Jul
15
Where to stay in Perhentian - the Impiani Watercolours Resort
Filed Under Asia, Malaysia | Leave a Comment
The Impiani resort is probably the most luxurious resort on Pulau Perhentian Kechil, off the northeastern coast the the Western Malaysian peninsula. Long known as a haven for the backpacking diver crowd, it has changed little in the last 20 years and retains the rustic, idyllic charm and peaceful ambience. Which means no television, no cable, no internet.
But this resort, built along a hillside, extending from the beach up the hill, boasts octagonal cottages which boast beautiful views and privacy, with most cottages boasting french doors that open up to your own personal terrace. The toilets are modest but functional. And the lack of television means you’ll have all the time in the world to engage your partner, or tan by the beach, even swim in the crystal clear waters.
The resort restaurant serves piping hot fresh food that has more than a hint of home cooking, which is not a bad thing. It’s not overspiced, there’s no hint of artificial seasoning and the beautiful panoramic view of Coral beach and the whiff of salt on the sea breeze can really lull one into that vacationing mood. Plus the bbq every other night really makes one never want to leave.
The resort boasts it’s own resident PADI accredited dive centre, the Watercolours Dive Centre, which is known for the small size of it’s classes and the instructor’s excellent knowledge of the surrounding waters.
There’s no roads to speak of on the island. There is a network of trails which leads to the Fisherman’s village, where the locals reside, and Long beach, where most of the resorts on Pulau Perhentian Kechil are, and where most of the buzz is. Most people would opt to take the water taxis between beaches, but beware, there’s little light after sun-down, and in inclement weather, the water taxi service can be cancelled, and if you’re having dinner on long beach, do remember to make your way back before sun-down or risk getting stranded on Long beach.
All in all, this resort holds a special place in my heart, for an unforgetable vacation, and being the outdoorsy kind who loves a little pampering after sundown, you would love it too.
Watercoloursworld.com - Operator or the Impiani Watercolours resort.
Oct
24
Pangkor Laut Resort
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View from the pool of Pangkor Laut Resort.
Pangkor Laut Beach Resort and Spa, voted ‘Number One in the World’ and top of the ‘Best Overseas Destination Spa’ category of the Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards is one fancy and luxurious resort.
Boasting a luxurious Spa Village to spoil you silly, Pangkor Laut is situated on its very own private island ( Pulau Pangkor ) with lush, untouched forest greenery. Situated in a sheltered cove, visitors get a choice of a villa sited over the sea, by the beach or on the hill, each elegantly designed and furnished.
Each villa boasts a private balcony with cushioned deck chairs, luxuriously furnished spacious interiors, and oversized tubs. Designed specifically for two guests to a villa, this is an ideal romantic getaway for those who can afford the price.
Prices are guaranteed to set you back around USD 200 for a hill villa to USD 450 for a spa villa.
The Spa Village and Spa treatments
Yet those who come here, are here to relax. Most take advantage of the spa treatments, which begin with the unique Bath House Ritual, representing various bathing traditions from around Asia.
This starts with a foot bath and an invigorating Chinese Foot Pounding, previously only enjoyed by the concubines of feudal China.
From there, visitors are escorted to the Bath Houses to enjoy the traditional Malay “circulating†bath, from when villagers bathed in streams or rivers, and a Japanese-style cleansing with a “goshi-goshiâ€â€ cloth, followed by a dip in the heated Rotenburu pool.
After that, visitors enjoy the signature Shanghai Scrub, gently exfoliating and washing in the private scrub house. In Shanghai, this was traditionally offered exclusively to males.
This is followed by a cup of calming tea in our tranquil surroundings before visitors get to select their spa treatment of choice, ranging from traditional chinese and Ayurvedic treatments.
Awards
In obtaining top place at the Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards, Pangkor Laut Resort took honours over prominent names such as Hotel Cipriani, Venice; Sandy Lane, Barbados; Four Seasons Hotel, New York; Begawan Giri Estate, Bali; the Aman resorts including Amanjena; Amanpuri and Amankila; Four Seasons Resort Maldives; Shangri-La, Singapore; well as Hotel Arts, Barcelona.
In the ‘Best Overseas Destination Spa’ category, Pangkor Laut Resort’s luxurious Spa Village outshone Ananda in the Himalayas, India; Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Thailand; LaSource, Granada; Cal-a-Vie, California; and Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland. . The Spa Village, which opened its doors last year, scored an impressive 85 points and above for all nine categories with the highest rank for its range of treatments.
