1. Bawah Private Island, Indonesia
Destination
Spanning a cluster of six islands in the Anambas archipelago north-east of Batam, this newly opened eco-friendly resort is perfect for nature lovers, with three lagoons, 13 beaches and abundant, pristine jungle.
Accommodation
Choose from three garden villas, 21 beach villas and 11 water villas. Each boasts rustic yet chic interiors fashioned from sustainable materials, such as recycled teak and bamboo.
Dining
Take your meals at the island’s only restaurant, before unwinding with postprandial drinks at one of the two bars.
Activities
Soak up the sun at the clubhouse’s infinity pool, go snorkelling or take a hike through the forests.
How to get there
The two-hour journey includes a ferry from Singapore to Batam, followed by a private seaplane ride.
2. The Naka Island Resort and Spa, Phuket
Destination
The only resort on Naka Yai island off the coast of Phuket, this luxe hideaway is fringed by white sand beaches and offers jaw-dropping views of the karst-studded Phang Nga Bay.
Accommodation
All rooms have private pools, with the Tropical and Seaview Pool Villas offering scenes of lush greenery and the Andaman Sea respectively. The Beachfront Pool Villas offer easy access to the sand, while the ultra-luxe Royal Horizon Pool Villa boasts a sunken dining area and an enormous infinity pool.
Dining
Visit Tonsai restaurant for its Thai and international dishes, but also for its seafront locale. There’s My Grill, too, which serves up fresh seafood and steaks.
Activities
Join a mixology class and learn how to create the resort’s signature Naka Coco Rum, or try your hand at sports like muay thai or windsurfing. If you want to venture farther afield, take a longtail boat out for a day of island hopping.
How to get there
It’s just a 10-minute speedboat ride from Phuket’s Ao Por Grand Marina pier.
3. Four Seasons Voavah, The Maldives
Destination
This exclusive island lies in the Baa Atoll in the Maldives, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that’s home to thriving coral reefs and the world’s largest population of manta rays.
Accommodation
Bed down in one of two Mezzanine Suites that overlook the resort’s pristine beaches. Alternatively, go for the island’s two-bedroom water villa that offers direct access to the sparkling lagoon, or the family-sized three-bedroom beach villa.
Dining
Sample international fare – from pizzas to tandoori – at the Beach House restaurant, by the pool or in the comfort of your own villa.
Activities
Dive with turtles and sharks, or take a dolphin-spotting cruise. The island’s Ocean of Consciousness spa helps you unwind with ayurvedic massages, acupuncture treatments and yoga classes.
How to get there
The island is a 35-minute seaplane ride from the Maldivian capital of Malé.
Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Destination
This luxe eco-friendly resort occupies a pair of islands in the remote Koh Rong archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, about 25km off the Cambodian coast.
Accommodation
All 24 villas, which are made of recycled and reclaimed timber, feature private pools. We’d recommend going for the one- and two-bedroom overwater villas, which afford guests views of the coral reefs.
Dining
Vista Bar and Restaurant offers Cambodian dishes made with ingredients sourced from nearby fishing villages and the island’s own garden. Western fare is available, too.
Activities
Explore the island’s flora and fauna on a guided tour, or sign up for a rejuvenating five- or seven-day spa retreat. Alternatively, visit a Cambodian village, where you’ll get to ride in a traditional buffalo cart and learn about local herbal remedies.
How to get there
From Siem Reap, board a 50-minute domestic flight to Sihanoukville, before taking a 45-minute speedboat ride to the island.
SEE ALSO: The hotel hot list 2018: Island escapes
This article originally appeared in the June 2017 issue of Silkwinds magazine
