< PreviousSURPRISED AT SUNG SOT CAVE The cruise makes its first stop at Sung Sot Cave, which was nicknamed "Grotte des Surprises" (Surprise Grotto) by the French who found it. This magnificent natural wonder waits to be discovered on Bo Hon Island in Halong Bay. Ascend 50 stairs to reach the cave's entrance and once inside, you’ll be mesmerised by Mother Nature’s splendid architecture of stalagmites and stalactites enhanced by a symphony of multi- coloured lights. With the lofty ceilings, a dazzling “glitter rock” and captivating rock formations often resembling animals, Sung Sot Cave leaves visitors hypnotised. BOAT RIDE THROUGH LUON CAVE The next stop is at Halong Bay's smallest secret, mysterious Luon Cave with its arch. Take a bamboo sampan boat rowed by a local, or rent a kayak and venture out on your own. The 60-metre-long underwater cave’s height changes constantly ranging from 2.5 to 4 metres depending on the tide. Beyond it is a tranquil lake and mountains standing nobly where monkeys reside, creating a scenic panorama that will undoubtedly leave you in awe of nature. THE JOURNEY Photo Courtesy: Sea Octopus71 THE VIEW AT THE TOP OF TITOV ISLAND The last stop of the cruise tour is Titov Island. This lush, beautiful isle gained fame in 1962 when Russian cosmonaut Gherman Stepanovich Titov and President Ho Chi Minh visited it. Known for its tranquil and crystal-clear waters as well as its crescent-shaped beach, Titov Island offers serenity and peace. Climb the 450 steps up the hill to a height of 110 metres and enjoy the 360° panorama of Halong Bay. After your descent, indulge in any of the water activities such as swimming and kayaking, or simply sunbathe on the white sand. ICONIC GA CHOI ISLET The two rocks in the islet resembling two kissing chickens is an enduring image that has also graced the logo of Vietnam Tourism since 2000. They symbolise faithful love over the passage of time, and have inspired countless artistic representations of the area by poetry and photography to paintings. Take a photograph of this landmark as you savour a delicious lunch aboard a cruise along Halong Bay. 72 GUINNESS WORLD RECORD CABLE CAR OVER HALONG BAY Be ready for the adventure of a lifetime with absolutely stunning views when you embark the world's longest and first two-storey cable car. The Queen Cable Car will take you from the town over the bay, allowing you to witness their awe-inspiring beauty from a new perspective and at the height of the world's tallest cable car towers. Brace yourself for an unforgettable ten-minute journey in the sky that will take you to Mystic Mountain at Sun World Ha Long. SUN WORLD HA LONG FOR WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT Sun World Ha Long is a destination for excitement and thrills for all ages. The complex offers an abundance of leisure activities and consists of three major zones featuring a world-class gaming system, Queen Cable Car & Mystic Mountain, Dragon Park, and Typhoon Water Park. The Mystic Mountain hosts a variety of attractions such as the iconic Sun Wheel, Japanese Garden, and Dragon Park which boasts over 20 extreme games including the longest hyper-speed rollercoaster train of Asia. Photo Courtesy: Sun World Ha Long73 HOW TO GET THERE: Fly into Hanoi Airport, and it will then be an approximate two-hour journey to Halong Bay. Transport choices are plenty, from trains to luxury buses to car rentals. For the best comfort and convenience, opt for a private vehicle (which can accommodate 1-8 passengers) at the unbeatable price of $70 per way. WHERE TO STAY: Halong Bay offers a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget, but Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long is a recommendation for international travellers. A GOLF COURSE WITH BREATH TAKING VIEWS Tee off at FLC Halong Bay Golf Club for a truly remarkable golfing experience with one of the most stunning views in Asia. This par-71,18-hole course offers holes facing the bay surrounded by cliffs, valleys and lush vegetation, so every swing is a feast for the senses. The golf club provides challenges for players of all levels. After your game, unwind at the spacious clubhouse with its restaurants and bars. If you enjoy a round of golf, FLC Halong Bay Golf Club is a must-visit! HA LONG 1 MARKET FOR FRESH SEAFOOD This bustling marketplace in Hon Gai not only offers a wide range of groceries, handicrafts, jewellery and gifts but also the freshest seafood in town. Located near Ha Long Bay Fish Market, the seafood here is of excellent quality at reasonable prices. Food enthusiasts will also be delighted by the variety of snacks and street foods available here with the local speciality being fried squid cake, made from pounded squid marinated in a secret recipe.COME SLEEP WITH ME 7486 BLISSFUL BY THE BEACH Immerse yourself in the "Garden in the Third Heaven" that is Trisara, Phuket's most private pool villa resort. 88 RIVERFRONT DELIGHT Indulge yourself in the oasis of relaxation that is The Salil Hotel Riverside – Bangkok, located in the Charoen Krung Road neighbourhood. COME SLEEP WITH ME 76 PARADISICAL ON KRABI Just 45 minutes by car from Krabi International lies Banyan Tree Krabi, an exquisite island resort that waits to hypnotise you with all it has to offer. 78 SPLENDOUR STAY AT THE WORLD HERITAGE At Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll become even more enchanted with Northeast Vietnam by staying at this grand hotel overlooking a stunning seascape of limestone pillars. 80 SURREAL AND EXTRAORDINARY As the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property and one of just five around the world (at this time), Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve surpasses the ordinary and exudes the extraordinary as befits its tagline “Luxury without limits”. 82 THE PUREST NATURE Fall in love with the soul of this Khao Yai getaway inspired by Out of Africa. 84 VIBRANT AND VIVACIOUS Book your flight to Phuket to enjoy a perfect mix of island luxury, comfort and affordability at Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bang Tao. 7576 Just 45 minutes by car from Krabi International lies Banyan Tree Krabi, an exquisite island resort that waits to hypnotise you with all it has to offer. Text by Urasa Chittamvanich PARADISICAL ON KRABI ✿ SETTING THE SCENE ✿ I was mesmerised since my first step into the open-air lobby. The dramatic interior honours the mystical Naga since the resort is located on Naga Crest Hill, and this was elaborated in the striking ceiling with chandelier of green stone (nicknamed “the diamond of the Naga” by locals) to the showpiece staircase that took centre stage. This set the spectacular tone for the rest of my stay. Beyond the lobby was an unobstructed panorama of the islands of the Than Bok Khorani National Marine Park dotting the ocean. I was entranced with the stupendous setting. Refreshing welcome drinks were served as our check-in procedure was completed, COME SLEEP WITH ME after which we were invited to descend the Naga stairs to the lower lobby, mimicking the experience of a cave, to reach a space with comfortable sofas and seats embraced by the ocean. As we took in the far horizon of the ocean, we knew that we would return to this spot later in the day for a perfect sundowner. ✿ GETTING COMFORTABLE ✿ The off-white hue of the foyer provided a nice contrast for the hanging Green Stone that greeted us to our Ocean Pool Suite. The high ceiling with modern stylised details of Nagas generated a bright and airy feeling, while the L-shaped pool that wrapped around the exterior of the suite added to the sense of tranquillity. Beyond the private pool we could see distant islands scattered across the turquoise ocean and I could not wait to wake up to this view the next morning! In the meantime, I lounged contentedly on the large daybed by the private pool while listening to the sound of the ocean and occasionally murmuring “what ecstasy it is to be here!”. ✿ DINING OPTIONS ✿ At Banyan Tree Krabi, we were kept satisfied with the delectable diversity on offer. The Naga Kitchen presented a lavish breakfast buffet to kick our days off on a great note and keep us 77 BANYAN TREE KRABI 279 Moo 3 Tambon Nongtalay, Amphoe Muang, Krabi 81180, Thailand T. +66(0) 75 811 888 E. krabi@banyantree.com W. banyantree.com/thailand/krabi sunset over the distant limestone islands was an unbeatable experience of a lifetime! There's also Saffron and its elegant forest setting for diners to enjoy its award-wining and mouth- watering dishes. ✿ WHY I’D RETURN ✿ The Beachfront Pool Villa connects seven guestrooms, making it perfect for a large group. Banyan Tree Krabi is the only resort on the island that can house that many guests together in a single pool villa, and it was not hard for me to imagine all the fun and warmth of quality time spent together of gatherings of friends or family here. filled until noon. In addition to the buffet line and exciting food stalls, there was a menu of additional breakfast dishes we could order as we liked. My favourite spot was the bakery room where the light and buttery croissants were to found. From 11 a.m. onwards until the night, The Naga Kitchen served homestyle international dishes. When we were at the beach, we headed to Kredkaew Bar to boost our batteries during the afternoons. At dusk, we took the electrical funicular to the highly- Instagrammable Bird’s Nest that can be accessed only by a private gangway on the second floor. The dining table perched in a tree and being served impeccable cuisine with a ✿ ONE OR TWO QUIBBLES... ✿ The resort is tucked discretely behind a hill and the main entrance is not on the main road, making it a little hard to find. Keep a close eye out for signage on the road and slow right down once nearby.78 COME SLEEP WITH ME At Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll become even more enchanted with Northeast Vietnam by staying at this grand hotel overlooking a stunning seascape of limestone pillars. Text by Chondarin Subarna Na Ayudhya SPLENDOUR STAY AT THE WORLD HERITAGE ✿ SETTING THE SCENE ✿ Located along the gorgeous coast of Halong Bay, the Best Western Premier Sapphire Halong offers a luxurious stay with spectacular views of the bay and numerous islets. This five-star hotel is conveniently located just minutes away from the area's most popular attractions such as Halong International Cruise Port, Quang Ninh Museum and shopping venues, and attracts both business and leisure travellers. It is located 50 kilometres in-between both Cat Bi International Airport and Van Don Airport. The 31-storey hotel boasts 1,008 guestrooms and suites that range from 34 sqm Superior Rooms to 106 sqm Sapphire Suites. After a day spent discovering Halong Bay’s captivating natural wonders, guests can unwind with the hotel’s offerings which include an exclusive lounge, modern fitness centre, steam room, hot tub, indoor and outdoor pools, and therapeutic massages and beauty services. Kids will have a blast at the cheerful children’s club and pool.79 BEST WESTERN PREMIER SAPPHIRE HALONG S2 Building, Lot HH05, Ben Doan High Class Area, Hong Gai Ward, Halong 200000, Vietnam T. +84 20 33 993 399 F. +84 20 33 688 988 E. fom@bwpsapphire.com W. www.bestwesternpremier sapphirehalongbay.com ✿ GETTING COMFORTABLE ✿ This luxury hotel’s interior reflects Halong Bay’s natural colour palette with a contemporary style. The Premier Rooms, which measure 38 sqm, are elegant with plush wood and accents of vivid colour. Enjoy a very comfy bed, modern amenities and revel in the serene sight of Halong Bay and its limestone islets from the private balcony with a morning mug of Vietnamese coffee. Those who can’t bear to part with that porcelain mug may purchase one to take back home. They were custom-made by local artisans and feature the Halong Bay landscape. ✿ DINING OPTIONS ✿ With two on-site restaurants, the hotel is a draw for those who enjoy a broad spectrum of cuisine from Vietnamese to pan-Asian and international, and the convenience of having them in one place. Ngoc Mai Restaurant provides a visually-invigorating open-kitchen where tantalising Vietnamese beef noodles and other local specialties from the breakfast buffet are a must-try and then, for lunch, an abundance of flavourful Vietnamese dishes accompanied by fresh vegetables and herbs. Specialty Restaurant offers delectable seafood created by its chef who is an expert at giving local flavours with a western presentation. To make sure that every dish served here is fresh from sea to table, the hotel sources its seafood directly from nearby fishermen and houses a fish tank. Guests may also sip beverages in the sophisticated bar and lounge, which is the perfect spot to be after dinner. ✿ WHY I’D RETURN ✿ I thoroughly enjoyed the contemporary Vietnamese ambience of the hotel with international-level service. It was clear that great care and thought had gone into every detail, such as the striking black décor inspired by the area’s coal mines. My room with its stunning view of Halong Bay made me very happy. Furthermore, the hotel's prime location made it easy to explore the city or local cafés, and to take a morning jog by the bay. I wouldn't think twice about returning to this hotel or recommending it to others! ✿ ONE OR TWO QUIBBLES... ✿ My guestroom would have been more convenient to stay in if there had been a master switch by the bedhead so I could control all the lights in the room with just one flick of a switch.Next >