Around the region

By darmanjsah

Patra Bali Resort & Villas

FRONTING 40 METERS of palm-fringed beach in South Kuta, Patra Bali Resort & Villas is a lush hideaway within easy reach of some of the island’s best shopping and entertainment. It’s easy to see why this property is a favorite among holidaymakers: two swimming pools and a fine range of dining outlets are complemented by 206 spacious rooms and suites, all appointed with everything you would expect in a five-star hotel. For extra privacy, book one of the 22 butler-serviced villas in the adjacent compound, where guests have exclusive use of the Floating Heritage pavilion, an open-air club space ringed by a lotus pond. Jl. H. Juanda, Kuta, Bali; 62-361/1751-161; patrabali.com

Ayodya Resort Bali

DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE a grand Balinese water palace, Ayodya Resort Bali is a tranquil retreat on the island’s southern shores, featuring 541 elegantly appointed rooms and suites. For premium accommodation and dedicated butler service, opt for a stay in the Ayodya Palace wing, an exclusive hotel within a hotel. whatever room you choose, a secluded white-sand beach is nearby, as are an international standard gold course and an upscale shopping center.

Come October, the resort will also feature a brand-new infinity-edge swimming pool. Overlooking the ocean, this is sure to be a spectacular addition to the property. Other facilities six restaurants (including beachside Lagoona restaurant for sunset barbecues), an alfresco lounge, top-notch fitness facilities, and the pampering Ayodya Spa by Mandara. Jl. Pantai Mengiat, Nusa Dua Bali; 62-36021/1771-102; ayodyaresortbali.com).

Plaza Bali

A UNIQUE, ONE-STOP shopping experience, the Plaza Bali Duty Free Shop in the heart of Kuta offers visitors everything from designer boutiques to restaurants and a bar, alongside a serene spa and a stage for cultural performances.

Pick up perfumes and cosmetics from top brands such as Chanel, Bulgari, dan L’Occitane, to name a few. Or, browse fashion items from the likes of Hermes at the Duty Free Boutique.

Indulge your taste buds at numerous restaurants offering an array of cuisine including Chinese delicacies, seafood, Indonesia specialities, and Italian.

When you need a rest from all the shopping, make time for a foot or body massage or simply retreat to the plaza’s cool, landscaped gardens – a great place to relax and enjoy the comings and goings of the island. 62-361/753-301; plazabali.com

Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11

CREATED FOR THE tech-savvy traveler looking for a fun , social experience, Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11, the brand’s first property in Southeast Asia, will offer all that and more with its November opening in the Thai capital’s thriving Sukhumvit district. Loft inspired, the 296 guestrooms feature nine-foot ceilings, a loft’s signature R&R bed, 42-inch LCD TV, plug-and-play media pane, Bliss Spa amenities, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Take advantage of the hotel’s dedication to ‘style at a steal’ with opening rates beginning at just THB 2,111++ per room per night, available until March 31, 2012. 35 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Sukhumvit Rd., Bangkok; 66-2/207-7000; alofthotels.com