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According to Agoda, an online hotel bookings site that specializes in accommodationin Asia, the popularity of vacationers who wish to book golf holidays in SoutheastAsia (SEA) is no anomaly. In fact, the demand is ever-increasing, which is why theweb travel authority has decided to release its top 10 golf resort pick list.
Says Vice President of Business Development at Agoda, Wilfred Fan, Asians havealways had an affinity with golf. It s been the most popular leisure activity inJapan and Korea for over two decades. But now this region actually harbors golfcourses of an international standard, it is becoming more and more recognizedworldwide.
With stalwarts such as Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Greg Normanall having designed courses in their name within the SEA region, Fan s statement hasmore than a ball s weight. But it s not all about the teeing off.
The drawing card for most golf enthusiasts besides a challenging course is theprice. SEA can offer a prime golfing experience at a fraction of the cost, plusthere are other benefits such as spa and massage facilities which are simplypeerless in this region, Fan added.
Trends around the globe tend to agree. Just last year, Vietnam was named theundiscovered golf destination of 2007 by the International Association of Golf TourOperators. The country has 15 existing courses with 30 more in development includingdesigns from Greg Norman and Colin Montgomorie. The same international associationnamed Malaysia best golf destination in Southeast Asia, an accolade supported by thenumber of golfing tourists. Malaysian tourism statistics reveal that golf generatedmore than US $242 million in revenue last year.
Likewise, golf resorts in SEA have become increasingly popular choices amongtravelers making hotel bookings. Agoda has seen a definite spike in bookings in thepast few years.
We have a definite niche market of individuals booking golf resort accommodation inSoutheast Asia through our site, says Fan. The appeal goes beyond the activity andto the destination. For example, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have seen a 400percent increase in bookings that offer golf and spa in the region just in the lasttwo years.
However, it s not just about the grass becoming greener. Fan believes that a largepart of SEA s appeal as a golf destination is the relaxation services which arecomplementary to the sport.
For as many men and women there are that play golf, there will be the spouses andpartners that prefer a vacation that is about pampering and relaxation. This iswhere the SEA region excels above all else as spa services are simply second-to-none and more than reasonable when it comes to cost.
Will the trend continue? The proof is in the development. Jon Tomlinson, generalmanager of Montgomerie Links, a Colin Montgomerie course in development on Vietnam sCentral Coast says that the popularity of golf in the region is not likely to fizzlesoon.
Demand is through the roof for membership already with the Montgomerie Links andyou can just gauge from the number of golf courses being built around the regionthat interest in high quality golfing experiences has increased dramatically. Also,it is refreshing for golfers to play in an Asian landscape and that inimitableAsian sense for hospitality makes golfing here all the more appealing. Destinationis key.
Agoda s top 10 golfing resorts in the region are:
1. Laguna Phuket Golf Club, Phuket (Thailand)Lauded already in numerous publications as one of Asia s premier golf resortdestinations, the Laguna Phuket Golf Club is set among the Laguna Resort Complexwhich features five luxury hotels (Sheraton, Dusit Thani, Banyan Tree, Laguna BeachResort and Allamande). It boasts an 18-hole, par-71 course designed by Max Wexlerand David Abell and caters to players of all levels of expertise. But the coursecertainly is challenging as 13 of the 18 holes are in close proximity to the actuallagoon. Golfers can enjoy taking the watery gamble with their shots. Afterwards,pampering is essential at the world famous Banyan Tree Spa.
2. Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort, Bali (Indonesia)The five-star Le Meridien Golf & Spa Resort is a luxury resort overlooking theIndian Ocean with world-class golf and spa facilities. The Nirvana Bali Golf Clubboasts an 18-hole course designed by the legendary Greg Norman, and has beenfeatured in several publications. The course is made challenging by the elaboratenetwork of streams, ponds and terraces plus its ocean lapping location. Afterplaying, relax at the fusion Nirwana Spa which uses Western products while keepingthe Balinese Hindu philosophy in mind.
3. Novotel Ocean Dunes and Golf Resort, Phan Thiet (Vietnam)Located three hours from Ho Chi Minh City, the four-star Novotel Ocean Dunes andGolf Resort is located on a private beach and was the first international resort tobe built in Vietnam. The Par-72 Ocean Dunes Golf Club located on-site has beendesigned by Nick Faldo and been identified it as one of the top 10 resort courses inAsia. The course will appeal to both experienced as well as casual golfers, and thecoastal winds will bring challenge to each hole. The on-site Spa has private saunasand Jacuzzis for customers use after a round of golf. Or you can go in for a massagebefore you take to the course, helping to relax the muscles and improve that swing.
4. Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa , Khao Yai (Thailand) The three star Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa provides 60 contemporary living optionsand is the perfect retreat for those looking for a golf holiday. The 18-hole golfcourse has been designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and is set among themountains and greenery of Khao Yai. Guests can indulge in a range of massages andwellness rituals at the Maya Spa or in the comfort of them own rooms after a dayspent on the course or exploring the surroundings.
5. The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei Darussalam)The five star Empire Hotel & Country Club and beach resort overlooking the SouthChina Sea boasts of lavish accommodations, eight swimming pools and a championshipgolf course. Designed by the celebrated Jack Nicklaus, the golf course includescliffs, ravines, tight fairways, large bunkers, and is floodlit for night-timegames. Also not be missed is the Spa, with its therapies from around the worlddesigned to calm the body and revitalize the skin.
6. Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club, Sarawak (Malaysia)The five star Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club is nestled amongst the oldest and secondlargest rainforest in the world, 1,000 meters above sea level. As the name suggests,the main attraction of the hotel is its golf course designed by Neil Crater, whilekeeping in mind the features of its unique highland location. The course is theultimate test of golfing skills, and is suited for those who love a fresh physicalchallenge as well as a mental one. With the number of guests kept to just 60 a day,it provides ample exclusivity and privacy to indulge at a calm pace. The Jungle Clubcontinues to keep up the promise of relaxation and rejuvenation with its pamperingsessions of spa, exotic traditional massages and a range of natural treatments.
7. Bintan Lagoon Resort, Bintan Island (Indonesia)The four-star Bintan lagoon Resort is set among 300 hectares of beachfront gardensand offers a world of choice. This golfing resort can easily be reached by a shorthigh-speed ferry ride from Singapore. Both the Jack Nicklaus 18-hole Sea View Golfcourse and Ian Baker-Finch 18-hole Woodlands Golf course at the resort are known fortheir spectacular design and signature holes. The stay is incomplete without avisit to the Bintan Spa, where traditional methods are used in conjunction withorganic ingredients for the ultimate relaxation experience. Choose from a range oftreatments, scrubs, and spa packages.
8. Springfield Village Golf & Spa, Hua Hin/Cha-am (Thailand)The 3.5 star Springfield Village Golf & Spa provides luxurious rooms and suites,designed to blend with their surroundings and each providing an open view of thegolf course. The golf course (another design by Jack Nicklaus) challenges golfenthusiasts with 27 meticulously manicured holes. The championship course has fivesets of tees to play from, and offers varying levels of difficulty. For thoselooking to improve their game, step there is an excellent Learning Center whichoffers private lesson. Be sure to head over to the Springfield Spa to pamper andrejuvenate yourself with a wide variety of top notch massages and treatments onoffer.
9. Sentosa Resort & Spa, Singapore (Singapore) The five-star Sentosa Resort & Spa is perched atop a cliff gazing out across theSouth China Sea. The resort's 21 rooms and suites are spread across 27 acres oftropical woodlands. The resort also boasts the Spa Botanica, housing mud pools,flotation pools, a meditation labyrinth and Turkish-styled steam baths and a widechoice of indoor treatment rooms or outdoor pavilions. Just across the road from thehotel, enjoy a round of golf at Sentosa Golf Club, which boasts two of the mostscenic and challenging courses in the region. Sentosa Golf Club is also home to theBarclay's Singapore Open and is the course of choice for politicians, dignitariesand celebrities alike.
10. Sofitel Zhongshan Golf Resort, Nanjing (China)The five-star colonial-styled, Sofitel Zhongshan Golf Resort Nanjing is located onthe slopes of the famous Purple Mountain, and features 140 luxurious accommodations.This resort is the perfect choice for leisure as well as business travelers toNanjing. It is also the first deluxe, five-star golf resort in Nanjing, and theexclusive 27-hole golf course was designed by Gary Player. Guests can also enjoythe Spa, with its various massages and treatments, guaranteed to relax and ease themuscles.
