13/03/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | MAR 13, 2026

12

HAWT HOTELS

Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast Since the end of January, The Sireya Desaru Coast has become Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast, under the management of Mandarin Oriental. The resort features 44 suites and one exclusive Four Bedroom Pool Villa. Each suite is generously proportioned from 105 sq m and features a private plunge pool, courtyard and veranda overlooking either the rainforest or the sea, allowing guests to immerse themselves fully in the surrounding natural sanctuary without leaving the resort. A 56m infinity pool frames sweeping ocean views, while two additional pools at the beach club sit at the water’s edge. Mindful movement is encouraged through activities including tennis, padel, cycling and Silat Melayu, Malaysia’s revered martial art. Guided nature walks, jogging trails, water sports and encounters with dusky monkeys and native wildlife invite guests to slow down, explore and engage with the natural rhythms and biodiversity of Desaru Coast.

Petaling Jaya Marriott Hotel Strategically positioned along the Sprint Highway and adjacent to the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, the hotel offers connectivity to Kuala Lumpur’s business hub and vibrant leisure destinations. The hotel’s 393 guest rooms, including 89 suites, feature timeless interiors inspired by understated luxury. Soft lighting, contemporary furnishings and premium amenities combine to create an atmosphere of calm sophistication. Family rooms are designed with bunks beds for children and a shared communal area, offering the ideal space for relaxation and connection. Spacious suites feature family-friendly layouts, separate living areas and indulgent bathtubs setting a new benchmark for comfort and convenience in the city. For recreation, guests can take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool, or unwind while children enjoy playful moments at the Kids Club, while fitness enthusiasts can stay active at the fitness centre.

Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur This hotel is a striking new landmark within the Tun Razak Exchange district – the capital city’s premier lifestyle quarter as well as latest international financial and business hub. Led by Hassell, an award-winning design studio, the hotel’s interior design follows the narrative of “Botanics Beyond Aesthetics”, where echoes of Malaysia’s lush parklands are brought to life. Harmonising natural elements with stylish, bold designs, the hotel welcomes guests into a spacious, high-ceiling lobby and lush greenery. Earthy hues, forest green tones and organic textures integrate seamlessly into the rest of the hotel’s design-led interior. The hotel offers 466 guestrooms and suites over 26 storeys, towering over The Exchange TRX mall, and accords iconic landmark views of the city such as Merdeka 118 and KL Tower. Within the rooms and suites, monolithic surfaces, sinuous forms and abstract art depicting the Malaysian rainforests are contrasted with bold, hued tiles, leaf-shaped mirrors and gilded bathroom installations.

Oakwood Cameron Highlands Perched atop a scenic hill in the heart of Tanah Rata and overlooking the Sultan Ahmad Shah Golf Club, Oakwood Cameron Highlands offers a refined highland sanctuary where panoramic fairway views meet Oakwood’s signature promise of elevated comfort. The 383-key serviced residence is designed for families, discerning travellers and those drawn to the fairways. The property offers residences ranging from intimate Deluxe Rooms to expansive Two-Bedroom Family Suites – many featuring fully equipped kitchens, washing machines and dryers, and generous living spaces – creating an environment where shared moments unfold naturally and effortlessly. Framed by the design narrative “Whispers of the Highlands”, the property reinterprets Cameron Highlands’ agricultural character and colonial heritage through a contemporary English lens. Muted tones, warm textures and expansive windows invite the landscape in without overwhelming it, creating an atmosphere that feels grounded, calm and quietly sophisticated.

Ormond Sandakan Opening in April, Ormond Sandakan offers a more immersive way to experience Sabah. Positioned along Sandakan’s waterfront, the hotel blends warm, dependable hospitality with the ease of a laid-back coastal lifestyle, serving as a comfortable base from which to explore Borneo’s diverse landscapes and cultural highlights. From day journeys into the rainforest and wildlife-rich river systems, including excursions to the Kinabatangan River in search of rare pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys, to time spent discovering local produce and market-side delights in town, Ormond Sandakan offers a welcoming retreat at the end of a day spent exploring. The hotel features 299 guest rooms and suites, from standard rooms to expansive suites and connecting family rooms, each offering uninterrupted views of the sea. Designed to maximise natural light and a sense of openness, every room frames the changing moods of the coastline – from gentle mornings over the water to golden sunsets across the horizon.

Hilton Shah Alam Glenmarie The 261-room hotel is the first of several Hilton properties set to open in Malaysia this year. Guests can choose from a variety of guestrooms and suites comprising 107 guestrooms with king and twin configurations, 74 deluxe rooms with golf course views, and 55 premium executive rooms, which include duplex and balcony options. 34 of these rooms offer connecting configurations, providing added flexibility for families and groups travelling together. For guests seeking more space, there are also 25 suites offering flexible sleeping arrangements for longer stays and family getaways. The hotel has an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a children’s wading pool, a fully equipped 24-hour fitness centre, indoor and outdoor sports courts, table tennis, a kids’ playground and a karaoke lounge. Golf enthusiasts will also enjoy seamless access to the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, home to two 18-hole golf courses and a driving range with a professional fitting centre.

Spa guidelines, training programme to attract more Muslim tourists

MALAYSIA has taken a step to extend its leadership in the global halal ecosystem into the spa and wellness sector, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) and the Association of Malaysian Spas (Amspa) at ITB Berlin. The collaboration will see ITC roll out a structured Muslim-Friendly Spa Guideline and Training Programme to 100 Amspa members through dedicated training modules, capacity-building programmes and a formal recognition framework. An initiative by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the programme was conceived to introduce authentic Malaysian spa and wellness offerings to attract more tourists to Malaysia in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. It also signals Malaysia’s intent to

service quality but also building industry confidence in serving the Muslim market in a structured and professional manner,” said ITC director-general Mohammad Faisal Abu Suaib Khan. He added that tourism plays a unique role within the halal economy as an integrator of multiple sectors. “When travellers visit a destination, they engage with accommodation, retail, food services, financial services and wellness offerings. Ensuring that these components work cohesively strengthens the overall tourism experience.” The signing in Berlin also serves as a signal to international spa operators and destinations that Muslim-friendly frameworks are becoming an increasingly relevant consideration in global tourism planning.

fashion, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, media, recreation and tourism. As global Muslim travel continues to grow, demand is rising for wellness experiences that align with faith-based values, service expectations and ethical standards. By introducing structured guidelines and training tailored specifically for spa operators, ITC aims to provide a clear direction to the industry on service delivery, operational considerations, privacy standards and guest experience enhancements that cater to Muslim travellers – while remaining inclusive and commercially viable for the wider market. “This collaboration marks an important milestone in strengthening Malaysia’s halal ecosystem through tourism. Wellness and spa services are part of the whole travel experience. By developing practical guidelines and training programmes, we are not only enhancing

strengthen standards within the halal wellness segment while positioning the country as a reference point for destinations seeking to tap into the growing Muslim travel market. ITC formulated the spa and wellness guidelines jointly with Amspa and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, benchmarking them against the SMIIC Halal Spa Standards adopted at the OIC level. It forms one of ITC’s key offerings under the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) programme, which also includes guidelines for Muslim-friendly tourist accommodation premises and travel operating businesses. The spa and wellness industry represents an increasingly important component of the broader halal economy, which spans Islamic finance, halal food and beverages, modest