Who decides which are the best beach holiday destinations? Generally speaking it would be the travellers. But then the most popular (and crowded) beaches would be considered the best for their beauty, sand or water. But best for who? Everyone is different and has a different selection criteria when choosing travel destinations. To help you plan your next beach get-away and ensure you don’t end up on a beach with a few hundred others wishing you hadn’t all read the same travel article, we’ve decided to poll (not a fake poll) the travel planning specialists at Smiling Albino on where they believe the best beach escapes are in Southeast Asia… and, importantly, why. Collectively, they plan dozens of customised trips each month for a variety of travelers – families, honeymooners, friends, adventurers, young and old. They have an intimate knowledge of the beaches and the resorts that enjoy them, having personally surveyed the locations to better match them with their clients.

Smiling Albino’s adventure consultants have each submitted their choice of best beach escapes in Southeast Asia for the type of guests they each specialise in. Thailand came in strong, but there were a couple of notable exceptions. Here are the results…

The Sarojin Khao Lak is an intimate and luxurious resort located on a secluded eleven kilometer long fine white sand beach facing west into the Andaman Sea (fabulous sunsets!). Sheltered by a coral cape headland, the Sarojin’s beach provides year-round swimming and water activities. A great choice for honeymooners and couples. The nearby Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park also offers a myriad of outdoor activities for thrill-seeking adventurers.

Pimalai Resort and Spa Koh Lanta sits on stunning Kantiang Beach. This resort is great for just about anybody who has the time to take a little bit more effort to get there. Accessible by private speedboat, this over one kilometer long beach is just remote enough to discourage day-trippers and feels quite private. It is sheltered and great for swimming all year round.

Six Senses Yao Noi is best suited for honeymooners and romantic couples. Here you’ll not stop marvelling at the postcard perfect views across the infinity pools out over the limestone islands jutting vertically out of the bright blue Phang Nga Bay. The desert island feel is complimented by an array of resort activities ranging from rock climbing to yacht expeditions to other deserted beaches.

Rosewood Phuket Due to open July 2017, this luxury resort stands out for its location. Unlike all of the other fabulous beach properties on this list, the Rosewood is not remote. It enjoys its own isolated beach but is only ten minutes away from the lively shopping and entertainment scene in Patong town. Every one of its pool villas and residences will enjoy uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea and are just steps from the white sand beach. A perfect fit for honeymooners and families who like to explore the local towns after relaxing at the beach.

Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood in the Gulf of Thailand, is considered an excellent choice for families. Each villa has their own pool and the larger ones even have fun water slides. The resort provides a variety of activities – over water, under water or on land, like their open-air cinema paradiso and visits to nearby fisherman villages. There are two private beaches to choose from, one near the beach villas and the other a short boat ride away, but well worth it.

Six Senses Con Dao is a luxury beach resort on an island off the southern coast of Vietnam that comes highly recommended for honeymoon couples and families. The waters are crystal clear and excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving. From May through October, the resort can arrange for guests to experience the nesting and hatching of turtles on their quiet beach.

Song Saa Private Island, just off the coast from Sihanoukville in Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago, is best for couples who really want to escape it all. One of the few totally private islands in the region, the resort focuses on eco-friendly practices and activities. Private pool villas with gourmet dining provide an exceptional base for outdoor activities around the pristine island or on and under the ocean.

Contact Smiling Albino and allow us to create a memorable travel experience at one of these great escapes – or somewhere that fulfills your beach dream.

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