Hari Raya Puasa (July 28) falls on a Monday this time round, making it another long weekend to add to our list this year (not that we’re complaining!). And what better way to spend it than by jetsetting off to someplace nice? Here are our top five picks for a quickie getaway.
Telunas Private Island
Best for: Those looking to unplug
You’ll really be getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life at this newly opened private island, which is home to just 15 villas affording guests stunning views of the ocean (they’re actually built over the water). Each villa is furnished from upcycled wooden boats—very rustic—but fret not, as sanitation is top-notch. There’s also an infinity pool and private beach, as well as activities like spa treatments and cooking classes. Your Instagram photos will have to wait, though—there’s no wifi or cellphone signal on the island, so you’ll be in a world of your own. Prices start from $225 per night for two.
How to get there: The island is located just 50km south of Singapore—it’s a mere three-hour boat ride away, without the hassle of lengthy airport transfers, so you can maximize your time in the sun, surf and sand. Take a ferry from HarbourFront Ferry Terminal to Batam, where you can continue your journey with a domestic transfer (coordinate this with the resort). Visit the website for more info.
Hong Kong
Best for: A foodie city break
Head to Hong Kong to fill our bellies with an assortment of delicious dim sum—you can get piping hot siew mai and liu sha bao at just about any time of the day. Plus, the city’s home to an array of Michelin-starred restaurants, like L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Mandarin Grill + Bar, Sushi Shikon and BO Innovation, just to name a few. Still need more convincing? Jamie Oliver is opening a Jamie’s Italian outpost at Causeway Bay this month. The exact date has yet to be announced, but it’ll probably be at the very end of July, so you might well catch the restaurant’s grand opening during the upcoming long weekend.
How to get there: Hong Kong’s just a four-hour flight away. We recommend Scoot, which can fly you there and back from around $390 upwards (prices are inevitably higher than usual due to the long weekend).
Phuket
Best for: Those with fat wallets
Forget the nightlife at Patong Beach—Phuket’s home to numerous luxury villas that will make you feel like a royalty, if only for a day or two. We were recently at Sri Panwa, and had the time of our lives luxuriating in a gargantuan pool villa with a lovely infinity pool and superb views of the sea. We were also blown away by the amazing service staff, who were genuinely warm and friendly. Never mind that a one-bedroom villa starts from a whopping THB26,680 ($1,026.98) per night—we reckon that’s a reasonable price to pay for a little slice of heaven on earth. Learn more at www.sripanwa.com.
How to get there: Hop on Tigerair, which can whisk you there in under two hours. A round trip ticket costs around $331 upwards.
Bintan
Best for: Some diving action
There’s more to Bintan than meets the eye—it’s actually a great destination for avid divers. There are underrated sites like Sleeping Wreck and White Sand Beach, where you can see octopuses, crabs, turtles and shrimps (including the ever-elusive tiger shrimp) in the flesh. We recommend staying at Trikora Beach Club and diving with Tasik Divers—they provide awesome service, and you can opt for all-inclusive dive packages which cover accommodation, two guided dives per day, meals and more ($423 per pax upwards for a three day, two night package on a twin-sharing basis).
How to get there: It’s all too easy to get to Bintan—the 45-minute boat ride costs just $70 for a return trip. Book your ride here. (Photo Credit: Jonathan Lin)
Sofitel So Singapore
Best for: Getting away without getting away
Plans for a staycation in the cards instead? The newly launched Sofitel So Singapore in the heart of the CBD is an excellent option—with elegant room furnishings like three-meter high ceilings and bespoke light boxes, you’ll almost feel like you’re in Paris. Plus, there are also some opening offers to take advantage of—the decadent “Weekends@So” package, which is priced from $599 upwards for two persons, will get you a Champagne brunch on Saturday and an all-day brekkie on Sunday. Or, you can go for the “100 Dollars, 100 Days” package, where you’ll receive $100 F&B credit for a limited 100-day period. Book at the hotel’s website.
How to get there: Put on your voyaging clothes and…take a cab. Or buses 10, 97, 196 or a host of others.
