Bawah Reserve

Bawah Reserve's setting, across six remote islands covering 300 hectares in the South China Sea, with 13 private beaches and three lagoons, is postcard-perfect stuff, with its dark green studs of jungle-covered rock rising up from the ocean and fringed with golden sand. Look through the clear water and you’ll spot coral reefs teeming with life, waiting to be explored on snorkelling and scuba diving trips.

The reserve is committed to sustainability, from eco-friendly sun cream and bath products to electric buggies and solar-powered boats - so you can rest assured that your stay is not doing any harm to the environment.

Accommodation at Bawah Reserve is spread across luxurious bungalows and suites, which sit on the beach, in the jungle or, in the case of the Overwater Bungalows, on wooden walkways perched above the turquoise-blue lagoon. There are two and three-bedroom pool villas, with lagoon-facing living and dining areas and private pools, which are ideal for families and groups, and there's also a two-bedroom jungle lodge with a large outdoor veranda. 

Whichever you choose, you’ll find a beach-chic hideaway, made largely of polished bamboo, with big, comfy beds and sofas, a sea-inspired colour scheme, jungle murals and plenty of space to relax and take in the island vistas. While the suites are more like luxury tents, with canvas ceilings draped over the bamboo frames, the bungalows are wooden huts with solid roofs. Enjoy a drink from your bar at sunset. 

Dining here combines top-quality food and drink with the same laid-back atmosphere that pervades the rest of the resort, and is spread across four restaurants and bars. The main restaurant, Treetops, sits on a thatched terrace in the jungle canopy and serves up an ever-changing menu of dishes, many of which are Asian-inspired and make use of the region’s bounty of fresh seafood. The chef is available to discuss meal options individually, and dietary requirements are well catered for.

The Grouper Beach Bar serves coffee, cocktails and wine in a relaxed beachside setting, while the Jules Verne Bar channels the spirit of the famous adventure writer in a treetop location. At the Boat House, meanwhile, you can enjoy barbecued fish and meat dishes as you feel the sand between your toes.

Just when you thought Bawah couldn’t get any more relaxing, the resort’s Aura Spa takes things up another level. Massages, facials, body wraps and scrubs are among the treatments on offer. There is a fully-equipped gym and yoga deck overlooking the lagoon, while there are also regular guided yoga and meditation sessions, as well as wellbeing programmes. Cool off with a dip in the infinity pool. 

While you’d be forgiven for wanting to do little more than laze on the beach, eat and drink, and put your feet up in the spa, be sure to make the effort to explore this beautiful collection of islands.

The rainforest-covered interior of the islands is ripe for hiking and rich in wildlife including lizards and tropical birds. The environment is even more vibrant beneath the waves, with snorkelling and scuba diving for exploring the technicolour underwater world and its pristine coral reefs – spot parrotfish and black-tip reef sharks.

Create your own adventure during your stay with tailor-made experiences from barbecues on the beach and secluded treetop dining to sunset cruises, catching a movie at the outdoor cinema and doing some night-time stargazing.