2 weeks relaxing in Asia - suggestions?

[Handygearco]

Danang is a great central point for Vietnam visiting. Nice City to stay at and really Good Hotels are so cheap at the moment, also China Beach Resorts and Golf courses nearby. It is also just a 30 minute Car ride to Hoi An (world heritage listed site) with heaps of resorts to stay at. Hue, the Ancient Capital is another 2 hours away on a new highway , and so much history to see there. And last but by no means least; from Danang take a Chairlift ride up the mountain to BANA Hills.. Look it up, it nuts but so much fun, a replica of a European Township created and parked on top of a Mountain. and they also have the Golden Bridge up there. Something different!~

 

[Flyfrequently]

Have you settled on anywhere @goldenhorn ?
We had a very enjoyable, lazy 2 weeks in Koh Samui in September staying at Accor properties Mercure Chaweng Tana and Garrya Tongsai Bay (did a TR "Big Budda and a birthday for the September Septuagenarian in Koh Samui")

Have observed prices are more expensive for 2025

All good suggestions up thread and am sure you will check the weather at each destination, especially if you don't like humidity or rain!
(Bangkok Airways flies SIN-USM, can book it with points via Qantas)

 

[GarrettM]

Have you settled on anywhere yet @GarrettM ?
We had a very enjoyable, lazy 2 weeks in Koh Samui in September staying at Accor properties Mercure Chaweng Tana and Garrya Tongsai Bay (did a TR "Big Budda and a birthday for the September Septuagenarian in Koh Samui")

Have observed prices are more expensive for 2025

All good suggestions up thread and am sure you will check the weather at each destination, especially if you don't like humidity or rain!
(Bangkok Airways flies SIN-USM, can book it with points via Qantas)

I think you'll find this is a dilemma for @goldenhorn

I was merely offering my suggestions. I wish I had such problems

 

[Flyfrequently]

I think you'll find this is a dilemma for @goldenhorn

I was merely offering my suggestions. I wish I had such problems

!! have edited it to reflect the OP, thanks

 

[goldenhorn]

Have you settled on anywhere @goldenhorn ?
We had a very enjoyable, lazy 2 weeks in Koh Samui in September staying at Accor properties Mercure Chaweng Tana and Garrya Tongsai Bay (did a TR "Big Budda and a birthday for the September Septuagenarian in Koh Samui")

Have observed prices are more expensive for 2025

All good suggestions up thread and am sure you will check the weather at each destination, especially if you don't like humidity or rain!
(Bangkok Airways flies SIN-USM, can book it with points via Qantas)

I have actually been working on a draft itinerary today before I present the options to my partner.

I just read your trip report - good stuff!

So far, I'm leaning towards Hua Hin, which seems fairly quiet and relaxed. I considered Pattaya and Pullman Pattaya specifically because they have an executive lounge, but I've been to Pattaya before and found it a little too touristy for my liking.

I'm also thinking of moving between 2 hotels in Hua Hin. The SO/ is 30 min out of town, so it might be good to be closer to town for the last 3 nights in the Movenpick.

Here are the hotels I've booked so far (all refundable):

Day 1 - Singapore Sofitel - 1 night
Day 2 - 5 - SO/ Bangkok - 3 nights
Day 6 - 8 - SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin - 3 nights
Day 9-11 - Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin - 3 nights
Day 12 - Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit - 1 night
Day 13 - Singapore Sofitel - 1 night

Open to any suggestions or feedback on this itinerary!

 

[Flyfrequently]

I have actually been working on a draft itinerary today before I present the options to my partner.

I just read your trip report - good stuff!

So far, I'm leaning towards Hua Hin, which seems fairly quiet and relaxed. I considered Pattaya and Pullman Pattaya specifically because they have an executive lounge, but I've been to Pattaya before and found it a little too touristy for my liking.

I'm also thinking of moving between 2 hotels in Hua Hin. The SO/ is 30 min out of town, so it might be good to be closer to town for the last 3 nights in the Movenpick.

Here are the hotels I've booked so far (all refundable):

Day 1 - Singapore Sofitel - 1 night
Day 2 - 5 - SO/ Bangkok - 3 nights
Day 6 - 8 - SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin - 3 nights
Day 9-11 - Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin - 3 nights
Day 12 - Singapore Sofitel - 1 night

Open to any suggestions or feedback on this itinerary!

I like your idea of a night in Singapore either side of your trip @goldenhorn
Moving hotels after 3 days for me, is a bit short - you just get the hang of things and time to relocate. YMMV.
Am also looking at Hua Hin for July/August.

 

[goldenhorn]

I like your idea of a night in Singapore either side of your trip @goldenhorn
Moving hotels after 3 days for me, is a bit short - you just get the hang of things and time to relocate. YMMV.
Am also looking at Hua Hin for July/August.

Yeah good point...might need to reassess that.

@Flyfrequently, how do you find the balance between not being too short and not being too long? I worry about getting bored if it's 5+ nights, and I feel trapped. That's why I am hedging my bets by moving closer to town. But then I take your points that 3 nights might be too short to start to truly relax.

Didn't you try two resorts on Koh Samui? How long did you do at each one?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah good point...might need to reassess that.

@Flyfrequently, how do you find the balance between not being too short and not being too long? I worry about getting bored if it's 5+ nights, and I feel trapped. That's why I am hedging my bets by moving closer to town. But then I take your points that 3 nights might be too short to start to truly relax.

Didn't you try two resorts on Koh Samui? How long did you do at each one?

The other thing that stands out is the repeat bangkok and singapore at the end of the trip.

Getting in to town in Bangkok is a good 30 mins by car, or longer by train. Is it worth the hassle for a single night? Same with singapore. By the time you’ve collected luggage, got to the hotel, checked in, unpacked etc, you’d be half way through your 7 hour flight back to Australia!

Three nights is ‘ok’, it depends how you pack. Having to put out all your toiletries, iron clothes if required, then repack them all can be a bit of a pain. Plus checkout by 12 or 1, and then have to wait until 3 to check in to other hotel. (unless you have status which guarantees later than 1pm checkout)

 

[markis10]

I would probably give the Sofitel in Singapore a miss, they don’t have a great reputation, the Swissotel would be my call, preferably the crest suites if you can wangle a SNU, but I am biased a tad with that hotel

 

[Flyfrequently]

Yeah good point...might need to reassess that.

@Flyfrequently, how do you find the balance between not being too short and not being too long? I worry about getting bored if it's 5+ nights, and I feel trapped. That's why I am hedging my bets by moving closer to town. But then I take your points that 3 nights might be too short to start to truly relax.

Didn't you try two resorts on Koh Samui? How long did you do at each one?

Always a fine balance!
We did 6 nights at each resort in Koh Samui @goldenhorn as we were a "drop n flop" holiday.
First night was a separate booking at Mercure (in lower category room) as the MCT was outside my comfort zone and really thought we would miss our flight to Koh Samui - but luckily we didn't.

Agree with @MEL_Traveller re Bangkok/Singapore 1 night stays.
We only do it if flights are on separate bookings, i.e., coming from Europe to break up a journey.

For European trips, we usually do 4 nights at each destination.

 

[goldenhorn]

The other thing that stands out is the repeat bangkok and singapore at the end of the trip.

Getting in to town in Bangkok is a good 30 mins by car, or longer by train. Is it worth the hassle for a single night? Same with singapore. By the time you’ve collected luggage, got to the hotel, checked in, unpacked etc, you’d be half way through your 7 hour flight back to Australia!

Three nights is ‘ok’, it depends how you pack. Having to put out all your toiletries, iron clothes if required, then repack them all can be a bit of a pain. Plus checkout by 12 or 1, and then have to wait until 3 to check in to other hotel. (unless you have status which guarantees later than 1pm checkout)

Thank you! Some very good points.

I will have platinum status by this trip but I agree that it’s generally a hassle to change hotels when you don’t necessarily have to. I’ll have a think about choosing one and staying longer.

Maybe I don’t need to stay in SIN again on the way back.

I just get a bit nervous with award flights and generally make sure I’m in the city I’m leaving from the night before. But the SQ SIN-BNE flight doesn’t leave until 9:30pm so there will be plenty of time to get from BKK-SIN that day.

 

[goldenhorn]

I would probably give the Sofitel in Singapore a miss, they don’t have a great reputation, the Swissotel would be my call, preferably the crest suites if you can wangle a SNU, but I am biased a tad with that hotel

I’d like to stay at the Swissotel. I got a Red Hot Rooms rate for the Sofitel. I read quite a few reviews and didn’t see anything too negative. I’ll take another look.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you! Some very good points.

I will have platinum status by this trip but I agree that it’s generally a hassle to change hotels when you don’t necessarily have to. I’ll have a think about choosing one and staying longer.

Maybe I don’t need to stay in SIN again on the way back.

I just get a bit nervous with award flights and generally make sure I’m in the city I’m leaving from the night before. But the SQ SIN-BNE flight doesn’t leave until 9:30pm so there will be plenty of time to get from BKK-SIN that day.

Exactly. Lots of options BKK-SIN. It might be the same for your o/night in BKK? Can you dispense with it? Or alternatively, stay at the novotel at BKK airport, to save the trip into town and back.

or alternatively, make a proper break out of the SIN stop. Travel Hua Hin to Singapore (straight to the airport and fly to SIN). Then you’d have a couple of days in Singapore before heading home.

 

[markis10]

The Swissotel has a number of advantages, ie
1. it’s on top of a shopping centre and MRT so plenty of food/transport choices
2. it’s at the end of the ECP pretty much so an easy ride in a cab from Changi
3. The views are awesome

 

[goldenhorn]

I've compared Thailand with Vietnam. I want to present 2 options to the other half. Taking on feedback from @MEL_Traveller I've ditched any need to stay in SIN going there and back.

Here's proposed itinerary #2:

Day 0 - overnight BNE-SIN
Day 1 - SIN-SGN, Sofitel Saigon Plaza - Ho Chi Minh City - 3 nights
Day 4 - Fly SGN-DAN - Novotel Danang Premier Han River - 5 nights
Day 9-12 - Pullman Da Nang - 4 nights
Day 13 - DAN-SGN, SGN-SIN, SIN-BNE (overnight flight)

This feels a lot slower than the previous itinerary. I can also see award availability on SQ for the SIN-SGN-SIN flights (26,000 VFF points per pax).

I'm not sure about moving hotels, but I think it would be good to chill on the beach for the last few days, and I'm not sure I'd want to be on the river for 9 nights. The Novotel (the only 5* Novotel, apparently) is outstanding and seems to have the best lounge for Platinum travelers. Pullman Da Nang also has excellent feedback, but it's not quite as stunning as the Novotel.

The other compelling factor is that with this change of countries, the budget for the trip is $2,800 cheaper. The value of the Accor hotels in Vietnam is astounding. This decrease in budget has me heavily leaning towards Vietnam.

Any feedback appreciated before I present options to the other half!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That looks pretty good!

Beaches are supposed to be amazing in Vietnam.

When in Saigon, wholly recommend a visit to the (former) Presidential Palace if you like history and 1960s design. It is an absolute masterpiece of 1960s architecture and design.

We found the food a little disappointing in Saigon. We went to a mix of high and low-end places, all with good reviews on tripadvisor. Coming from Melbourne where we have some of the best Vietnamese restaurants, it was possibly better at home! (the takeout from that is to maybe not spend too much time fussing over where to eat!)

SQ flies non-stop from DAD to SIN, might be worth checking out if they have award seats. Low cost carriers also fly it.

For SGN-DAD, the economy fare on VN is ~$80 in economy with bags, or $120 in business. I recommend business class as you’re expedited at every stage through the airport. And while it’s only a short flight, the seating on board is much more comfortable (same as domestic QF business class).

 

[jase05]

Have stayed at both those properties in Da Nang and 9 nights in Da Nang does seem excessive. The Pullman is ok and a nice place to relax but we have always had great status recognition at the Novotel and it also has a good EL plus a very good breakfast selection.

 

[jase05]

And while it’s only a short flight, the seating on board is much more comfortable (same as domestic QF business class).

Yep, seating decent. Food is good and a few beers and just a good all round short flight. If you get a “bus gate” at SGN you also get a private business class bus and you will be back the terminal and collected your bags before the Y pax even get back to the terminal
VN domestic flights are great IMO

 

[goldenhorn]

That looks pretty good!

Beaches are supposed to be amazing in Vietnam.

When in Saigon, wholly recommend a visit to the (former) Presidential Palace if you like history and 1960s design. It is an absolute masterpiece of 1960s architecture and design.

We found the food a little disappointing in Saigon. We went to a mix of high and low-end places, all with good reviews on tripadvisor. Coming from Melbourne where we have some of the best Vietnamese restaurants, it was possibly better at home! (the takeout from that is to maybe not spend too much time fussing over where to eat!)

SQ flies non-stop from DAD to SIN, might be worth checking out if they have award seats. Low cost carriers also fly it.

For SGN-DAD, the economy fare on VN is ~$80 in economy with bags, or $120 in business. I recommend business class as you’re expedited at every stage through the airport. And while it’s only a short flight, the seating on board is much more comfortable (same as domestic QF business class).

Wow. Great tips. Thank you!

Good to know about the food.

I checked fares SGN-DAD-SGN on VN. Might have gone up since you travelled? Economy is $155, and business is $454 (return) on the needed dates. Do you think it's worth an extra $300 per pax for the convenience?

I like your idea of direct SIN-DAD-SIN. Unfortunately, no award flights are showing on our dates on Seats.aero. I've probably left it too late. But SIN-SGN-SIN has awards every day so perhaps it's a busier route.

 

[goldenhorn]

Have stayed at both those properties in Da Nang and 9 nights in Da Nang does seem excessive. The Pullman is ok and a nice place to relax but we have always had great status recognition at the Novotel and it also has a good EL plus a very good breakfast selection.

Thanks for the feedback. How long did you stay at the Novotel?

So perhaps we can drop Pullman Danang, stay a little longer at the Novotel, and have a couple of nights in SIN on the way home.