Ten don’t-miss Southeast Asian resorts

Whether it's mastering Muay Thai on the beach or a sumptuous spa you crave, kick back and relax in one of these 10 gorgeous resorts in the region, says Helen Dailey

Whether it’s serene spas or sumptuous dining you crave, we present ten fabulous Southeast Asian resorts designed to hit the spot

THE ONE WHERE YOU CAN GET BACK TO NATURE: THE RITZ- CARLTON, LANGKAWI

Located amid in the island’s rainforest and set in its own private bay, The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi offers high-end va va voom steeped in ancient natural beauty – and the island’s only overwater spa. Designed to capture the charm of the nearby traditional villages, or kampongs by Philippe Villeroux of Kuala Lumpur-based Tropical Area Architectto, the spa’s five spa treatment rooms resemble Malay fishing nets, or bubus, tall intricately designed shapes akin to a birdcage, or cocoon. The resort’s 75 guest rooms, 15 suites and 29 villas are framed by delicate references to Malay architecture – think intricately carved furniture, large windows and gabled roofs. The resort is home to four distinct dining venues, each overlooking the glistening Andaman Sea offering striking views from sunrise to sunset. From the blend of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine in Langkawi Kitchen, to western favorites in the Beach Grill, and Chinese seafood in Hai Yan, there are options to delight the palates of all.

Spa rituals at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Langkawi have been created to restore equilibrium within body, mind and soul with an infusion of traditional local elements. Spa Rituals have been inspired by the indigenous healing and beauty ceremonies practiced by local shamans on the Island for thousands of years.. ritzcarlton.com

THE ONE FOR BOUTIQUE BLISS: THE PURIST VILLAS, BALI

Looking to lose yourself in a blissed-out bubble for a few days? With just 18 uniquely styled villas delivering calming vistas over the rice paddies and the nearby village of Kutuh Kaje, the Purist Villas might be just the tonic you’re looking for. Grandest of all is the Hill Pool Villa, an antique house from Timor laid out over two stories that sleeps four, with a six-metre high woven roof connecting the master and second bedroom. Similarly chic are the Bamboo Pool Villas, hidden behind natural stone and wooden walls and featuring a private pool in the centre of the garden. Savour the daily complimentary afternoon tea at Café Balismo, put your feet up and immerse yourself in the laidback Ubud way of life. As it’s Bali, yoga sessions in all disciplines are a given, as are Ayurvedic spa therapies. There’s even a resident healer, who can help relate your body’s ailments to physical manifestations of the mind should you so wish. thepuristvillas.com

THE ONE DESIGNED BY THE STAR ARCHITECT: INTERCONTINENTAL DANANG SUN PENINSULA RESORT, VIETNAM

Tucked away in the mythic hills of Monkey Mountain in the Son Tra Peninsula nature reserve, the Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is a work of art as much as a resort. Set in 39 hectares of stepped gardens leading down to a private beach, the 201-room hotel was designed by star architect Bill Bensley, who pays tribute to Vietnam with cool design details like the delicate lattice work and Vietnamese-inspired furnishings found in the suites. Standard rooms, meanwhile, are unapologetically contemporary with their striking black-and-white palette, and infinity pools feature signature aquamarine stripes. As with the rooms, the restaurants adopt a bold design aesthetic. All-day dining joint Citron embraces a colour palette of yellow and green, with animal graffiti adapted from Vietnam’s earliest known cave paintings adorning the walls, temple-inspired lamps and imperial Nguyen thrones recast as dining chairs. Private dining booths in the inverted shape of Vietnam’s conical hats, meanwhile, float out over the hillside 100m above sea level. La Maison 1888, the first restaurant in Vietnam to be helmed by a worldrenowned Michelin-starred chef (Pierre Gagnaire if you were wondering) is imagined as an antique French maison, while the L_O_N_G Bar features nesting chairs inspired by Asian fishermen’s baskets. intercontinental.com

THE ONE FOR GOLFERS: ANANTARA DESARU COAST RESORT & VILLAS, MALAYSIA

Located at the country’s southeastern tip in Johor Bahru facing the South China Sea, the Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is one of Malaysia’s hottest new properties after its December 2019 debut. With 123 keys, there are 90 deluxe guest rooms in low-rise buildings, 13 one- and two-bedroom pool villas; and 20 three- and fourbedroom residences with infinity pool, kitchen and chef, & butler service for those travelling en masse.

Designed by Singapore’s WOW Architects & Warner Wong Design with interiors by Environment Design Consultants from Malaysia, the resort’s design takes its cues from traditional Malay buildings, with indigenous materials and fabrics such as woven textiles, wicker and silhouettes of traditional Malay crafts all incorporated into the interior.

Keen golfers can practise their swing and work on that handicap at The Els Club Desaru Coast, which comprises two courses featuring 45 holes in total: Ocean Course, a 27-hole golf course designed by four-time major champion, Ernie Els; and Valley Course, an 18-hole golf course designed in collaboration with another major champion, Vijay Singh. Once you’re done, check in for a massage at the Anantara Spa – a 90-minute bespoke spa experience, perhaps, or a 24-carat gold facial. There’s plenty going on nearby too, as Desaru Coast is home to an adventure waterpark, waterfront retail village plus other hotels and resorts. anantara.com

THE ONE THAT’S NEWLY REJUVENATED: CONRAD BALI

If you’re a sucker for a property that’s reinvented itself and don’t want the hassle of a long transfer once you’ve touched down at the airport, then consider checking into the Conrad Bali. Located around 12km from Ngurah Rai, it completed the redesign and expansion of its 298 rooms and suites, spa and hotel lobby last year to tie in with Hilton’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

The hotel’s newly-expanded deluxe guest rooms now feature a blue and grey colour palette and wooden furniture, reflecting tropical island-inspired patterns with warm lighting and contemporary Balinese artwork delivering the final authentic flourish. Some rooms offer lagoon access, while others have oceanfront views from the balcony or terrace. Guests can flop out on the balcony’s new daybeds before heading over to the refurbished lagoon pool or revamped main pool for a swim then dinner at the Suku restaurant, an oh-so-chic space that offers authentic street food from Bali, Java, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. It has tweaked the menu to offer healthier options of street food classics, and uses locally-sourced ingredients where possible, including spices from its own garden. conradbali.com

THE ONE TO MASTER MUAY THAI ON THE BEACH: SILAVADEE KOH SAMUI

Tucked away on Laem Nam beach in Koh Samui, the 80-room Silavadee Pool Spa Resort features deluxe rooms, pool villas and pool villa suites. Standout selections include the Jacuzzi Deluxe, with an outdoor Jacuzzi from which guests can admire the stars, and the Tropical Pool Villa, which has a private pool equipped with an Aqua Jet Massage Bed. Most upscale of all is the 300 sqm Ocean Front Pool Villa Suite, which has its own infinity pool, private library and wine cellar.

The resort takes wellness seriously, with three distinct programmes: Sila Wellbeing (nature-based activities), Balanced Fitness (workouts and stretching sessions) and Mindful Awareness (meditation and breathing activities). Best of all, though, is the chance to master some Thai boxing basics with a Muay Thai lesson on the beach. Hip rotation is key for all blocks, kicks and punches, meaning you get an intense core workout at the same time. Guests can also take part in Jasmine garland making and alms giving. If that all sounds like too much effort, step into the resort’s infinity pool and order up a drink at the Sun Pool Bar, or head over to the rooftop Star bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. silavadeeresort.com

THE ONE FOR MINIMALISTS: ALILA VILLAS KOH RUSSEY

Located on the self-proclaimed Cambodian Riviera on an isle off the south coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand, Alila Villas Koh Russey’s design is inspired by the Krama, a patterned cloth widely used in Khmer life, merging clean lines and geometric forms. For many years, Koh Russey served as an outpost of the Cambodian Navy and today still remains under its administration. “Russei” means bamboo in Khmer, and reflects the large amounts of bamboo that still cover this chilled-out island.

The resort’s minimalistic cubic buildings, painted a stylish gunmetal grey, feature flat roofs and alternating vertical striations that reflect the Khmer theme, and blend discreetly with the jungle-like setting. Hardwood floors, dark volcanic and slate-like stone, and steel are juxtaposed against wooden screens, woven silks and ikat cushions to create a distinct design theme, while rattan bubble chairs in the reception area, suspended from the ceiling by metal chains, add a playful touch.

When you’ve finished admiring the cool design details, amble along the private 1.2m stretch of copper-sand beach shaded by coconut and iron-wood trees, where you can enjoy cinema nights during the dry season, or book a session at one of the spa’s five double treatment rooms, which utilise local ingredients such as aloe vera and Khmer herbs and spices. alilahotels.com

THE ONE FOR THOSE TRAVELLING WITH AN ENTOURAGE: FOUR SEASONS CHIANG MAI

Those looking for an authentic Northern Thailand getaway may find the postcard-perfect setting of Four Seasons Chiang Mai, which is wrapped around its own rice paddy in the Mae Rim Valley with traditional teak pavilions serving as accommodation, just the thing. Furnished with custom-made artwork and Thai silk accessories, the resort is home to one of the area’s best cooking schools, the Rim Thai Kitchen, where guests can master the nuances of Thai cooking. But there’s ample in the way of R&R too: why not try the Royal Lanna Signature Treament, a blend of seven scared flowers to sooth and beautify skin, or the Royal Samunrpai treatment at the spa, where silk poultices are filled with hot medicinal herbs to open the pores and soothe the muscles. Travelling with a big group of family or friends, or your very own entourage? Then check into the 20-Bedroom Private Resort Experience, which has five private swimming pools and five live-in butlers. This exclusive collection of five villas is linked by a bamboo-lined pathway, and comes with complimentary meals and wine tasting sessions, while game nights, cooking competitions (friendly or otherwise) and private performances can also be arranged for you and your crew. fourseasons.com