Top 6 places to chill out in South East Asia by Stuart Lyall

Post-temple to pre-dawn, beachside lazing or city slicking – South East Asia’s best chill out spots range from some of the hippest bars on the planet to a few comfy chairs thrown together on a veranda, taking in amazing views of the beach, hills or rivers. Purely in the interests of research, Stuart Lyall, our South East Asian Destination Manager, has tried them all and come up with his Top 6 chill out spots. See if you agree, or let us know your favourite.

1. Tubing in Vang Vieng, LAOS

One of the great Laos experiences: grab a tube, jump in the river upstream of Vang Vieng and float downriver through splendid scenery and past local villages. Along the way, riverbank bars pull you in for a much needed Beer Laos or two. Tubing and drinking beer - turns out they go together better than bees and honey. Is there a better way of spending an afternoon and meeting like-minded travellers?

2. Beer Hoi in Hanoi, VIETNAM

Or as the locals call it, Bia Hoi. The social heart of Hanoi, introduced by the Czechs over 45 years ago and nowadays as much a part of street-life as food-stalls dishing out tasty pho. There are microbreweries dotted throughout the city, plastics stools laid out on the pavements, so an open-air bar crawl is the best way of soaking up the atmosphere (and some noodles en route the best way of soaking up the alcohol). Be warned: once you've sampled a few beers, locals invariably grab you and want to share a few more. The atmosphere becomes electric during soccer matches - especially Liverpool versus Manchester United, two of the favourites of this soccer-mad country.

3. Ku de Tah in Bali, INDONESIA

A Bali institution, one that effortlessly lives up to the hype, and among the best settings for a bar anywhere. The cocktail and wine list may have you thinking you've used a portal to some uber-trendy New York nightspot, but as the DJ spins some French-fried funk and you recline on your lounger looking out onto white sands and turquoise sea, you'll be reminded of everything a great beach bar should be. And if you can, splurge: dropping some extra cash on dinner is well worth it. The wagyu beef ribs are to die for.

4.Bed Supper Club in Bangkok, THAILAND

A real Bangkok hotspot, Bed more than justifies working the creases out of your best shirt. The bar takes retro-futuristic geek-chic to a whole new level: "Meet George Jetson" should be pumped through the speakers as you enter the large oval pod interior, while the violet lights on ice-white furnishings ramp up the cool factor. But Bed's no charmless ice maiden - the service is flawless and the vibe friendly. And once you sit back in one of the divan-beds suspended from the walls, you're powerless to resist its charms. Dangerously decadent.

5.Ochheuteal/Serendipity beach in Sihanoukville, CAMBODIA

As castaway-dreamy as Bed Supper Club is urban-fantasy. Take a stroll along the half-crescent moon beach and park yourself in any of the bars, preferably up near the northern end. Melt into one of the loungers and watch the sunset turn the sea and sand purple and gold. Once the lively local kids head home, tranquility reigns - the peaceful setting of Cambodia's most beautiful beach will unfailingly soothe all troubles away.

6. Sky Bar in Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Located on the 33rd floor of the Traders Hotel, it's not the slick interior of the Sky Bar that sets it apart, but the jaw-dropping views of the Petronas Towers lighting up the night sky. If you've ever been to the Manhattan's Rainbow Rooms and gazed out towards the Empire State Building - welcome to the Asian equivalent. Cocktails are the only way to enjoy the sensational view, particularly the moreish house speciality, lychee martini.

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