< Previous80 THE JOURNEY DE WAN 1958 BY CHEF WAN Chef Wan is a Malaysian celebrity chef who’s also famous in the U.K. for his cooking programme. He’s now touched base with his homeland and showing his culinary skills at De Wan 1958 by Chef Wan with flamboyant chef’s table experiences. The menu sets are for 8-10 diners (MYR 1,088) with four choices. The one we enjoyed consisted of Satay Ayam, Rojak Buah Istimewa Crispy Kuih, Live Sea Bass Bakar Air Asam Madu, Kambing Kurma Berkentang, Stir-fried Sotong with Curry Leaves, Ayam Dara Panggang Istimewa, Deep Fried Bendi & Tempe Berempah. We were offered three types of rice: Nasi Pandan Delima, Nasi Telur Terengganu and Nasi Putih. To wrap up our splendid meal, fresh tropical fruits were served along with Pulut Hitam De Wan. KAFE KLEPTOKRAT Located on the ground floor of an old shophouse that has a hostel on the upper floors, Kleptokrat is a retro café that is very Instagrammable, as well as a spot to unwind and leave the world behind. The décor and pool in the middle of the property adds to the retro ambience. The café has a display cabinet for its cakes which all look mouthwatering. My choice was Strawberry Cake accompanied by a refreshing sparkling Passion fruit soda, which hit the spot. In addition to cakes and drinks, the café also serves European favourites. PETALING STREET A walking street in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown where you’ll find rows of stalls selling similar things ranging from souvenirs, knick-knacks, t-shirts to imitation brand items. Be sure to practise your bargaining skill before paying for any item! Food kiosks are also plenty so you can refill your battery as you shop till you drop here.81 HELIPAD Definitely the place to be seen from sunset onwards, Helipad is a posh lounge rooftop bar with scintillating skyscrapers in sight including the iconic KL Tower, the Twin Towers and the latest Merdeka 118. The entrance fee is MYR 100 and also entitles you to two drinks. You can choose a classic cocktail or may like to try a house specialty such as Dine In The Air (rum, angostura bitter and celery), The Chopper (vodka, apple syrup and green tea), Star Kiss (vodka, vanilla syrup and pineapple), Fizzy 747 (vodka, mint, ginger ale and lime wedges), and Hellusion (vodka, coconut rum, triple sec, pineapple and lemon juice). KWAI CHAI HONG QIAO This interactive mural project in the back alleys of Chinatown can be found between the busy streets of Lorong Panggung and Jalan Petaling, where the pre-war-era stone houses on the lane with the Chinese arch that leads to the red bridge have been restored. The murals depict scenes of everyday life from the 1960s and each mural has a QR Code with a specific soundtrack. One of the murals is very recognisable, depicting the iconic landlady in hair rollers from Kung Fu Hustle, the action-comedy film from 2004. At the end of the lane is a staircase that leads to a huge two-and-a-half storey mural. The alleyway is open daily from 9 am to midnight and admission is free. IKAN BAKAR SERI MELAKA At Ikan Bakar Seri Melaka, you’ll mingle with the locals and get to enjoy BBQ seafood the way they like it – marinated in a secret sauce before being grilled in the open kitchen at the front of the restaurant. When you arrive, you choose the proteins you wish to eat from their wide choice including freshly-caught fish and squid as well as meats such as chicken and mutton. There is also a wide variety of condiments, side dishes and curries on the other side of the restaurant for you to choose from freely. After you’ve selected the ingredients for your meal, hit the nearest cashier who will charge you accordingly. SATE KAJANG HJ SAMURI Satay is one of Malaysians’ most favourite comfort foods, and they often head to Sate Kajang HJ Samuri for freshly-grilled satay with many choices: chicken (MYR 1.50), beef (MYR 1.65), mutton (MYR 2.80), fish (MYR 2.00), and rabbit (MYR 3.20). The best-seller is the more-unusual rabbit, and I can attest to its tasty succulence taken to another level by the sauce. I enjoyed my satay with ketupat (compressed cubes of rice) and refreshing milk tea.82 THE JOURNEY MOROCCAN PAVILION Get a close-up glimpse of Moroccan architecture and art at the Moroccan Pavilion, which is popular amongst the locals as a venue for photo-shooting. The pavilion is open Tuesday-Thursday during 9 am–12 am and 2 pm–5 pm; Friday 9 am–12 am and 3 pm–5 pm; on weekends and public holidays during 8 am–12 am and 2 pm–5 pm (closed on Monday). The entrance fee is MYR 3 for adults and MYR 1 for children and students. ROYAL SELANGOR Founded in 1885, Royal Selangor is the manufacturer of the world’s finest pewter. It has arranged part of its legendary factory as a museum to relate the history of the company since it was founded and to showcase its masterpieces. There are also live demonstrations by craftsmen to show the process of making pewterware. The highlight is its workshop called “School of Hard Knocks” during which visitors get hands-on experience in crafting a pewter dish using time-honoured methods and tools, and at the end receiving their own masterpiece and a certificate of achievement to take back home (MYR 75 per person)!83 MASJID PUTRA (PUTRA MOSQUE) Located in Putrajaya, the administrative town of Malaysia, Masjid Putra is the principal mosque that is instantly recognizable by its distinguished pink dome that was chiselled from rose-coloured granite. The architecture is grand and majestic with exquisite craftsmanship, making the respected mosque worth a visit. Female visitors to Masjid Putra are requested to wear modest clothing and a Hijab or headdress, and a robe with hood may be borrowed from the visitors’ entrance. The mosque is divided into three areas – the prayer hall that can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at a time, the Sahn (courtyard) and the function rooms. The outer zone of the mosque leads to the inner zone with its impressive details and many more artifacts dotted around. HOW TO GET THERE: MYAirline flies two flights daily from both of Bangkok’s airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport: Z9551 leaving at 12.45 pm and Z99035 leaving at 7.15 pm Don Mueang Airport: Z99037 leaving at 2.30 pm and Z9563 leaving at 9 pm W: myairline.my WHERE TO STAY: Amari Kuala Lumpur in the heart of KL Eco City which is integrated with the Rail Hub (LRT and KTM Abdullah Hukum stations). W: amari.com/kuala-lumpur MORE INFORMATION: Tourism Malaysia FB: facebook.malaysia.travel IG: instagram.malaysia.travel B: blog.malaysia.travel X: twitter.malaysia.travel TV: www.trulyasia.tv YOUTUBE: youtube.malaysia.travel W: malaysia.travelCOME SLEEP WITH ME 8494 FABULOUS FAMILY RETREAT Introducing the recently-unveiled Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin, a stylish resort nestled on the pristine shore of Khao Tao in Hua Hin! 96 TROPICAL SANCTUARY ON DREAMY SAMUI Unwind in tropical tranquillity with unforgettable moments at Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – whether you are seeking time in the sun to reenergise, a romantic getaway with your beloved or a sanctuary to sooth your soul, this is a perfect island getaway. COME SLEEP WITH ME 86 THE W-OW FACTOR Luxury, relaxation and pampering are what travellers tend to want the most when seeking an ideal vacation spot, and all are offered in abundance at W Hotel Samui. 88 TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO OLDE-WORLDE SIAM Step back in time to enchanting olde-worlde Siam, immerse yourself in a bygone ambience where you will truly feel the architecture, cuisine and culture of life a century ago. 90 CITY SCENERY Tucked in amongst the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur, Amari Kuala Lumpur offers a vibrant and inclusive city-centre hotel that caters to business and leisure travellers alike. 92 SUPERIOR COMFORT IN THE NORTH A second home to work, cook, dine and lay your head that’s also supported by extensive hotel facilities next door, Anantara Chiang Mai Serviced Suites offers superior comfort and convenience in this northern city. 8586 As the soothing sounds of the sea fill the air upon arrival, staff will greet you warmly with a welcome drink, check your luggage and escort you to a buggy that will whisk you down the hills into the depths of luxury. Luxury, relaxation and pampering are what travellers tend to want the most when seeking an ideal vacation spot, and all are offered in abundance at W Hotel Samui. Text by Lifestyle and Travel Team THE W-OW FACTOR ✿ SETTING THE SCENE ✿ W Hotel Samui is ideal for travellers desiring a high level of privacy and relaxation, such as those on a romantic getaway. The guestrooms offer Ocean Front and Ocean View as well as Jungle Oasis villas, each of which has a private pool. COME SLEEP WITH ME ✿ GETTING COMFORTABLE ✿ The W's guestrooms are decorated with a subtle elegance that enable the space to breathe with light streaming in through big windows from every angle. The amenities are unparalleled with a flat-screen television, ensuite bathroom, amazing outdoor shower and a minibar with coffee machine.87 W KOH SAMUI 4/1 Moo 1 Tambol Maenam, Surat Thani, Koh Samui 84330 T. +66 (0) 77 915 999 W. wkohsamui.com ✿ DINING OPTIONS ✿ The Kitchen Table offers excellent dining with Chef Manoj and his team mixing the great flavours of Thai cuisine with inventive twists that are everything but nice ideas – they are daring steps. The seafood choices are also superb, with Canadian lobster, Alaskan king crab legs, tiger prawns, Hokkaido scallops, mussels, soft shell crab, seabass and more. Namu Restaurant offers exquisite Japanese cuisine using premium local ingredients. ✿ WHY I’D RETURN ✿ The Beachfront Pool Villa connects seven guestrooms, making it perfect for a large group. Banyan Tree Krabi is the only resort on the island that can house that many guests together in a single pool villa, and it was not hard for me to imagine all the fun and warmth of quality time spent together of gatherings of friends or family here. ✿ ONE OR TWO QUIBBLES... ✿ None!88 COME SLEEP WITH ME Step back in time to enchanting olde-worlde Siam, immerse yourself in a bygone ambience where you will truly feel the architecture, cuisine and culture of life a century ago. Allow yourself to be transported to a time when elegance was the norm for Siamese nobility, and indulge in an opulent vacation stay. Text by Chondarin Subarna Na Ayudhya ✿ SETTING THE SCENE ✿ Accessible only via the Chao Phraya River by ferry boat, which has not changed since Praya Palazzo was built in 1923, the breathtaking Palladio-style mansion has a captivating history to tell. It was built during Thailand's “renaissance” influenced by Europe art and culture, when King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) and Siamese nobility commissioned new buildings. Originally owned by Colonel Praya Chollabhumipanich, a Thai-Chinese nobleman, the mansion served as a family residence until the shift in transport from waterways to roads. After a period of abandonment, it caught the attention of architect Asst. Prof. Wichai Pitakvorrarat who, along with his wife, patiently restored and renovated the mansion with a deep passion for heritage, resulting in its rebirth as Praya Palazzo in 2009. Today, the elegant 15-room mansion welcomes guests from around the world. Situated across Phra Arthit Pier, the hotel offers a rich historical experience and connects guests to local cultural attractions and vibrant Khao San Road with its 24-hour ferry service. With its picturesque garden and charming indoor spaces, Praya Palazzo is the perfect setting for enchanting occasions, from elegant meetings to celebrations and cultural events. TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO OLDE- WORLDE SIAM89 PRAYA PALAZZO 757/1 Somdej Prapinklao Soi 2 Bangyeekhan,Bangkok 10700 T. +66 (0) 2 8832998 or +66 (0) 81 402 8118 E. reservation@prayapalazzo.com W. prayapalazzo.com ✿ GETTING COMFORTABLE ✿ I was bewitched by Praya Palazzo’s authentic bygone style and elegance. From the polished wooden floors and antique fittings to the soothing classic colour palette of the interior, every detail of the mansion was thoughtful and impeccable. The ambience of each public area and my guestroom was inviting yet serene, inviting me to linger on and forget the bustling activity of the rest of Bangkok. I was shown the Chao Praya Suite, which is the largest guestroom, and it is drop-dead stunning. In my own guestroom, I opened the window to a gorgeous view the Chao Phraya river, the garden and pool and soaked up the serenity of the moment. Later in the evening, I enjoyed the same view from the bathtub as I soaked in a bubbly bath. Without a doubt, my stay here was a serene and elegant escape from the modern hustle and bustle of the city. ✿ DINING OPTIONS ✿ Those who do not want to leave Praya Palazzo during their stay will enjoy the all-day menu at Praya Dining, where exquisite dishes and authentic Thai flavours take centre stage. Breakfast was à la carte and surpassed my expectations with the choice of luxurious and tasty dishes. I indulged in an afternoon tea set by the pool as I admired boats passing by, and enjoyed the delicate presentation and authentic flavours of a variety of Thai savoury snacks and handmade sweet treats. As the day drew to a close, I savoured some of the chef's meticulously prepared specialty dishes inspired by Siamese cookbooks handed down through generations. My culinary experience here was truly one-of-a-kind and etched in my memory. ✿ WHY I’D RETURN ✿ From the moment I stepped onto the ferry boat at Wat Rachathivas pier to reach Praya Palazzo, I knew I would love my vacation stay. The ferry trip was in itself interesting as the knowledgeable and attentive ferry staff related the history of each site we passed, such as the King Rama VIII statue, Rama VIII Bridge, and Bantomsin House. When I disembarked at the hotel pier, its magical aura enveloped me and transported me back in time. The staff were friendly and, throughout my stay, made sure I was always comfortable as well as carefully explained the backstories of the mansion, the food and dishes served, plus more. I can say without hesitation how much I yearn to return here for another enchanting journey to olde-worlde Siam. ✿ ONE OR TWO QUIBBLES... ✿ The number of staff is small, but each of them offers exceptional service and so while there may be times when you’ll have to wait a bit longer, rest assured that they will not fail to impress you or leave you disappointed.Next >