newsflash
female friendly Clockwise from left: The Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Siem Reap; poolside at the hotel; at the W Taipei; assam laksa, found at the doorstep of G Hotel; a suite at Discovery Country Suites, in Tagaytay, Philippines; wine-and-cheese cocktails, served nightly at the property; the buzzy lobby at G Hotel Penang; Kemang Icon by Alila, in Jakarta.
escapes
Paging all ladies: Ready for some qualityi downtimeiwith your best girlfriends?i Here, we pick five women-only getawaysi in the region.— l i a n g x i n y ii
Be Inspired
SIEM REAP For an indulgent splurge, check into a two-bedroom Villa suite at the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Siem Reap, where you’ll be pampered (daily champagne breakfasts; in-villa massages and mani-pedis) and inspired (a chef-led culinary class; a guided tour of Angkor Wat) in equal measure. Hit Siem Reap’s boutiques on a customized shopping trip and even have your future told by a local soothsayer. raffles.com/ siemreap; three-night Girlfriends Getaway packages from US$1,955 per night, four-women maximum, through Dec. 28.
STAY INdoors
JAKARTA In a buzzy corner of south Jakarta, the Sardjono Sani– designed Kemang Icon by Alila is the perfect place for a sleepover, with movies, popcorn and even cocktails delivered to your roomy Inner Courtyard suite. Make the most of the fun freebies in your Spa Alila goodie bag, including ginger-lemon lip balm, avocadococonut hair-treatment gel, sugar-and-ricebran scrubs and a fruit facial set. alilahotels. com/kemangicon; Ladies Night packages
50 june 2011 | travelandleisureasia.com
from US$319 per night, double, through June 30.
FOODIE FIESTA
PENANG Sure, you’ll get a massage, mani-pedi and hair treatment, as well as discounts at the mall next door, but the real reason to go to G Hotel Penang is the food: not only will you get a free five-course dinner at Sesame & Soy and drinks at G Spot bar, but street food– lined Gurney Drive is just downstairs. Don’t miss the assam laksa. 60-4/238-0000; ghotel. com.my; two-night Girlie Getaway packages from RM888 per night, double, through Dec. 31.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
TAIPEI In the midst of Xinyi’s hubbub, the stylish W Taipei is a fabulous setting for a retail extravaganza. Chic extras set the tone (pastries shaped like rings and stilettos; a W shopping tote), while the W’s insider intel will give you full access to the city’s offerings, from a guide to Taipei’s coolest boutiques to a one-on-one styling class and even a personal shopper. wtaipei.com; Shopperholic packages from NT$11,900 per night, double, through Aug. 7.
HEAD TO THE HILLS
TAGAYTAY All too much? Breathe in the fresh air at Discovery Country Suites, an intimate, seven-suite guest house nestled in a picturesque corner of the Philippines’ Tagaytay highlands. Trips to local organic farms and the Taal Volcano are easy to arrange, but the property offers a good reason not to leave: free nightly wine tastings, including cheese and hors d’oeuvres, with stunning views over the volcano and lake. 63-46/413-4567; discoverycountrysuites. com; All Girl Getaway packages from P7,000 per night, four-person maximum, ongoing.
c l o c k w i s e f r o m t o p l e f t : COURTESY OF R a f f l e s G r a n d H o t e l d ’ A n gk o r S i e m R e a p ( 2 ) ; COURTESY OF w t a i p e i ; © Wk s p / D r e a m s t i m e . c o m ; COURTESY OF D i s c o v e r y C o u n t r y S u i t e s ( 2 ) ; c o u r t e s y o f G H o t e l P e n a n g ; c o u r t e s y o f K e m a n g I c o n b y A l i l a
girlfriend getaways