My family and I where coming back here for the 2nd time. Our previous visit was in 2016 were we stayed in Estate 5 and we stayed in the same estate this year. You can watch a video tour of Estate 5 here
Unfortunately they have cut some services such as the luxury yacht transfer, private driver and the stationary seems cheaper, but essentially everything else remains the same. We had a dedicated butler, cook and housemaid. The driver was shared between the Estates.
Upon arrival at the Pangkor Marina, we were warmly welcomed and given a cold juice and towel. After formalities were completed we took the speedboat to the island (this was private). Unfortunately no-one was waiting for us on the jetty so we had to wait a few minutes for the estate manager to show up and drive us up to the estate. Throughout the stay I found his luxury customer service skills lacking compared to what we had before. However things picked up as our staff were waiting for us at the estate entrance just like in Downton Abbey!
In Estate 5 there are 3 villas, an outdoor pavilion, an indoor dining room and kitchen, a large pool and jacuzzi. Our butler was excellent and very helpful, but I felt she didn't go above and beyond in the same way our butler did in 2016. The chef's food was amazing and the rooms were always spotless.
The highlight of the trip was the Chef's Experience, where we had a guided tour of the main island by the Executive Chef who was very enthusiastic and a great guide. We went to the fish market, the fishing port and caught our own fish at the fish farms. Afterwards we cooked the fish we caught in the main hotel restaurant along with several other dishes with guidance from the chefs. The Experience also includes the Spa Bathhouse experience which involves:
This starts with a soothing footbath and an invigorating Chinese Foot Pounding, previously only enjoyed by the concubines of feudal China. From there you will be escorted to the Bath Houses to enjoy the traditional Malay 'circulating' bath, and a Japanese-style cleansing with a 'goshi-goshi' cloth, followed by a dip in the heated Rotenburu pool. Our professional spa staff will then give you a gentle exfoliating wash with our signature Shanghai Scrub. In Shanghai, this is traditionally offered exclusively to males. After your scrub, enjoy a cup of calming tea in our tranquil surroundings before you begin your spa treatment.
All the food we had in the estate was excellent with us having mostly Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes. On our last night we had a BBQ with lobster, crab and locally caught fish.
Overall it was a great experience but I'd like to compare it to the Datai in Langkawi. Compared to the Maldives, the Estates are excellent value for money (we paid about £6000 for 4 nights, compared to something similar in the Maldives which would be $20,000/night).
