The secluded four-bedroom Villa One at One&Only Desaru Coast is set over two levels with indoor-and-outdoor living spaces, a private spa treatment room and a stunning 27-metre pool (Photo: One&Only Desaru Coast)
Malaysia has been a consistent contender on the list of top 15 most visited countries in the world. This vibrant nation is blessed with tropical climate and geographical features that allow for the development of some truly outstanding holiday destinations. Whether it is a resort perched on a hill amid the flourishing jungle or boutique hotel situated right in the heart of the city centre, we sure have it all. If you are planning a vacation and looking for ideas and recommendations, our list of 10 getaway spots is a good place to start.
Ambong Pool Villas, Langkawi, Kedah
Family-owned Ambong Pool Villas in Pantai Tengah, Langkawi, is a hidden treasure (quite literally) to consider for an invigorating staycation and a chance to get close to nature. Beautifully enveloped by lush rainforest and overlooking the stunning Andaman Sea, the property is made up of nine unique villas named after mountain peaks on the island such as Kemarong, Kuang, Machinchang, Malut and Sawak. Guests can also marvel at its design-conscious architecture, where a large part of the villas is built from sustainably sourced wood.
If you need a quick vacation before powering through the final quarter of this year, Ambong is offering Book Me packages for dates reserved from September to November with attractives deals that include a three-course dinner at its main Rimba Restaurant as well as discounts for wellness services at its in-house Amaala Spa.
Temple Tree Resort Langkawi, Kedah
Another gem to be discovered in the Jewel of Kedah is Temple Tree Resort Langkawi, located in a secluded neighbourhood on Jalan Pantai Cenang. Charming and fascinating, the establishment incorporates ancient heritage houses from various states including Perak, Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang, allowing the space for modern city dwellers to go back in time and experience the kampung life of their ancestors — some of the lodgings are more than a century old.
To deliver a complete traditional experience, Temple Tree offers an extensive menu that caters to the local palate, consisting of signature dishes from almost every state in Malaysia. Think collective favourites such as Asam Pedas (Johor), Nyonya Laksa (Melaka), Daging Salai Cili Api (Negeri Sembilan) and Char Kuey Teow (Penang). In conjunction with the country’s 67th Independence Day, guests are entitled to a 6.7% discount on rooms alongside food and beverages for bookings made before Sept 30.
Ask Malaysians where their favourite local getaway is, and their answer is likely to be Penang Island. With its diverse gastronomic scene, heritage sites and picturesque beaches, it is easy to understand why.
Speaking of coastlines, Batu Ferringhi is undoubtedly the best there, having welcomed many luxury resorts over the last few decades. However, if one in particular deserves your attention, it is Lone Pine.
One of the area’s first hotels and the only high-end boutique accommodation, the colonial-style bungalow turned family-run business started with just 10 rooms. Now offering 90, an on-site restaurant and bar, a games room as well as quick access to the stunning Andaman Sea, the hotel ticks all the seaside lodging boxes while setting itself apart from its flashier neighbours by remaining true to its unfussy roots and echoing Malaysia’s rich history.
If you are planning an island vacation with a decent dose of cultural experience, a visit to Cheong Fatt Tze (also known as The Blue Mansion) in the Pearl of the Orient is a must. Constructed in the late 19th century, the property established the foundation for many heritage hotels in George Town and has become a popular location among film producers — it has appeared in movies such as Crazy Rich Asians, The Ghost Bride and The Red Kebaya.
Located a stone’s throw from other heritage spots, it features historical architecture that include intricate wall sculptures that instantly call for closer inspection. Besides indulging in its mesmerising design details, guests can look forward to an exquisite dining experience with a variety of options from a line-up of restaurants at The Blue Mansion, namely Indigo, The Bar, Courtyard and the picnic-style Cafe Mangga.
Whether it is your maiden visit to our capital city or you are a local on a staycation, Else Kuala Lumpur is the perfect home base for urban explorers. Housed within the conserved Lee Rubber Building in the heart of Chinatown, this boutique hotel meshes cosmopolitan flair with the surrounding cultural nuances.
Some may already be familiar with Else for the eatery on the ground floor that is highly loved across social media — Raw. Boasting rounded mid-century-style seating, a long bar with a backdrop of Grecian pillars and warm mood lighting, the Asian-Latin fusion dining hall is a favourite among locals for date nights, weekend brunches and special celebrations. Alternatively, Yellow Fin Horse, helmed by Chef Jun Wong, takes guests on an ingredient and seafood-focused journey to remember.
A range of plushly furnished rooms and suites takes up the upper floors, none of which you can really go wrong with. The unique selling point here is Else’s ability to make each space feel homely, ensuring a sense of ease even amid the metropolitan chaos.
The RuMa Hotel and Residences, KL
With a name that plays on the Malay word for “home”, the RuMa Hotel and Residences naturally takes traditional Malay architecture and design to new, luxurious heights. Located in KL’s Golden Triangle, with the Petronas Twin Towers looming nearby, the property places the best of the city in the palm of your hand while providing an intimate interior to escape from the bustling outdoors.
Take note of the intricate tikar and carved wood decor elements in the communal spaces. Contemporary rattan furniture lies around every corner, with much of the collection found at the Santai Pool Bar and Lounge on the 6th floor.
Guests who book stays between now and Sept 16 will be able to indulge in the National Day Retreat package, inclusive of daily breakfast for two at Atas, the hotel’s open-kitchen concept restaurant, afternoon tea at The Librari, a fully stocked complimentary minibar and 24-hour access to the fitness centre.
One of the state’s landmarks in the historic city of Malaysia is none other than The Majestic Malacca, conceived in the 1920s as the former residence of a local tycoon. Not that you will spend more time indoors when you are in Melaka — surely your itinerary will be filled with café hopping, shopping and visiting important monuments — but the hotel has everything you need for a good holiday, including 54 rooms and suites complete with clawfoot bathtubs, alongside a bar and restaurant and a cosy lounge that make up the heart of the premises.
You can also reserve a package to immerse yourself in the vibrant Kristang heritage by sampling traditional Portuguese fare. If you need to replenish your energy after touring around town the whole day, make your way to the hotel’s Spa Village Malacca for soothing therapeutic Baba-Nyonya-inspired treatments.
Mangala Estate Boutique Resort, Pahang
As the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang, with its untarnished land that is mostly still covered in greenery, boasts an abundance of nature that the hospitality industry can greatly benefit from, especially as biophilia has increasingly become a popular travel trend.
Bordered by a lake and lily-dotted wetlands, Mangala Estate Boutique Resort is an eco luxury development erected on barren vegetation — the result of decades of mining activities — and chiefly built using sustainable materials to ensure a thorough environmentally friendly stay for design-conscious guests.
The premises were constructed in such a way that they will allow people to stay in and make full use of the surrounding spaces and facilities as much as they can. There are perfectly manicured gardens for a morning or evening stroll, private pools for a quick cardio exercise or a spa for relaxing massage sessions. Mangala Estate has not only commendably created an immersive holiday experience, but also brought life back into an abandoned mining site.
Immersing oneself in the culture and environment of the chosen holiday destination makes for a well-rounded trip. Situated on a stretch of Johor’s golden shores with the South China Sea on one side and lush jungle on the other, One&Only Desaru Coast is the ideal sanctuary for those who like their accommodation luxe and infused with personality.
Here, it is essential to bed up in one of the sumptuous suites, of which there are rainforest and ocean views to choose from. One-bedroom junior suites come with a private plunge pool, while the grand two-bedroom hideaways have their own lap pool, dining veranda and living space.
After a day of activities (golf at The Els Club, tennis and padel sessions with the resident PBI-certified coach or a silat masterclass, to name a few), dine by the sea at the acclaimed Ember Beach Club and end your day right with a nightcap at the Dusky Monkey bar.
Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
No matter where you go, opting for a Shangri-La hotel is always a step in the right direction. Luckily for those who are soon destined for Kota Kinabalu, the group’s sprawling Rasa Ria property awaits.
The 494 rooms are split between the Garden and Ocean wings. While all options promise ultra-cosy beds and decor, several of the suites, particularly the ones located in the latter compound, come with private soaking tubs from which one may take in the scenery of the verdant garden or invigorating blue waves.
To properly appreciate Sabah’s natural beauty, though, we recommend taking advantage of the resort’s many activities and attractions, such as a nature stroll at the 64-acre Rasa Ria Reserve, bird watching and practising your swing at the Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club.
This article first appeared on Aug 26, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
