Winter beach bliss in southern Asia.

Resorts in Asia are trying hard to attract UK holidaymakers looking for a winter beach break. Howard Carr rounds up some old favourites, and some newcomers

Head east, young man. That’s the advice from the Post Office, whose latest Long Haul Holiday Report claims that the Far East offers “unbeatable value” for this winter.
The survey highlights Thailand as the long-haul destination where spending money is likely to go furthest. Bali and Malaysia are close contenders.
The Post Office says all three holiday spots are “significantly cheaper” than any of Europe’s winter sun options.
And while all three destinations boast a variety of established beach resorts, there are plenty of up-and-coming alternatives in the Far East for your clients to consider too.
However, one Far East specialist has warned that the global crisis could delay new resort openings scheduled for this winter.
“I have been conservative in the selection of new hotels for 2010,” says David Kevan, Western & Oriental group head of product and purchasing.
“Anything that is not open by this month has not been considered for brochure inclusion. I think planned December openings will be pushed back into 2010 and openings planned for next March will end up as being in mid-summer.”
 
Phuket
 
This winter promises bargains galore for holidaymakers to Thailand. Hayes & Jarvis, for example, estimates that package prices are up to 25% lower than a year ago.
Some of the most tempting holiday deals are likely to be on the island of Phuket, where hoteliers are anxious to halt a dramatic decline in occupancy levels. The average occupancy rate last winter was just 60% – 20 percentage points down on the previous year.
While the brakes have been put on much of Phuket’s latest tourism development because of economic woes, the island’s hotel capacity is still expected to have increased by about 6,000 rooms by the end of this year, and resorts such as Laguna Phuket (pictured, above) are pressing ahead with expansion plans and new openings.
It means a vast array of special offers at just about every hotel. Promotions include free extra nights, free meals, and free accommodation for children.
 
Khao Lak
 
This “hideaway” resort was one of Thailand’s fastest-growing destinations before the 2004 tsunami. Now it is making a comeback.
Andrea Loddo , Hayes & Jarvis product and contracts manager for the Far East, describes it as “pretty unbeatable” in winter.
“It has unspoilt beaches and is away from the madness of Phuket,” he says.
“It is close to the Similan Islands for scuba diving and Khao Sok for wildlife-spotting and jungle trips.”
Loddo recommends La Flora Resort for beach lovers.
He explains: “It is right on the beach and is a well-priced smaller, boutique-type
property.”
 
Bali
 
An increase in Bali bookings means several operators are looking beyond the popular resorts of Kuta , Nusa Dua and Sanur in the south of the island this winter.
“On the east coast, Alila Manggis is a beautiful property. It’s just a short drive from the unspoilt cultural village of Candi Dasa ,” says Travel 2 Asia product manager Kerry Towers.

She recommends Seminyak, north of Kuta, for clients looking for more vibrant nightlife.
“It’s only just up and coming for British holidaymakers but is very well established in the Australian market, which means it has lots of trendy bars and restaurants,” she explains.
 
Langkawi
 
Renowned for luxury accommodation, Langkawi (lfet) is less developed than Malaysia’s other main holiday island, Penang.
“It has fantastic, white sandy beaches nestled beneath rolling mountains,” says Louise Turner, Virgin Holidays Far East product co-ordinator.
“It also has mysterious caves and pockets of virgin rainforests dating back millions of years.
“The Holiday Villa Beach Resort and Spa is a perfect winter pick, with its own private beach. The hotel has snorkelling and diving facilities, allowing guests to explore the colourful reefs.”
 
Sanya
 
Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La and Ritz-Carlton are among the big names that have opened in the beach resort of Sanya on the Chinese tropical island of Hainan in the last year.
W&O Travel Tropical Locations introduced the island this year.
“We needed a beach extension from Hong Kong that was easily accessible and provided an alternative to the Philippines,” explains David Kevan.
“Frankly the demand has been slow but I do see long-term potential.
Culturally, the island is a bit barren – so it is essentially a four-day beach retreat after a touring holiday.
“Currently the main market for the hotels tends to be China, Hong Kong and Russia.”

Hoi An

Vietnam boasts several emerging beach resorts. Destinations such as Nha Trang (right) and Phan Thiet have been boosted by international chains including Novotel and luxury brand Evason.
Hoi An is a good choice for clients looking to do more than just sunbathe. As well as an excellent sandy beach, it boasts a picturesque old town that has been designated a World Heritage site by Unesco.
There is lots of local culture to enjoy, from historic buildings to intriguing craft shops, street markets and excellent restaurants.
Hoi An has grown in popularity as access has got easier. The nearby city of Danang is served by flights from Bangkok and Singapore.
The resort is also a good base for visiting other cities in central Vietnam, including historic Hue. News from ttglive.com

• Surf Shelter hits 150 mark for global accommodations (06 October 2009)
• Accor's newest online contest - Win a Trip to Paris or 1 of 16 other Great Destinations (10 June 2009)