Dazzling Malaysia

There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that after you have jetted into Kuala Lumpur on your long-haul flight, you’ll be whisked away by a waiting chauffeur. Your destination is Villa Samadhi, a super sensual little boutique hotel in the leafy embassy district. From here, you can set out to explore thronging KL. Whilst it is the Petronas Towers that dominate the skyline, at ground level you experience the the juxtaposition of the old Malay and colonial era buildings being dwarfed by modern skyscrapers. A walk through Chinatown, with its smells and colours, will ignite your senses and even if retail therapy is not your thing, just seeing the massive KLCC mall is an experience. The Batu caves outside town are an extraordinary sight but you’ll need your walking shoes on to climb the 272 steps.

It’s a short flight from KL to the island of Penang; its not dissimilar in time to the transfer on arrival from the aiport to the UNESCO world heritage site of Georgetown. Over the course of more than a century, the check-in procedure at the magnificent Eastern & Oriental hotel that been honed to perfection. The doormen in their pith helmets will help you through the old revolving door.  You’ll soon be settled into your suite and enjoying the grace and splendour of a bygone era. Refreshed, you can go out on foot with your Yonder guide to explore the streets, lanes and many hidden delights of Georgetown.

Finally the picture perfect beaches of Langkawi are in sight. Another short flight and you’ll soon feel the powdery white sand between your toes. Your destination is Datai Bay on the northwestern tip of Palau Langkawi. You’ll take up residence in the Datai for the next nine nights, relishing the endless relaxation and hedonistic pleasures surrounded by Mother Nature’s ancient rainforest and teeming seas. This is lazy lounging at its most sophisticated.