Asia's best feel-good getaways

It’s been a tough year. Make plans to unwind with the family at some of the most feel-good new resorts in the region.

Vietnam

Rise and shine on Con Dao Island, Vietnam.

Six Senses is offering the ultimate in secluded family holidays at its eco-friendly Con Dao Island property in Vietnam.

A private jet will whisk you and your nearest and dearest, Dom Perignon in-hand, to a four-bedroom residence with a private infinity pool on Con Dao Island off Vietnam’s southern coast.

Laze the days away overlooking the South China Sea and enjoying the ministrations of a private chef and culinary team. Tuck-into seafood barbecues under the stars, floating pool breakfasts at the villa or private beach picnics after busy mornings island hopping, fishing and snorkelling.

Daytime activities include - if you’re lucky enough - watching baby turtles patter down the beach to the ocean and there are also private tours of the island, including a forest trek to a hidden lighthouse.

Relax at the end of the day with a ‘spa under the stars’ treatment in an outdoor pavilion by the beach, listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean.

Or upgrade your regular family movie night to the resort’s Jungle Cinema, where you can lie back among the palm trees and watch the screen under the tropical night sky.

A three-night break at Six Senses Con Dao costs from US$45,000 and includes a return-trip on board a Legacy 600 private plane from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh, a four-bedroom Ocean View Residence and all meals and drinks.

Southern China

Banish the blues at MGallery in Yunnan province, China.

MGallery has opened a family-welcoming property in China's picturesque Yunnan province in southern China.

DongFengYun Hotel Mi’Le - MGallery is located in Mi’le in the southeast of Yunnan, one of China’s most dramatically picturesque regions. Think idyllic forests, lakes, hot springs and mountains, as well as a rich local culture and craft scene. The area is particularly renowned for pottery and winemaking.

The hotel itself is set in Dong Feng Yun Art Village and surrounded by lavender fields and vineyards. It offers 232 rooms furnished with MGallery custom bedding, Ines de la Fressange bathroom goodies and ‘Her Sets’ designed by women, for women with makeup remover, nail polish and other useful goodies.

Dine at Taste all-day restaurant or Hui Jing which specialises in Yunnan and Cantonese fusion dishes. Alternatively, enjoy a casual bite by the outdoor infinity pool at Fun Bar - and don’t forget the end-of-day poolside wine barrel opening ceremony and flaming cocktail making. The local red wine can be sampled at the hotel’s various tasting activities and curated drinks offerings.

And for the kids, there are plenty of dedicated children’s activities and a playground.

To celebrate the opening of DongFengYun hotel Mi’Le - MGallery, book before March 31 and stay in a Deluxe Room including buffet breakfast for two and a CNY50 dining voucher.

Thailand

Sunset panorama at Banyan Tree Krabi.

The brand new Banyan Tree Krabi resort is welcoming guests with special promotions on everything from dining to spa treatments and accommodation.

The luxe resort opened its doors last autumn at little-known Tubkaek Beach, a 45-minute drive from Krabi International Airport. The tiered property nestles into the verdant hillside and all rooms face westwards towards towering limestone cliffs that jut out of the ocean in Than Bok Khorani National Marine Park.

Each of the 72 rooms come with private saltwater pools and butlers. Perfect for larger family groups, the Presidential Villa can be combined with two adjoining two-bedroom Beachfront Villas to create a sprawling seven-bed retreat.

Not-to-be-missed dining includes the three ‘Bird’s Nest’ tables set among the trees at signature restaurant, Saffron.

And relax at the resort’s rainforest spa while kids scamper off to the Kids’ Club, which boasts its very own waterpark.

Resort owners have owned the beachside block on land on which the resort has been built since 2006. They now hope the property will appeal to those looking for seclusion far from the madding crowds of the more popular Thai islands. “The time is right to make this stunning resort at Tubkaek Beach a sustainable reality,” said Banyan Tree general manager Remko Koresen.

Book a break at Banyan Tree Krabi online before April 30 and receive discounts of up to 75% and also enjoy complimentary breakfast, 50% off spa treatments and a free afternoon tea.

Southern China

The dramatic setting for the brand new LUX Chongzuo, Guangxi property.

LUX Chongzuo, Guangxi opens on February 1 with a rich menu of activities that take advantage of the property’s unspoilt rural location. The ultra-luxe resort offers families the chance to embrace the art of ‘slow travel’ and community connection.

Situated on the Mingshi River that separates Guangxi province from Vietnam, the resort is close to Nongguan Nature Reserve which is home to the endangered white-headed langur and Detian Waterfall, Asia’s largest ‘transnational’ waterfall whose water splash-down into both China and Vietnam.

Families can enjoy bike rides, nature trails and even afternoon tea on a bamboo raft drifting down the picturesque Mingshi River.

The resort will offer 50 suites and six villas with river-facing balconies overlooking the karst mountains and tropical forests.

Dining spaces include all-day dining by the river’s edge, a specialty steakhouse, rooftop bar, pool bar and Maison LUX cafe.

Opening on April 1, the LUX Me Spa will offer al fresco Vietnamese spa treatments and there is also a LUX Me Fitness gym.

Kids will also be able to expel pent-up energy at the PLAY Kids Club with rock wall climbing, ball pool games and other activities.

LUX Chongzuo, Guangxi is offering a three-day, two-night package including daily breakfast, afternoon tea on a bamboo raft on the Mingshi River, sunset cocktail reception, daily dinner and a trip to Detian Waterfall. Prices from RMB3,980 per person.

Thailand

Finding your way back to wellness at RAKxa Bangkok.

Tucked away in Bangkok’s so-called ‘green lung’ on a jungle-covered island on the Chao Phraya River, brand new wellness resort RAKxa offers a host of curated programmes to target long-term health goals.

This retreat is not for the kids but will no doubt prove a popular option for weary parents after a heavy year of lockdowns and homeschooling.

The health and wellness programmes at RAKxa run from three to 14-days and are designed by practising doctors, combining medical treatments with holistic therapies. Holistic treatments include traditional Thai medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic treatments and energy healing practices.

The programmes run from detox and weight management to gut health, mobilisation, de-stress, facial solutions, body solutions, immunity boosters and a Discover RAKxa programme.

High-end facilities include a gym with Olympic-level training equipment, hydrothermal spa facilities, a cleansing tea lounge, organic garden and a host of workshops and activities.

This first phase opening includes 27 lakeside villas and a restaurant, Unam, in a botanical garden setting, with a further 33 villas and two residences planned for a second phase due to be completed later this year. The next phase will also see a second, Asian-inspired restaurant, added to the retreat, along with an extended treatment menu.

Nightly rates at RAKxa start from US$2,000 per person for the Immunity Booster Package, with a minimum of three-night stay.