Adult-only hotels are a growing trend in the hospitality industry, offering a blissful escape for couples, honeymooners or holidaymakers who simply want a little peace away from home. Especially in popular tourist destinations, mass-market hotels simply don’t work for that all-too-precious romantic getaway.
So where should you go for a moment of Zen away from the children? More importantly, what happens when someone shows up with children? Read on to find out.
1. Kudadoo Maldives Private Island (Maldives)
The latest all-inclusive, sustainable luxury resort opened in the Maldives in December 2018. The private island comprises 15 over-the-water Ocean Residences with dedicated butler service, personal chefs, and some of the largest private sundecks in the Maldives.
“Kudadoo is designed to be every luxury traveller’s personal dream – our mantra is ‘Anything, any time, anywhere’,” says Bradley Calder, general manager at Kudadoo Maldives Private Island.
Enjoy a champagne brunch throughout the day, or make unlimited use of the sublime spa services available at the Wellness Retreat, including a Himalayan Salt Room – a first for the Maldives.
When asked about the rise of adult-only hotels, particularly in the South Asian tourist destination, Calder explained, “With many more new resorts entering the market, the competition is increased and as the Maldives is turning mass market, many are not offering the Maldives as a family destination.”
2. Cempedak Private Island (Indonesia)
Cempedak Private Island advocates ‘simple barefoot luxury’, something holidaymakers might desperately desire after working in cluttered, urban claustrophobia all year-round.
“There were no adult resorts in this region and we saw a gap in the market that we could fill,” says Andrew Dixon, owner of Cempedak Island and Nikoi Island, its sister property.
Cempedak island, found off the east coast of Bintan, offers unspoilt white sandy beaches and ‘Pinterest-dream’ villas that incorporate bamboo, natural stone and recycled teak into its design and architectural structure.
If a party does turn up with children on tow, Dixon says, “It’s never happened before but should it happen, we have our sister property Nikoi which caters to families.”
3. Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary, Phuket (Thailand)
Although the Banyan Tree Group offers multiple villas in Phuket, the Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary is exclusively for adults. Couples, particularly honeymooners, look to the Spa Sanctuary for a peaceful holiday focused on well-being – and whimsical romance.
Every avenue of health is thoughtfully considered by the resort, including a selection of 50 daily well-being activities, a tailored pillow and linen selection for restful sleep, aromatherapy and a full-day detox meal programme at the guest’s behest.
4. Layana Resort & Spa, Krabi (Thailand)
Located on the beachfront on the tropical island of Koh Lanta, the Layana adult-only Resort & Spa offers the best of what Southern Thai hospitality has to offer.
A beach villa at Layana looks directly over the Andaman Sea and offers a private garden, outdoor shower and lounge. Pair this with the resort’s dedicated personal trainers, meditation sessions or multitude spa treatments for a holistic wellness experience.
5. An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay (Vietnam)
An Lam Retreats claims to be the first adults-only resort around Ninh Van Bay, offering 34 spacious timber villas to make you feel completely immersed in the secluded jungle peninsula.
Take your pick of villas situated on either the hillside, beachside or within the green tropical fauna of Khanh Hoa, each complete with a private pool or personal butler service.
The nature-Zen theme carries on to the resort spa, located in the jungle next to a lush waterfall. Yoga at the timber-clad Meditation Sanctuary deck is perhaps the ultimate way to find one’s inner peace.
A spectacular architectural feature is the SEN Deck, which gets you high above the jungle floor, overlooking Ninh Van Bay and the ocean, for drinks and fine dining. Cocktails at sunset are a must here.
This story was originally published on SCMP and has been republished on this website