Sunshine escapes for Chinese New Year

Vietnam

February is one of the best months to visit Vietnam with hot, dry and bright weather stretching the length of the country. If you’re looking for some action, this is a good month to head off to the north of Vietnam to go trekking. But if relaxing on the beach is more what you had in mind, there are plenty of great resort options along the central and south coasts.

Where to stay:

Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa opened this month on Hon Tre island, a ten-minute boat ride from Nha Trang. Set in its own private bay on a one-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beach, the resort offers rooms, suites and two-, three- and four-bedroom villas with private pools.

Take a dip in one of the resort’s seven swimming pools; there are also tennis courts, a gym, spa and a kids’ club with a playground.

Two, all-day dining spaces serve family buffets featuring Vietnamese, pan-Asian and western dishes.

The nearest international airport to Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa is at Cam Ranh.

Langkawi and Penang

The great weather continues into west coast Malaysia with hot and sunny days, albeit a little on the humid side. This is one of the driest months of the year for areas including Penang and the popular holiday island of Langkawi. Temperatures hover around 30 degrees, although beware the east coast which experiences strong winds and rain at this time.

Where to stay:

Ritz-Carlton is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its ‘Ritz Kids’ programme with a raft of new activities in Asia Pacific, including at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi. 

The programmes are aimed at guests aged four to 12 years and activities are organised around the four pillars of nature, exploration, responsibility and culture. At check-in, children are welcomed with colouring books and discovery maps, which it’s hoped will inspire exploration around the hotel. The maps highlight points of interest around the resort and kids are rewarded with an ice cream or small souvenir when they have completed their explorations.

The new Ritz Kids programme at The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi involves discovering native herons and sea eagles in the mangroves and children are also given the opportunity to adopt a tree at the Eco Discovery Centre.

Sri Lanka

The south and west coasts of Sri Lanka remain sunny and hot throughout February, with temperatures hovering around the 30 degree mark. The predominantly dry weather is ideal for wildlife spotting in the country’s national parks as animals gather around water holes. However, avoid the east coast as it’s monsoon season.

Where to stay:

Amanwella in rural Sri Lanka has recently reopened following a refurbishment and the introduction of new activities aimed at families.

The oceanside resort has a private beach and now offers refurbished suites with private terraces and plunge pools. 

Down on the sand, the Beach Club has launched family yoga sessions and the resort also offers surfing lessons for all abilities. A dawn boat trip introduces guests to traditional handline fishing. A new cooking programme has also been launched, which is suitable for all ages.

Amanwella is nestled on the south coast of Sri Lanka, considered to be one of the best places in the world for whale watching between December and April. 

Thai islands

Thailand experiences one of its driest months in February. Temperatures hover around the 30 degree mark, making it a great time of year to head south to the country’s islands. The east side of the Thai Peninsula – including Koh Samui – may experience a few showers, but it shouldn’t be enough to deter sunseekers. Dive conditions are also good at this time.

Where to stay:

Luxury hospitality group Anantara has opened a property on secluded Koh Yao Yai island. The family-friendly Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas is located on a former coconut palm plantation and enjoys quiet beaches, lush jungle and stunning sunsets.

The secluded resort is located 45 minutes by boat from Phuket, or 20 minutes from Krabi. 

Families can take advantage of family pool access suites with bunk beds and a terrace that leads directly to the resort’s family pool. Fun activities at the resort run from batik-making, tie-dye classes, island-hopping, scuba diving, hiking, kayaking, longtail boat cruises, yoga, paddle boarding, mountain biking, s’mores roasting on the beach, kid-friendly glitter mani pedis at the spa and family treasure hunts.

Thai interior

The dry weather continues on mainland Thailand and into rural areas. Visitors at this time of year can expect temperatures of around 30 degrees and plenty of sunshine. Rainfall is negligible, with an anticipated ten per cent chance of daily rainfall; on average it rains on about three days in February.

Where to stay:

Two-and-a-half hours outside of Bangkok lies the UNESCO world heritage site of Khao Yai. Fill an action-packed break with jungle treks, zipline rides and mountain biking while staying at the unusual InterContinental Khao Yai Resort. The Bill Bensley-designed property opened last year and draws inspiration from the area’s history as a gateway for rail transportation. Rooms are located inside 19 abandoned nineteenth century train carriages that have been meticulously upgraded into luxurious suites.

Khao Yai National Park is one of the country’s oldest parks, covering 2,000 square kilometres. Visit vineyards and forests, waterfalls and scenic viewpoints and spot elephants, gibbons and a diverse range of birdlife.

Family-friendly InterContinental Khao Yai also offers a popular kids’ club programme, Planet Trekkers.