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/

Hi Christiane,

Thank you for your email and your welcome note that was waiting for us at the resort, we really appreciated it.

The hotel is breathtakingly good, especially when one is looking for absolute quiet and privacy. Top service, extremely friendly personnel, the water villa that we had was pure luxury ($1,400 per night is fair). The spa was also excellent, with top notch massages and treatments.

Water sports are a bit less exciting as there is no wind or waves. For divers the island is good, but it is not the best place on the Maldives due to cloudy visibility. But the diving centre is very sophisticated with diving teachers of all nationalities. Snorkelling is perfect at the in-house reef, which was only 30 to 50 metres away from my hut, I saw reef sharks and manta rays while snorkelling.

A British man said that he has already visited the Maldives 15 times and that he liked the Shang-ri La the best. The food in the three different restaurants is also good, but if you do not have half-board, then it is expensive and not worth it - approximately $100 per person for a three course meal, drink prices were high but ok, $6 for 0,75 San Pellegrino and $12 for a Gin Tonic, $85 for a 0,75 bottle of Sancerre, $150 for Roederer.

Breakfast buffet was top class. According to the German manager, occupancy is continuously increasing (it was 50% at that time), many Japanese, Russians, Germans and Australians.

Next week, Prince Charles and Camilla are staying on the island. The hotel management is for the most part German, 20 Germans and many locals from the neighbouring islands.

I would recommend to stay at least 7 to 10 nights because you need at least two to three days to get used to being so close to the equator with its intense sun and hot temperatures. The journey to the hotel is through the transfer to Gan which is also relatively long. It was not boring either, every day there are optional programmes on offer for anyone who would like to experience different things (bike tours, sailing tours, introduction to diving, beach soccer, boat trips, snorkelling, movie nights, etc)

I would immediately recommend Villingili for people that are looking an especially luxury retreat or who are planning a honeymoon. Maybe 029 could come up with a package.

Thank you again!

Nick

Karen Blixen and Robert Redford were long the “international representatives” of Kenya. From all over the world, tourists travelled to the country not only to have their own “Out of Africa” experience, but also to smell the Kenyan air. With the election of Barack Obama as the US President, who now out of nowhere, has many relatives from this East African nation - the homeland of his father – Kenya reckons it will again gain strength from an international travel and tourism boom.

We took a non-stop night flight from Frankfurt to Mombasa with Condor and then to Nairobi with Kenya Airways. With a view of the legendary, partially snow-covered, partially cloud-covered Kilimanjaro, the feelings of “Hakuna Matata” were already there.

A clear selection of unique overnight possibilities lay outside of the tourist centres with high international standards. The Naivasha Sopa Lodge, near the border of the Massai Mara Game Reserve or the Mara Sarova Camp Lodge, located within the park, embody the original British big game hunting atmosphere of the late 1920’s.

The numerous hotel amenities on offer, the countless complimentary services offered and the always cheerful “helpful spirit” continuously confirm that our choice was worthwhile. Even more impressive and compulsory are the early morning game drives, accompanied by local game keepers and drivers, or the spectacular sunsets in the savannah of the Massai Mara in the luxury camps of the Mara Simba Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge, Mara Intrepids Camp and in both Governer’s Camp – all cater to the every wish of even the most demanding traveller. This type of travel has its price, but it’s worth it. Nowhere is luxury and nature so harmoniously united and where you can experience an unforgettable and real adventure.

If the “Obama Boom” brings about even the slightest of what its people and land have actually been promised, then the outlook of Kenya’s future is remarkable.

Annette-Constanze Posch

Zil Pasyon’s luxury residences will surpass your expectations and cater to your every desire.

Zil Pasyon is a privileged private community of residences set amidst a lavish resort with superb facilities and surrounded by endless natural beauty.

Only 35 residences are being built - rest assured that you will enjoy uninterrupted views and complete privacy.

Here is the latest update directly from Seychelles:
“Progress is being made every day on Felicite and we have installed the first glass-bottom pool in one of the Residential Villas.  We are seeing an increased amount of enquiries and do have a few very interested parties.  We have 16 of the 35 Resort Villas in various stages of completion and we began construction on another 4 last week.  We are pleased to be on schedule for a late 2010 opening.”

How can you own a piece of paradise? Through 029, naturally. To receive more information about the island and the design specifications of the villas, contact 029 (memberrelations@zerotwonine.com) and we would be more than happy to give you what you want - space & privacy in paradise. 029 Elite Explorer members receive special conditions - contact 029 for details.

029’s very own, Christian Schwägerl had the difficult and challenging task of visiting the Seychelles. One of the many benefits of scouting the globe for all things luxurious – the opportunity to become better acquainted with the gorgeous islands that make up the Seychelles. 029 invited along one of our Brand Ambassadors, Nikolaus Nicolaus for the experience.

Christian and Nikolaus had the pleasure of staying at the Banyan Tree Seychelles. Located in Intendance Bay on the island of Mahé, this stunning hotel offers 60 exquisite pool villas that effortlessly combine contemporary and colonial décor. Highly recommended by our two travellers, the Banyan Tree is blessed with breathtaking surroundings, impeccably landscaped grounds, gorgeous and well-appointed villas and personnel committed to the highest level of service,  ensuring that all guests feel as though they have found heaven on earth.

Christian and Nikolaus flew with  ZIL AIR (a new heli-service on the Seychelles with brand new Eurocopters) over to Zil Pasyon (Island of Passion) to have a look at a real estate development project taking place on the island. So for those of you who have a few million dollars sitting idly underneath your mattress, 21 luxurious & private villas on Zil Pasyon are on sale for those who are looking to expand their real-estate portfolio with a truly unique acquisition. Completely private, utterly stylish, uninterrupted views – your own piece of paradise for sale. The first houses are currently being built and are expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2010. Whoever said money couldn’t buy happiness was and is obviously mistaken.

Interested in visiting the Seychelles? Want to know what you can/should see & do? Where to rest your head? Charter a yacht? Dive under the sea? Just give us a shout, we’ll help you out.

Check out some of Christian’s pictures here