How To Enjoy Luxury Travel in South East Asia

Have you been dreaming of a luxury trip for years, but put those plans on hold in the name of financial prudence? We’ll show you how you can have your cake and eat it too!

Thanks to the much lower cost of living in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, Singapore residents are just a short plane ride away from inexpensive holiday destinations, many with world-class tourist amenities.

When visiting a Southeast Asian destination, you will be able to indulge in luxuries such as spa treatments, fine dining restaurants and sophisticated cocktail bars at a fraction of the price of their equivalents in Singapore.

Popular options include Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia, Hanoi in Vietnam and Bali in Indonesia. But there are countless other attractive destinations in the region, so even seasoned travellers will find new and inexpensive places to discover.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your flight. If you are forced to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, you might be able to seek reimbursement for your flight and accommodation.

Here are our top tips for enjoying a decadent holiday steeped in the finer things in life, at surprisingly affordable prices.

Stay at a luxury property in an affordable Southeast Asian destination

Five-star hotels or resorts in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam or Malaysia can be surprisingly economical, enabling you to opt for luxurious properties offering stunning views and deluxe amenities.

Best of all, Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s best beaches, lush swathes of rainforest and vibrant cities, so there is something for everyone.

If your idea of a good time is lying on the beach, there is no shortage of luxury beachside resorts in the region, including The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa in Phuket, Kalandara Resort in Lombok, Indonesia, and Shangri-La Boracay in the Philippines.

Want to admire the majesty of nature? At Nandini Jungle by Hanging Gardens in Bali, you’ll enjoy breathtaking rainforest views from the balcony of your lavish villa. At Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat, located in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, you’ll be nestled in a tranquil landscape of limestone cliffs and rice fields, situated in the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex.

For a sumptuous city break, five-star hotels in the heart of the urban jungle put you right where the action is. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort offers luxurious suites with river or garden views just a short tuk-tuk ride from Chiang Mai’s Old Town. Closer to Singapore, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur offers palatial rooms with private pools and hot tubs, all while being strategically located in the Golden Triangle of KL.

Leverage internet hacks to save money
 

Planning your trip in advance and using internet tools to compare prices and take advantage of deals can lower the price of your luxury trip even more.

For air tickets, use an aggregator like Kayak to compare prices from the various airlines. If your dates are flexible, that’s even better—select “+/- 3 days” when inputting your departure and return dates, and you’ll be able to see flight prices for different permutations of dates.

When booking accommodation, compare prices and look out for deals on sites such as Agoda or Booking. Both sites often offer last-minute discounts, especially during low season.

For frequent travellers, it might be more convenient—not to mention more cost-effective—to simply purchase an annual travel insurance plan that covers you for 12 months from your policy start date.

Pamper yourself with wellness treatments and upscale activities
 

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The whole idea of a luxury trip is to let yourself be pampered silly! So, go all out when searching for activities like massages, facial treatments and other spa procedures. You can also treat yourself to other wellness and recreational activities such as yoga and meditation classes or retreats for an extra dose of serenity.

Here are some suggestions:

• Bangkok is teeming with spas at every price point, but if you’re looking for a luxurious day spa, Loft Thai Spa is an award-winning option offering traditional Thai massage (1,000 THB for 60 minutes) and deep tissue oil massage (2,400 THB for 90 minutes) at very affordable prices.
   
• Looking to calm the mind and invigorate the body? Bali Yoga Center provides drop-in yoga classes (150,000 IDR) and sound healing sessions (from 190,000 IDR) in a beautiful property swathed in greenery and located in the heart of Ubud.
   
• Golfers can tee off at one of Vietnam’s many designer golf courses, including Montgomerie Links, located near Da Nang and Hoi An. The five-star golf course is endowed with spectacular natural features such as sand dunes and lush greenery.
   
• Charter a private longtail boat (from 1,900 THB) in Bangkok and admire the cityscape as you cruise down the Chao Phraya River. You’ll see iconic landmarks such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, all without having to jostle with other tourists.

Eat at some of the world’s best restaurants
 

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One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is dining out and discovering new dishes and flavours.

In affordable Southeast Asian destinations, you’ll be able to treat yourself to premium dining experiences at a reasonable price.

It pays to do some research in advance, as you’ll be able to uncover more hidden gems ahead of time. In addition, many top-rated establishments require advance reservations to secure a seat.

Some restaurants also offer lunchtime menus at a fraction of their dinner prices, enabling you to get even better value for your money.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Anan Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City is an award-winning, Michelin-starred restaurant serving up traditional Vietnamese flavours in a fine dining setting. Their Chef’s Tasting Menu (135 USD food only, 84 USD wine pairings, 45 USD zero-alcohol pairings) incorporates dishes from all over Vietnam. Vietnamese-American Chef Peter Cuong Franklin was educated at Le Cordon Bleu and also uses French culinary techniques.
   
• Cuisine Wat Damnak in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia, is one of the most well-known fine dining establishments in the country. Their Siem Reap restaurant is located in a  traditional wooden house and offers a tasting menu that changes according to seasonal produce. They offer a non-vegetarian (45++ USD) and vegetarian (38++ USD) tasting menu and can accommodate other dietary requirements, including vegan, but need to be informed in advance.
   
• Kebaya Dining Room in Georgetown, Penang, serves up classic Peranakan cuisine in an opulently-decorated interior inspired by the Straits Chinese aesthetic. The chefs fuse French culinary techniques to bring out the unique flavour profiles of Malaysia and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries in their dishes. They also offer a two-course (138+ MYR) and three-course (158+ MYR) menu in addition to the à la carte menu.
       

Sip cocktails at award-winning bars
 

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After a sumptuous meal, instead of calling it a night, head to a chic bar, where you can sip a bespoke cocktail while taking in stunning views and lush interiors. Best of all, you’ll almost certainly pay significantly less than you would for the same experience in Singapore.

It is worthwhile to check in advance for opening hours and dress codes to avoid disappointment.

Here are some of the most lavish bars in Southeast Asia.

• Sky Bar, perched on top of the State Tower in Bangkok, is the world’s highest open-air bar and was featured in the film The Hangover. It offers panoramic 360-degree views over the city, surrounding revellers in a cacophony of lights at night. Other than its iconic view and building, Sky Bar is also known as a spot for great cocktails.
   
• Bar Trigona at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuala Lumpur was named one of Asia’s 50 best bars and one of Tatler’s best bars in Malaysia in 2025. The bar features elegant décor and an extensive menu of exquisite cocktails, including their signature drinks which feature local Trigona honey. The bar also serves a thoughtful selection of bar bites, which include lotus leaf bao (60 MYR) and chicken popcorn (68 MYR).
   
• Workshop14 in Hanoi, is one of Asia’s 50 best bars 2025 and prides itself on its modernist cocktails. The bar’s understated, modern décor belies its site, which once housed a royal palace. Their cocktail list features local fruits such as lychees and plums, and changes with the seasons.