We are often asked this question and the answers are so many and varied that by the time you have been through all the advantages Asia has over any other continent in the world, you could write a novel on the subject.
For us, the primary reason for holidaying here is simply the fact that Asia consistently delivers high quality accommodation at incredible prices. Where else can you stay for 2 weeks in a world class 5* for under £1,400 per person including flights? It is not just the quality of the accommodation that beats other destinations in value for money, but size. On average, the lead in rooms at the resorts we feature start at 50m2. That’s a good 40% larger than most 5* rooms in other continents and many lead in rooms at our hotels begin at 60-70m2 with some at 100m2.
Once you have absorbed the palatial surroundings of your room and hotel, you will find very high quality cuisine to suit all palates. The local food in the countries we feature is vibrant and invigorating, even the dishes without the almost sacred red chilli. Many of the executive chefs are European or from the Antipodes and in a few lucky cases, Japan, so you’ll find excellent Western meals on offer in all the places we advertise.
Asia has just about every habitat and environment you can imagine from beautiful beaches, big oceans, pond like seas, hills, mountains, desserts, jungles and lakes. Some of our most interesting resorts are away from the beach and if you don’t take all your time here, it is definitely worth seeing some different topography while on this side of the globe.
Aside to the different geography available, there is an immense amount of history here, not to mention the culture. For instance, when you’re in Japan or Taiwan, you really know you’re away from home and that to us is the essence of travelling abroad, an element which has been lost in other destinations.
A much missed side of Asia is the wildlife which is a shame as it has some world class sights. Most obvious is the Asian Elephant which you will see without having to venture into the wilds as they are mostly working elephants. Whilst there employment has dwindled rapidly in recent years with machinery taking over, there has been a huge effort to conserve and save these communities of workers and their handlers. In Chiang Rai, the Anantara Golden Triangle which we are very close to, has its own elephant sanctuary on site, a whole village supported by the hotel and outside donations. It’s a magical experience the visit these graceful creatures and their playful young and we urge anyone in this area to visit.
The grey giants aside, there are the amazing Orangutans of Borneo, some of the best diving in the world and a little known spectacle in Asia - whale watching. There are even genuine safari in options such as Khao Yai National Park in Thailand (only 2 hours from Bangkok) and Yala National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors commonly see leopard during the day - fairly astounding as our editor spent a year in Africa and never even glimpsed this most elusive big cat.
Add to this a guaranteed year round temperature of 30 degrees plus in all our beach resorts, service levels that far surpass anywhere else in the world and the best value for your pound in the world and there are a thousand reasons to travel to this rich continent.
Let us make the experience even more pleasurable with special value added deals and perks specially negotiated for our clients that could see you getting that room upgrade you crave, a free massage or two or perhaps a romantic meal on a candle lit beach.
Asia Options - some diverse highlights
Whilst most of this brochure is dedicated to stunning beach resorts and other beautiful locations, Asia has a lot more to offer than pure relaxation so here are a few ideas of what else you could do with your time on this diverse continent.
Island hopping in the Andaman
The Andaman Sea stretches from Burma, the whole length of Thailand’s West coast and down to Malacca in Malaysia, but the most intriguing section is the Phang Nga region down to the southern border of Thailand. The sea here is dotted with the iconic limestone islands made famous by the “Man with the Golden Gun” but is also home to some beautifully lush and less stalagmite-like islands, many of which are uninhabited.
So, why not hire a boat and anchor where you like, or moor up at some islands with good accommodation along the way and explore parts of this sea that no-one else has seen. Absolute musts are visits to Koh Muk, Koh Ngai, Koh Libong and Koh Rok.
Whether you’re discovering untouched beaches or diving virgin sites, this is a trip of a lifetime and can be totally bespoke to you.
Villa Accommodation
In Asia, there is a growing Villa culture, especially in Thailand, both within traditional resorts but also large independent projects like Ban Suriyan Chandra, set in a stunning part of northern Samui. (see page 18). Please ask us about individual villas and ones within resorts. Asian Villas are wonderfully appointed and some are on a magnitude and with specifications that are hard to imagine. Take the top villas in some of the resorts we offer – for instance the Hilltop Reserve at Six Senses Yao Noi. A huge half moon pool dominates the foreground and behind 3 separate buildings house 1 master bedroom, 2 further en-suite rooms, a gym, in-house spa, dining room, living area and butlers quarters. There’s also a wine cellar and 2 further staff quarters or rooms for extra guests. Occupying 1473m2 this is just one example of some of the palatial villas on offer in Asia.
Skiing
Not a lot of people know that the best skiing in the world is to be found in Asia – on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido to be precise. The Australians cottoned on to this years ago and have been keeping it to themselves ever since but we are glad to blow the lid on this best kept secret. Niseko is the place to head but there is also decent skiing near Oita and a particularly fantastic Ryokan there which we have pleasure in featuring in this brochure. Why is the skiing so good here ? Hokkaido quite simply has the best climatic conditions to produce fine powder snow. Many metres of the fine white stuff fall from November to April making it a free skiers paradise but also giving great quality piste on the main runs for those with are not so daring.
Combined with Japanese hospitality, hot springs to soak in après-ski, a fantastic nightlife and the best cuisine in the world bar –none, Japan is somewhere every avid skier should visit at least once and thereafter will probably come back again and again. It really is that good.
Orient Express
Another special highlight that is a “must-do” (train enthusiast or not) is the Orient Express from Singapore to Bangkok. Aside to riding on the most iconic train in the world and enjoying its legendary silver service and food, you will travel through some amazing countryside, a lot of it never seen by regular travellers because of the route of the track. Crossing the river Kwai on the final leg of the journey from Singapore, you get an enormous sense of history. Travelling in style often means missing the best sights but with an observation car and windows never more than two feet away, this train journey will let you absorb the best of Malaysia and Thailand in the most luxurious surroundings.
