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Malaysia is a land of great contrasts: from the lush forests of Borneo to the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur; from secret island resorts to some of the most popular dishes in the world. This variety often throws up surprising combinations like Penang’s thriving street art going hand-in-hand with flavour-packed street food like char kway teow. You have the luxury of five-star resorts on the doorstep of jungles so wild they are home to wildlife encounters like the world-famous orangutans.
This is a country that is packed with family fun at theme parks and offers couples retreats that specialise in fine dining, soaring skyscrapers and intimate boutique stays. Malaysia is a destination that can still surprise and excite travellers looking for luxury with a little bit of surrealism on the side.
Intimate island adventures
You don’t always think of private island getaways or overwater bungalows when you think of Malaysia, but there are plenty of coastal escapes on offer. Cove 55 is located in the wild rainforest at the base of Mount Santubong and was once the holiday home of the regal Iban family. It has now been transformed into overwater luxury with 13 rooms, two suites and 13 villas. Here you can see the orangutans at Semenggoh Nature Reserve, catch a boat to untamed Satang Island or go on a Wetlands Wildlife Cruise to discover proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and Irrawaddy river dolphins.
At Gaya Island Resort guests can stay amongst protected mangroves and sheltered reefs on an island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Human activities have been heavily restricted in this park making what is one of the world’s most authentic natural getaways.
Meanwhile at Tanjong Jara Resort you will find a private island dedicated to showing guests the traditional Malay way of life from cultural experiences to cooking classes and local dishes eaten by candlelight, right on rocks facing the resort’s crescent-shaped beach.
Exciting family outings
Sunway Resort Hotel, just outside Kuala Lumpur, is the perfect base for families. This mega-resort has sumptuous rooms as part of an entertainment complex that combines a water park, amusement park, wildlife park, an “extreme” park and a “scream park”. For the adults there is a health club, a medi-spa and loads of shopping. You could spend days here in family luxury.
In southern Malaysia, the LEGOLAND hotel is kiddie heaven, where your children can sleep in bunks surrounded by LEGO creatures, giant LEGO blocks and the stays are themed Pirate, Kingdom or Adventure. Breakfast might see a visit from a LEGO mini-figurine brought to life, a giant chocolate fountain and plenty of other morning excitement. Then head to the LEGOLAND park for rides and family fun or the LEGOLAND water park to float along the lazy river and ride thrilling water slides.
ESCAPE parks is another exciting family offering with sites across Malaysia in Putrajaya, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Penang and Petaling Jaya. Here your kids can swing from trapezes, take part in water sports like pedal boats and stand-up paddleboarding or “go ape” with exciting tree climbs.
A town packed with big flavours
The colourful Peranakan-influenced town of Penang is home to some of the most famous street food on the planet. It’s assam laksa is a tangy seafood soup, while char kway teow is a spicy tangle of thick rice noodles packed full of wok-hei smokiness, and the nasi lemak is the type of street food that people fly thousands of miles to try.
Much of this nonya cuisine is a blend of Malay, Chinese and Thai influences but real food lovers head for Jawi Peranakan cuisine which is an exploration of Indian-Muslim food that combines Tamil, Pakistani, Persian and Malay flavours.
Stroll the bright, mural-covered streets and stop in at the hawker centres to experience some of the best tasting fusion food you will ever eat.
This article was originally featured in the ninth issue of Dream by Luxury Escapes magazine. Get your copy of our next issue here.
