5 idyllic beachfront hotels and villas to check into

Nestled in the stunning Kaafu Atoll, Crossroads Maldives comprises several connected islands, two resorts – Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton – and The Marina, a lifestyle hub. Located just 8km from the capital city of Malé and a 15-minute speedboat ride from Maldives’ main flight hub, Velana International Airport, the development boasts an impressive array of attractions, both commercial and educational, and world class dining options for every type of traveller. Enjoy stunning views and work up a sweat with the range of water sports available for thrill seekers. Make sure you stop by the Marine Discovery Centre – apart from offering snorkelling and scuba diving, it features an interactive area where visitors can find out about the local ecosystem and learn about conservation efforts. To experience multiple resorts during a single trip, we recommend booking through Singapore-based travel agency The Lazing Wanderer for a dual-island package, where you split four nights across both Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and SAii Lagoon Maldives, with all airport transfers as well as the switch between resorts taken care of.

Nestled in a 10-million-year-old tropical rainforest and overlooking the tranquil Datai Bay, the swanky Datai Langkawi resort offers a quiet respite for the busy professional. See if you can spot some wildlife while sipping on a cocktail at the Lobby Lounge Terrace – the rainforest is home to a wealth of flora and fauna as well as animals such as the Dusky langur, Tokay gecko, Oriental-pied hornbill and Sunda colugo – or simply chill out and drink in the sights of the Andaman Sea. Besides reconnecting with nature, dining is a treat here with plenty of options. Take your pick from spots such as The Gulai House, which is set to the style of a traditional Malay kampung house, or The Pavilion, which is atop 30-metre stilts and allows breath-taking views over the rainforest.

Located at the southwestern tip of the island, Uluwatu is known for its dramatic cliffs and spectacular surf breaks. Drink in these views during your stay at this new collection of seven suites named after legendary surf points. Each suite is dressed up to mimic the glamour of 1950s California surf culture with brilliantly hued walls, artistic prints and luxurious four-poster beds. Relax at the pool club, or pop over to the famous Padang Padang and Dreamland beaches, located close by. Or simply head to the hidden beach at the foot of the property, a secluded spot that only emerges at low tide.

The beach is literally at your doorstep when you stay at one of the 193 private villas along the bone-white sand and perched on stilts above a lagoon. Underwater explorers can take advantage of the on-site 5-Star PADI dive centre, which organises trips to visit the resident whale sharks. After a day of adventure, kick back with a cocktail at Beach Rouge, a stylish spot serving heady concoctions and chill beats from live DJs.

Tucked within the lush jungle of a private bay on the island’s southeastern coast, this luxurious property features spacious villas that command majestic views of the Gulf of Thailand. Soak up the sun at the resort’s protected beach, a curvy strip of powder-fine sand backed by gentle waves. The resort can organise private excursions to nearby islands – the famed Grandmother and Grandfather Rock is only 10 minutes away.

To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com. For more information and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

SEE ALSO: 3 beaches in Sri Lanka perfect for surfing

A version of this article was originally published in the March 2020 issue of Silkwinds magazine and updated on 6 Jan 2021.