Spoil your Mum and celebrate Mother’s Day with a well-deserved vacation to Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, or Vietnam, with The Luxe Nomad
It’s nearly Mother’s Day! Wait, already? If you too are in shock that May is just around the corner (where has this year gone?), chances are you’ve yet to source the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. And trust us: a cup of tea and a pretty card just ain’t going to cut it. While there are lots of awesome restaurants to visit, things to do, and staycay options right here in Singapore, we think our Mums deserve to be thoroughly spoilt every now and again. And with so many beautiful locations right on our doorstep, it’s hard to resist the appeal of an exotic weekend away. We caught up with the team at TheLuxeNomad.com who gave us some vacay inspo to make this Mother’s Day extra special. Time to earn first place on Mum’s ‘favourite child’ list!
Bangkok
Got a shopaholic for a Mum? A trip to Bangkok – the original shopping paradise of the Southeast – is an escape like no other. Though Chatuchak Market is renowned in these parts for the excellent bargains to be had, it can get hot and crazy crowded. So we say check out Platinum Fashion Mall instead; with over 2000 stores under one (air-conditioned!) roof, it’s much better suited for marathon shopping outings!
If you’re not feeling the retail therapy, why not treat your Mum to a pampering sesh instead? We love no-frills favourites including Ruen Nuad, The Touch, Health Land, and Face Spa Bangkok. Fancy some indulgence? There are plenty of luxurious sanctuaries to soothe your senses and ease those knots, including the COMO Shambhala Urban Escape spa at The Metropolitan, The Opium Spa by Sodashi at The Siam, and the award winning Thann Sanctuary.
TheLuxeNomad Top Tip: Stay at the divine sala ratakossin Bangkok, a boutique hideaway right on the banks of the Chao Phraya. Or splash out in style at The Siam (one of our personal favourites) designed by the acclaimed architect, Bill Bensley.
Penang
A veritable treasure trove, Penang delights in authenticity of food and culture; it’s the perfect pick for Mums who are foodies or art buffs.
For the gastronomes: You definitely won’t go wrong dining at Bistro Tang, grabbing a coffee at Toon Leong Coffee, or exploring the food stalls at the Gurney Drive Hawker Centre.
For the culture vultures: If you’re visiting between the end of July and the end of August, look out for the Georgetown Festival – this increasingly-popular art-fest is a must visit. Alternatively, go on a walking tour of the city and track down the stunning murals by Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic. We’re also obsessing over Thai artist, Natthapon Muangkliang, and his collaboration with Malaysian artists Louise Low and Tang Yeok Khang. Their 101 Lost Kittens project is a series of 12 cat related-murals aimed at creating awareness towards stray animals. Cat murals? Love!
TheLuxeNomad Top Tip: Stay at Macalister Mansion; with only eight chic rooms, this boutique hotel will appeal to anyone with an appreciation for luxe design. Alternatively, the beautifully renovated Blue Mansion is a true blue UNESCO Heritage building with 18 stunning suites.
Koh Samui
The laid-back vibes, family-friendly atmosphere, and proximity to Singapore make Koh Samui the ultimate relaxing break for both girly getaways and family trips. Head to Bophut if you want to experience one of the few places on the island that retains some of its original Thai-Chinese culture. Check out the charming fisherman village dotted with old Chinese shops and houses, and don’t forget to grab a bite at Orgasmic by Chef Wally that overlooks Bophut Bay.
If you’re in the mood for peace and quiet, look no further than the Lamai-Hua Thanon area. Located on the South side of the island, you’ll find fewer tourists and superb seafood meals. We love Krua Chao Baan in particular (ask for the red snapper with chilli and mango salad, or the tiger prawns in tamarind sauce. Delish!). There are also photo opps aplenty at the nearby Muslim fishing village; the elegantly painted kor lae boats and old school fish market are both highly Instagrammable.
TheLuxeNomad Top Tip: Kamalaya Koh Samui is an award-winning resort offering a plethora of holistic and life-changing wellness programs, from natural medicine and healing therapies, to detox sessions and yoga. If you’re feeling stressed or burnt out, this is definitely the place to visit! Otherwise, head to Six Senses Samui for the best in rustic sophistication and award-winning spa and dining facilities.
Palawan
If your Mum is a little more adventurous, this is the perfect destination for the both of you. It’ll take a couple of flights and a bumpy boat ride, but don’t let that put you off; once you’re there, it’s totally worth it! With over 7,000 islands (and far fewer tourists than Bali or Thailand), you’ll be able to get away from the madding crowd and spend some quality time with Mum. This escape promises turquoise waters, sightings of rare species of animals (such as the Palawan bearcat and flying squirrels), and stunning scenery to boot.
Get your excitement fix by going underwater cave exploring! Only three of 200 caves are open to visitors, but we recommend the Tabon Caves where you can view the “Tabon Man”; a fragment of a skull that dates back 22,000 years! If that’s too adventurous, relax on any of the 50 white sandy beaches that await, plunge below to one of 30 dive sites, or take a gentle paddle on a transparent kayak through the marble cliffs!
TheLuxeNomad Top Tip: Feel close to Mother Nature at Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa, the first eco-luxury and 100% self-sustaining island resort in Coron. Or pull out all the stops at Amanpulo; located Northwest of Palawan, guests arrive by private plane and stay in one of the 40 uber-luxurious casitas.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang in Vietnam might not be first on the list of destinations to vacay with Mum, but we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the plethora of things to do. We love the fab coffee culture, boating excursions, scuba diving spots, hot spring dipping, the Nha Trang Cathedral, and the bustling markets! The best bit? It’s surrounded on all three sides by mountain ranges; expect picturesque vistas and cool temperatures (a welcome escape from Singapore’s current heatwave!).
Nha Trang is also famed for producing the best fish sauce in Vietnam, so be sure to try it when enjoying the local speciality dishes. In particular, we recommend Nem Nuong (grilled fermented pork roll with raw herbs and pickled green papaya). Grab a portion at Nem Nuong Vu Thanh An, 15 Le Loi for an extra special treat.
TheLuxeNomad Top Tip: The Mia Resort Nha Trang is nestled amongst stunning sea views and manicured gardens; a perfect location to banish any stress. You can also master the art of Vietnamese cooking at one of the daily cookery classes. We also love Amiana Resort (they serve an incredible breakfast!) and its famous hot mud baths and health treatments.
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