Luxury holidays within 10-12 hours of UK....???

[sidicks]

As much as I loved Fiji and Hawaii (and would be keen to go to the Whitsunday islands, Cook Islands, Bora Bora etc), the time taken to get there is simply too long for a 7 day break, unless it is on the way to/from another destination.

We have already been to Mauritius and Seychelles (for our honeymoon) and to Benguerra island (off Mozambique) so would like to find somewhere different.

Key Requirements would include:
- Luxury accomodation and food
- Relaxation (i.e. spa / nice beaches / nice pool)
- Sports activiies (including Diving, Horse riding, tennis, Golf) would be a bonus

What alternatives are there 'a bit' closer to home?
Carribean ?
Thailand ?
Any others?

Any recommendations?

I am planning for 2010, so have plenty of time to do some research!!

Thanks

Sidicks

Edited by sidicks on Sunday 26th April 17:43

[Puggit]

Obviously Maldives are luxurious, and a mere 11 hours away. However, sporting activities are mostly associated with the sea.

There's always South/Southern Africa. No jet lag is a big plus.

[sidicks]

Puggit said:

Obviously Maldives are luxurious, and a mere 11 hours away. However, sporting activities are mostly associated with the sea.

There's always South/Southern Africa. No jet lag is a big plus.

Ooops, forget to mention we also went to Maldives a couple of years ago. Otherwise this would have been the perfect option!!!!

We went to South Africa a couple of years ago (and enjoyed it very much), and we are going back later this year to coincide with the British Lion's rugby tour. You are right about the jet lag though!

Thanks for your input,

Sidicks

[Puggit]

Branson's pad in Morocco has been a recent PH recommendation.

[sidicks]

I guess Mexico is another option?

[sidicks]

Puggit said:

Branson's pad in Morocco has been a recent PH recommendation.

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Cheers

Sidicks

[Mattt]

Dubai?

[sidicks]

Mattt said:

Dubai?

Another good recommendation, but done in conjunction with Maldives a few years back and then in conjunction with Oman last year.

Cheers

Sidicks

[Jayyy]

I have heard good things about Aruba, Belize and also Zanzibar - I quite fancy the first two.

[Mattt]

Parents went to Arubu a few weeks back, found it very expensive for what it was - and full of Americans (they were told it's the new Hawaii).

I went to Belize a few years back, loved it, went cave tubing - great scenery.

[sidicks]

Thanks - I will investigate!

Sidicks

[Burba]

sidicks said:

Puggit said:

Branson's pad in Morocco has been a recent PH recommendation.

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Cheers

Sidicks

i've visited this place and done a couple of other luxury holidays and i wouldn't per-se say the location is brilliant, when comparing it against places like the Maldives.

What about something in South America/Florida side?

[oyster]

Mattt said:

Dubai?

If you like either expensive bling or chav bling.

[Targarama]

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/muscat/barra...

[havoc]

oyster said:

Mattt said:

Dubai?

If you like either expensive bling or chav bling.

Just got back from 4 nights there (chill-out after 11 days in Japan, plus break-up the jet-lag), and the "western" areas are so full of arrogant egotistical ex-pats and young-generation arabs it's not funny.

If you've money and like flashing it, great. Otherwise, steer clear - overpriced everywhere (doubly so inside the hotels - £23 for burger and chips?!? £40 for steak?!?) and outside the hotels the much-vaunted service disappears quicker than a generous tip inside a waiters pocket!



Suggestions:
- Thailand is great, even if not as cheap now as it used to be. Hotels to suit every budget and towns/resorts to suit every taste (from downmarket chavvy/tacky to golfing to quiet out-of-the-way). Can't really recommend any specific places without knowing what you like.
- Other places which might be worth a look include Malaysia (Langkawi, Borneo, etc.), Vietnam (might be a bit over on the travel though) and Kerala.

[Targarama]

havoc said:

oyster said:

Mattt said:

Dubai?

If you like either expensive bling or chav bling.

Just got back from 4 nights there (chill-out after 11 days in Japan, plus break-up the jet-lag), and the "western" areas are so full of arrogant egotistical ex-pats and young-generation arabs it's not funny.

If you've money and like flashing it, great. Otherwise, steer clear - overpriced everywhere (doubly so inside the hotels - £23 for burger and chips?!? £40 for steak?!?) and outside the hotels the much-vaunted service disappears quicker than a generous tip inside a waiters pocket!

Which is why I suggest Muscat, Oman.

[theaxe]

Targarama said:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/muscat/barra...

Weird, I was just about to post that!

[sidicks]

Targarama said:

Which is why I suggest Muscat, Oman.

Interesting choice - as per my previous post above, we went to Oman last year and Shangri-La was our first choice, but unfortunately it was fully booked so we stayed at the Chedi instead (which was fantastic).

That's the main trouble we have - we have been to so many lovely places, that there is not an obvious next destination!

I'll be investigating the other options suggested previously - Aruba, Morocco etc

Cheers

Sidicks

[Targarama]

Another option:

http://www.pacificresort.com/Aitutaki/Welcome_IDL=...

Fly Air New Zealand into Tonga, then a 45 min hop to the island. I think there is one other top notch hotel here.

[sidicks]

Having looked at Belize, it would appear to require 2 flight changes to get there which won't appeal to my wife, as it will add a lot of time to the journey.

Although Mexico / Thailand are at the extremes for length of flights, they do at least have direct flights.

Cook Island is somewhere I'd like to go, but I'm guessing that the flights to Tonga and beyond are somewhat longer than 10-12 hours....................

Cheers

Sidicks