Zerotwonine

Yesterday, on 029’s Facebook Fan Page, I started a discussion about what the best island was. And the response was overwhelming. From the Galapagos to Greenland, Bahamas to Bora Bora - it seems that the majority of our members are partial to turquoise blue waters and white/golden sandy beaches.

Since there is nothing better than looking at beautiful beach pictures, let me direct your attention to the Best Beaches in Malaysia courtesy of our Malaysian beach experts at the Frog & Princess blog. And as Princess is a Malaysian herself, travel connoisseur and diving enthusiast, you can be sure that she knows exactly what she is talking about.

So let’s here it for paradise, Malaysian style!

Best Beaches in Malaysia

It’s la rentrée in France, the big return to the office after the long summer break. Depressed, as the grey Autumn weather falls, the last thing we want to do is think about work.  So what could be better than plan for your next vacation – Christmas! So here to help out my friends (many of you keep asking) are some tantalizing, exotic beach destinations in Malaysia for you to dream.  Just check Monsoon season as West Coast Malaysia is best November – February whilst East Coast Malaysia is best April – September.

Perhentian Islands

North East Terengganu of East Coast Malaysia is sublime. Pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters that would make Leo (di Caprio) rethink twice of filming The Beach in Thailand. Seriously unrivalled diving in the region, the two islands are dotted with rustic beach huts and has become the number one destination for beach lovers and backpackers around the world. The location is so amazing you’ll forgive for the lack of luxury hotels. Just suck it up and dive into paradise.

Redang Island

Another diving hot spot in Terengganu, that’s not far from Perhentian. One of the largest and most beautiful of the east coast islands, Redang is also the most developed. Redang Archipelago is made of 9 islands that together constitute a protected marine park. With crystal clear waters and some of Malaysia’s best coral reefs, the island offers excellent diving and snorkelling.

Langkawi Island

Made up of 99 islands, Langkawi (duty free island) has now been given geopark status by UNESCO. Langkawi is the easiest to access of all the islands (40 mins direct flights from KL) with gorgeous sandy beaches. Boasting some of the most luxurious hotels, such as Four Seasons, The Datai, Westin, The Andaman, Casa del Mar etc you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Pangkor Laut Island

It’s not the main Pangkor island I’d recommend but Pangkor Laut Resort – a top notch 5star luxury hotel alone on an island. Voted as best romantic hotel, best spa, best hotel in Malaysia – Pangkor Island Resort is the ideal romantic getaway. Book for the Spa Village Villa, on stilts in the middle of the ocean and you’ll forget easily the real world. Heaven.

Tioman Islands

The largest of Malaysia’s east coast islands, Tioman is famed for its soft, sandy beaches, warm waters and coral reef. Most of the resorts are strung out on isolated bays along the western coast. Diving and snorkelling is excellent but also jungle hiking and sunbathing. Best luxury hotel is Japamala resort – to simply die for!

Rawa Island

Not far from Tioman, the privately owned island of Rawa is surrounded by sugary sands and transparent waters. There’s only one place to stay on the island but worth if you’re looking for the charming rustic feel.

Sipadan Island

Leaving the best til last, rated among the wold’s top 5 dive sites, Sipadan is fringed with white, sandy beaches. Surrounding the island is stunning coral reef teeming with over 3000 species of marine life and sightings of sharks, barracudas, turtles and manta rays are also common. Located in Sabah, Borneo in Malaysia – this is a true paradise delight.

Malaysia – truly Asia! See you soon folks.

PZ.

http://frogandprincess.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/best-beaches-in-malaysia/

029 was lucky enough to be in Barcelona this past weekend, where the weather was perfect, the food spot on and the city was as sexy and appealing as always. 029 was also lucky enough to have stayed at the W Barcelona, the 3 week old beachside property which calls the chic Barceloneta district home.

The sail shape building is easily and prominently visible from both land and sea and the W is the first beachfront hotel in Barcelona. Thankfully our plane had to do a go-around due to traffic at Barcelona’s airport so I was able to get an excellent view of what awaited me down by the sea.

Double takes are necessary, as are strolls along Barceloneta during the morning, afternoon and evening to see how the changing light reflects off the window-ful W.

First impressions are everything and in this respect the W does it right. Note to other hotels - staff the front of your hotel with incredibly attractive Spanish bellboys to make an appealing first impression. And I am not just saying this because I am female.

If you want your hotel to be seen as a temple of cool, image is everything. And image includes those guys who open the door for me, welcome me to the hotel and take my suitcase off my hands. (Side note - I can only speak for the guys at the door on Friday morning at around 11:00).

Check-in was easy and breezy, much like the Barcelona atmosphere. We were escorted to our Fabulous room on the 12th floor and given a mini-tour on how to work the various controls in the room. But to be honest, we were not paying attention, how could we? Have you seen our view? It was Fabulous and corresponded perfectly with the Fabulous room category. One of the benefits of having a hotel all the way at the end of the beach on its own mini-peninsula is uninterrupted, unparalleled views of the city, beach and sea (in our case).

Let’s get down to basics - because that is what you are all interested in anyway. Super soft bed sheets that retain their coldness (you know what I’m talking about), pillows and comforters that encourage you to stay in bed and take in the views, rainfall shower (a must in my book) and excellent bliss amenities. With a name like bliss, you know you are in good hands.

And in case the enormous windows didn’t offer enough opportunity to gaze at Barcelona, channel your inner lifeguard and watch out over the beach, or look down at those walking by wishing they were at the W, they provided a handy little telescope (first pic, blue & silver microphone looking piece) to improve your vision.

In my expert opinion, the best part of the room was the couch-like piece of furniture that extended the entire length of the massive windows (did I mention that already?) so that you could lay (or is it lie?) pretty much on the window while gazing at Barcelona, channelling your inner lifeguard etc… Nice touch. Possibly not so nice if you are scared of heights.

The pool area was very chill, with white loungers that were über-comfortable, plush violet-coloured towels (that I will be purchasing when they become available), cabanas, loungers built into the pool, sexy lounge music (what else would you have expected?).

I actually dedicated 3.5 hours of my time at the pool, which is pretty impressive considering the city of Barcelona with its to-die-for shopping and dining was constantly beckoning me. And if you find yourself lounging away the day at the pool, order the crab and shrimp in rice paper. Yum.

I also gave their spa, bliss, a try, because all that trekking around Barcelona looking for sexy Spanish fashion and sampling the city’s tapas and cava can take a toll on your feet. It is a very cool and hip spa - as they themselves say, they don’t play “whale music,” no waves, tree frogs or sounds of nature - and the spa is adorned in playful and calming bluish tones and not in every colour of beige under the sun. And I did fall in love with their cheeky marketing of their products and services - who would have thought that reading the back of body lotion would have you laughing?

So all in all, even though the W just opened and there was a bit of refining and finishing touches going on, the hotel will quickly become the place to be in Barcelona, if it isn’t already. From the building, to the views and not to mention some of the staff, it is definitely a hotel with a view.

Last added bonus, for some reason there were fireworks on Saturday night in celebration of something - I didn’t know that that many people realised I was going to be staying there (joking). But the symphony of colour exploded right in front of our window and it was perfect ending to a perfect Barcelona weekend.

To answer the question posed in the headline, We Loved Ibiza plenty! What’s not to love? The weather was beautiful, the beach was relaxing, we reconnected with old friends, we delighted in making new friends, the drinks were cold and the nightlife was hot! In short, Ibiza did not disappoint, in fact, it exceeded our expectations.

Take a look at our pictures and get inspired from our three days where 029 & Jet Club celebrated the “Real Ibiza” together with some really lovely members and guests from all over the world that joined us.

We started with a beach side dinner and the Jet Club Party at Nassau Beach Club. We had the whole place to ourselves - a private party for us and our guests.  The seafood paella they served was not only huge (see the pictures!) but also delicious. We’d like to thank the attentive staff at Nassau Beach for their great service all night long. Sidney rocked the place till 02:30 in the morning and we just loved the sexy fire performance duo!

On Monday, everyone chilled out during the day, visiting the numerous beaches the “Magic Island” has to offer. At night it was time for the long-awaited “10 years Cocoon Ibiza” Opening at Amnesia. Our guests had the opportunity to watch and celebrate this gorgeous party from the VIP terrace.

On Tuesday, to make the whole Ibiza experience a little more perfect, we arranged a sailing trip to the private Island of Espalmador, which lies next to Formentera and is reachable only boat. Everyone loved the almost Caribbean feel and snow white sand of Espalmador’s beaches and enjoyed the crystal clear water. In the afternoon, we headed back to the amazing coast of Cala Jondal and spent some time chilling at Blue Marlin Beach Club. Afterwards, we slowly sailed back to Ibiza town while watching a magical sunset over the Mediterranean.

For those that couldn’t stop partying and still had energy left, 029 arranged tickets for the Flamingo Nights Opening at Pacha, where Fedde Le Grand played an amazing electronic set. We’re already looking forward to loving Ibiza next year with you, of course. Special thanks to Nassau Beach Club, Cocoon Ibiza, Flamingo Recordings and all parties and members involved, we truly enjoyed being and/or working with you.