and activities, plus free dining for children 12 years and younger.
This promotion applies to various room categories and packages including the Sun and Seclusion, Parrot Cay Honeymoon, Dr Perricone, COMO Shambhala Experience, Babymoon and Romantic Runaway and also certain wellness programmes such as Ayurvedic and Stress Management. Tel: +1 649 946 7788, www.parrotcay.como.bz, Email: res@parrotcay.como.bz
Elegant rail adventure
Book a Singapore to Bangkok or return trip onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express and get two free five-star nights at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore or The Peninsula Bangkok. Both complimentary stays are inclusive of breakfast and station, airport and hotel transfers. FINDER OFFER: Quote "EOM" to enjoy this fabulous offer, available until June 24. Tel: 6395 0678, Email: oereservations.singapore@orient-express.com
SCUBA enthusiasts take advantage of Zeavola Resort's spectacular Zdive@Zeavola promotion. This luxurious resort is a short speedboat ride from Phuket and is nestled on the northern tip of Phi Phi Island, along a prime stretch of beach. Starting at just 9,900 Baht per night, this package allows you and someone special to stay in a beautiful Village Suite and enjoy daily breakfast, one dive session per day inclusive of boat transfer and equipment and complimentary wireless Internet access. Valid until October 31 2010. Tel: +66 7562 7000, www.zeavola.com, Email: reservation@zeavola.com
Langkawi nature & luxury
All things British
Learn everything you need to know before jetting off to the UK with TheBritishTraveller.com. Get up to speed with the history and culture of the UK and shop for famous British books, jewellery, TV and cinema DVDs and even food products. www.TheBritishTraveller.com also highlights highly-recommended hotels and award-winning restaurants and pubs, including famous celebrity haunts!
Safe travel for singles
Contiki's 2010-11 Asia programmes exclusively for 18 to 35 year olds are a hassle-free and safe way for young adults, singles and friends to experience the exotic. Choose from four planned itineraries covering the best of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. For an insider's view of Contiki's ideal mix of authentic activities, quality accommodation and amazing sights, all with an expert tour manager at the helm, check out Same Same, but Different, a 15-minute documentary following the Two Tims on a unique 14-day Contiki Asian adventure, at http://contiki.com.au/asiavideo. www.contiki.com.au
Don't pack your bags without a LUXE City Guide bespoke box set. Available in cool colours these packages hold five of your favourite LUXE City Guides. Go online, choose from 31 locations and the guides will be sent to you in the box of your choice. With over 400 suggestions on what to do, where to go and what to see in each LUXE guide, you can be assured of never running out of travel ideas. Available online at US$55 for a limited time period, from June 1. www.luxecityguides.com
Enjoy 20 metres of your own private Legian beachfront when staying at Villa Pantai Biru, offering a casual and relaxed "at home" feeling, yet with all the comforts of dedicated staff on call. Enjoy open-style garden bathrooms, showers facing the sea and a personal car and driver for shopping and sightseeing. www.balibeachholidays.com, Email: info@balibeachholidays.com
Posted Jun 2010
