Longing for some ‘wintery’ weather, Loong Wai Ting escapes to the new Swiss-Garden Hotel and Residences in Genting Highlands
IF you’re visiting Genting Highlands but want to stay away from all the action, the Swiss-Garden Hotel and Residences Genting Highlands makes a great base.
Located about 10 minutes away from the Genting Highlands Premium Outlets, you’ll avoid the usual holiday crowds while still enjoying the picturesque valley that the highland resort is famous for.
Many visitors to Genting Highlands tend to stay close to the theme park for easy access but I prefer the peace and quiet here and the cool mountain air.
A ROOM WITH A COOL VIEW
After a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur, I reach the brand new hotel at almost midday. To my surprise, the hotel is not as busy as I thought it would be except for the usual weekend holidaymakers of families with small children and a handful of guests from overseas.
This makes the checking-in process a breeze. In no time at all, I am shown to my room — an Executive Suite on the 32nd floor of the Residences side.
Settling my overnight bag on the grey sofa with its bright orange and yellow cushions, I walk towards the sliding door and slide open one of the clear glass panels. A blast of cool wind rushes into the unit and instantly lifts my mood.
From here, I can see the valley stretch all the way till the horizon and the mountains seem to overlap one another. Clouds are gathering over the distant mountain tops and light drizzle begins to fall. Up in the mountain, the weather can be quite hard to predict. Right now, it’s sweater weather kind of day.
In the en-suite kitchen, I boil some water for tea, then check out the rest of my spacious and sunny unit. Next to the living room is a bathroom. Though it’s considerably cold, the bathroom’s rain shower still looks inviting to me.
Adjacent to the bathroom is a smaller bedroom, enough for one adult or kid. A single bed is placed next to the window, which offers a view of the rolling hills. If you’re travelling with small children, make sure that you keep the windows locked at all times.
The master bedroom is just next door, so it’s easy for the parents to check on their kids at night. For the convenience of guests sleeping in the master bedroom, there is an en-suite bathroom with the same facilities and amenities as the one adjacent to the kid’s room.
There is minimal dècor in my unit but it is painted in a neutral palette. The living room is functional too, with a low coffee table and a huge LED TV. Apart from some stains on the floor, my unit is immaculate.
The standout for me, without a doubt, is the spacious living room, which offers a comfortable space to read in. It’s no surprise that as soon as the sun sets, the temperature drops drastically.
WHAT’S NEARBY
Taking advantage of the nice weather, I head down to the lobby and register for a seat in its complimentary scheduled shuttle service to the Genting Highlands Premium Outlets. My plan is to walk across the mall and take the cable car up to the mountain top for some coffee at one of the outdoor cafès.
The drive up to the mountain through the winding road can be notoriously congested on weekends or during peak holiday season, so it’s better to leave my car at the hotel and take the cable car up to the hill resort.
At the top, nearly everything looks and feels brand new. There are many popular eateries and new sights to take in at Genting Highlands. Venture further and you’ll be greeted by more shopping outlets, although the prices may differ slightly.
But if you don’t have plans to shop, there are plenty of nice cafes to choose from
and people-watching is just as fun as shopping.
FAST FACTS
SWISS-GARDEN HOTEL & RESIDENCES, GENTING HIGHLANDS
Windmill Upon Hills, Genting Permai, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
TEL 03-9213 0777
EMAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE www.swissgarden.com/residences-genting/
STAY There are 561 rooms ranging from Deluxe to Premier Rooms, each offering a modern dÈcor and comfortable set-up. Catch up on some good night sleep on their high-quality signature bedding in their spacious rooms. If you’d like to catch up on some work, each room is equipped with a spacious working desk as well as coffee-making facilities. Don’t worry about incurring extra data charges on your phone as the property offers complimentary high-speed WiFi. There are also various facilities within the hotel that guests can enjoy. Take a dip in the heated pool and enjoy the picturesque view of the valley below. There are also outdoor Jacuzzis and sauna if you’d like to pamper yourself more.
EAT Both the hotel and residences share the same F&B outlet — The Garden Terrace Café on the fifth floor. The café serves a wide selection of local and international dishes.
DO Swim in the heated pool, of course! Or sweat it out at the gym overlooking the natural greenery below.
GO Shop till you drop at the Genting Highlands Premium Outlet (about 10 minutes from the hotel) or relax with your family and friends in Genting Highlands.
HIGH Nice surrounding and comfortable rooms.
LOW The staff could be more attentive.
