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Malaysia

A former British colony, Malaysia is now a modern, multicultural and wealthy constitutional monarchy, with its capital, the high-tech city of Kuala Lumpur (KL), located on peninsular Malaysia. The nation, including the more remote parts of Sarawak and Sabah, is host to a variety of diverse cultures and ethnicities and both modern and traditional lifestyles. The cuisine is amongst the tastiest in Asia. In addition to its cultural appeal, Malaysia lures travelers with white, sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs, dense jungles, high mountains and tropical rainforests.

Diverse yet unified, Malaysia is a world unto itself. Destinations include Kuala Lumpur, (Batu Caves, Hindu shrines, Petronas Towers, Masjid Jamek mosque, British colonial architecture) Bako National Park (hiking, photography, monkeys), Borneo (Kuching boasts roaring rapids, picnics on the beach and the Orang Ulu tribal people), Kapit (the fierce Sea Dyak headhunters, rapids and rainforests), Mabul and Sipadan Islands (diving, tropical fish), Turtle Island (watch giant turtles lay their eggs), Kudat (Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and Sukau) and Kota Kinabalu (Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park and the 13,000-foot Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea).

Classic Malaysian Borneo starting at $7,100 per person

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Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur

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.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur

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.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Four Seasons Langkawi

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).

PREFERRED HOTEL

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

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).

PREFERRED HOTEL

Pangkor Laut

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.

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TRAVELOGUES

Girls’ Getaway Guide to Kota Kinabalu

Author : Nicole Leigh West

Kota Kinabalu isn’t just about the mountain. It's jungle, paradise islands, and luxe resorts on the doorstep of a rapidly transforming city.

Go Borneo: Exploring the most Exciting Island in Southeast Asia with Remote Lands

Author : Travelogues

For the traveler who likes a little luxury with their adventure, these itineraries from Remote Lands offer a Borneo experience like no other.

Sabah and the Tribes of Malaysian Borneo

Author : Nam Cheah

From the headhunting history of the Murut and the communal Rungus farms to the sea gypsy ways of the Bajau, Malaysian Borneo is awash in tribal cultures.

Ipoh: What to do in Malaysia’s Next Big Destination

Author : Zinara Rathnayake

It's a little bit Penang, a little bit Cameron Highlands, and a little bit something new. Ipoh is a transitional destination on peninsular Malaysia worth a visit.

Inside the Blue Mansion of Penang

Author : John McMahon

Cheong Fatt Tze’s Blue Mansion in Penang – recently garnering fame for its role in Crazy Rich Asians – is a blend of cultures, an architectural curiosity, and a luxury hotel in the heart of George Town.

Taking Your Ultra-Luxe Singapore Grand Prix to the Next Level

Author : Travelogues

Yes, you'll sip champagne through a 61-lap sporting extravaganza and, yes, you'll meet Singapore Grand Prix crew and drivers and sleep in ultra-luxe hotels – but what then? Well, Remote Lands has a few suggestions on that front.