Where to sleep in Malaysia?
Our favorite:
One & Only Desaru Coast
For a divine robinsonade at the end of your trip, the One & Only Desaru Coast is the ideal resort.
This property of almost 130 hectares in the heart of a forest bordered by a 1.5 km beach on the coast of Johor, is only a stone's throw from Singapore.
Space is the first luxury of this resort, which looks like a minimalist kampung designed by Kerry Hill.
Then come the details.
The swimming pool between jungle and sea, the Chenot spa built around a 300-year-old banyan tree, the 44 gigantic suites with their small indoor swimming pools, the restaurants, including the extraordinary Japanese one, Hoshi, from which we emerge filled and dazzled by the virtuosity leaders.
You would have to spend several weeks at One & Only Desaru Coast to carry out all the activities offered by the teams of unparalleled professionalism and kindness.
From €600 per night, breakfast included.
Such.
: 00 607 878 3400.
READ OUR COLUMN
- One&Only Desaru Coast Hotel in Malaysia, the expert opinion of Le
Figaro
W Kuala Lumpur
Hotel W Kuala Lumpur.
ERIC MARTIN
Opposite the emblematic Petronas, W Kuala Lumpur is the urban, sparkling and colorful address to stop in the Malaysian capital.
From Yen, the popular Chinese restaurant, to the swimming pool facing the twin towers, everything is perfect for relaxing after a long haul.
From €230 per night, breakfast included.
Such.
: 00 603 2786 8888.
Terrapuri
Moment suspended in Terrapuri.
Eric Martin
In Penarik, the magic happens as soon as you cross the Terrapuri portal.
A path lined with frangipani trees leads to century-old residences.
Park, swimming pool, succulent traditional dinner served on a terrace by village women employed by the hotel.
Many activities including a boat trip in the Setiu mangroves.
From €90 for a double room, breakfast included.
Such.
: 00 609 6245 020.
Japamala
The Japamala Hotel on Tioman Island.
ERIC MARTIN
An often overused concept, robinsonade seems to have been invented in Japamala.
Scattered in the jungle above a beautiful isolated beach in the south of Tioman Island, its 16 wooden Balinese chalets and their terraces with pools blend into the vegetation.
The hotel is increasing its environmentally friendly actions.
Activities: snorkeling, boat trip to the virgin islands.
From €166 for a double room, with breakfast.
Such.
: 00 603 2771 2741.
Read alsoTravel to Eastern Malaysia, cradle of traditions
Our good restaurants
in East Malaysia
Terradala
Terradala Restaurant in Kuala Terengganu.
ERIC MARTIN
A café, restaurant, gallery and craft shop, Terradala, designed by Alex Lee, is ideal for a quiet lunch during a visit to Kuala Terengganu.
A la carte: salads, smoothies, but also a traditional menu, to be ordered in advance.
Around €10 for a quick lunch.
Such.
: 00 603 626 2020.
Celup Tepung Station
About forty kilometers north of Kuala Terengganu, Penarik is the fishing village where Terrapuri is located.
Its long beach is punctuated by typical taverns, such as Celup Tepung Station, where you can enjoy succulent fried seafood.
Less than €10 per meal.
At the Perdana Hotel
The chef at the Perdana hotel offers a cooking class to prepare an emblematic dish, Nasi Kerabu, indigo rice colored by the petals of blue pea flowers.
ERIC MARTIN
The state of Kelantan in the far northeast of the country, on the border with Thailand, is renowned for its cuisine.
In the regional metropolis of Kota Bharu, Hotel Perdana offers cooking classes to prepare an iconic dish, nasi kerabu, an indigo rice, colored by the petals of blue pea flowers.
Group lessons and tasting: €145 for 10 people.
Also read: Malaysia: Langkawi, the exhilaration of the jungle
Our favorite activities
Take a boat trip at sunset
The Kampung Budaya Terengganu Museum.
ERIC MARTIN
To discover Kuala Terengganu and its crystal mosque, the ideal is a boat trip on the river at sunset.
Allow around €5.
Part of the Terengganu State Museum, the new Kampung Budaya Terengganu is a reconstruction of an ancient village in the heart of a beautiful park along the river.
On site, gamelan orchestras, silat demonstrations…
Learn batik
Nisa, an architect who moved from Kuala Lumpur to a small kampung near Kuala Terengganu to start Nysakapas, a traditional handmade batik business.
ERIC MARTIN
The designer Nysakapas organizes workshops in her workshop located in Kampung Serada where she lives.
The opportunity to discover this ancestral craft with a passionate and talented young woman.
Allow around forty euros for a course and around €90 for a scarf.
Visit the
Sultan's Museum
Pekan, the royal city where the current rulers come from.
Here the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, a colonial building where objects linked to the history of Pahang and the Sultanate of Pahang are exhibited, including magnificent silks.
ERIC MARTIN
With its shimmering pool and contemporary sculptures, the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum in Pekan is one of the most beautiful on the east coast.
In addition to the superb royal tenun, it houses numerous archaeological remains highlighted by an elegant immersive scenography.
€2 entry.