Penang
WHY GO? Enjoy a weekend stay and indulge in fabulous food, plenty of relaxation and a myriad of shopping experiences.
WHAT TO DO
Parasail and Jet Ski on Batu Feringgi Beach, go jungle trekking, visit Georgetown for a sense of history, or just laze around with a good book.
Check out Chi, the spa at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa. Recently built as part of the RM100 million upgrade of the hotel, Chi offers signature therapies based on the five elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth. Ambience is special but treatments are pricey. We opted for the Chi Balance massage treatment at RM400 ($200). The promised 90 minutes of relaxation unfortunately included the time spent in a suggested steam session and shower, cutting actual pampering time by half an hour.
If shopping's your thing you'll find imitation goods and souvenirs aplenty at Union Market and the pasar malam (night market) along Batu Ferringhi. Otherwise, head to Gurney Plaza for designer labels and check out the recently opened Queensbay Mall on your way to the airport - it's huge! For authentic treasures, head to Chinatown near Campbell Road and walk on to Little India near Lebuh Queen and Lebuh Chulia, before visiting Jalan Pintai Ali or Rope Street for antique porcelain, clocks, light fittings and more.
EAT Eating is the premier pastime in Penang and with good reason. The state is well known for its delicious cuisine, a legacy of the high numbers of Hokkien people who settled here. Check out the rows of hawker stalls along Gurney Drive, Swatow Lane and Brown Gardens Hawker Centre on the junction of Anson and Perak Road. For finer dining stick to the hotels. At Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, the Feringgi Grill offers steaks and silver service while the Spice Market Café has a very extensive, contemporary buffet. Another option for a refined meal is The 1885 at the stunning Eastern & Oriental Hotel - colonial ambience at its best.
STAY As a result of the extremely generous budget spent on the refurbishment of the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa (www.shangri-la.com), it certainly rates as Penang's most luxurious property. Existing structures have been reworked to offer incredibly spacious rooms, with an entire block torn down just to make way for Chi spa. In the Rasa (club) wing, plush carpets, tactile furnishings, an extremely roomy shower with no less than four showerheads and complimentary butler-drawn baths in a tub built for two certainly provide comfort - and plenty of opportunity for romance. Rasa wing privileges include a la carte breakfast, alcoholic beverages served in the lounge from 11am to 7:30pm, daily high tea, wireless internet access, usage of meeting rooms and refreshments served throughout the day. Those holidaying with children may feel more relaxed at Shangri-La's Golden Sands Resort, known for its family-friendly approach. For colonial old world glamour, head to the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (www.e-o-hotel.com), located in Georgetown and minutes from downtown shopping and entertainment options.
WHEN TO GO Temperatures vary between 21°C and 32°C with the wettest months being August to November.
GETTING THERE Singapore Airlines (http://www.singaporeair.com/) offers daily 90-minute flights. Remember, Langkawi is just a two-hour ferry ride or 25 minute flight on from Penang if you want to combine two destinations.
Tibetan treasures in KL
To source Tibetan artworks closer to home, visit Sacred Citadel when you're next in Kuala Lumpur. This eclectic gallery has the blessing of the Dalai Lama and offers a substantial collection of authentic pieces created by remote Tibetan settlements, including carved and painted furniture, hand-woven carpets, prayer wheels, thangkas, silk appliqué bedding, singing bowls and ornaments. There's a five-month waiting list for customised items and owner Dr Premendra Y Verma is only too happy to share his knowledge of this special part of the world with interested visitors. 44-A, 1st Floor, Jalan Telawi 5, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 02 03 2284 8412/02 012 906 5966, Web: www.sacredcitadel.com.
Spend two nights at the Metropolitan Bangkok this Valentine's Day with room packages from US$350 inclusive of a candlelit dinner, 90-minute massage and scrub for two, bottle of Champagne, chocolates, daily breakfast, round-trip limousine airport transfers and access to the gym, hydro pool, steam rooms and lap pool. Tel: +66 2625 3388, Web: http://metropolitan.como.bz.
From February 10 to 28 Victoria Hotels & Resorts in Vietnam are offering four-day, three-night packages starting from US$175 per person at any of their luxurious properties in Sapa, the Mekong Delta, Hoi An and Phan Thiet. Web: www.victoriahotels-asia.com.
Situated on a beautiful beachfront between the traditional Thai resort towns of Cha Am and Hua Hin in Thailand, Veranda Resort and Spa is offering two nights stay in a brand new Jacuzzi sea view room from February 15 to 21 at 19,600 Baht inclusive of daily breakfast and round-trip transfers from Bangkok airport. This boutique resort presents modern Asian architecture, contemporary Thai décor and a relaxing spa. Tel: +66 32 709 000, Web: www.verandaresortandspa.com, Email: rsvn@verandaresortandspa.com.
Stay in a private villa at Bintan Lagoon Resort from February 11 to 24 from $450 per night for four people. Play golf at either of the Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch 18-hole courses and choose from 12 wine and dine options. Tel: 6223 3223, Web: www.bintanlagoon.com.
Club Med is offering seven-night ski holidays at more than 20 ski resorts in France and Switzerland from just $2,170. Value-for-money packages include accommodation, meals, all-day and all-night drinks and snacks, plus ski passes and lessons. Tel: 1800 258 2633, Web: www.clubmed.com.sg.
