TRAVEL TITBITS

Taking a spa break in Thailand is one of the top 10 Valentine's Day ideas recommended by Conde Nast Traveller, the UK-based magazine.

Thailand boasts plenty of good spas, but the magazine chose Pimalai Resort & Spa in Koh Lanta, Krabi.

"Why book a spa day when you can book a spa break in Thailand? Valentines can enjoy 10 hours of complimentary spa treatments _ Thai massage, herbal wraps, steam therapies and facials _ during a stay at Pimalai," said the respected magazine.

Also mentioned is the benefit of the hotel's location which is on the "quiet island" where it's easy to find a secluded stretch of beach.

Other activities suggested by Conde Nast Traveller include a treetop retreat in Bordeaux, France, joining a private cooking lesson to learn simple Italian dishes with celebrity chef Theo Randall in London, sipping afternoon tea in London, and spending a night or two at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa, where Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip spent part of their honeymoon.

Other choices are exploring Amsterdam by bike and staying in a boat-hotel, drinking pink champagne and dining on food prepared by a Michelin-starred chef in Bath, booking a night at a historic house in a wooded valley in England, and taking a midnight dip and having a poolside dinner in New York.

Last on the list is staying in the room where Marlene Dietrich, the German screen legend, resided for three years at Hotel Lancaster in Paris.

For more details, visit www.cntraveller.com/recommended/romantic-breaks/top-ten-valentines-ideas/valentines-day-offers.

Best sky-high dining

Global travel search site Skyscanner has launched its first Asia Pacific Airline Food Awards, but no Thai airlines made it to the top positions. The results were based on the views of 200 travellers and bloggers from across the region who were polled by Skyscanner for the study. Their judgement was based on the taste of the food, presentation, choices available on board and value for money. Tiger Airways was voted the best for low-cost airline food followed by Scoot and AirAsia.

Singapore Airlines is at the top for short-haul airline food followed by Garuda Indonesia and Korean Air.

Surprisingly, Garuda Indonesia took the pole position for best food for long-haul flights, while Korean Air took second place, followed by Singapore Airlines.

Changi boosts retail therapy

Passengers who fly to or transit via Changi Airport can enjoy shopping benefits with Singapore Airlines and SilkAir offering a voucher worth S$40 (970 baht) per ticket to their customers.

The value doubles the previous amount of the Changi Transit Programme launched last October.

"Due to overwhelming demand from travellers for the original Changi Transit Programme, we decided to improve the benefits to entice more passengers to fly through Changi for their upcoming trips," said Peh Ke-Wei, Changi Airport Group vice-president for passenger development.

To get the voucher, which is officially called the Changi Dollar Voucher (CDV), passengers need to present boarding passes together with a 13-digit e-ticket receipt number beginning with 618 or 629 at information counters in the transit areas of terminals 2 and 3. The CDVs can be used at 450 retail, food and service outlets in terminals 1, 2 and 3, excluding outlets in the arrival baggage claim halls.

The campaign runs until June 30.

Visit changiairport.com for more details.

Airlines update

- United Airlines has upgraded its Wi-Fi service on long-haul international flights.

Based on Ku-band satellite technology, the internet connection will be faster than air-to-ground technology, according to the airline's vice-chairman and chief revenue officer Jim Compton.

Customers will be able to use their wireless devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets to connect to the internet using the in-flight hotspot. The company expects to complete installation of satellite-based Wi-Fi on 300 aircraft by the end of the year.

- Asiana Airlines has introduced a new route between Seoul and Yangon.

The airline now operates two flights a week, on Wednesday and Saturday. The flights utilise Boeing 767 aircraft, and bring Asiana's international destinations from South Korea to 67.

Hotels update

Two low-profile hotels in Thailand have been listed among the top 25 places to stay in the world by TripAdvisor.

Based on its Travellers' Choice Hotel Awards 2013, Baan Malinee Bed and Breakfast in Phuket ranks 8th among the 25 world's best B&Bs and inns. More than 160 people offered their reviews at the travel website and most of them give the place excellent marks.

Located on the west side of the island and not far from Phuket Laguna on Bang Thao beach, the hotel is said to offer five-star service at affordable prices, ranging from 2,500 to 5,590 baht a night. It offers a jacuzzi in every room and suite.

Xanadu 2008 in Kanchanaburi was listed in the 25th position among the best world's bargain hotels.

Located in Muang district, the hotel also received good reviews from travellers for its service and location on the banks of the Kwai river.

"It's the insights from millions of travellers that make these awards so special, as they help others discover the hotels travellers love most, whatever the budget, in all corners of the world," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.

Visit tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice for more details.

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