Yonder
YonderYonderYonder
If The Datai’s considerable reputation has passed you by, then believe us, you’ve been missing out. It is situated deep in lush rainforest on the north-western tip of Langkawi in Malaysia and totally rewards the travelling. It’s a Yonder smash hit.
The Eastern and Oriental in Malaysia’s Penang – known simply as `the E&O’ to generations of travellers – has stood for well over a century as a testament to the grand elegance of the British colonial era. This remarkable hotel was founded by the brilliant Armenian Sarkies brothers (also behind grand colonial hotels in Yangon and Singapore).
This place is the embodiment of Penang in Malaysia. Located along the historic Macalister Road, it’s cool, arty and has fantastic food. What’s more, although it is set around a lovingly restored colonial mansion built in the early 1900, it has a quirky contemporary feel, although the love-them-or-hate-them art installations might come as a bit of a surprise.
The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur is every bit as perfect as you would expect from a brand of this standing. It’s big and opulent, if not a little shiny. And if you are going to stay somewhere shiny, you might as well fully embrace it. We always opt for a rather OTT arrival with our uniformed chauffeur, complete with cap, waiting at the airport to usher us into our waiting limousine, but not before we’ve refreshed with a cold towel and rehydrated with chilled water.
Every so often, when we wash up in a truly spectacular place, a desire to brandish a paintbrush suddenly comes over us. And Fur Seasons in Langkawi, Malaysia, one of those places. The scenery – a private white tropical beach, a translucent sea and a couple of islands against the blue, blue sky – is so perfect it can only be done justice through a painting. OK, it’s true, we’re no Gauguin – but the desire to capture the jaw-dropping vista is just too great to resist.
For a combination of privacy, elegance and just a touch of naughtiness, Villa Samadhi is the perfect choice. One of Kuala Lumpur’s best-kept secrets, it is hidden away in the upmarket embassy district yet only ten minutes from KL’s city centre attractions.
Pitching up at Villa Samadhi after a long haul flight helps reinvigorate mind and soul following your 12-hour date with the trolley service. But more than that, you’ll discover slipping between the soft linen sheets to be a miracle cure for the inevitable jetlag.