ASIA MALAYSIA DESTINATIONS
FAR LEFT: The Datai Langkawi
LEFT: Street food in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia’s best. The trendy Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah make up the most developed stretch, while the sandy strips of Tanjung Rhu and Datai Bay – which also houses the Andaman resort – are more upscale. Bobbing around in the water with the mountains in view and a cocktail in hand, I couldn’t think of a better place to unwind.
with beautiful views over the ocean, which costs around £34. Outside the resort, the
Langkawi SkyBridge and SkyCab – one of the steepest cable cars in the world – deliver stunning panoramic views over the forest and ocean (from about £8.50). The island’s sweeping white- sand beaches also rank among
w KUALA LUMPUR Back in the capital and en route to our hotel we stopped for lunch at the Banana Leaf – a restaurant popular with locals – where we chose our favourite Indian dishes from a platter before they were piled high on our leaf ‘plates’. Indian, Chinese and Malay cuisines are most popular in the capital, and a city tour with Travels with Samadi – which runs guided tours around Kuala Lumpur and beyond – visits Chinatown, Little India and the
The island’s sweeping white-sand beaches rank among Malaysia’s best
Petronas Towers, for around £60. Alternatively, a Vespa street-food tour costs around £80. Sitting on a little stool at a
street-side stall, I was struck by the brilliant contrast a city-plus- beach break offers: fine dining on the edge of the rainforest overlooking a glorious bay one night, and mastering the art of eating fine noodles with chopsticks to the sounds of car horns the next. For yet another side of the
city, we arrived at the boutique Villa Samadhi. Its sizable rooms, furnished impeccably
with reclaimed wood and set around a tranquil swimming pool, transported me from the concrete jungle beyond the wall. This is a good option for clients seeking a base to explore the city, but also a resort to enjoy in itself – and the free cocktail hour each evening will be sure to relax travel-weary guests. It’s “a little bit of paradise in the middle of the city”, according to Sandbanks Travel owner Liz Mace. She says: “The breakfast and cocktails were exceptional. I would recommend it to older clientele or honeymooners with a bit more money.” No city stay is complete without viewing the Petronas Towers at night when they are lit up for the whole city to see. We went to rooftop bar Marini’s on 57, which has an unobstructed view of the towers. Kuala Lumpur is one of those cities that rewards a little bit
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