Bon Ton Resort *****

Bon Ton is a luxury boutique resort with a difference as it is comprised of just eight beautifully restored antique “Malay Kampung” (village) villas.  Each villa is individually decorated in a unique Aseana style and fitted out with all the modern facilities you would expect from a 5-star resort (air conditioning, TV & DVD, free WiFi, etc.).  Five of the villas have private sun decks with freestanding wooden bathtubs (the remaining three have indoor bathtubs).

The villas are set within the tranquil garden of a coconut plantation with a pool and jacuzzi that overlooks wetlands and mountain ranges.  The beautiful Pantai Cenang beach is just five minutes away.

Bon Ton’s restaurant, Nam, stands out too by providing a eclectic mix of ‘East meets West’ cuisine and an extensive wine list.  The resort’s funky lounge bar, housed in an old Chinese timber ship house is a great place to relax with a drink.  Bon Ton is as gay-friendly as it gets and attracts many gay travellers – many of whom are repeat guests.

The resort has won critical acclaim from the likes of chef Raymond Blanc, Tatlers Travel Guide, Conde Nast Traveller and Time Magazine.  But the real difference?  Profits fund a local animal sanctuary run by the resort’s owners.  Agoda – stay 3 nights, get 20% discount on Blue Ginger Villa until 25th December 2013.