6 Sizzling destinations for a short getaway from Singapore

For location and luxury, the Traders Hotel is difficult to beat. Opposite the iconic Petronas Towers, this gigantic hotel complex boasts sweeping views over KL’s glittering skyline and is perfectly placed for exploring the fast-paced city.

Check into a spacious City View Suite, where a separate sitting room with a glass-topped desk is ideal for anyone mixing business with pleasure. Enjoy the complimentary breakfast, fresh fruits and free beverages in the exquisite Traders Club Lounge before wandering the kaleidoscopic shopping and entertainment hub of Bukit Bintang.

On your return to the hotel, cool off with a dip in the rooftop swimming pool or recline in the muscle-mending Jacuzzi before feasting on fragrant mee mamak (spicy fried noodles) at on-site Gobo Chit Chat.

Those on a lower budget needn’t compromise on quality, as the five-star Majestic Hotel delivers affordable opulence in the heart of KL. Built in 1932, this stately colonial building houses 300 rooms in two distinct wings, both with 24-hour butler service.

Recline in the Majestic Wing’s refined Art Deco rooms and soak in a classic clawfoot bath or spring for the grandeur of a 100 square-metre suite. The contemporary Tower Wing offers polished chrome elegance and refreshing rain showers for washing off steamy KL days.

Savour cucumber sandwiches at English afternoon tea in the lavish drawing room, or awaken your senses with a North Coast Seaweed Sculpt in the decadent Majestic Spa. For dinner, dip into on-site restaurant Contango for an international buffet featuring velvety sashimi and crispy, sugary churros.

If you’ve set your sights on a decadent retreat, cast your eyes to the five-star Danna Langkawi. Dripping in luxury, this hotel blends Mediterranean-inspired architecture with captivating natural surroundings to bring you accommodation fit for royalty.

For the ultimate indulgence, reserve a Princess Beach Villa. You can christen your stay with a dip in the glittering infinity pool, then wander through your private garden to the serene sands of Kok Beach. Enjoy a complimentary bubbly buffet breakfast at on-site Planter’s restaurant before visiting the acclaimed Danna Spa for a Traditional Malay Urut Massage. Take advantage of the resort’s kayaks for an afternoon on the gently undulating Andaman Sea before an evening of live music in The Verandah Lounge with an expertly handcrafted cocktail.

A more affordable, yet equally alluring Langkawi option is Padang Matsirat hotel, The Smith House. Smooth sophistication characterizes this boutique budget option, where you’ll find single room options for lone travelers. Wake up in the fluffy bedding of a signature Sassy Bed and step into your gleaming rain shower in the sleek en-suite.

Throw on your swimsuit and head to Seven Wells Waterfall, 20 minutes away by car, for an invigorating jungle swim in natural tiered pools dripping with tropical flora. Return to the hotel to refuel with tea at The Absolut – like smoked duck breast or a simple Greek salad – then top up your sun cream for an afternoon by the rooftop swimming pool. The ambient on-site library provides an ideal escape from extra-hot summer days, or you can cool down with a frozen margarita at The Absolum bar.

Amid the throb of Jakarta’s chaotic core is the five-star Ayana Midplaza Jakarta. A self-proclaimed urban sanctuary, your cares will melt away the moment you set your bags down in this amenity-rich hotel. All rooms and suites offer lavish comfort, though check into an AYANA Suite for a truly unforgettable luxury experience.

Unwind in a cavernous marble bathroom before entertaining in the decadent dining area, or simply throw on your bathrobe and slippers to enjoy the peaceful comfort of your soundproofed abode. Keep your energy levels up with a sugar-laden yuzu float at on-site Japanese eatery Tsujiri, and round off a sun-soaked afternoon by the pool with a reviving reflexology treatment at the hotel spa.c

A stay at the four-star Hotel Kristal proves that a short getaway from Singapore needn’t cost the earth. Located in laidback South Jakarta, a suave Studio Suite Room with stylish two-seater sofa is the ideal place to base yourself for a comfortable budget break.

If you sleep through the free buffet breakfast (easy to do when you’ve got a super soft king-size bed), prepare something satiating in your in-room kitchenette before taking a dip in the hotel’s palm-lined pool. Grab a finger-licking lunch of nasi timbel (banana leaf-wrapped rice) and scrumptious soto betawi (Jakarta beef soup) in the Orchid Restaurant, then venture out to nearby Ragunan Zoo to glimpse fearsome Sumatran tigers.

There are three fabulous Taipei Fullerton hotels in Taiwan’s picturesque capital, and the four-star Taipei Fullerton – Maison North is perhaps the most impressive. The design draws from the idea of a peaceful ‘vogue garden’, and you’ll have a choice of charmingly named rooms – like ‘Delightful’ and ‘Amazing’ – to set your bags down in. Check into a ‘Happiness’ room and enjoy sumptuously soft carpet beneath your bare feet as you brew complimentary boutique tea blends in your Wedgewood cup and saucer set.

You’ll want a long soak in your freestanding KOHLER bath, then fall straight into bed for sweet dreams on soft HILKER mattresses. When morning arrives, feast on an international buffet breakfast in the on-site restaurant. Or opt for breakfast out at a local grab-n-go where you’ll find crispy fried radish cakes dipped in delightfully gooey, savoury chilli sauce and served with fresh, hot soya milk.

Closer to Taipei’s centre and more modest in its nightly fee is the French-designed accommodation, The Riviera Hotel. The 24-hour reception staff can cover late check-ins if you’re arriving on a night flight, so you can settle into one of the 112 boutique rooms no matter the hour.

Unwind with a relaxed evening on a feather-soft queen-size bed with cable TV and something from the minibar, or a local snack from one of the 7-Elevens comically found on every block. Start the next day early with a dose of culture at nearby Taipei Fine Arts Museum, then meander back to the hotel’s Mediterranean Steak House to enjoy a meal of signature steak and crème brûlée.

At night, take an evening stroll to the nearby night market and sample local favourites like pungent chou dofu (stinky tofu) or thin, slightly crisped egg and scallion pancakes topped with melty cheese and sweet soya garlic sauce

The five-star Kowloon Shangri-La Hong Kong will leave you speechless with its effortless Asian-inspired elegance and exquisite views over the iconic harbour.

Blow your budget on a giant Presidential Suite (worth it!) and pamper yourself with a bit of Jacuzzi time and free designer toiletries in your Italian marble bathroom. Select your sleeping accompaniments from an exclusive pillow menu, and call on your 24-hour butler for anything else you might require (macrons at midnight, perhaps?).

There are five acclaimed eateries and a health club within the hotel, so you can dine on pan-fried spotted grouper in the Michelin-starred Shang Palace before booking an opulent Golden Caviar deluxe treatment. A sunset cocktail in the Lobby Lounge will put the finishing touches on a truly indulgent day

An affordable Hong Kong break is easily achieved at three-star Kowloon accommodation, The Inn Hotel Hong Kong. Take in sweeping harbour views from the calming colours of your comfortable room, and lean back on the crisp linen of your double bed to contemplate which sightseeing tour to book.

When you’re hungry, venture out to nearby Yokozuna for spicy bean paste-rich beef ramen, then browse the Jade Market’s technicolor wares for a souvenir. The afternoon will slip away as you wander the bustling streets of this culturally diverse neighbourhood, so catch a rejuvenating treat of ginger milk pudding at Yee Shun Dairy Company before retiring to the serenity of your room for a well-earned rest.

A touch of luxury awaits at the four-star Plantation Urban Resort and Spa. A ravishing retreat in Phnom Penh’s popular Royal Palace Area, you’ll wonder why you didn’t visit sooner when you slip into the cerulean waters of the palm-lined swimming pool.

Opt for a Deluxe Poolside Garden Room and spend serene mornings on your private terrace with a steaming cup of complimentary java. The nearby riverside entertainment hub will tempt you out to explore, so you’ll soon be washing down fluffy blueberry pancakes with a cooling iced frappe at waterfront favourite Cafe Fresco. The hotel’s ethereal Plantation Spa will welcome you back from your wanderings with a Khmer herbal massage, and on-site culinary haven La Pergola will satiate your appetite with 36-hour slow-cooked pork belly.

The name of four-star Okay Boutique Hotel undersells this brilliant budget option in central Phnom Penh. Wake in the cool Khmer-style décor of your room and don complimentary slippers to take in the morning air on your private balcony or terrace. You’ll feast on a free buffet breakfast before consulting hotel staff for advice on touring the historic Killing Fields. For a more leisurely day, simply stroll 400 metres and marvel at the sparkling spires of the Royal Palace. The hotel’s on-site spa might inspire an afternoon of relaxation and holistic indulgence; just be sure to leave time to imbibe a classic cocktail on a sun-soaked lounger by the rooftop pool.