SAii Phi Phi Island Village beachfront junior suite
Location
Tropical island paradises don’t come more alluring than the Phi Phi islands. The archipelago – which encompasses Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Le, and four other towering limestone outcrops – is world-famous for its lofty karsts, aquamarine waters, and beautiful beaches. SAii Phi Phi Island Village occupies a prime chunk of oceanfront real estate on the east coast of Phi Phi Don, the largest and most populous of the islands.
Rooms
The resort had an extensive refurbishment before relaunching in February 2021 in its current guise. During the four-month-long, multi-million-baht renovation, all of the Thai-style bungalows, suites and villas were given a modern makeover with bright, rustic-chic interiors. The project was overseen by Last Word Studio, an acclaimed Bangkok-based design firm – and the results are strikingly fresh. Now, chic bungalows occupy the foreshore and revamped hillside pool villas are perched amid the jungle canopy upslope. I stayed in one of the beachfront options where an outdoor rainforest shower, comfortable king bed, and a daybed looking out towards the azure ocean supplied suitably indulgent touches.
1 of 2
SAii Phi Phi Island Village
Marine Discovery Centre
F&B
There are solid F&B options on-site. Mr. Tomyam, a casual poolside venue, offers Thai and fusion dishes for hungry bathers. The resort’s signature restaurant, The Beach House, serves up grilled meats and fresh seafood; unfortunately, it was closed when I was there. But Api – a breezy all-day dining spot – is no slouch in the culinary stakes, with a range of live cooking stations complementing delicious buffet options that span Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.
Facilities
Two pools, a spa with panoramic views, three bars, a gift shop, a recreation centre, a fitness room, and tennis courts are among the leisure highlights at the resort. Another standout facility is the resort’s Marine Discovery Centre, which serves as a conservation hub for the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. The centre supports critical projects such as bamboo shark conservation, coral propagation, clownfish breeding, mangrove planting, and beach cleaning.
Verdict
SAii Phi Phi Island Village is a barefoot-luxury option that is the perfect base to explore the beautiful Phi Phi archipelago. Check-in was swift, and all staff members I encountered were unfailingly polite.
Malaysian tycoon Lim Kok Thay, who is chairman and board executive of Genting Group, has registered a new company – Resorts World Cruises – in Singapore, but it is unclear if the business will be centred on cruise operations.
Genting Group’s Lim registered Resorts World Cruises in Singapore in March 2022
According to documents seen by Singapore’s broadsheet The Straits Times, which was the first to report on the development, Resorts World Cruises was incorporated on March 9 this year and held by shareholder Two Trees Family Holdings.
Two Trees Family, an investment holding company incorporated in Singapore on March 19, 2021, listed Lim and his son Lim Keong Hui, along with Gerard Lim Ewe Keng as directors.
Gerard, who is not related to Genting’s Lim family, is director of Kien Huat Realty, a private investment vehicle through which the Malaysian tycoon and his family control Genting.
Kok Thay, who owns 75 per cent of the beleaguered Genting Hong Kong resigned as the company’s chairman and CEO in late January, after the company filed for provisional liquidation.
Philippine travel and tourism industry’s contribution to the nation’s economy climbed 129.5 per cent year-on-year in 2021,to reach US$41 billion, finds WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR).
The improvement is particularly impressive, as it follows an 80 per cent decline.
From left: WTTC’s Julia Simpson, Philippine Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and WTTC’s Arnold Donald
The findings were revealed today by Julia Simpson, president & CEO of WTTC at the organisation’s Global Summit in Manila.
The event is attended by more than 1,000 delegates from across the global travel and tourism sector, including CEOs, business leaders, government officials, travel professionals and international media representatives.
The EIR for the Philippines shows that in 2021, the sector supported 7.8 million jobs, representing an substantial 20.5 per cent rise over 2020, compared with a global increase of 6.7 per cent.
Before the pandemic, the Philippine travel and tourism industry’s contribution to GDP was 22.5 per cent of the total economy. Damaging travel restrictions caused that to plunge by 80.7 per cent to a mere US$17.8 billion, dropping to just a 4.8 per cent share towards the country’s GDP.
The industry’s rebound in 2021 signals a recovery that is well underway, stated a WTTC release.
WTTC projects that the country’s travel and tourism industry’s contribution to GDP will grow by 6.7 per cent over the next decade, exceeding the expected country’s overall economy average growth rate of just 5.6 per cent. The industry’s contribution to GDP could be worth in excess of US$155 billion in 2032, accounting for 21.4 per cent of the whole economy.
Simpson describes the recovery as “astonishing”, and noted that the performance has resulted in “a massive employment boost for the sector, leading to the recovery of 1.3 million more jobs compared to the previous year”.
With travel and tourism employment forecast to grow annually by an average of three per cent over the next 10 years, nearly three million new jobs could be created, accounting for 21.5 per cent of all jobs in the Philippines.
AirAsia Philippines flew a record high of 33,917 guests from April 11 to 17, 2022, a 93 per cent increase over the same Easter period in 2021.
The increase is still 35 per cent below the average pre-pandemic passenger traffic observed during the same period in 2019.
AirAsia Philippines flew a record high of 33,917 guests during the Easter period
AirAsia recorded an average load factor of 88 per cent for all destinations, including top summer locations such as Cebu, Panglao, Puerto Princesa and Caticlan-Boracay.
AirAsia Philippines spokesperson and head of communications and public affairs Steve Dailisan said: “The numbers are very encouraging and a great indicator that indeed, we are now right on the path to recovery. Our guests’ hunger for travel really dictated the pace, especially this past Holy Week. We hope to sustain the growth leading to next month where more are expected to return to the provinces to exercise their right to suffrage.”
The airline is expecting to fly 103,986 guests in and out of Metro Manila via NAIA Terminal 4 next month with Caticlan, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cebu and Kalibo as the top five preferred destinations.
In anticipation of the summer surge and the National Elections happening in just three weeks, the airline has raised its flight frequencies by 28 per cent, allowing passengers to choose more flexible schedules to places like Caticlan, Kalibo, Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa and Bacolod.
Existing flight frequencies to other destinations such as Cagayan De Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Tacloban, Zamboanga and Dumaguete remain unchanged.
The Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark in the Sea of Japan is to receive a tourism boost under a new collaborative pact agreed this month.
The geologically important isles, which are 50km off the coast of Shimane Prefecture in southern Honshu, were recognised for their distinctive nature, culture and geographical features in 2013, and will see sustainable tourism development and promotion under the plan.
Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark will receive a tourism boost
The Oki Islands Geopark Promotion Organization, Shimane Prefecture, the four settlements on the islands, and JTB Corporation inked the agreement on April 14 with the aim of “contributing to the regional development of the Oki Islands and the revitalisation of the region through tourism,” according to a statement from JTB.
The organisations pledge to improve four key areas: the geopark’s brand power, the revitalisation of the region and promotion of tourism to international and domestic visitors, sustainable tourism development, and the deployment of human resources through public–private exchanges.
Specific matters to be addressed include the development of tourism content, training of local guides, establishment of a one-stop shop for visitors, and creation of initiatives to support regional development.
The plan builds on JTB’s expansion into the field of what it calls “exchange creation businesses”, which are designed to promote regional exchange by solving social issues.
It also follows changes to the management of the Oki Islands Geopark and improvements to its tourism offering. These include the recognition of the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark Promotion Council as a destination marketing organisation in November 2021, and its subsequent merger with the Oki Tourism Association to form the Oki Islands Geopark Promotion Organization on April 1.
Last year also saw the grand reopening of the Oki Islands Geopark Museum, which received a Scenery Award for contributing to the beauty of the region.
The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) in collaboration with digital health service provider, DOC2US, will provide travellers and guests at member hotels with a one-stop solution for Covid-19 testing requirements through the latter’s virtual Rapid Test Kit Intelligent System (RTKis).
Guests who book a stay at MAH participating member hotels can opt to add RTKis, which will be given to them upon check-in. The process is supervised by professional healthcare providers, and results are uploaded to the Public Health Laboratory Information System (SIMKA) integrated with MySejahtera – where travellers can also access the free Virtual Health Advisory services provided by DOC2US.
Subramaniam: We are keen to outline our commitment to elevate the travelling experience of visitors and steer the country towards endemicity
The Virtual Health Advisory is a digital hotline made available online for guests. At present, it is being introduced in some hotels in Negri Sembilan and will commence to hotels in other states later.
Currently, more than 20 MAH member hotels have signed up to offer RTKis, and are in the process of adoption.
MAH president N Subramaniam said: “While the hotel industry has yet to record significant increases in occupancy since the transition to endemic phase, we are keen to outline our commitment to elevate the travelling experience of visitors and steer the country towards endemicity by adding value to our existing in-house healthcare services through digital healthcare.”
CEO and co-founder of DOC2US, Raymond Choy, said in a press release: “The tourism and travel industry was the hardest hit during the pandemic. As a digital healthcare service provider, there are certainly more areas we can cover in order to help the tourism and hotel industry regain their footing. By starting with RTKis and Virtual Health Advisory for travellers, we can reassure them of our health and safety standards.”
Choy added that the Covid test can be conducted “conveniently and comfortably” in the hotel room within 24 hours of the guest’s arrival. “It is safe, secure and credible,” he said.
An influx of two million visitors is expected to enter Malaysia as the tourism industry recovers from Covid-19. The partnership between MAH and DOC2US is expected to facilitate travellers and make testing procedures convenient and accessible upon arrival and throughout their stay.
At the recent Tourism Industry Conference 2022, chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Keith Tan, sounded a clarion call for tourism stakeholders in Singapore to differentiate themselves from competitors with novel products and services.
Speaking to TTG Asia post-conference, industry stakeholders said the call is not new, and they have been adopting the required stance, with fresh, one-of-a-kind, value-added offerings curated to give guests more bang for their buck.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s Overnight in the Museum experience allows guests to interact virtually with art pieces across the hotel, such as the overhanging Cornucopia (pictured)
However, as the endemic situation remains fluid and inbound travellers are only returning gradually, the sector will continue to focus their recovery efforts on the domestic market.
Playing up leisure prepositions
Hospitality players have intensified their creative offerings throughout the past two years, some even before the pandemic hit.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, for example, created the world’s only augmented reality hotel art tour just before Covid-19 surfaced.
Its Overnight in the Museum stay package, which is still ongoing, introduces the hotel’s massive art collection to millennial and tech-savvy guests in a novel and fun way, complete with tickets to the ArtScience Museum’s Future World exhibition and an art-themed chocolate amenity, shared Mark Aldridge, director of sales & marketing.
With the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore celebrating its 135th anniversary in September, managing director Christian Westbeld said more experiential packages will be crafted – a timely endeavour as international arrivals to Singapore continue to improve.
Fellow city hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, is expanding the guest experience beyond the property confines, with Bikecation accommodation packages that invite guests to explore the Marina Bay precinct on two wheels.
Meanwhile, guests at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) can multiply their fun with Universal Studios Singapore’s new Triple Thrills Pass, which grants holders three special experiences with express passes in three visits to the theme park.
The RWS EcoTrail also allows hotel guests to embark on exclusive tours to discover behind-the-scene operations and environmental initiatives around the integrated resort.
As health concerns continue to be top of mind among travellers, Shangri-La Group is going the extra mile to provide international guests with complimentary AIG Covid-19 emergency medical coverage and access to around-the-clock emergency travel assistance services during their stay.
Despite the earlier travel freeze, Gardens by the Bay has continued to curate new experiences and open up new spaces, according to Ong Kian Ann, director, business development.
New attractions include Kingfisher Wetlands, a nature sanctuary featuring mangroves and a diversity of wildlife; Floral Fantasy, a whimsical attraction where flowers, artistry and technology come together to evoke a fantastical experience; Orchid Haven, a dedicated space for Cloud Forest’s orchid displays and exhibits; and the Supertree Observatory, the highest point in the venue offering visitors a 360° view of Singapore’s downtown.
Noteworthy on the Gardens’ calendar this year is the global debut of Avatar: The Experience, an immersive walk-through event, and the inaugural Wellness Festival Singapore, which includes a multi-sensory pop-up.
Nature draws in Singapore are also expanded by Mandai Wildlife Group’s Jurong Bird Park, which presented Staycation with the Flamingos. Adventurous visitors can venture into the attraction’s largest free flight aviary and camp in fairy-tale bell tents alongside feathered friends.
Eye on family-centric options
To lure domestic staycationers, particularly those with children, Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) and Shangri-La Singapore have sharpened their family-friendly offerings.
Pan Pacific Singapore launched its first children’s play area and two themed family suites, along with a host of programmes for families.
Enter Urban Jungle Village, a wonderland for children, and Urban Jungle Suites, complete with fun features such as an inflatable rocking hippo, a tepee, and a treehouse bunk bed. Guests also get access to Kiztopia indoor play zone at Marina Square mall.
Shangri-La Singapore dangles uniquely-themed family suites, offering an immersive space for children to sleep and play. Guests also have access to the hotel’s interactive indoor play space, buds by Shangri-La, and Splash, its outdoor water playground, in addition to a tailored kids’ meal programme at its dining outlets. A well-equipped Family Pantry with children’s amenities is a popular feature, as it allows parents to travel light.
Cinn Tan, chief sales & marketing officer, PPHG, said: “Unique offerings like these can keep Singaporeans coming back for staycations, while opening our doors to tourist demand.”
Booking Holdings has promoted Omri Morgenshtern to the role of Agoda’s chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2022. He will take the reins from John Brown, who will assume the role of chairperson.
Morgenshtern is currently Agoda’s chief operating officer, a role he has held since July 2018.
Agoda’s new CEO, Omri Morgenshtern
He joined Agoda in 2014 as senior product owner, algorithms and learning systems, and rose in ranks through the years. Before that, he was co-founder and chief executive officer of Qlika, an award-winning UpWest Labs start-up specialising in online marketing optimisation, which was acquired by Booking Holdings in 2014.
Glenn Fogel, chief executive officer of Booking Holdings, said: “Over the years, Omri has played a critical role in directing Agoda’s product and service offerings as both chief product officer and, most recently, chief operating officer. His knowledge and experience of the business is unmatched, and I look forward to Agoda’s continued momentum under his leadership.”
Princess Cruises began streaming yesterday a new 28-video series of short stories on environmental management, wildlife conservation, and sustainability, hosted by environmental ambassador Jeff Corwin and the cruise line’s president John Padgett.
Titled Ocean Treks Conservation Connections, the new series builds on the success of the earlier award-winning series, Ocean Treks.
Princess Cruises highlights sustainability stories through new digital series Ocean Treks
Available on the cruise line’s YouTube channel, episodes will address various topics critical to the conservation movement, such as recycling and sustainability; food waste reduction and biodigester system; conservation at Princess Cays; and innovative fuel sources.
The series will also feature wildlife and conservation stories originally highlighted in the first three seasons of Ocean Treks, with episodes taking viewers to destinations that Princess visits, including the Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Japan and more.
Padgett said in a press statement: “In keeping environmental protection as one of our top priorities, we’re eager to leverage our popular Ocean Treks brand and its library to create new videos to share important sustainability stories about our fleet.
“With…Corwin, my co-host and renowned biologist, wildlife advocate and host of many award-winning television programmes, we hope viewers are engaged as we discuss the importance of conservation both to Princess and us personally.”
Ocean Treks debuted in 2016 as part of parent company Carnival Corporation’s Ocean Originals slate of television programmes. It has been honoured with seven Daytime Emmy nominations and 44 Telly Awards. Ocean Treks is available on-demand in staterooms onboard Princess ships and via OceanView.
Banwa Private Island, the Philippines
Located in North-eastern Palawan in the Sulu Sea, Banwa Private Island promises absolute privacy, vast space and intense pampering with six contemporary beachfront pool villas. The island resort welcomes no more than 22 guests, and takes them into the embrace of a protected marine and nature reserve.
Banwa Private Island offers bubble travel for multi-generation family reunions, getaways with friends, and corporate events.
A Destination Dining option serves up various gourmet experiences on the island, through the help of private chefs.
Access: Ascent Flights Global charters direct flights to the island resort, via an eight-seat seaplane from Manila as well as helicopters for up to 10 passengers.
Buyout possibility: Yes
Activities: There are infinite opportunities for water sports enthusiasts. Go on dive trips to Tubbataha Reef and Banwa’s surrounding areas, cruise around in the Wajer 38 Banwajer, or spend a night on the Lagoon 630 Catamaran.
Alternatively, land recreation comes in the form of stargazing, bird watching, hiking, tennis, golf on Banwa’s nine-hole course, spa retreats, or fitness work-outs in the Pilates studio or gym.
Sustainability bonus: The island’s owners established the Aquos Foundation to support, nurture and protect the island’s delicate ecosystems, including the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle.
Aquos’ Reef Balls programme helps stimulate reef regeneration off the South-western shores of the island, and has to date funded the deployment of over 200 structures, which are promoting significant coral growth in the area.
Aquos also pursues nationally-recognised research programmes, guided by world-leading experts, including studies into the native Tabon Bird and Mantanani Scops Owl, and preservation of the indigenous beach forests where they nest.
Makepeace Island, Australia
Makepeace Island, Australia
Makepeace Island is Australia’s answer to a proper celebrity-style escape. Known as Sir Richard Branson’s private hideaway, the heart-shaped island located on the Noosa River on Sunshine Coast in Queensland promises to be a sanctuary of seclusion, presumably from pesky paparazzi.
Three tropical-inspired luxury villas, four rooms in the Island House, and a unique Boathouse lets you host up to 20 guests at a time in an exclusive island rental. There’s an extensive range of onsite facilities including tennis courts, swimming pools, water sports and yoga.
Access: Get there by private boat transfer from Noosa Heads, which is just minutes away.
Buyout possibility: Yes. Island hire comes with your own restaurant and an executive chef who will co-create culinary adventures with the guest. Meals are sourced from local organic producers across the region, and the team can organise masterclass experiences.
Activities: For those feeling a little more adventurous, there are unique experiences and activities, such as walks through the World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island) and Great Sandy National Park, beach horse riding on North Shore’s white sand dunes, circumnavigating the island on board a Hobie cat, scenic flights or heli-rides.
Moturua Island, New Zealand
Moturua Island, New Zealand
Designed by famous New Zealand architect Pete Bossley, this private retreat in Bay of Islands boasts a stunning beachside house that gives visitors access to walking tracks with scenes echoing from the Lord of the Rings movies.
Featuring a sprawling multi-split level living area, all four of the retreat’s beautifully appointed bedrooms open to a private terrace and ocean views. There’s also a separate guest house with two additional bedrooms, taking total guest capacity to 14.
Access: Only by boat or helicopter, with the option of keeping the helicopter and its pilot onsite during one’s stay.
Buyout possibility: Yes
Activities: Ocean lovers will enjoy exploring the property’s underground boat shed with a treasure trove of toys like fishing gear, paddle boards, sea kayaks and snorkelling equipment.
A helicopter can also be arranged to take guests to Moturua Island which has world-class golf courses and a day spa. Island cruises and deep sea fishing for adrenaline seekers are on offer too.
Sustainability bonus: The island is connected to New Zealand’s indigenous people and its maintenance is undertaken by the Department of Conservation.
Nikoi Island, Indonesia
Nikoi Island and Cempedak Island, Indonesia
Two private island resorts run by the same operator, both Nikoi Island and Cempedak Island offer a laidback luxury vibe. Nikoi Island was built with driftwood and alang alang grass roofs, while Cempedak Island used bamboo.
Each have found favour with different traveller segments; Nikoi Island is a hit with families, while Cempedak Island’s 16-year-old minimum age limit for all guests earns it loyalty among holidaymakers desiring greater privacy and exclusion.
Both islands are situated within a marine protected area that has a fascinating array of rare and endangered species.
Great pride is taken in serving guests delicious Indonesian dishes — both Nikoi Island and Cempedak Island use organic ingredients harvested from their own farm on nearby mainland Bintan.
Access: The islands are a 2.5-hour journey from Singapore via Bintan by ferry, car and speedboat, with the option for private boats that journey from Singapore right to the island.
Buyout possibility: Yes
Activities: A range of activities is available to keep guests busy, from snorkelling, diving, kayaking and windsurfing to rock climbing, mountain biking, guided nature walks and cooking classes. Young guests can enjoy fun programmes at the kids club on Nikoi Island.
Sustainability bonus: The island operators are committed to running a sustainable operation that has a positive impact on the local environment and community. Their efforts have earned the islands many awards.
The operators helped to establish and raise funds for three different local foundations. The Island Foundation was established over 10 years ago to help improve education standards on Bintan. Next is Yayasan Ecology, founded a couple of years ago to improve management of the Marine Protected Area that both islands are located within.
The most recent initiative is to support Seven Clean Seas in establishing a local NGO to do coastal clean-ups in the area. Through this effort, resort staff and Seven Clean Seas have collected over 200 tonnes of plastic waste over the last 18 months.
Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
Pangkor Laut Resort in Perak is nestled in a two million year-old rainforest, on a private island fringed by white sandy beaches and emerald waters.
Guests looking for total relaxation amid nature will find bliss on this private island, which is also home to a variety of wildlife, ranging from the long tailed macaques, oriental pied hornbills, white-bellied sea eagles, and large monitor lizards. Should fortune shine, one might spot tiny black-tip reef sharks darting between the corals.
The resort offers 137 villas, three suites and eight estates.
Access: AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines flies from Kuala Lumpur to Pangkor Island. From there, a 10-minute ferry ride takes guests to Marina Island Pangkor jetty for the check-in process and another 20-minute speedboat ride to the resort.
Buyout possibility: Yes
Activities: Unwind at the spa or on a sunset cruise that comes with tipples and canapes, or join a naturalist on a jungle trek to learn about the local flora and fauna. Not to be missed is the Chef’s Kitchen Experience, a memorable in-house local cooking activity that begins with guests catching their own fish from a floating fish farm.
Pangulasian Island, El Nido Resorts, the Philippines
Pangulasian Island, El Nido Resorts, the Philippines
Pangulasian Island, El Nido Resorts in Palawan’s Bacuit Bay boasts a 750m stretch of white sand beach set against a tropical forest backdrop. Sunrise and sunset views are stunning here. The resort’s 42 well-appointed villas feature contemporary Filipino and eco-friendly design.
Access: Airswift flies from Manila to Lio airport in El Nido. From there, Pangulasian Island is just a short car and boat ride away.
Buyout possibility: Yes
Activities: Resort guests take it slow and easy with low-impact nature-based activities that are also low in carbon footprint, such as island hopping, kayaking, lagoons tour, scuba diving, snorkelling in secret spots, and going around in coracle boats. There are no jet-skis and other motorised marine sports equipment.
A luxurious spa retreat awaits those wanting to untie stress knots. There are also options for guests to play a game of billiards and darts, or read in the library.
Sustainability bonus: As part of El Nido Resorts, Pangulasian Island is big on operating with the least impact on the environment while respecting local people and culture. The Be G.R.E.E.N. (Guard, Respect, Educate El Nido) programme trains all staff on ecological waste management, water, energy and biodiversity conservation, and environmental laws.
It has several nature conservation and protection projects running, such as the Marine Turtle Conservation Program and El Nido Biodiversity Online which tracks El Nido’s flora and fauna.
Only sustainable menus are available, with ingredients locally and organically produced or raised.
Guest amenities, such as bags and slippers, are produced by women in the local villages.
Rebak Island Resort & Marina, Malaysia
Rebak Island Resort & Marina, Malaysia
Recognised as Langkawi’s only exclusive resort located on a private island, the 94-key Rebak Island Resort & Marina overlooks the Andaman Sea and is surrounded by a 100 million year-old rainforest. Accommodation is spread out in chalet blocks, with spacious seaview rooms available for couples and generous suites for families.
Access: A 20-minute car ride takes guests from Langkawi International Airport to Port Cenang, and a seven-minute boat transfer onwards to the island.
Buyout possibility: Yes
Activities: The island resort is a dream-come-true for nature lovers. A guided nature trail runs from the resort lobby through the island. Adventurous guests may hike down a two-hour-long return trail adjacent to the marina and discover the red grotto beach.
There are also options for private yacht charters to explore the many uninhabited islands that surround Langkawi, and to pair that with a picnic and snorkelling.
Cook with Chef programmes are popular with travellers keen to learn about the local cuisine.
After a day of activities, a therapeutic spa treatment is a great way to unwind.
Sustainability bonus: The resort supports sustainable operations and is certified by Earth Check.
Sunlight Eco Tourism Island Resort, the Philippines
Sunlight Eco Tourism Island Resort, the Philippines
Nestled in the clear blue waters of Culion in Palawan is the Sunlight Eco Tourism Island Resort, one of the biggest single privately-owned island resorts in the region. Set across 18 hectares of lush forests, hills and gardens are 55 villas with 99 rooms as well as nine restaurants.
The resort is strategically designed to give guests a 360-degree view of the Calamian group of islands.
All villas are architecturally designed to offer guests views of the ocean, sunrise or sunset. Sirakan Villas, set over the water on stilts, offer a fun way to stay, with glass-bottom floors allowing guests to gaze at teeming marine life beneath.
Access: Sister company Sunlight Air operates hour-long flights from its private hangars in Manila and Clark to Busuanga airport in Palawan.
Commercial flights are also available to Busuanga from Manila, Cebu, Clark, El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Boracay via Manila.
From Busuanga, a private van and motorised speedboat take guests to the resort.
Buyout possibility: Yes
Activities: Within the resort, guests can enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as an infinity pool, spa, gym, and the Ocean Wave KTV karaoke room. Active folks can cycle around the resort, while those preferring sedentary pastimes have billiard, chess and games to while away their time.
Fun extends beyond resort grounds, as the waters surrounding the island can be explored by yacht. Diving and snorkelling in World War II shipwrecks, glass bottom rides, and water play on towables, hydrobobs, jetskis, banana boats, aquajets, and Molokini clear kayaks form the many options available to sunseekers.
Sustainability bonus: Sunlight Eco Tourism Island Resort was built with sustainable materials, while resort amenities such as beach baskets and espadrilles were handcrafted by local women in Samar and Liliw.
The resort conducts regular ocean and beaches clean-ups, and guests are obliged to follow the resort’s protocols in conserving and preserving the natural environment.
Coming up soon are an organic farm and butterfly sanctuary.
