Properties and tourism activities are all geared up to say a warm hello to travellers taking their first real holiday in two years
Back in Danang
Vietnam is now ready for visitors, and the award-winning InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort has placed the welcome mats with a slew of packages that allow guests to enjoy many of the finest experiences Danang has to offer. The special includes a stay in a spacious room, stylish suite or spectacular pool villa, plus return airport transfers and US$200 ($270) of daily credit to spend on dining, socialising or spa treatments. Feast at La Maison 1888, the iconic restaurant by three Miche- lin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire; and enjoy beach-side dining at Barefoot, authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Citron, and cocktails at the Long Bar. Go or total relaxation at The Lagoon Spa. Vietnam is now fully open for overseas visitors and fully vaccinated guests can enter the country and stay without quarantine, as long as they have sufficient insurance, clear a PCR test prior to arrival, and download Vietnam’s official PC-Covid app. Oth- er visa rules and regulations apply.
Sun, sea and adventure
Beach babes can now worship the sun in Lombok, Bali, with a stay at the Selong Selo Resort & Residences. The resort is located at the top of picturesque hills overlooking stunning Selong Belanak Beach in southern Lombok with 50 luxury villas, a full-service spa, clubhouse, kids’ club and beach-club access. To cater to any family size, the villas range from one to seven bedrooms with access to the renowned Aura Lounge & Bar, as well as per- personalised in-villa dining experiences or a quick shuttle to the beach for some fun in the sun. The eco-friendly villas are resplendent with modern facilities and stylish interiors, tastefully integrating local elements into their design.
See also: Explore the last surviving Tea Horse Road in Shaxi town, Yunnan
Nature lovers get to enjoy the fresh outdoor air, stay active and satisfy their curiosity: from hiking to the Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls, which boast 20m-high drops where the adventurous can plunge into pools below, to snorkelling and fishing expeditions to discover the abundant marine life the southern coast of Lombok is known for. Guests looking to combine work and rest can surf top-tier waves on white-sand beaches right after logging off the Zoom call and work on their balance at the on-site surf school between answering emails.
Ship to shore
See also: Green-infused luxe: Inside the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel's transformation
Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers two new shore excursion concepts, Behind the Design and Eco-Connect tours, for discerning travellers to explore destinations and landmarks from different perspectives. Behind the Design tours offer insights into some of the world’s most captivating and brilliant architectural designs such as the Royal Library and the Blue Planet aquarium in Copenhagen, Denmark; the Equinor office building and the Munchmuseet in Oslo, Nor- way; and the La Villa Mediterranée and Mucem in Marseille, France.
Eco-Connect tours engage guests with local groups and businesses to learn about how they are working to conserve and sustain their surrounding environment. This includes sampling organic wine at a sustainable vineyard in Bordeaux, France; helping to create a paradise for sloths to roam in Puntarenas, Costa Rica; or gaining a new appreciation for the diverse flora and fauna around Hue, Vietnam, on a hike through the beautiful Bach Ma National Park. Eco-Connect tours span the globe, including a wide variety of destinations such as Africa, Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, northern Europe and South America.
Stay and give back
Shinta Mani Hotels have rebranded their boutique luxury properties in Siem Reap to welcome travellers. The hotel is designed by acclaimed architect and designer, Bill Bensley. Shinta Mani Angkor and the Bensley Collection Pool Villas are located in the leafy French Quarter of Siem Reap between the Royal Gardens and the Old Market area. Intrepid travellers are only 15 minutes away from the magnificent Unesco World Heritage Temples of Angkor Wat. Shinta Mani Angkor is a stylish 39- room boutique hotel with modern facilities and beautiful Khmer-inspired interiors. The rooms feature exquisite images of Angkor and showcase modern, chic interiors. A sparkling 20m pool is nestled among lush tropical foliage, and a modern gym is available for those wanting to keep up their fitness regimes.
Some of the pampering treats include the Shinta Mani Spa by Khmer Tonics, which offers a sanctuary of serenity with an extensive menu of therapeutic treatments based on traditional and modern healing rituals, using 100% natural locally sourced Khmer Tonics products.
Finally, support the local community through Shinta Mani’s culture of Open Doors, Open Hearts. This programme supports the less fortunate in the local community, especially through the education and development of young adults. A percentage of the daily room rate is contributed to the Shinta Mani Foundation to support its activities. E
