Travel

SCMP Reporter

Published: 12:00am, 2 Feb, 2007

Why you can trust SCMP

Go all the way with your romantic holiday for two

Somewhere beyond time

Vietnam

A cool clime and cosy fires await visitors to the Victoria Sapa Resort, nestled in the highlands of northwest Vietnam. The area is close to the Chinese border, 1,650metres above sea level, and near Vietnam's highest peak, Mount Fansipan. The hotel group specialises in off-the-beaten-track luxury accommodation. A trip to the Sapa Resort begins with a 300km private express train journey from Hanoi. This exciting package (US$209 per person for three nights) includes round-trip airport transfer and breakfast.

Year-round romantic rendezvous

Amanpulo, Philippines

Although Amanpulo (left and below) has no specific Valentine's packages, the resort has a year-round Romance package. The Philippine resort of the Aman group is situated on a private island. A five-night Romance deal includes accommodation in a beach casita, champagne on arrival, a sunset cruise with cocktails and canapes, plus three meals per day. The package includes a beach barbecue for two and a massage for two. Couples can also choose to have a sunset blessing on the beach. The package costs US$5,595 between now and the end of May. Return transfers by plane between Amanpulo and Manila cost US$325/person. Call 800 908 502.

Some like it hot - and spicy

Bangkok

Fans of the warm urban getaway may find the deal at the Metropolitan Bangkok (left) appealing. The hotel has its own tempting proposals, besides all the shopping and dining opportunities of the Thai capital. The Urban Honeymoon package offers the choice of a metropolitan room (from US$350 per night), a terrace suite (from US$400 per night) or a penthouse suite (US$700). Prices include dinner at the hotel's restaurant Cy'an, a massage and scrub at the hotel's Como Shambhala Urban Escape spa, champagne and chocolates plus limousine airport transfer. Bookings must be for a minimum of two nights. Check out www.metropolitan.como.bz/bangkok/reservation.asp

Southern comfort

Koh Samui, Thailand

If the south holds more appeal, head for the sunny shores of Koh Samui. Now is a good time to visit in terms of the weather, as it is the dry season till the end of the month. The Anantara Resort Koh Samui is located at Fisherman's Cove on Bo Phut beach. This is a good deal, considering the comfortable luxury and beautiful surroundings. Packages throughout the month cost from US$175 per room. Bottom-rung deluxe rooms have a balcony and a terrazzo tub for two in the bathroom. There are plenty of watersports options.

Reservations can be made at www.anantara.com

Feeling on top of the world

Shanghai

Another cool destination (cool in every sense) is Shanghai. City glamour and chilly nights await - the temperature these days hovers around five degrees Celsius. The JW Marriott, Shanghai, has put together a Just-The-Two-Of-You package valid for February 14. The package (28,888 yuan a night) includes accommodation in the chairman's suite or the presidential suite, in-room dinner with champagne and a mandara spa massage. Breakfast and limousine airport transfers are included. A cheaper alternative is an executive suite (5,888 yuan), which includes limousine airport transfer, dinner, breakfast and spa massages. Call 86 21 53594969 for more information.

A veranda built for two

Hua Hin, Thailand

North of the capital in Hua Hin, the Veranda Resort and Spa offers a two-night package (19,600 baht or HK$4,500 per couple) valid from February 8 to 14. Accommodation is in one of the resort's new sea-view rooms with a jacuzzi on the balcony. The package includes a bottle of sparkling wine, breakfast and a 10 per cent discount at the resort's Thai fusion seafood restaurant and the Veranda Spa. E-mail: [email protected]

Enjoy royal treatment in a blue kingdom

Maldives

When work gets in the way of leisure time, slip away for a few days. And with Valentine's Day (and the Lunar New Year) around the corner, there's no better excuse for quality couple time. Those with deep pockets and dreams of the best sands and seas nature can offer should consider the One&Only Maldives resort (below), which has a Valentine's treat. The resort is on the island of Reethi Rah, within the Maldivian atoll. Holidays can be customised. Couples booking a premium romantic excursion (listed below) will receive a handmade piece of jewellery with gems from the resort's Anjara range of jewels. Excursions cost extra and include a sunset sail on a dhoni (traditional boat) to a private sandbank, where a barbecued dinner will be cooked and served (US$2,000 per couple). Or an evening sail aboard the resort's private catamaran, with a four-course dinner and champagne (US$1,300 per couple). Accommodation starts from US$1,050. Visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com

The Rania Experience is offering a US$12,000-a-night package, where you can play king and queen on a private Maldivian island, with the use of a private yacht (above). This is extreme hedonism, with a team of butlers, dive instructors, spa therapists, chefs and more at the guests' disposal. The package includes white sands, aqua-blue seas, deluxe beachfront villas and gourmet food. Bookings are limited to a couple at a time, but friends and relatives may be accommodated for a fee. E-mail [email protected]

Sri Lanka Airways offers five-day, three-night packages to the Maldives. Boutique group W Hotel opened a retreat in the Maldives last year, and a deal with the airline costs from HK$12,899 per person, which includes round-trip flight, accommodation and airport transfer. It also includes two nights at the W Retreat & Spa and none night at Hulhule Island Hotel. Packages are valid until the end of next month, but surcharges apply (HK$1,900/person) during the peak travel period between February14 and 22.

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