Malaysia 2024
A quick look back at my recent trip to Malaysia reveals a delightful and enriching journey, venturing to both Kuala Lumpur and Penang for a truly relaxing getaway. The trip was split between an enjoyable and memorable four days spent at the luxurious JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur and the vibrant Hard Rock Hotel Resort in Penang. The JW Marriott is conveniently located in the bustling Bukit Bintang area, right across from the renowned Pavilion shopping centre, which makes it an excellent base for any traveler. I cannot rate this hotel more highly, as the location was absolutely fantastic for exploring the city and all its offerings. We found ourselves surrounded by numerous shopping centres, all within a pleasant walking distance, with the vibrant Jalan Alor just a short stroll away, plus an MRT station conveniently located within easy reach for seamless travel around Kuala Lumpur.
To get from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the heart of KL, we decided to splurge a little and purchase the VIP pass on the KL Ekspres, as it meant fully chauffeured transfers from the arrivals hall to our hotel. This luxurious service included our own private seats on the KL Ekspres train and a private car transfer once we arrived at KL Sentral, which is the main train station in KL. This was undeniably the most stress-free transfer I think I have ever experienced when traveling. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to purchase the return trip back to KLIA when leaving for Penang.
After an enjoyable few days exploring the vibrant streets and attractions of Kuala Lumpur, it was time for our next adventure in Penang. We boarded Batik Airways on flight OD2104, where a Business Class option was offered at a price I simply couldn’t say no to, so we decided to spoil ourselves a little. The flight was very enjoyable, accompanied by a very attentive crew on the short one-hour flight, and a light meal was served on this delightful lunchtime journey.
Once in Penang, we enjoyed a few wonderfully relaxing days spent by the poolside, basking in the warm weather and sipping refreshing drinks at the swim-up bar located at the Hard Rock Hotel Resort. After inquiring with the friendly hotel staff for some local dinner recommendations, we were enthusiastically advised to visit the Long Beach Café at Batu Ferringhi, a true local hawker centre that is known for serving up some of the best Asian delights in the area. Here, we indulged in a myriad of flavors, including delicious noodles, tantalizing satays, crispy roti, and rich curries.
We also embarked on our fourth 'A Chef’s Tour' food tour, which I cannot recommend highly enough. These food tours are led by an experienced local guide, who takes you to all the hidden culinary gems and charming eateries that I wouldn’t normally explore on my own. On this enlightening tour, we had the opportunity to sample a large number of remarkable dishes—fourteen, to be exact. By the end of the tour, we were delightfully full and satisfied. The array of dishes we tried ranged from delectable local Malay desserts to a variety of Indian snacks, such as crispy samosas and spiced yogurt Dahi Puri, alongside Chinese favorites like Char Ho Fun and sweet rice cakes that melted in our mouths.
We rounded out our stay in Penang with a private City Tour organized by the Hard Rock Resort, which allowed us to relax as we were entrusted to a knowledgeable local tour guide who took us to some of the main attractions throughout Penang. The key destinations on our itinerary included the famous Thai and Burmese Buddhist temples that are located right in the vibrant heart of Georgetown, the scenic Penang Hill, and a leisurely drive around George Town, where we admired some of the stunning and intricate street art that adorns the walls of the city. For our journey up Penang Hill, we opted for the unconventional route; while most visitors typically take the familiar funicular train, we chose a more thrilling and adventurous option—riding in a Jeep, ( in this case a Toyota Hilux). With a local driver guiding us, we wound our way up the hill, enjoying a ride that felt reminiscent of a roller-coaster experience. This was an unforgettable experience for those who enjoy a thrill and are seeking something out of the ordinary.
Some of my key highlights include:
Jalan Alor - Kuala Lumpur Food Street
Pavilion Shopping centre
Kuala Lumpur Chinatown
Genting’s Highlands (Theme park and Cable Car ride)
KLCC (KLCC Mall and Petronas Twin Towers)
Long Beach Café - Bata Ferringi
A Chef’s Tour - Penang Plates
Penang City Tour, visiting Penang Hill, Penang Thai Buddhist Temple, Upside Down Museum and Penang Street Art.
