Golf Holidays & Other Luxury Indulgences In Malaysia

Malaysia’s popularity as a golf destination has grown over the years. The country certainly has what it takes to cater to the needs of avid golfers who crave for unique experiences. Indeed, golf holidays in Malaysia offer a wonderful experience no true golfing aficionados can resist.

The country boasts some world-class courses designed by the best golf course architects in the world including Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Ronald Fream and Robert Trent Jones Jr. They have brought out the best features of the environment whilst incorporating their own special signature elements.

Currently, there are 207 golf facilities in the country, ranging from short 9-hole courses to 54-hole complexes, with each course having its own special features. Golfers can play amidst the cool climates of highlands; by the crashing waves of the sea; in busy towns and cities; or in the quiet greens near jungles.

Some of the diverse golf clubs in Malaysia include The Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur; Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf Club, and Saujana Golf & Country Club in Selangor; Gunung Raya Golf Resort in Langkawi, Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort in Perak, Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club in Sabah, and Kelab Golf Sarawak in the state of Sarawak.

  

Indeed, Malaysia golf courses offer challenging fairways amidst spectacular sights, world-class facilities and amenities. They are also complemented by the many world-class luxury hotels and resorts in the country, as well as its tropical climate that is conducive for playing golf all year round, competitive and attractive green fees, friendly caddies, and warm hospitality services.

The country’s good road links and transportation system including frequent flights between all major cities also make it easy and convenient for golfers to get to the best courses for a Malaysian golfing experience par excellence.

LUXURY HOLIDAYS IN MALAYSIA

The many exotic islands in Malaysia offer some of the most luxurious holidays that any high-end tourist can ask for. The island of Langkawi, for instance, has some of the finest resorts in the country. It is home to luxury resort brand, Four Seasons, and other equally renowned names such as The Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa, Datai Langkawi, the Bon Ton, the Temple Tree, and the newly opened Seri Chenang Resort & Spa Langkawi, all noted for offering guests definitive experiences of sheer luxury.

In fact, The Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa and Datai Langkawi have just received the awards for Asia Luxury Island Resort and Luxury Island Resort respectively at the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards 2012, along with other Malaysian hotels and resorts such as Palace of the Golden Horses (for Luxury Golf Resort), Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur (for Luxury City Hotel), Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa (for Asia Luxury Family Hotel), and Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur International Airport (for Asia Luxury Airport Hotel).

           

The mention of luxury and natural beauty also brings to mind the award-winning Pangkor Laut Resort in Pangkor Island. Voted by Condé Nast Traveller UK as the Number One Resort in the World in its Top 100 List in 2003, it is still revered among the most distinguished and celebrated in the world.

The states of Sabah and Sarawak also have their fair share of luxury resorts. The Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort in Sarawak is located right in the middle of lush pristine tropical rainforest, offering two-level suites for ultimate luxury.

The Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa in Sabah offers a tranquil retreat with a breathtaking view of both sunrise and sunset. Luxury resort for golfing enthusiasts would definitely be the Sutera Harbour Resort. Here, you can even tee off well past sunset as the Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club offers the only night golfing opportunity in East Malaysia.

Luxury city hotels are also in abundance in Kuala Lumpur such as the Mandarin Oriental, Hilton KL, Le Meridien, and the recently opened Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. The country is also anticipating the arrival of several world-class luxury hotels on its shores in the next few years such as The Regent Kuala Lumpur and The St. Regis.

Besides high-end hotels and resorts, Malaysia’s spa scene has also, in recent years, rebranded itself to a position of exclusivity. The award-winning Spa Village brand by YTL is the epitome of a luxury spa retreat. Also worth mentioning is The Banjaran, a 5-star luxury hotsprings retreat situated in the state of Perak, as well as The Chateau Spa & Organic Wellness Resort in Bukit Tinggi, which is simply a must-visit for those craving for an ultimate pampering with royal treatment.

Many people would agree that luxurious holidays wouldn’t be complete without indulging in a high-end luxury-shopping spree. Hence, the Starhill Gallery offers the rich and famous ‘A Gallery of Rich Experiences’ through some of the world’s most exclusive brands and labels such as Audemars Piguet, Bvlgari, Tag Heuer, Vertu, M Missoni, Bottega Veneta, Chopard, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Omega, Chaumet, and Dior. Other retail establishments for luxury shopping include the award-winning Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Suria KLCC.

The Johor Premium Outlets, Southeast Asia’s first Premium Outlet Centers, which opened its doors in the country last year, also offers another opportunity for high-end shoppers to indulge in a luxury shopping spree.

Indeed, the country’s shopping attractions have earned a place in the hearts of international tourists, especially through its three annual sale periods namely the 1Malaysia GP Sale in March, the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival in June, and the 1Malaysia Year-End Sale in November.

In addition, it is also a duty-free shopping destination where aside from cars, glass & pyrex, cigarettes, alcohol and chocolates, all other products are tax exempted in the country.

DRAWING HIGH-YIELD TOURISTS THROUGH EVENTS & PROGRAMMES

Malaysia is also a prime choice for international world conferences and meetings as business tourism has become a dynamic developing sphere in the world today.

The country’s growing appeal as a business tourism destination is contributed by various factors such as the availability of award-winning convention facilities, economic stability, strategic location, the country’s diverse range of fascinating tourist destinations that are ideal for pre- and post-tours, as well as its unique and rich tapestry of cultures, customs and traditions.

For those who love Malaysia so much and intend to reside in the country, there is the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, which offers them a Social Visit Pass with Multiple-Entry into the country for up to 10 years. With great weather, excellent healthcare system, and low cost of living coupled with high standard of living, the country is indeed the perfect combination of comforts and indulgences.

Various events and programmes are also taking place annually to cater to the needs and desires of the top-tier tourists who demand for quality services and the good life. They include the F1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix and the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix; the 1Malaysia International Shoe Festival that aims to make Kuala Lumpur the Shoe City of Asia; and the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival, which is a bold and innovative initiative to establish Malaysia as a hub for contemporary art in the region.

Other tourism attractions that embrace the concept of luxury include the country’s parks & gardens tourism, helicopter tourism, and bicycle and motorbike tourism.

On 15 September this year, the country welcomed the opening of international theme park LEGOLAND in Johor, which is the first in Asia and one of only six in the world. The state of Johor is also scheduled to launch a few other theme parks this year such as Hello Kitty Town, Little Big Club and Lat themed attraction in Puteri Harbour, while 2014 will see the opening of Ocean Quest and Ocean Splash water parks in Desaru.

   

As the country moves towards 2020, Malaysia’s tourism industry will be filled with many exciting and creative tourism products and services. This is in line with its aspiration to achieve its target of 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168 billion in receipts by the year 2020.

For golf holiday packages, golfing news, course directory, and tournaments & events, kindly visit the website of Malaysia Golf Tourism Association at www.mgta.com.my.

-Tourism Malaysia.