Recommend December 2010 - (Page 32)

sexy THAILAND singapore airlines soars to new heights “Thailand is a once-in-a-lifetime experience at great and affordable prices. It has much to offer honeymooners, or those seeking to kindle the ﬂame of romance: enchanting culture; lush, green jungle landscapes; elephant trekking in the north and stunning islands with secluded beaches in the south.” Srisuda Wanapinyosak, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, New York rca Best Airline 14th annual winner for Business Travel FOR AWARDS PIECES adria valdes readers’ choice award winner rca 14th annual FINAL LOGO.indd 1 While the allure of Bangkok, with its magniﬁcent Grand Palace and ﬂoating markets, remains undisputable, it’s Thailand’s far aﬁeld destinations that catch the eye of honeymooners seeking a romantic hideaway. Thailand is full of secluded, yet plush, resorts in both mountains and beaches—all tailor-made for romance. In Phuket, Thailand’s classic honeymoon destination, couples will ﬁnd a dynamic resort brimming with amenities catering to the special needs of newlyweds. It has countless hotels, spas and secluded havens where the aura of romance prevails. The Amanpuri is the island’s most luxurious resort, and has been considered so for more than two decades. It’s a veritable honeymooners’ haven, with 70 pavilions and exquisite private villas exemplifying luxury and pampering. The villas begin at about $900 per night dbl. Romance seekers will ﬁnd Mom Tri’s Villa Royale Phuket (about $400 per night dbl) a charming, semi-secluded nook for tender celebration, as appealing. It sits on the white beaches of the Andaman Sea and is regarded as Phuket’s most exclusive boutique resort, with 35 luxurious, Thai-style suites mirroring all the exotic charm of the country. The Sala Phuket Resort and Spa (about $278 pp dbl) is a hidden jewel that opened about three years ago. Most of its 80 rooms and villas have private pools. The serenity of its surroundings makes it ideal for romance. Phi Phi, about 30 miles from Phuket on the Andaman Sea, is another magniﬁcent romantic destination. This jaw-dropping island is ringed with powdery beaches fringed by wind-swept palms towering over limestone cliffs and green rainforests. Phi Phi Island Village Resort and Spa is a blissful, secluded haven for newlyweds or lovers. With 80 guestrooms (from about $590 pp dbl) and a secluded 2,600-ft. private beach, the resort epitomizes romance. Visitors arrive from either Phuket or nearby Krabi on a new luxurious high-speed catamaran, making traveling to Phi Phi an adventure in itself. Other splendid romantic Thai destinations include three islands with a more laid-back lifestyle—Koh Chang, Ko Tao and Ko Samui—all considered earthly paradises by discerning locals who ﬂock to their pristine beaches during honeymoons or romantic interludes. Add to that Thailand’s magniﬁcent temples, jungle trekking and spas, giving you the assurance that a perfect honeymoon or romantic trip there would consist of a few days in Bangkok, followed by a week in its legendary and exceedingly romantic hideaways. ● From authentic Japanese ﬁne dining experiences for business class passengers, to a multimillion dollar collaboration that plans to bring the latest in communication offerings to customers, it’s no wonder why Singapore Airlines is picking up its third consecutive win for Best Airline for Business in this year’s Recommend’s Readers’ Choice Awards. “For decades, travel agents have been critically important partners for Singapore Airlines,” says Ken Bright, v.p. of marketing for the U.S., Singapore Airlines. “To be recognized among their favorite airlines is not only an honor, but it’s also recognition of the strength of our partnership with the agent community.” And it is the airline’s consistency of excellent service and reliability that Bright believes is what has maintained its popularity among its business travel clients and the travel agent community. “While new aircraft, advanced entertainment systems, gourmet dining and ﬁne wines are all important parts of providing a worldclass passenger experience,” says Bright, “SIA believes that what must always truly set us apart must be a quality that other carriers cannot replicate. That’s one of the reasons we dedicate far more time to cabin crew training than any other airline.” Coming up for 2011, the airline has renewed its commitment to enhancing passenger connectivity with the announcement of a new suite of communications options, including web browsing, text messaging and even the capability for in-ﬂight cell phone calls, should passenger demand warrant. “We believe that this combination of the consistent delivery of amenities and services that make passengers more comfortable, more connected and more efﬁcient goes a long way toward building a strong brand,” says Bright. ● 11/10/10 4:46:57 PM contact information Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): (212) 432 0433; tourismthailand.org contact information Singapore Airlines: (800) 742-3333; singaporeair.com 32 december 2010 recommend.com http://www.tourismthailand.org http://www.singaporeair.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2010

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk-Marriott International
Tour Talk-Globus
Services-SABRE; Apple Vacations & Travel Impressions
Ritz-Carlton
Hertz & Hawaii
Las Vegas
Tauck World Discovery
Florida
Southwest Airlines
France
Ireland
Italy
Delta Air Lines & Rail Europe
China
Thailand
Singapore Airlines
2011 Taiwan Travel Planner
Tahiti & Goway Travel
Costa Rica
Brazil & Avanti Destinations
Egypt
South Africa
Abercrombie & Kent & Isram World of Travel
Israel
Jamaica
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
St. Lucia
GOGO Worldwide Vacations
Cancun
RIU Hotels & Resorts & Apple Vacations
Riviera Maya
Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean International
Princess Cruises
Carnival Cruise Lines & Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Crystal Cruises & Viking River Cruises

Recommend December 2010