In case you’re contemplating getting away from all of it, Angsana Teluk Bahang is one luxurious lodge you need to keep at.
These days, the one Malaysian state I usually go to is Johor Bahru – I’m there nearly each fortnight. (Come up and say hello should you spot me!) If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll fly as much as Kuala Lumpur. And… that’s about it. The universe (or the Malaysian authorities) in all probability wished me to discover different locations, which was how I ended up in Penang final weekend. After a dramatic day coping with flight delays, I lastly landed at 2am and was promptly chauffeured to Angsana Teluk Bahang, a seaside resort residing on Teluk Bahang seaside.
Once they say escape, they actually imply it
Billing itself as an “idyllic escape”, this five-star seaside lodge is an hour’s drive from Penang Worldwide Airport. In keeping with Jeanize Low, the lodge’s advertising and communications director, the placement is purposely chosen so vacationers can escape the town life’s hustle and bustle. Nonetheless, should you nonetheless intend to enterprise out throughout your keep, you may take the bus or ebook a personal rent automobile. So maintain that in thoughts should you select to remain right here, because it’s fairly remoted and there’s nothing a lot to do besides heading to the seaside and utilizing the lodge amenities.
The very first thing you’ll discover upon arrival is the lodge measurement – it’s large! The resort takes up 3.5 acres and is split into two buildings: the Kerongsang Wing, which caters to massive teams and households, and the Angsana Wing for small, intimate events. The drop-off space is expansive, with sufficient house for a couple of personal transportation to drive in. I appreciated the foyer, which has excessive ceilings, vibrant sofas, and distinctive chicken decorations. There’s a retail house throughout the foyer too, in case you need to do some last-minute memento procuring after testing.
It was already 3am after I reached the lodge, so I shortly checked in, headed as much as my room, showered, and plopped myself into mattress. “Evaluate begins tomorrow,” I informed myself as I dozed off.
A spacious room with attractive views
After a fitful relaxation, I used to be totally reinvigorated and prepared to take a look at my lodging. I stayed within the one-bedroom suite, which faces the Andaman Sea. The suite measures 82 sqm – nearly equal to a four-room flat in Singapore – and begins with the eating space. There’s a powder room tucked away, which is useful for freshening up or if somebody’s holed up in the principle toilet. The lounge is solely embellished with a comfy couch and flat-screen good tv, which might connect with your telephone if you wish to watch your personal reveals. I appreciated the spacious room however didn’t spend a lot time in it. It’s in all probability an excessive amount of for a two-person keep.
A wall and sliding doorways separate the bed room from the eating and residing areas. Within the centre of the room is the king mattress, fitted with a cushty mattress and pillows that provide ample assist to your head. The bed room opens to a personal balcony, the place you may sit within the evenings and benefit from the sundown views. Whereas I appreciated the suite (particularly the lamp decorations, which appear like gilded cages), it felt somewhat darkish. Photographs look somewhat dim even with the curtains drawn. You’ll have to seek out the precise angle earlier than you get a good photograph of the room.
The large toilet comes with a tub and separate bathe and bathroom areas. You understand you’re staying in a luxurious lodge in the event that they segregate the 2 areas. There’s a conceit space, so you may preen after washing up. I loved an excellent, lengthy soak on my second evening there.
Loads of meals choices to make you full
Angsana Teluk Bahang boasts meals and beverage institutions on web site, so that you don’t have to fret about going hungry. Staying on the lodge with household? Jamboree is a perfect place for get-togethers. Unwind and savour sandwiches, pies, milkshakes, and smoothies, whereas arcade video games maintain the kids entertained.
These into reside music ought to dangle round between 9am and midnight, when there are performances by the in-house band. In case you’re into grilled delicacies, No.11’s good for you. The restaurant is open for afternoon tea and dinner, the place you may feast on exceptionally ready fusion dishes. I had the three-course degustation dinner, which included hen consomme, Ipoh duck leg confit, and coconut panna cotta. I loved my meal, although I felt it was a contact salty – in all probability as a consequence of my wonky style buds.
If I had to decide on, I’d say Jendela at stage three is the place you’ll gravitate to most – your breakfast, lunch, and dinner are settled right here. Brekkie is buffet type, with native and worldwide cuisines to select from. The meals served is the usual selection, so that you received’t miss out a lot should you sleep in. Lunch and dinner are a la carte, with dishes resembling Penang-style char kway teow, truffle hen breast, and ribeye steak. I ordered the ayam panggang bumbu and nasi Angsana and lapped them up clear. Be sure you get them should you’re consuming right here!
When the solar units, make your means all the way down to Fireplace & Ice. This cool seaside bar is the place it’s at, with its picket deck chairs, vibrant bean luggage, and fringed umbrellas. Breathe within the salty air and sip in your refreshing drink. It’s a really helpful place to wind down the evening earlier than retiring to mattress.
Unbelievable facilities to maintain you busy
Whereas it could be tempting to remain in mattress, there are actions to rise up to. Squeeze in a exercise on the fitness center earlier than cooling off on the infinity swimming pool; each amenities are on the third ground. The jubilee pavilion is one spot I’m nonetheless enthusiastic about as I write this evaluate. The gorgeous open deck beside the pool is the most effective place to bask within the view and watch the solar go down.
In case you choose one thing extra stress-free, Angsana Spa on the fifth ground is able to welcome you. Managed by the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, it makes use of aromatherapy in its remedies. You’ll undoubtedly really feel pampered through the session and rejuvenated afterwards.
In fact, we will’t neglect the seaside. Moreover chilling out at Fireplace & Ice, you may stroll alongside the shoreline or swim within the ocean. Journey seekers can take part in water actions, resembling parasailing, operated by exterior seaside distributors.
Angsana Teluk Bahang runs a Keep for Good programme that invitations travellers to expertise their locations authentically by testing heritage websites and actions. I went for a tour round Tropical Spice Backyard, a stone’s throw away from the lodge. This five-acre landscaped reside museum comprises many spices and tropical vegetation to find. You may be a part of a guided tour, which runs twice a day, or discover the realm by yourself. Preserve a lookout for sure animals (learn: lizards) residing there – you don’t need to provoke them! FYI, if it is advisable to do pressing enterprise, there are solely two bathrooms located far-off from one another.
People nonetheless eager to get out of the lodge can get a trip all the way down to close by points of interest resembling Penang Nationwide Park, Escape Theme Park, Entopia (a butterfly backyard), and Batu Ferringhi Evening Market. If you wish to enterprise additional, it’ll take at the very least half-hour by automobile.
An idyllic break from life
I’m a metropolis boy by means of and thru, so seaside locations are by no means my prime precedence in terms of holidays. That mentioned, staying in Angsana Teluk Bahang made me respect a break from metropolis life. It felt good to take a break and join with nature. The spotlight of my journey was undoubtedly the Tropical Spice Backyard, the place I bought up near many specimens, together with cocoa, espresso, and even toxic vegetation. So should you’re enthusiastic about a seaside vacay, think about coming to Penang and reserving a keep at this luxe resort.
Angsana Teluk Bahang, 11, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang, Malaysia
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