Indonesian Island
It’s fair to say that the team from Travel & Leisure magazine thought was a pretty decent place when they visited the resort on Indonesia’s Sumba Island – they subsequently ranked it as the number one accommodation in the whole world! Nihiwatu is all about understated luxury set amidst wilderness. It’s an all-villa resort with vast outdoor living areas, sandy-floored bathrooms with an open-air concept, and private pools with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean – all just an hour’s flight from Bali. Exclusively through Singaporebased travel experts Country Holidays, you can now stay four nights at Nihiwatu for the price of three, through a US$1,845 package that includes return flights from Bali to Sumba and a complimentary Spa Safari. Call or visit for info.
Penang for Kids Nihiwatu countryholidays.com.sg
Located on Batu Feringgi Beach, Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-la stands out as one of Penang’s best family-oriented hotels, and a recent revamp means even more of a wet and wonderful time for young ones. The expanded children’s play area includes a new splash pad complete with tipping water buckets, and all kinds of sprays, jets and cannons; there’s also a new pool for children, with two water slides for endless fun, while the whirlpool has been redesigned to create more space among lush gardens. A new arts and crafts section is set to follow shortly. Everything has been designed with safety in mind, too, so parents can feel at ease. +60 4 8861911 | shangri-la.com/ penang/goldensandsresort
Away on Holiday
Qantas Out of Office is a service that transforms your traditional out-of-office auto email reply into a real-time photographic journal of your holiday. Just link your email account (Gmail or Hotmail) to your Instagram account at qantasoutofoffice.com and your email recipients will receive photo updates of your trip. (Tag photos with #qantasoutofoffice.) qantasoutofoffice.com
Swimming with Sea Giants
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas in Baal Atoll is offering guests a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with manta rays at Hanifaru Bay. The special viewing spot 45 minutes from the resort allows for snorkelling or free-diving with the rays during their annual migration. Catch this opportunity before the end of this month, or plan ahead for the next season, starting May 2017. anantara.com