Suggestions sought for a beach holiday resort in Asia over Christmas / New Year

[dalereardon]

Hi,

I have the miles and see that can get a variety of flights still with Malaysian Airlines in business class into Asia just before Christmas and return in the new year.

My wife and I are after a beach resort type holiday. We want the place to have a pool that isn't too crowded as well, coughtail bar, restaurant, room service etc.

I am not sure where to go - my wife has been to coughet before and didn't really like that area but there are good islands. Either somewhere in Malaysia or Thailand I am guessing.

We are looking at good value for money rather than the cheapest place to stay. We like our creature comforts and 5 star is always the best if at all possible. I really love the Sheraton in Port Douglas with their lagoon pool so something like that would be great.

Cost could be probably a maximum of $450 per night but hopefully less.

What suggestions do people have?

We may come home via Hong Kong and spend a few days there - Cathay doesn't have any FF seats at the moment but often releases seats at short notice. I don't know if this happens around Christmas / New Year as well though.

Thanks,

Dale.

 

[k_sheep]

I've said it before on this board, but you just can't beat Japamala resort on Tioman island. Can get a berjaya air flight from KL or Singapore. Food isn't cheap by Malaysian standards, but still works out at ~$20 per meal including a coughtail.

Creature comforts well catered for - pure luxury, and you don't have to lift a finger. Staff go into your villa each time you leave to clean up, light candles, leave fruit/chocolate etc.

 

[dalereardon]

Will go and google it now. How expensive is it and how much are flights to the island? How long is the flight?

Thanks.

 

[GeraldG]

A good beach resort to try in Thailand is Krabi.

 

[k_sheep]

https://www.berjaya-air.com/packages.php?dest_id=2&color_cd=0000FF

I most recently went with a package from SIN and did 2 nights extension (previously went the LCC method and got a bus to Mersing in Malaysia from SIN, ferry across, then walked many kilometres up to ABC and salang! Not recommended unless you're quite fit). Looks like packages aren't available over xmas though In fact, I can't find any flights in December, so they're either not loaded yet, or are sold out.

Another option would be Kota Kinabalu - there's a Le meridien at least there which is close to the waterfront. The beach itself isn't anything special (mainly wharves from my memory!) but you can do boat trips easily out to the marine park. Sandakan would probably fit the bill - quite expensive so you won't run into the backpackers! (I've never been so can't give recommendations).


addit: flights to Tioman are less than $100 each way, about 40 mins from SZB or SIN. Amazing scenery the whole way!

Edit x2 - only flights to 27th October according to the timetable. Not sure what happens after that!

 

[tuapekastar]

I also was going to recommend checking out Pulau Tioman. I spent a week there long before there was a resort or airport but the beach was sensational and the water - you could see the bottom from the boat (~5 hours from Mersing) at 80 feet deep. Wonderful time was had.

 

[seritonin]

Just my two cents about Tioman... bear in mind that it is in the Eastern peninsula of Malaysia which has monsoon season Nov- March every year, the weather might not be the best

 

[dalereardon]

Hi,

Yes I just read the weather bit on their site and that is a definite negative. Up until then it was looking fantastic.

 

[mikejr]

A couple of suggestions; if you fancy Thailand we had a wonderful stay at Tongsai Bay in Koh Samui. If you are focused on Malaysia then another nice spot is Langkawi, we stayed at Casa Del Mar - small and intimate resort but not the nicest end of the island if you want to wander, other side is prettier and more unspoilt.

 

[bazoukka]

Westin Langkawi is good but expensive.

 

[Ric]

+1 for Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Check out these resorts....

Gayana Eco Resort | Bungaraya Island Resort Spa | Borneo Island | Malaysia

The Magellan Sutera Resort: Overview

Malaysia Spa Vacation and Beach Holiday Accommodation - Gaya Island Resort

 

[dimmertwin]

Check out properties in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. It reminds me of the way Thailand was in the '80s.
Great beaches, great food.

 

[Bunty]

Try Sri Lanka. It's still relatively cheap, but prices are increasing as the secret gets out and the Europeans return. It's a top surfing destination and has some of the best Hotel Resorts in the world (especially in the small boutique segment, though some main chains like Hilton and Taj are also available if that is more to your liking). $450pn will easily get you a 5*, but I expect you will pay much less. I travelled there 2 years ago and was spending around $150-$200pn for 5* for a family of 4.

Food is cheap and tasty, and you can still enjoy fine dining. Service is attentive and unobtrusive. Stick to the South West and South for beaches and the main resorts, but since the war finished several years ago, the Western Coast is opening up and revealing some unspoilt beaches and up & coming resorts. The Chinese, South Koreans and Japanese are investing heavily in this country, especially in infrastructure (new airport in the South, new highway, ports etc.). Hire a car and driver for around $300pw so you can get around at your own convenience straight from/to the airport. They will take you anywhere and the good ones will give you some local tips. The hotels usually accommodate/feed the drivers overnight.

Cathay flies into Colombo from HK and MAS used to fly there (not sure is Air Asia has taken over this route now). Emirates also fly there, though you may have to route through Dubai. Singapore also fly (if you are not tied to OW).

 

[Baysider]

Another vote for Langkawi. There are some lovely resorts, great beaches, and a couple of decent sized towns. You can choose to just hang about the resort and the beach, or the island is big enough to rent a vehicle and go out exploring some jungle and waterfalls. There are also small secluded islands you can visit for day trips.