Kuala Lumpur

Originally built in 1904 as the official residence of the highest British representative to the Malay States, Carcosa Seri Negara is a hallmark of Malaysia’s colonial past. Restored as a boutique hotel, Carcosa Seri Negara has 13 elegant Victorian-styled suites set on a hill overlooking the infamous Lake Gardens. Each of the 13 suites is named after Malaysian states and has sizeable, tastefully appointed bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms and cozy sitting areas or verandas. Each is distinctive in style and offers a unique culturally inviting experience. In-suite amenities include mini-bar, television, surround sound systems, DVD and Internet access. There is a fitness center with a jogging track, tennis courts, and an outdoor pool. The business center offers photocopying services and wi-fi, which is also available in all public areas. Dining options include French cuisine in The Dining Room, which offers sweeping views of the gardens in the resort’s elegant dining room, fine Malay fare at The Gulai House, located on the veranda, and a bar and drawing room for tea and cocktails. The resort is approximately a one-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).

 

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.

 

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.

 

The Shangri La is ideally situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur near the Petronas Twin Towers. With 662 guestrooms and custom designed suites, each room offers modern amenities and contemporary decor, with beautiful views of the city. Facilities include a business center, clinic, conference facilities, complimentary shoeshine services, a hair/beauty salon, a gymnasium and health club, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and 24-hour room service. The Shangri La offers a number of dining options, including fresh sashimi at Zipangu, Cantonese cuisine at Shang Palace or international buffets at Lemon Garden Cafe.