I am spending a few months in Hong Kong with my work starting in January. Where should I go to get a blast of tropical beach, say for a long weekend, and preferably with a short flight? Jeremy Pritchard, Woking

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds:On a good day, the long beach in Repulse Bay (on the south side of Hong Kong Island), or even better the fine sandy bays on Cheung Chau or Lantau islands, make for an excellent break from the bustle of the city.

However, for guaranteed weather and a more tropical feel, you do need to hop on a plane.

The central Philippine island of Cebu is the nearest affordable option. It's heavily developed around Cebu City, but around the island you'll find some superb beaches with fantastically white sand ­ and if on a short break, you can make the easy 30-minutes transfer across the road bridge and onto the small island of Mactan, and flop down at the excellent beach and swimming pools of the Shangri La Mactan Resort and Spa; doubles from £125).

Cebu Pacific is a local low cost carrier that has non-stop flights from Hong Kong to Cebu (2.5 hours) from £115 return. It has good connections on to the idyllic holiday island of Boracay too (changing in Manila or Cebu). It's another hour's flight from either, and costs from £138 return from Hong Kong.

Alternatively, there are non-stop flights to Koh Samui, about three hours away. The standard fares on Bangkok Airways are hugely expensive, at about £400 return, but it is worth looking out for special deals, and visiting local travel agents in Hong Kong too, who often have sun seeking packages for beach hungry Hong Kongers.

The 83-room Tongsai Bay hotel (doubles from £180) is at the quieter north east of the island in its own secluded bay, about a fifteen-minute drive from the islands small airport.

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