Hotels with retreat activities to check out

If you are in the mood for a wholesome getaway, here are a few hotels with retreat programmes to check out. David Ho offers a few recommendations

Indonesia – Anantara Ubud Bali Resort

The new Anantara Ubud Bali Resort is set to open on September 2. The 85 suites and pool villas follow a densely forested hill towards a mountain stream. But this tranquil retreat is still just minutes away from Ubud’s hustle and bustle.

Guest experiences at Anantara Ubud are curated by specialist gurus, and include private arts and crafts workshops, cultural performances, hands-on Spice Spoons cooking classes, as well as guided yoga and meditation. Young visitors will have their own space at the Kids’ Club with fun and engaging activities for all ages. 

Japan – Nozo Hotel

Go off the beaten path by visiting the rural town of Furano in Hokkaido, which is known for its vast lavender fields in the summer and vast variety of flora and crops that lasts until the leaves change in October. Nozo Hotel there have curated their very first season of summer and autumn activities, which range from thrilling white water rafting to cheesemaking at local factories, cycling tours to night sky watching excursions for would-be astronomers. There are also a variety of indoor activities available, which include beeswax candle making workshops, jam making with fresh local produce, wine tasting at the local Furano wineries, or visiting the Glass Forest to try your hand at glass blowing.

Guests booking directly via the hotel’s website for a three-night consecutive stay for stays until November 31 will receive 20 percent off the regular price if they book 30 days in advance, with the last booking day being November 1.

Thailand – Saii Phi Phi Island Village

Saii Phi Phi Island Village recently celebrated a significant milestone: the release of the 30th bamboo shark from its on-site nursery. This coincides with the Krabi located resort’s launch of its new A Sharktastic Escape package. This is ideal for PADI-certified travellers looking to explore Phi Phi’s captivating marine realm, and comes with informative on-land activities. Expect encounters with blacktip and leopard sharks, guests can get up close and personal with near-threatened bamboo sharks recently released by the resort’s Marine Discovery Centre in collaboration with Phuket Marine Biological Centre. 

As well as learning about marine life preservation from the resident Marine Biologist during minimal-impact dives or bi-daily snorkelling trips followed by guided visits to the Marine Discovery Centre, guests booking the package will find delightful shark-themed room décor, special cocktails and other exclusive benefits.

Vietnam – Azerai Ke Ga Bay

The secluded oceanfront retreat Azerai Ke Ga Bay is lovely enough on its own with the laid-back luxury of its chic suites, pool suites and pavilions. But when visitors are not relaxing in their own private paradise, enjoying the facilities or dining at the oceanfront terrace, they can stroll along the 5km-long sandy beach, feel the spray of the ocean with water sports, or visit local attractions such as the local salt farms, dragon fruit farms, fishing villages, Ta Cu Mountain temple and so much more.

Within this coastal enclave, culinary enthusiasts can now learn the ancient art of Vietnamese cuisine with the resort’s new Five Senses Cooking Class. Led by the resort’s culinary experts, guests will be introduced to the timeless flavours and fragrances of Vietnamese ingredients, before being taught cooking techniques they can use to wow their friends and family back home.

Also see: The Nyepi experience at Ayana Bali