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.

Set on blissful Tanjung Rhu, one of the island’s finest beaches, the Four Seasons Langkawi brings the brand’s trademark luxury to the island. The resort comprises pavilions and villas incorporating recently redesigned by designer Bill Bensley and team. All feature DVD/CD players, satellite televisions, Internet access, tea/coffee maker, in-room safe, and telephones. The Four Seasons hosts a series of first-class restaurants, including Serai, an open-air restaurant which serves Italian delicacies made from fresh, local produce; Ikan-Ikan, a Malay restaurant modeled after a traditional Malaysian home; and Kelapa Grill, an eclectic, beach-side eatery serving wood-fired pizza, stir-fries, and barbecue. Amenities include an all-day business center, a fitness center, two outdoor swimming pools, and a comprehensive spa offering an assortment of treatments. The Four Seasons lies twenty-two minutes from Kuah, the main town of Langkawi, and approximately twenty-five minutes from Langkawi International Airport (LGK).

Gaya Island Resort is situated off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in Borneo, Malaysia. Located in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a marine conservation area, the resort rests on the largest of five islands; Pulau Gaya. The area is characterized by its clear waters, rich coral beds, rainforests and white powdery beaches. The transfer time from Kota Kinabalu airport is approximately 30 minutes via road and speedboat. The resort was attentively designed to harmonize with its serene location overlooking spectacular views of Borneo's Mount Kinabalu. There are a total of 120 spacious villas. Rooms are luxurious and fitted with all modern conveniences, including WiFi. There is a broad range of onsite dining options including Asian, Western and Mediterranean cuisine, a fresh seafood restaurant (adult only), a bakery and a relaxing lounge bar. The resort’s activity list engages guests with local nature and culture, as well as indulging the senses. Activities include forest trails, yoga, meditation, snorkeling, diving, fishing, story telling, cooking, handicrafts, dance, day trips and more. Other facilities include a spa, swimming pools, shop, library and gymnasium.

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).

One&Only Desaru Coast is a secluded beachfront resort hidden within rainforest that fringes white sands and the lapping South China Sea. Designed by the award-winning Kerry Hill Architects, the property is comprised of 42 suites, two grand suites and one four-bedroom villa, all of which come with private plunge pools. There are also private homes available. Befitting the serene location, hotel amenities are focused primarily around wellness: the Chenot Spa (offering Western and holistic medicine practices as well as pampering treatments), the Pedi and Mani Studio by Bastien Gonzalez, a comprehensive fitness center with a specialist Pilates studio and a multi-court, a sea-facing yoga pavilion and a 50-meter infinity pool. Other hotel facilities include the KidsOnly club for youngsters and One Tribe space for teenagers, plus events spaces and conference rooms. In addition, One&Only guests have access to The Els Club Desaru Coast Golf Course nearby. For dining, guests can enjoy Mediterranean flavors at Ambara, Japanese cuisine at Hoshi, signature afternoon tea at Dusky Monkey, Malaysian-inspired drinks at Essential and Asian barbecue at Ember Beach Club, though there are also private dining experiences for those celebrating something special.

Pangkor Laut is a privately owned island located three miles off the west coast of Malaysia, along the Straits of Malacca. Of the island’s 300 acres, only a fraction has been developed to house the resort’s villas and suites (as well as eight “estates,” private beach houses that are set on a small, secluded cove). The resort has 142 villas and suites, many of which stand on stilts above the sea. Villas set on a garden, beach, or hill feature oversize tubs in a private courtyard or a rain shower next to the rainforest. The resort’s premier accommodation is the two-bedroom Pavarotti Suite, set high on a hill and named after the world-renowned tenor who fell in love with the island. Each accommodation offers modern comforts with traditional touches. The Spa Village located onsite features an extensive range of Asian-inspired treatments. Other facilities include the hotel’s two outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, three tennis courts and a squash court. Seven restaurants and bars make up the dining scene, serving a wide range of cuisines from traditional Nyonya to Italian. Pangkor Laut Resort is approximately a 3 hour 30 minute drive from central Kuala Lumpur followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride to the island. Alternatively, helicopter charters are available from Subang Airport in Subang, Malaysia, with an approximate flight time of one hour.

Surrounded by 400 acres of lush tropical vegetation, some of which is in a nature reserve, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria is set on a beach looking out onto Dalit Bay. The resort’s 490 rooms, all featuring traditional Malaysian decor, complimentary broadband Internet access and cable television, are divided between the freshly renovated Garden Wing and the new Ocean Wing. Visitors should note that the Rasa Ria resort also operates an adjoining nature reserve and orangutan rehabilitation center. Some of the wildlife inhabiting the reserve include the icon of Sabah, the orangutan, as well as various hornbill bird species, peacocks, bear cats, wild rabbits, iguanas and more. A highlight of the resort’s recreational offerings is the tandem 18-hole Dalit Bay Golf Club & Spa. Dining options include Tepi Laut Makan Street, conjuring the delectable world of Malaysian street food stalls; Kozan for Japanese teppan-yaki (hot-plate grilled dishes); Naan, which serves northern Indian cuisine; and several terrace bar/lounge options. The Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort is a 40-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and about 30 minutes north of Kota Kinabalu town.

Located just 10 minutes from the center of Kota Kinabalu, the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort’s 492 rooms are divided between two wings – the Kinabalu Wing, with views of the ocean and Mt. Kinabalu, and the Tanjung Wing, with views of the South China Sea. All rooms come with complimentary broadband Internet access and satellite television. Dining options include Café Tatu for breakfast and dinner, where a variety of open cooking stations offer Mongolian, Tandoori, Asian noodles, dim sum, pasta, and more; Coco Joe’s Bar & Grill, a beach barbecue restaurant; Peppino for Italian and Mediterranean in a chic setting; and Shang Palace for gourmet, traditional Chinese. There are also three bar/lounge options. The property’s CHI Spa comprises five individual Island Villas, three Couples’ Villas and an open Yoga Pavilion, all located on Pulau Bayu, the resort’s private island, and there is also a state-of-the-art health club with juice bar and sauna. The Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort is a 10-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu Airport.

Perhaps the most luxurious resort on Langkawi, the Datai Langkawi is surrounded by dense rainforest, its sleek architecture blending seamlessly into its surroundings. Each of the Datai’s 124 rooms, villas, and suites features satellite television, DVD player, hairdryers, telephones, air-conditioning, and in-room safes. All accommodations are decorated in rich colors, with deep brown timber, cream-colored walls and plenty of windows for views of the verdant surroundings.

The Datai’s restaurants include the Pavilion, which serves authentic Thai cuisine in the canopy of the rainforest; the Dining Room, which offers western specialties and Malaysian dishes; the Beach Club, which offers a dining venue with unobstructed views of the aquamarine waters of the Andaman Sea. There are a wealth of amenities available, including a world-class spa in an open-air pavilion, two swimming pools, two tennis courts, mountain biking facilities, water sports facilities, a well-equipped fitness center and an 18-hole championship golf course. There is no business center, although Internet access is available in the hotel’s library. The Datai is 30 minutes from Langkawi International Airport (LGK).