Asia’s Allure: From Jungle Journeys to a Private Island Paradise

May 22, 2024 by Hidden Doorways

2024 is shaping up to be a milestone year for Asia. Just this week, UN Tourism announced that international arrivals to the continent reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter. Knowing you’re likely to be hearing more and more from your clients about trips to Asia, we’ve put together a roundup of what’s new from our partners there. From the wilds of Cambodia to the treasures of Thailand, introduce your guests to the vast and varied wonders of this dynamic region.

Explore Varied Landscapes Alongside Asia Concierge

Why limit the horizon when Asia Concierge can cherry-pick the most thrilling places and experiences across the continent, guiding travelers to each and every one? Embark on a journey to Vietnam’s northern mountains to witness the golden spectacle of the annual rice harvest. Explore mist-shrouded tea plantations as you traverse the hills, then vanish along Thailand’s lesser-known roads in Nan province to discover a side of the country few ever see. Your adventure could also take you to the lush wilderness of Khao Yai National Park or the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters of Trang province. 

Alternatively, head to Cambodia to explore the cultural legacy of the Angkor Kingdom, where the remnants of an ancient civilization still stand in magical and mysterious splendor, alongside the country’s countless temples, colonial townships, otherworldly lagoons, and wilderness reserves. With Japan, Laos, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, and more awaiting discovery, Asia Concierge’s intimate knowledge ensures that many iterations of paradise are but a plane ride away.

Sustainable Luxury Across Cambodia

Cambodia, full of hidden islands and fruitful forests, is a haven for those seeking serious adventure. However, exploring doesn’t have to sacrifice luxury, nor does it mean a journey devoid of contributing positively to the planet—quite the opposite, in fact. These two five-star destinations manage to balance enjoying Earth’s endless beauty with efforts to preserve it through sustainable practices embedded in everything they do. As a result, each guest actively contributes to the welfare of an entire nation, supporting and upholding kindhearted practices with every stay.

First, let’s consider Shinta Mani, which operates two exquisite properties in Cambodia: the luxury tented camp of Shinta Mani Wild and the upscale boutique hotel, Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas. Both are driven by the altruistic mission of the Shinta Mani Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to community change. It supports education, healthcare, small business development, and crucial environmental preservation. The foundation’s initiatives include a Hotel School offering secure employment opportunities and a strong commitment to natural resource conservation. Shinta Mani Wild, nestled in an 865-acre river valley next to the Cardamom Forest, focuses on protecting its verdant environment and the endangered species that inhabit it, employing many locals to aid this mission. Meanwhile, Shinta Mani Angkor includes a Development Center in Siem Reap that offers education, meals, and even accommodation to help combat the prevalence of unskilled youth in the area.

Over at Song Saa, a private island resort crafted with sustainability at its core, guests enjoy a paradise constructed by local artisans using native materials. Situated on a pristine beach, the resort offers a chance to indulge in life’s simple luxuries. The Song Saa Foundation has been a beacon of sustainability in the Koh Rong archipelago for over a decade, engaging in activities such as coral reef research dives to protect marine habitats and running medical programs that have aided thousands of patients. This resort’s commitment spans across land and water, benefiting people, animals, communities, and ecosystems. This season, their Summer of Sustainability program celebrates these efforts with a special offer of 35% off for stays of two nights or more.

A Private Villa and Michelin-Starred Taste of Phuket

Set in the tropical hill’s of northwestern Phuket where the crisp blue shores of the Andaman sea calmly lap, and the centuries-old ficus trees and coconut palms blow in the sea breeze is a secluded cove that Trisara resort calls home. As if that setting alone weren’t enough to hypnotize travelers, its paradise-found private villas and second-to-none dining experiences will guarantee a guest experience that is hard for  anywhere else in Thailand to top.

PRU marks the island’s first and only Michelin-starred restaurant, being awarded the accolade for its sixth consecutive year in January. Here, expect an artful menu that takes local ingredients and combines them with herbs many have never heard of before let alone cooked with in its spectacular theatre kitchen and kappa-style of service to bring chefs and diners together. Even the dishes are serviced using ceramics and utensils made by a local studio and collective of Thai artisans.

From fine dining to farm-to-table, Trisara also has its JAMPA restaurant that begins with its unforgettable Pru Jampa farm your where its organic produce and free-range chickens and ducks are raised. Guests can book a lunch or dinner experience where they can handpick and harvest the finest local ingredients before devouring the dish that will be borne out of them moments later.

Two’s company and three is even better at Trisara as its third and final culinary offering is in the form of its à la carte selection of Southern Thai recipes and contemporary classics at its SaT restaurant. Heroing the most authentic Thai ingredients, fragrant lemongrass, fiery bird’s eye chili, tangy lime, aromatic galangal and roasted coconut dance in its assortment of heritage dishes.

And with bellies full, guests retire to the serenity of their own private villa with breathtaking ocean views and endless sunsets to drift off to night after night.

Award-Winning Wellness Programs on Koh Samui

For travelers seeking more than a spa treatment within a peaceful enclave on their Asia adventure, Kamalaya on the southern coast of Koh Samui is there to help people reconnect with themselves so they can achieve optimal wellbeing. From its use of ancient healing traditions to its spiritual setting with its centuries-old cave at its heart where Buddhist monks once meditated, the whole spirit of Kamalaya is about healing within nature.

A stay at Kamalaya revolves around its life-enhancing retreats, which are tailored to unlock specific body and mind benefits. Structured around wellness goals, these programs address a variety of needs from detoxing and improving immunity to stress management, posture improvement, building strength, and weight management. Options range from short three-night stays to extensive 21-night retreats. Additionally, there’s a special offer for June stays, with a 15% discount on room rates for stays of three nights or more.

Beyond its core programs, Kamalaya also offers bespoke programs for a more tailored approach, focusing on specific modalities like Ayurveda or Naturopathy. Some programs are designed to cater specifically to particular demographics, such as the Reset & Renew Hormonal Balance program—a group retreat set for October that’s led by renowned wellness advocate Samantha Keating and tailored specifically for women.

Kamalaya isn’t just a journey to one of Thailand’s crown jewel islands; it’s an invitation to soothe the soul, reset the mind, and open your eyes to take in the sublime beauty that surrounds you from every angle.