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.

Passengers aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express by Belmond get the opportunity to travel in style and luxury on magical journeys throughout Southeast Asia with a range of trips; destinations include the buzzing cities of Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the breath-taking temples of Angkor Wat and the UNESCO world Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Aboard the train, guests enjoy every comfort, with three options of comfortable private cabins, each with its own en-suite facilities, not to mention the train’s rear carriage where travelers can enjoy views of the passing scenery by day and socializing with cocktails and entertainment come nightfall. Dining is a pleasure with breakfast in bed and a range of international cuisine served in the dining cars. The train’s bar car is open all hours for guests to relax, chat and enjoy a drink or two as the landscape slides by.

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).

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.