Chic Lifestyle Choices

Beach

Over 75% of our collection is located either on, or close to, the beach. We have some really outstanding options here. Of course the Caribbean, with the west coast of Barbados and  St Lucia and virtually everywhere in Antigua, worth emphasising.

In the Indian Ocean Mauritius is equally blessed. Plus, of course, the magical Maldives. And then Asia, with Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesian and in particular Lombok and Vietnam all offering some fantastic relaxing opportunities. In Arabia, the beaches in Oman, Dubai and particularly Abu Dhabi are special.

Closer to home, the beaches of the Algarve in Portugal and the Canary Islands are world-famous, but just as enticing would be the stunning water clarity of Greece and Turkey.

Boutique

We like to think we were one of the first to fully appreciate the desirability and appeal of a real boutique hotel. The word has now probably become overused and maybe abused, but those we have identified can truly be classified as a boutique. Keep in mind you generally choose boutique for the unique style and the personalised attention rather than extensive resort facilities. If you want a choice of restaurant and extensive on-site activity, then you need to look at a larger, maybe less personalised, property. Also boutique, given their style, generally tend to be more adult-focused than family-friendly. We have so much choice here, particularly in Asia, but we think Zazen on Koh Samui is very special, as is Heritage Suites in Cambodia. In Bali, we particularly like the traditional combined with contemporary quality of the Kayumanis, located in the Nusa Dua area.

Culture

Of course, culture exists in all of all featured destinations. The appeal of the cites such as Barcelona, Seville, Madrid and Malaga is well known and popular. Within the tropics, Asia is probably the region with the most fascinating and contrasting cultures, totally different to anything you have experienced in Europe which rather adds to the appeal. The lifestyle, the food, the contrasting scenery, the pace and the faces – they all form part of the very diverse culture of the region.

Family

We have identified several resorts that are particularly good for families, yet at the same time adults do not have to compromise their own high expectations. Particularly worth mentioning would be Sheraton Algarve, Sani Resorts and Daios Cove in Greece, Princesa Yaiza Lanzarote and both Abama and Bahia Del Duque in Tenerife. In Mauritius Paradis, Trou Aux Biches and Residence are all popular whilst in Thailand Pullman  Khao Lak and Santiburi in Koh Samui are both very good options. In Malaysia, we would suggest the Pelangi Beach in Langkawi.  For those whose children have moved beyond the face painting stage, we particularly like the idea of a tour around the Far East and the phrase “education can start when term time ends“ comes to mind.

Romance and Honeymoon 

A real speciality of ours. Some totally unique hide and chic retreats. In some cases, deliberately off the beaten track, but the seclusion is all part of the appeal. Koh Kood in Thailand, or The Aava Resort in Khanom comes to mind. Or up in the hills of Ubud in Bali, where we have some very special hotels, simply wonderful.

The Maldives of course, they seemed to have been created with romance in mind. The resorts are mainly attractive to compatible couples focused, as much of the appeal will be enjoying and (re) discovering each other, rather than extensive resort distractions. In many resorts, we are able to offer villas with private pools, which can certainly add to the romantic mood.

Spa

Over 90% of our resorts have some kind of Spa facility. Where we think the facilities are exceptional, we have highlighted with a special Spa logo. Particularly worth considering would be Asia Garden And Thai Spa in Alicante, the touch of the Orient yet just 2 hours from UK. The Anassa in Cyprus which is equally attractive. The incredible spas of the Indian Ocean, with The Maldives particularly innovative, including some underwater options. And of course, the Far East, the originators of the concept and probably still the most influential with new ideas and therapies constantly introduced. In Thailand and Bali, you are really spoilt for choice, but we have to particularly mention Chiva -Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin.

Villa Holidays

Many of our featured hotels have freestanding villas within their resort estate so you can enjoy the best of both worlds -extensive in site facilities plus the independence of a villa holiday. We generally do not work with privately owned villas, as this is beyond our level of expertise and we are unsure who will are working with and tend to get nervous handing over 50% of the rental way in advance. Examples we enjoy would be Pine Cliffs Algarve, Bahia Del Duque in Tenerife, Borgo Egnazia in Italy, Samaya in Bali.

Escapism and Hide and Chic Retreats

Intentionally off the beaten track resorts where the long journey is all part of the experience. Generally away from developed areas, hotels will be mainly small and self-contained with limited dining options once outside. Compatible company is a must ! Sometimes incidental costs can be high as a taxi might be required to get to alternatives.  Call us on this and we would be delighted to go through the options.

Golf

I would say that at least 50% of our featured resort hotels have at least one championship golf course within 15 minutes drive. Several have a course adjacent to the resort. Ask us for suggestions. Names that come to mind with excellent courses adjacent would be Abama Tenerife, Finca Cortesin Malaga,  Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, Pine Cliffs Algarve, Datai Langkawi, Dusit Thani & Outrigger  Phuket, Santiburi Samui, Naman in Hoi An Vietnam.

Chic Heritage 

Colonial style, grand and opulent, with refined elegance. Names like Raffles Singapore or Peninsula in Hong Kong immediately come to mind but within Asia, there are many more delightful little gems. Sri Lanka, in particular, has some stunning boutique heritage former tea plantations converted into delightful small hotels.

“There’s no such thing as the best hotel, just the right one…”

 

Click for Booking Terms, Price Guides & Flight Information

All price guides are Per Person Sharing Double Room (Entry level), based on travel between May and/or June when prices are generally at their lowest and include promotional offers.

Supplements will probably apply at other times, particularly mid-summer in the Med, and for rooms and/or transfers arranged for single travellers.

For example, the Caribbean and Indian Ocean prices for winter can be approximately double the May – June level and about 50% more in Asia.

For the Mediterranean & Canary IslandsCaribbeanArabia and the Indian Ocean (except Sri Lanka) price guides generally include airfare and transfers.

*For Sri Lanka and Far East we show a per person per night hotel guide, excluding air fare, as arrangements tend to be individually tailored multi-centre itineraries.

Please refer to Travel Advice on our home page or look at www.fco.gov.uk as the Foreign Office may have issued specific destination information on safety and terrorism.

 

Click for our CHIC Locations Booking Terms & Conditions PDF

All of the holidays arranged by Chic Locations are fully bonded for your financial protection, with our
ABTA bond securing accommodation/land only holidays, and our ATOL licence (number 6389) protecting air inclusive holidays.

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