Introduction
W
e all want to escape our daily routines and, increasingly, we yearn to do something more than simply idle our breaks away. Fortunately, around Asia Pacific the opportunities for meaningful retreats—vacations we’ll always remember—abound when you visit forward-thinking resorts that know how to meet the needs of their guests. That's where the Luxury Collection® enters the picture. Each hotel and resort in this exclusive group is more than simply a getaway. As you’ll see in this e-guide, each has something unique and special to offer. Consider the following pages your personal invitation to Bali, Langkawi, Naka Island and Phuket, each a treasure of a destination. In Bali, for instance, the Laguna Resort and Spa specializes in rejuvenating its guests, with the end game being simply to relax. Around Naka Island in southern Thailand, exploring the natural beauty of the karst-filled landscape is a only surpassed by an unforgettable and well-deserved meal of fresh Thai seafood once your journey is complete. These are just two of the experiences only a special assortment of getaways can offer. The Luxury Collection® is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection® offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a distinct and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. One that you will want to revisit time and again.
SP ON SOR E D SE RIES GUIDE Getting There There are several direct flights daily from Jakarta to Denpasar, Bali on Garuda (garudaindonesia.com) and AirAsia (airasia.com). From Bangkok there are daily direct flights with Thai Airways (thaiairways. com) as well as AirAsia. Stay The Laguna Resort and Spa Kawasan Pariwisata, Nusa Dua; 62-361/771327; thelagunabali.com; doubles from US$212.
Balinese Idyll Coconut palms swaying in a sea breeze may be the stuff of picture-perfect postcards, but those coconuts do more than merely create an idyllic Bali panorama. In the Lagoon Spa at The Laguna, I’ve been scrubbed to a sheen with a coconut and coffee exfoliant, massaged in virgin coconut oil and now I’m resting my oil-drenched head in the knowing hands of my masseuse, having woken myself with a gentle snore. Must I really leave and go enjoy my holiday? Past stone-carved statues draped in the black and white checked fabric signifying the harmony Balinese culture strives to maintain, I meander down to the Nusa Dua oceanfront for a sashimi and sushi lunch. Along the yellow sands, traditional
arched penjors flutter as swimmers strike out in the calm waters, surf thundering on a reef further out to sea. The serenity of the Nusa Dua enclave is in stark contrast to Bali’s hip but hectic Seminyak district. I find relief at being able to drape myself over a deckchair with no compunction to rush off post-sunset to check out a hot restaurant or funky bar. Everything I need for complete rejuvenation, Bali-style, is within languid stretching distance. The friendly barman shows me how to make his signature cocktail: I muddle a halfpear, add rosemary-infused gin, lime juice and a dash of Prosecco. Though it’s dubbed “The Last Cocktail,” it’s only the evening’s first.
Surrounded by flickering lanterns nestled into the sand and overseen by an eyelash of moon, I sip on sparkling wine. For this romantic dinner, warm Bali lobster with asparagus tips is followed by grain-fed lamb loin with citrus braised fennel and parsnip puree. The luscious Valrhona bitter chocolate gateau comes with Bali vanilla bean ice cream, another home-grown touch. The following morning I learn how to make the Balinese staple sate lilit, or minced fish sate. A market visit beforehand is an option, but I’m content to shape then sample the little morsels of spicy deliciousness. Then poolside, amid a profusion of ruby red hibiscus and Persian pink bougainvillea, I… relax.
Eat Arwana Restaurant This chilled-out restaurant offers succulent seafood plucked fresh from the Indian Ocean; take your pick from the oyster and sushi bars. www. arwanarestaurant.com Kayuputi One of Bali’s best fine-dining restaurants offers stunning ocean views as well as a range of exquisite international and local dishes. For true extravagance, indulge in the champagne brunch. Easily accessible via a Dine Around Service between resorts. www. kayuputirestaurant.com See + Do See the sunset kecak dance at cliffside Uluwatu temple. Go fishing, windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving or kayaking from Nusa Dua beach. See the concierge at The Laguna to arrange.
SP ON SOR E D SE RIES
From left: The perfect escape, Lamai beach; Vana Spa comforts.
GUIDE
Serene Samui Not all coconuts are created equal. Hardly profound, but that was what popped into my mind as I sat on the soft sands of Lamai Beach on Koh Samui sipping from the fruit. Maybe it was the view—a sundrenched shore fringed by palms—but at that moment I could have sworn it was the best thing I had ever tasted. It was hard to believe that only a few hours earlier I’d been in Bangkok. Worn down by the pressures of urban life, I’d come to the island seeking sanctuary. I’d wanted to escape to a place where time slowed down, where the sky was a paler shade of blue and the water neon aquamarine. The salt air awakened my appetite for something heartier, so I set off down the road in search of lunch,
settling finally on a quiet bay just south of Lamai. I took a seat at the Krua Chao Baan, a restaurant popular with in-the-know locals for seafood specialties such as pla nueng manao, steamed fish bathed in lemon and lavished with chilies, and gaeng som, a ferociously spicy southern staple. Tempting as both were, I opted instead for a platter of fat prawns glistening with sugary tamarind glaze. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more laid back, I ventured off to Vana Spa at Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, an intimate haven near Chaweng Beach. Despite its proximity to one of the island’s main hubs, the resort is in a world of its own, and its spa, perched on an incline by the sea, is divine. Whimsical creatures from
Thai mythology decorate the grounds, a nod to the local traditions that firmly ground the treatments inside. Sticking to a local theme here, I chose a Coconut Indulgence scrub, which left a delicious tropical scent on my skin. Then, my petite therapist tackled the tightly coiled knots through my back with a Swedish Massage, working through all of my city-induced tension. She pushed and kneaded, rubbing my skin with fragrant oil flecked with real gold. Bit by bit, I unwound. Later, thoroughly soothed and pampered, I returned to the beach to watch the sun melt into the horizon. There, in the dwindling daylight, the ocean breeze in my hair, I felt completely at peace. Better still, I could wake up the next day and do it all over again.
Getting There Bangkok Airways (bangkokair.com) and Thai Airways (thaiairways.com) fly directly to Koh Samui from Bangkok daily. Stay Vana Belle, Koh Samui 9/99 Moo 3, Chaweng Noi Beach; 66-77/915-555; luxurycollection. com/vanabelle Eat Krua Chao Baan 438/18 Moo. 1 Maret; 66-77/418589. Bang Po Seafood Ao Bang Po; 66-77/420-010. See Lamai Beach A quieter alternative to the ever-popular Chaweng. Taling Ngam A remote beach with views of Ang Thong National Marine Park.
Clockwise from top left: The spectacular panorama that is Phang Nga Bay; inside the calm Spa Naka; at Z Bar; looking out from a seaview pool villa.
SP ON SOR E D SE RIES GUIDE Getting There Bangkok Airways (bangkokair.com), Nok Air (nokair. com) and AirAsia (airasia.com) and Thai Airways (thaiairways.com) fly directly to Phuket from Bangkok daily. Stay The Naka Island, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket 32 Moo 5, Tambol Paklok, Naka Yai Island, Phuket; nakaislandphuket. com.
Naka, Naturally When arriving on Naka Island, honor the dragon. I was led to a giant gong and struck it twice, made a wish and paid my respects to the mythical Thai serpent for which the island is named. The gong’s baritone song was a fitting welcome to this tiny islet, majestic and resoundingly calm. Just five minutes from Phuket’s Ao Po Grand Marina, this intimate retreat is an entirely different animal than the busy beaches of Patong. “You are away from it, but it is right there,” says David Sayer, guest experience manager at Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort. After making my silent wish for perfect weather, which was granted, I was escorted by buggy through the resort, which takes up a third of the island, to my
private pool villa. After an hour of lazing and swimming, I ducked into Spa Naka for an Indigenous Massage treatment—an hour of hot herbal ball therapy paired with a tension-melting oil rub down. As night fell, I found my way to Z bar, on the island’s western edge. Reclining on the bar’s beachfront beds and sipping an icy cocktail, I took a mental freeze frame of the view stretching across to Phang Nga Bay. The next morning I hoisted a kayak out to sea and paddled my way around the island. The 6-kilometer journey took two hours and I savored every minute. There were stretches of the journey where I was the only person in sight, amid the limestone karsts of the endless Andaman.
Stopping to rest wherever a beach looked inviting— Naka Island boasts broad sweeps of bisque sand shaded by towering palms. The local population is only 100 strong, made up of fishermen who reside in a little village on the coast. So, feast on fresh seafood to your heart’s content at My Grill at Naka Island Resort. After an active day in the sun, a heaping plate of oceanic bounty was just the ticket for dinner. I ordered a gorgeous cut of grilled tuna with a zesty Thai chili sauce on the side. The sun set just as they brought out dessert—a warm chocolate fondant with a side of white chocolate ice cream. I took a bite out of its gooey center, watched the sky burn orange in the dying light, closed my eyes and thanked the dragon.
Eat My Grill, Tonsai and Z Bar at Naka Island Resort A blend of Western staples and Thai favorites. Tables are limited at My Grill so reserve in advance. Tenta Nakara Simple Thai food on the beach. 66-81/398-6515; tentanakara.com. Do Kayak. Paddle around Naka for stunning views of other islands. Bike to Tab Po Beach. The beach itself is average, but the water is great for swimming, and the bike ride and hike through the jungle to get there is a fun little adventure. Snorkel. Arrange a day trip to nearby islands for snorkeling or diving. Pearls of the Andaman. Check out the pearl farm on nearby Naka Noi.
SP ON SOR E D SE RIES GUIDE
Clockwise from left: The vertiginous Langkawi cable car; a dusky langur; bay views from the Executive Sea View suite.
Lazing in Langkawi A family of monkeys shuffles through the trees to get a better look at me as I stroll to my room. Here at the Andaman, Langkawi, the wild is all around, from the otters that frequent the flawless private beach of Datai Bay to the flying lemurs that glide effortlessly through the ancient jungle. The surrounds may be age-old but the rooms are modern and spacious with extravagant touches like floor-to-ceiling windows facing the bay, outdoor Jacuzzis and daily confectionary surprises. This last treat is, of course, what lures the monkey. “They are so naughty,” Daia, a resident naturalist, tells me of the brown-furred, pink-faced macaques. “They eat everything—chocolate
bars, chips, they can even open beer cans!” There are dozens of signs warning guests to lock their balconies to thwart these simian burglars, but for now they seem content basking in the rising sun. I decide to follow their lead and claim a lounge chair by the pool. Langkawi is made up of 99 islands, some formed more than 400 million years ago, jetting out of the Andaman Sea. The jagged seascape has set the scene for many local legends, ranging from fairies, curses, battles of the gods, and vampires—but the flora is even more fascinating than the fables. This enigmatic archipelago, home to mangroves, tidal flats, coral beaches and fossil-rich limestone, has been declared
a UNESCO Geopark. Led by Jungle Walla naturalist Ishad Mobarak, I kayak through a mangrove forest for an up-close look at the floristic groups and animal species unique to Langkawi. On our journey, I see brahminy kites, fiddler crabs and kingfishers, and get a lesson on the 60 local species of mangrove. The landscape is so lush, it seems to belong to another time. In the softening heat of the late afternoon I set sail on Gone Surfin’, a 14-meter luxury catamaran. At the helm, Captain Todd, a convivial Aussie, steers us to the ideal spot in the ocean to take in the Technicolor twilight. On my last night on this island so steeped in lore, it is only fitting that the sunset is legendary.
Getting There There are daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi on AirAsia (airasia.com), Malaysian Airlines (malaysiaairlines. com) and Malindo Air (malindoair.com). Stay The Andaman Jalan Teluk Datai; theandaman.com; doubles from RM763. Eat The Cliff Restaurant This stylish overwater restaurant serves up a mix of international and local favorites. theclifflangkawi.com. Jala Restaurant Shoes are optional at this sandy-floored seafront fine dining option. theandaman.com/ cuisine-jala; dinner for two RM500. Do Golf in the Jungle The new Els Club Teluk Datai course offers 18-holes of sea views and jungle vistas. elsclubmalaysia.com. Cruise the Sunset For the Captain Todd catamaran experience, contact the concierge at the Andaman. 60-4/9591088; RM450 per person. Hail a SkyCab Take an exhilarating cable car ride to the top of Mat Cincang Mountain. panoramalangkawi.com; RM30 per person. Tour the Mangroves Explore the primal secrets of the mangrove forest. junglewalla.com; RM199 per person.
Luxury Collection in Asia
OPENED CHINA The Royal Begonia Luxury Collection Resort, Sanya
ITC Grand Central a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mumbai
MALAYSIA The Andaman a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi
The Castle Hotel Luxury Collection Hotel, Dalian
ITC Maratha a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mumbai
The Hongta Hotel Luxury Collection Hotel, Shanghai
ITC Maurya a Luxury Collection Hotel, New Delhi
THAILAND Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok
Twelve at Hengshan Luxury Collection Hotel, Shanghai
ITC Rajputana a Luxury Collection Hotel, Jaipur
Vana Belle a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui
The Astor Hotel Luxury Collection Hotel, Tianjin
ITC Grand Chola a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai
The Azure Qiantang Luxury Collection Hotel, Hangzhou
ITC Kakatiya a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hyderabad
INDIA ITC Grand Bharat a Luxury Collection Resort, Gurgaon, New Delhi Capital Region (Opening November 15, 2014)
ITC Mughal a Luxury Collection Hotel, Agra ITC Sonar a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kolkata
ITC Gardenia a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bengaluru
INDONESIA The Laguna a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali
ITC Windsor a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bengaluru
Keraton at The Plaza a Luxury Collection Hotel, Jakarta
The Naka Island a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket
UPCOMING OPENINGS CHINA The Grand Mansion Luxury Collection Hotel, Nanjing (Opening March 1, 2015) The 1958 Luxury Collection Hotel, Suzhou (Opening June 30, 2016) KOREA (SOUTH) The Parnas a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul (Opening January 1, 2017