From Bali to Luang Prabang, here are five new resorts near Singapore to disconnect—plus what to pack for your quick weekend getaway.
UNIQLO’s latest collection with Tomas Maier will give you a serious case of wanderlust. The range, which marks the Japanese retail giant’s first official foray into resort wear, is designed specifically for personal time-off and tropical escapes—a signature of the Tomas Maier brand. “Beach attire can turn into lounge wear, casual cover-ups paired with polo shirts can be easily worn in town,” says Maier about the collaboration.
Born in Germany and schooled at the prestigious Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, Maier, who helms Bottega Veneta and his eponymous label, has a penchant for functionality, natural materials and understated elegance. That clean, simple aesthetic comes through his collection for UNIQLO—which feature bright hues for women and darker shades of navy, black and khaki for men.
Made with UNIQLO’s innovative fabrics like AIRism (for jackets and polo shirts), Extra Fine Cotton (for shirts), and Supima Cotton (for tees), the tomas maier and uniqlo collection line has you suitably covered (pun intended) for your next weekend getaway.
The full collection will be available at UNIQLO Orchard Central, Suntec City and online. Selected items will be available at selected stores including Bugis+ and Jem.
And if you’re undecided on where to escape the hassles of your day-to-day life in Singapore, below are five recommended luxury resorts that have recently opened in our region.
The Residence Bintan
Set on the east coast of Bintan just over an hour away from Singapore, this coastal resort is an immaculate spot to decompress. There are 127 terraces and villas to luxuriate in, each offering knock-out views of the resort’s spectacular surrounds: the beachfront villas have sea-facing bedrooms and expansive verandas that overlooks the South China Sea; the best seat in the house to watch the sun rise is in one of the hilltop villas; and vista and garden terraces are tucked amongst the lush tropical foliage. As for those tight knots, the therapists at SPA BY ila will take care of them.
Rosewood Luang Prabang
On an untouched corner of the seductive World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang, Rosewood has opened its stunning 23-room property hidden in the lush jungle this March. It’s only a 10-minute drive from the old Laotian capital but feels like a world away—perfect if you want to disappear from the face of the earth for a while. If you love the sound of flowing water, check into one of the waterfall pool villas on the riverside for close-up views of the stream that flows through the retreat. It’s tempting to stay in and not leave, but you shouldn’t: head into town for a day, visit the local markets, say your prayers at the temples, and cruise down the Mekong river.
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
JW Marriott’s Vietnamese outpost on the pristine beach of Phu Quoc is quite unlike its other properties around the world. Designed by famed architect Bill Bensley—who’s known for his quirky luxury hotels, the 234-room property is reminiscent of an 1890s French university, where buildings are painted in pastel shades and named a certain department (zoology, astronomy, and the like), championship banners hang on the walls of the fitness center, and rooms are colourfully decorated in European style. Most of the rooms, suites and villas offer killer views of the bay and spacious, private balconies to while your day away. And if you do leave your private confines, you’ll find a host of activities organised by the hotel to fight potential boredom.
The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui
Luxury has a new address on Thailand’s third-largest island. On the shores of Choeng Mon Beach, The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui has all the bells and whistles that’s expected of the brand. Built on a former coconut plantation, the resort, awash in earthy neutral hues, pays homage to its past with the extensive use of coconut and other natural materials. The 175 suites and pool villas feature slick interiors and gorgeous ocean views of The Gulf of Thailand. During your stay, let off some steam by throwing punches at the Muay Thai gym, or go snorkeling in the temperate Swim Reef within the resort that teems with over 50 species of fish.
COMO Uma Canggu
COMO’s love for Bali runs pretty deep, it seems. The bar-raising resort-chain has found a third home in hipper-than-thou Canggu, complete with 53 rooms and suites, 66 one-, two-, and three- bedroom private apartments including 12 penthouses with private pools. Before you do anything, pop into the resort’s COMO Shambhala Retreat to chart your wellness journey with its daily fitness classes, hands-on healing and holistic therapies. But it’s not all peace, quiet, yoga and green juices here: the buzzing COMO Beach Club, a modern take on the traditional surf shack, serves a box-fresh international fare, cocktails, and live sets by acoustic musicians and DJs.
