Check In

This report was originally made in trip reports, but I'd thought Id post it here also.

After a drive from Ipoh that seemed an eternity, we arrived at the Marina Bay jetty area, where we were dropped off the the Pangkor Laut reception. This consists of a small indoor waiting area and reception desk. We were given cold towels and a fruit ice drink. If you are staying in the main hotel, you will need to be checked in and wait for the ferry. However, even though we were can hour early we where whisked aboard a private motorboat, the YTL Kura-Kura and served some cold lime drinks and cold towels. The yacht was luxurious, but not quite to Sunseeker standard. 

Room

After around 20 minutes, we arrived at the island resort, around the same time other guests were leaving. Got quit a few stares and photos, maybe they thought we where celebs! A welcome by the resort manager was following by him driving us up in our private 4x4 to the Estate. Upon arrival, we were introduced to our staff (a butler, 2 housekeepers, 2 chefs and a gardener).

We quickly settled in after a tour of the Estate, which is huge and takes a surprising long amount of time to walk from room to room! Estate 5 consists of 3 villa bedrooms (a master, and one with its own outdoor jacuzzi). All 3 have beautifully large bathrooms, a veranda and large bed. The Estate also has a huge infinity pool, a fish pond, outdoor lounge pavilion and dining villa.

Throughout our stay we were looked after by our butler, who as expected would go out of his way to never say no to a request. Each day a breakfast feast was laid out in the dining villa. I request chocolate chip pancakes, along with Malaysian dishes of roti chani with chicken curry, rice porridge and condiments, plus fresh fruit and cakes. The amount of food was had was obscene for 4 of us! The only thing he could not find was some brown/clear shoe polish for my Chelsea boots.

Dining

One night we ate at the Fisherman’s Cove restaurant, where I had a delicious grilled lobster with garlic butter. 

Another night the staff put on an amazing BBQ in our Estate, consisting of freshly caught seafood, lobster, sea bass, grouper, lamb, chicken wings, squid, crab, prawns and satay. Way too much for us to finish! We also received a bottle of Bollinger on the house.

The last night we ate at the Straits restaurant. This was a set Thai menu.

Beach

During the days, we spent most mornings on Emerald Bay, which is the main beautiful beach on the island. I could have reserved us a good spot, but did not bother as it was always quite empty in the mornings. Our butler was always on hand to provide drinks and snacks.

In the afternoons we stayed in our Estate and made use of the jacuzzi and pool. 

Spa

One morning I also had a spa treatment, the Warrior treatment. I’ve had this a few times before and it’s my favourite as it’s 3 hours long. For the benefit of people who have not read my previous report, the treatment consists of:

• Bath House Experience
• Malay Specialist Consultation
• Urutan Panglima (Warrior Massage)
• Ikal-ikal (Herbal Hair Root Treatment)
• Boros Akar (Herbal Roots Scrub)
• Mandian Rempah Ratus (Herbal Spices Bath)
• Mandi Wap Minyak Herba (Herbal Oil Steambath)*
• Akar Periok (Herbal Root Tonic Drink)

The best bit is the Malay bath as they serve this delicious herbal tea with honey.

After my treatment, I walked to the Royal Bay Beach Club, to the shock of out butler who wanted to drive me there! It was odd being waited on hand and foot in front of everyone else.

Amenities

We had a private sunset cruise as part of our package, which we took on a teak junk. A lovely boat with a roof area to lay down on. I did get a bit sea sick though. We were served wine and some high tea (the curry puffs were yummy!).

Overall

On our departure, our chef provided us with a picnic of muffins, cakes, snacks and drinks which was a lovely gesture.

I cannot put into words how amazing our stay in the Estate was. Now I’ve experienced how the other half live I cannot go back! All the staff through the resort addressed us by name (I think our butler must have told everyone in the morning what we were wearing?). We were treated like royalty, it ended up being quite funny. When I was walking from the spa to the bar, a member of staff carried my bags and people were looking. The service was unbelievable, I have never experience anything as close.

Some 5 star hotels like the Ritz-Carlton say they have butler service, but they do not compare! I wonder how hotels like Aman or the Maldives resorts compare?