Jungles of Western Malaysia

Once a small tin mining outpost, in a mere 150 years Kuala Lumpur has blossomed into the capital and largest city of Malaysia with a thriving tourist industry and a multitude of other draws. Among these are one of the most lively nightlife scenes in all of Southeast Asia, some of the region’s best shopping, and abundant opportunities for unique culinary experiences. The Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur is situated in the heart of the city’s Golden Triangle district, placing it near some of KL’s (the city’s name is often shortened to “KL” by locals) most famous attractions. The awe-inspiring Petronas Towers can be seen stretching skyward within walking distance, and KLCC Park, with its well-manicured greenspaces and gushing fountains that glow multicolored at night, is also a short distance away. The Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur features 55 rooms and suites. Accommodations and facilities are styled with contemporary flair paired with a good measure of class and sophistication, as shades of cream and taupe complement elegant furnishings and hardwood or marble floors. The hotel also shines as a couples destination, with a number of available activities tailored toward lovebirds like a session at the couples’ spa treatment room or an arranged candlelit bath complete with rose petals and champagne.

A bustling metropolis with a name that translates to “muddy river confluence” in Malay, Kuala Lumpur is a capital city bearing wide international appeal and a healthy bit of flair. “KL,” as locals often call it, is an urban sightseer’s dream with its numerous shopping malls, museums, and architectural marvels. Those seeking an escape from the city, however, will be delighted to find several forest reserves nearby and other greenspace areas even within Kuala Lumpur that bring an opportunity to hike, see animals in their natural habitat, and find some tranquility. For luxury travelers seeking a five-star base from which to explore this fascinating city, the Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur exemplifies the height of panache lodgings with an ideal location in the midst of the Golden Triangle neighborhood, a shopping and entertainment hub located in the heart of the city. Within the Four Seasons, guests will find a wide array of rooms, suites, and even serviced apartments for extended-stay visitors. The hotel’s six on-site restaurants, lounges, and bars promise enough variety that guests may be tempted to never leave the hotel during their stay (despite the plethora of exotic and fine dining options surrounding the Four Seasons), and a full-service salon and spa is located on-site to serve all hair care and beauty needs.

The Mandarin Oriental is ideally situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur between the Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur City Center Park. The hotel has 643 rooms, including 41 suites, Mandarin Oriental Club floors, and 51 fully serviced apartments. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars, including Casbah, an Arabesque-style lounge, Lai Po Heen, a Chinese restaurant serving Cantonese cuisine, and Wasabi Bistro, a contemporary Californian-Japanese inspired restaurant. Amenities include two ballrooms and 16 function rooms, a business center, high-speed or wireless Internet access throughout the hotel, a spa with nine treatment rooms, a fitness center, an outdoor infinity pool, tennis courts and squash courts. The hotel is only approximately a 30-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur international airport (KUL).

Welcome to the enchanting Ye Olde Smokehouse, a delightful retreat on Fraser's Hill, three hours from Kuala Lumpur. Built like a traditional timber-framed English inn, this stunning hotel features open fireplaces and charming, lush gardens, as well as a large, 18-hole golf course just begging to be played. With just 16 suites and three private bungalows, the hotel is perfect for some well-deserved peace and quiet; guests can enjoy a hike in the surrounding areas and return to the hotel for a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant, where traditional menu items include Beef Wellington, Roast Duck, and Rainbow Trout. Afterward, guests may enjoy some cocktails or retire to their canopied or four-poster bed for a good night’s rest. 

Uniquely situated in a lush rainforest sanctuary, Mutiara Taman Negara Resort offers guests a unique window into a pristine tropical ecosystem and the opportunity to discover the wonders of an ancient forest. An eco-tourism destination, Mutiara offers a wide variety of accommodations and modern yet rustic comforts while maintaining its ecologically responsible mandate. Guests may wake to the hum of the cicada or the song of a foreign bird, as well as enjoying wildlife sightings from the comfort and safety of your room or balcony, all beneath the towering green canopy. A number of activities are available to guests, including night safaris, a suspended canopy walk and waterfall excursions. Guestrooms are fitted with tiled or wooden flooring; most rooms and chalets are made of natural timber. With a selection of different accommodation styles from tent to bungalow guests can expect a view either over looking the Tembeling River or a window into the lush green jungle. The Seri Mutiara Restaurant serves Malaysian delicacies and international favorites. 

The Cameron Highlands Resort is situated amid the lush environs of Malaysia’s largest hill station, named after William Cameron, a British Government surveyor who discovered the area in 1885 while on a mapping expedition. The resort, which looks out on the Cameron Highlands golf course, has won numerous awards from the travel industry and consumers alike, including recognition as one of the five best tea plantation hotels in the world by the U.K.’s Independent.

Its 56 rooms and suites are appointed with bespoke teak furniture in both traditional Malay and colonial styles, as well as silk accoutrements by the house of Jim Thompson, the American ex-C.I.A. officer who revitalized the Thai silk industry (and mysteriously disappeared in the highlands in 1967). All rooms have flat-screen TV with satellite channels and Internet. The Spa Village offers a customary variety of pampering health and beauty treatments, while guests can avail themselves of a modern fitness center as well as the aforementioned 18-hole professional golf course. Dining options include The Dining Room, offering a variety of all-day dining options with ingredients sourced from nearby farms; Gonbei, the only Japanese restaurant in the Highlands, which serves sashimi, soba, tempura and more and has an adjoining Sake Bar; and the Jim Thompson Tea Room. The Cameron Highlands Resort is a 3.5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, or a 90-minute drive from Sultan Azlan Shah airport.

Known as ‘nature’s gateway,’ the Belum Rainforest Resort is one of Malaysia’s premier eco-tourism destinations. Set in the Palau Banding rainforest, this resort is a rustic tropical paradise for nature lovers and holiday goers alike. Guests have the unique opportunity to explore the beauty and mystery of the vast jungle sitting just outside their doorstep. Thrilling outdoor activities await the adventure seeker from adrenaline pumping zip-lines to rejuvenating walks through the forest. The forest is home to 14 of the world’s most threatened mammals, including the Malaysian Tiger, Malaysian Sunbear, Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Asiatic Elephant, making Belum an ideal location for eco-tourism, education, exploration and research initiatives, all which support the conservation efforts of the area. Choose from deluxe suites to riverboat rooms, each with bright, modern design, impressive views and comfortable furnishings.

A historical property, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is reminiscent of British elegance during the colonial era while representing present-day Penang. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, the hotel boasts a stellar location, close to downtown Georgetown and the cultural, financial and historical districts are located. With 100 suites, the E&O boasts a 750-foot seafront promenade and facilities including a swimming pool, 24-hour room service, a fitness center, sauna, meeting rooms, a business center and fitness center. Dining options include The Starkles Corner, a casual restaurant serving international cuisine and 1885, a Western-style restaurant serving dinner and traditional English tea. The E&O Hotel is located approximately 20 minutes from the Penang International Airport.