Cosmopolitan capital Kuala Lumpur, scenic tropical islands and the jungles of Borneo combine to give Malaysia a great sense of variety. Populated by a blend of Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous groups their traditions intertwine to create a captivating cultural harmony.
Langkawi island blends sweeping beaches with emerald rainforest, offering a rare mix of barefoot luxury and tropical nature in perfect balance.
Borneo promises extraordinary encounters, from tracking orangutans in ancient jungle to snorkelling coral reefs in tropical waters.
Malaysia’s multi-cultural European, Chinese and Malay history can be experienced in hip towns like Georgetown and Malacca.
With inviting weather throughout the year, Malaysia suits every season. Visit peninsular Malaysia from November to March and Borneo from April to September.
Kuala Lumpur is a true foodie destination. Take a guided street food tour to taste aromatic curries, Chinese dishes and the popular laksa. Then enjoy a rooftop cocktail above the KL skyline.
Malaysia is a country of two halves. On one side of the South China Sea lies the Malay Peninsula, where most of the population lives. Here, the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur provide a striking contrast to the tea plantations of the cool Cameron Highlands and the quiet beaches of the east coast and Perhentian Islands, on which leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs. Some of the world’s best resorts can be found on the islands of Langkawi and Penang, while mercantile Malacca still carries many reminders of its former trading heyday.
The other half of the country is on the northern part of the island of Borneo, where the states of Sabah and Sarawak are home to mighty Mount Kinabalu, not to mention some of the world’s oldest rainforest, greatest dive sites and rarest wildlife, including the iconic orangutan.
The western coast of Malaysia, which includes Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, is warm and humid year round and sunniest from December to March. Visiting Malaysian Borneo between March and October helps to avoid the rainy season but, with a tropical climate, a mix of sunshine and rain occurs throughout the year in Malaysia.
Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast is a distinctive tropical sanctuary set between the rainforest and the sweeping beaches of the South China Sea. A short hop from Singapore on the tip of the Malay peninsula, the resort blends exclusive tropical-modernist architecture and stylings with 128-wildlife-filled acres near the tip of the Malay Peninsula, perfectly poised between the South China Sea and swathes of thick jungle.
Borneo Eagle Resort is an exclusive hideaway on Pulau Tiga, off Sabah’s west coast. Its 13 oceanfront villas sit by coral-rich waters and surrounding nature, supported by the hotel’s commitment to ongoing conservation initiatives.
Bungaraya Island Resort sits on the northern edge of Gaya Island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. Accessible only by boat, it is surrounded by protected rainforest and fronts a quiet, curved beach overlooking the South China Sea, where the resort focuses its conservation efforts both above and below the waterline.
Occupying a prime position close to the Petronas Twin Towers and the green space of the KLCC, the Four Seasons sets the standard for luxury and style in Kuala Lumpur. A signature of the hotel is Bar Trigona, one of Asia's best bars with extraordinary city views by day and especially at night.
Surrounded by ancient rainforests and sweeping coastal views of the Andaman Sea, this fresh and contemporary resort offers guests the opportunity to experience the unique culture and natural beauty of Langkawi while also enjoying the many perks of a Ritz-Carlton.
Hidden amidst ancient rainforest on a crescent of golden sand, The Datai Langkawi is a luxurious hideaway offering pure escapism. Guests relax on the beach or in the spa, explore land and sea with resident naturalists and marine biologists, or play The Els Club Teluk Datai golf course set between jungle, mountains and ocean.