Marvel: Step into a piazza of wonder at La Festa Phu Quoc, Curio Collection by Hilton, in Vietnam. Photos: Supplied.
It’s been another busy year, so the festive season provides the perfect opportunity to relax, recalibrate and reconnect with loved ones. It’s also a time to reminisce about the achievements of the past 12 months.
Why not make the season of merriment and wonder even more unforgettable as you prepare to enhance the end-of-year escapes at some of Asia’s finest hotels and resorts? With splendid lodgings, creative cuisine, sparkling parties and more, you can infuse those special festive getaways with the warmth and charm of local hospitality.
From magical monkey forests to Italian-inspired markets, suites filled with softly lit candles, couples, families — even friends — can all craft their ultimate vacations of joy and cheerfulness. Here is a selection of the finest celebratory experiences available this holiday season.
Step into an Italian festive celebration at La Festa Phu Quoc, Curio Collection by Hilton, in Vietnam … the Amalfi Coast-inspired resort. Enter an authentic Italian Christmas village this December, with sparkling decorations, glittering trees, market stalls and additional choices!
Positano Street, Sunset Town’s stylish European avenue, will be transformed into a festive market lined with stalls showcasing traditional crafts and local street food, transporting all ages into a timeless Mediterranean winter’s tale.
For revellers who book the Amalfi ocean view suite, those dreamy days end with spectacular views of the sunset, Kiss Bridge, and the colourful fireworks that will light up the sky every night.
Striking: The stunning balcony of the turquoise suite at the Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa was designed by Bill Bensley and frames panoramic sea views.
Adventure seekers can embark on a personal journey through time and space at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, the mythical Lamarck University, which is nestled between verdant jungles and turquoise seas on Vietnam’s “Pearl Island”.
Having rediscovered a long-lost astronomy project, this former French university will let curious explorers learn about the night sky and chart a new course for the year ahead. The striking pink mansion and French restaurant, Pink Pearl by Olivier E., is where Michelin two-star consultant chef Olivier Elzer will present a special merry menu.
JW Marriott Phu Quoc will elevate every escape to the stars, with a choice of striking pool villas, including the luxurious turquoise suite and the legendary Lamarck House, a seven-bedroom, white beachfront residence.
The pioneer of French luxury hospitality, Sofitel, has invited couples to share moments of serenity this holiday season. “The Candle Experience” is thoughtfully designed to meet the rising wish for a quieter, more reflective festive period, enveloping travellers’ senses in the magic of light, sound and scent. Adorning rooms and suites will be hundreds of flickering LED candles, softly bathed in Sofitel’s signature scent and set to the sound of curated playlists.
This is a reimagining of Sofitel’s signature candle ritual, a daily ceremony inspired by 1860s Paris, where 56,000 oil lamps illuminated the city, giving it the name “City of Lights”. Now, this tradition has been transformed into a more intimate setting to offer calm, connection and comfort while paying homage to the brand’s poetic French heritage.
The candle experience is available at the Sofitel Seoul Ambassador Hotel & Serviced Residences, Sofitel Singapore City Centre, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.
Immersive: Monkey magic meets gourmet moments this holiday season at the InterContinental Danang.
Bask in the sunshine and seclusion at one of Vietnam’s most spectacular beach resorts. This high-style seaside retreat, wrapped in pristine rainforest, is where you feel invigorated by bold, creative architecture as the design combines local tradition with modern luxury.
Meet the monkeys at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort and learn of their significance. They are a key part of the local endangered ecosystem, particularly the red-shanked douc langur.
Spanning four distinct levels and 39 hectares of lush jungle on Vietnam’s Son Tra Peninsula, the InterContinental is Bill Bensley’s breakout masterpiece, inspired by the rare primates that can be discovered all around the resort. This original five-star destination encourages tourists to come together and “feel the spirit of the forest”.
To celebrate its charming neighbours, the resort has crafted a series of immersive culinary journeys at its five restaurants and bars, each hosted by a different monkey!
If you’re seeking an unforgettable holiday, opt for the four-bedroom pool villa that can accommodate eight adults and eight children in 705 square metres of living space over two levels, including three private pools, overlooking the shimmering East Sea.
Pinpoint your dream location for family escapes with Centara Hotels & Resorts. It has four original island resorts in the Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam, an urban icon in Osaka, and Thailand properties in Bangkok, Phuket, Samui and Pattaya.
