Tag Archive | Resort

The Top Places For Beach Holidays In The Maldives

Feb20

maldives-resort-islandWhen it comes to finding a good beach in the Maldives the majority of people will find this to be a particularly simple task, as this network of tiny islands doesn’t rise more than a few meters above sea level.  In terms of the structure of the islands themselves, most will have one hotel or resort based on each island, with visitors landing at MaléInternationalAirport.  The capital Malé lies on an island adjacent to the one on which the airport is located, and is home to around a third of the country’s total population of some 300,000 people.

The Maldives is made up of hundreds of little coral islands dotted around this part of the Indian Ocean, but only 92 of these are actually inhabited islands.  With every resort largely tending to keep its own staff, most of the tourist activities on each island will be led by the staff there, meaning there is very little interaction between visitors to the different islands apart from when they arrive and depart.  The larger islands will usually be able to welcome a few hundred people, while the more exclusive resorts will be especially luxurious and only welcome a small number of guests at a time.

Vilamendhoo Island

As one of the larger islands in the Maldives Vilamendhoo does offer plenty of beach to enjoy, with the circumference of this wonderful island surrounded in golden sand and clear blue waters.  This is similar to the majority of islands in this country, so one of the reasons to choose this island is that it does offer one of the widest ranges of beach and water activities, including kayaking, wind surfing and diving.

Cocoa Island

This is one of the smaller islands, and with a long spit of sand with azure waters on each side it offers a particularly charming beach on which to relax.  As with the majority of the islands the palm woods at the centre of the islands are where the buildings are, but on this island the accommodation is actually in huts built on stilts in the sand.  Because the sandy beach drops off slowly there is plenty of shallow sea around this little island making it good for younger or inexperienced swimmers.

Angaga Island

Angaga is one of the islands that lies furthest away from MaléInternationalAirport, and as such it is usually reached by seaplane rather than the traditional motorboats that tend to ferry people between the islands.  Around thirty per cent of the island itself is beach, with one side dropping quickly off into the Indian Ocean, while the other side of the island is a shallow lagoon.  It also offers both sides of the accommodation experience, with villas on the islands and huts on stilts both available.

Bandos Island

Bandos Island offers a different type of beach holiday, whereas many of the other islands offer vast swathes of beach, the beaches around Bandos aren’t as wide as many others, but this also means it can be easier to find a little bit of beach away from everyone else.  Inside the palm woods of the island there is a little more to explore than the smaller islands, although you will never find yourself getting lost on another of the gems of the Maldives.

Kanuhura

This is another of the larger islands in the Maldives, stretching to around a kilometer from one end to the other, with much of this is made up of beach.  It is also one of the outlying islands of the Maldives, and is a short seaplane journey away from MaléAirport.   As well as offering great beaches and the usual diving and water sports, this island also has the option of catamaran sailing, which adds an extra activity to the holiday.

Top Hotels To Stay While In Malaysia

Jan31

petronas twin towersChoosing the right hotel can be a vital part of a successful trip, whether it is for business or for pleasure, and Malaysia has an excellent range to choose from whatever your budget.  Malaysia has an excellent reputation for delivering luxury hotels, and some of the best hotels on the Asian continent are to be found in its capital city of Kuala Lumpur.  However, for those on a budget we will also look at some of the best budget hotels available.

The Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

When it comes to looking at luxury hotels in Malaysia’s capital, they don’t come much bigger or better than the Shangri-La, which has frequently won awards in the press for its welcome and service.  This five-star hotel boasts a range of restaurants and bars within the complex, and being located right at the heart of the city makes it easy to use as a base to explore the city.  The prices may be a little bit on the high side for some people, but the level of luxury and the attentive service of the staff is a reflection of the quality that is being paid for.

The Four Seasons Resort, Langkawi

Lying in the northern reaches of Malaysia is the idyllic island resort of Langkawi, and the Four Seasons Resort on the north coast of Langkawi is certainly one of the most comfortable bases from which to explore the island.  The hotel itself is delightfully located near the golden sands of the beach, and many of the rooms and villas offer direct access straight on to the beach.  The interiors are exceptionally comfortable and spacious, and really make your stay comfortable, whether it is a brief trip or a relaxing fortnight or more.

The location of the hotel is ideal for those looking to explore Langkawi, and one of the great highlights is a kayaking trip through the tropical mangrove forests lying nearby.  For those who are looking to get in a quick eighteen holes while on holiday, the unique jungle golf course offers some very different challenges from the standard round of golf.  There are few places in the world more beautiful than Langkawi, and the island offers plenty for those looking for a relaxing beach holiday and the adventurous souls alike.

The SS City Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

For those who are traveling on a tighter budget to Kuala Lumpur, there is no doubt that the SS City Hotel is certainly one of the best budget hotels in the city.  This nautical themed hotel is a charming place to stay and offers clean rooms at a very competitive price.  The word of warning that I would add with this hotel is that although it is a great base from which to explore Malaysia’s capital city, the rooms aren’t the largest so don’t expect a lavish suite for your money.

The Sabah Hotel, Borneo

When it comes to enjoying a holiday in a jungle location, there is no doubt that the Sabah Hotel can boast a site that is right at the heart of some very dense jungle.  Located a short walk from the town of Sandakan this hotel lies surrounded by the thick jungle that attracts so many people to Borneo, and is a good location from which to explore the area.  The rooms are competitively priced, and although it may not be the most elaborate and plush of hotels, the rooms were clean and comfortable enough.  One item worth noting is that the restaurant was not as competitively priced as some of those in Sandakan itself, but the food was still nice enough.