The Andaman Resort in Langkawi gives visitors an opportuntiy to reconnect with nature (Photo: The Andaman Resort, Langkawi)
Covid-19 has upended global travel, baffling eager travellers with endless questions and SOPs about how we can all fly again. The tourism industry has been hit the hardest when countries closed their borders, leaving planes grounded and airline staff jobless. But the good news is, you can still plan a vacation within Malaysia as interstate travel is now permitted under the recovery MCO.
Travelling in the new world will be different as more visitors prefer options that are not only closer to home but also safer. Plus, you don’t need the deepest pockets to seek out the most stylish pads – Malaysia is already home to some of most beautiful islands in the world. Here are a few luxury resorts to help you plan that long-awaited escapade.
Pangkor Laut Resort
Here’s the thing about Pangkor Laut Resort: no matter which new fancy hotel springs up around the island, this YTL institution indisputably remains one of most exclusive retreats of all time. For years, the pristine jungle habitat and tropical waters have played the perfect backdrop for a respite ensconced in nature away from the daily grind. To attract visitors to its premises again, the resort is offering ultimate flexibility (you can change your date up to seven times), accommodation, daily set breakfast for two persons, and a jungle walk with the hotel’s resident naturalist at just RM960++. Best of all, you’ll get a complimentary stay for every night you book with minimum of two-night stay.
Pangkor Laut Island, Perak. Call 03 2783 1000 or reserve online here. Promotion lasts until June 19. Bookings thereafter will enjoy 21% discount when you reserve 14 days in advance.
The Andaman Resort, Langkawi
For away from the tourist hotspots choked with motorbikes and crowd lies a jungle paradise that tunes you into nature. The Andaman is offering a quiet sanctuary amid sparkling limestone outcrops and lush greenery with a package that rejuvenates the mind and the body. Priced at RM1,888, the deal comes with a three-night stay in a Deluxe Rainforest Room, daily buffet breakfast for two, daily 60-minute traditional Malay massage for two, complimentary Biological Impedance Analysis and a holistic health consultation for 30 minutes.
Jalan Teluk Datai, Langkawi. Call 04 959 1088 or email [email protected] for reservations. Offer valid for stays from Jul 1 to Dec 31, 2020.
Japamala Resort, Tioman Island
With greenery stretching for miles below and a seaview that extends as far as the eye can see, Japamala Resort is a world away from the traffic-clogged streets around the island. The fashionably chic boutique resort is home to one of the country’s largest marine parks, teeming with sea turtles and aquatic life when the right season dawns. Avid divers should make full use of the 30% discount on accommodation – if you reserve directly with the resort – and book themselves an excursion to the coral-fringed island.
Kampung Lanting, Pahang. Email them at [email protected].
The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort
Too much screen time for anyone is bad, but the adverse effects are even more concerning for developing children. For a digital detox, consider taking your family to Redang Island, where sandy white beaches, turquoise waters and rich marine life await. With The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort’s two-night Family Getaway package, kids get to stay and eat for free. Each family will also get a coral reef and turtle snorkelling experience and witness the process of coral adoption. Drop the kids off at Jojo Playroom to enjoy two complimentary activities while you get some R&R and pick them up later for a buffet dinner.
Pulau Redang, Kuala Terengganu. Package starts from RM2,500 nett for two adults and two children. Offer valid until Dec 31, 2020 and stays until March 31, 2021. For reservations, email [email protected] or book online here.
Gaya Island Resort
Tucked amidst protected mangroves and sheltered coral reefs is Gaya Island Resort, an eco-luxury sanctuary set within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park off Kota Kinabalu. Residents of Malaysia are offered an exclusive villa package with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as speedboat transfers to and from the resort. Discover the best of Borneo with a complimentary nature walk guided by the resident naturalist, where you will learn about the conservation efforts carried out to preserve the natural environment and protect the island’s wildlife, including green sea turtles, proboscis monkeys, red giant flying squirrels and twilight fireflies.
Malohom Bay, Sabah. Offer valid until Dec 31, 2021. For reservations, email [email protected] or book online here.
Pom Pom Island Resort
After months of not seeing your friends, an adventurous trip might just be what your group needs to reconnect. Situated in the Celebes Sea northeast of Semporna, Pom Pom Island is famous for its pristine diving sites and rich marine biodiversity, with many rare and uncommon species only found within the coral triangle. The little atoll is also an important nesting and feeding site for green and hawksbill turtles, so visitors might get a chance to witness turtle eggs hatching if they’re lucky. Pom Pom Island Resort is offering a full board package for groups with land and boat transfers.
Semporna, Sabah. RM500 per person per night for group booking with minimum 20 adults. Offer valid until Dec 31, 2020. Call 03 7494 0433 to book.
