Setting a new benchmark in Peninsular Malaysia East Coast: Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa
Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa, officially launched on 30 May 2024, boasts 200 exquisite deluxe rooms and 17 villas. This property welcomes guests from diverse types of market segments who can fully utilise its smart accommodations, food and beverage offerings, Qi Forest Spa & Wellness, three saltwater pools, fitness centre, and ballroom called Tranung Hall for business or private functions, including the adjacent world-class YBD Dive Centre.
An ideal honeymoon getaway, Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa can cater to dream weddings, from lavish celebrations to more intimate affairs, with a variety of flexible spaces, world-class amenities, and expert planners to bring every detail to life.
How to get there:
Located on the northwest coast of Perhentian Kecil Island, Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa is easily accessible by ferry from the jetty next to Fairfield by Marriott Kuala Besut, which is an hour’s drive from the city of Kota Bharu in Kelantan. The comfortable ferry ride to the resort, provided by Oriental Sky (https://www.orientalsky.com.my/home), takes another 45 minutes. Once guests arrive at the resort’s jetty, electric buggies whisk guests directly to the resort’s lobby for fast check-in and then to their rooms.
Well-appointed accommodations
Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa’s exquisite deluxe rooms and villas capture spectacular day and night views of the sea in the most tranquil setting. The resort’s largest accommodation is the 120 metres squared Royal Villa, one of the largest suites in Perhentian with a private pool. The designs are intentionally kept simple and clean to blend in with the natural environment with minimum disruption.
When walking around the resort, guests couldn’t help but realise that Marriott is all about streamlined efficiency accentuated by local identity. Natural elements such as tree trunks or tree saplings are used for the columns and roof or facade screens, applied in various ways, working together to create a serene and welcoming atmosphere. The interior decor, though contemporary, reflects the traditional woven craft of songket with intricate design motifs, which is native to the Peninsular Malaysia East Coast region, generating a strong visual contrast against rustic feature walls.
Gaya Travel team sees that the resort embodies Marriott’s current brand ethos, which aims to redefine what luxury means, which is not anymore about gild, bling, ornate features, marble tiles, shimmer, and glitter, but more on how lightly we tread the earth and how much positive impact could the brand have on the planet and people. Pomp, ostentation, and excess now give way to low-key, down-to-earth, pragmatic, and understated, timeless style, which are the hallmarks of sustainability.
The building designs are intended to create a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors. Most of the resort’s interiors are blessed with high ceilings to generously let in natural light and the view of greenery during the daytime.
The guestrooms are arranged specifically to follow the natural contour of the existing topography to minimise disturbance to the lay of the land and are carefully positioned and angled to ensure unobstructive views and privacy. Each room comes with a balcony, and the majority of the guestrooms have either full or partial sea view.
Since the property faces west, Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa is a fantastic spot to witness sunsets. At specific times of the year, when the sky is clear, guests could see the sunset and the moon simultaneously, plus the twinkling stars at night due to lesser light pollution on Perhentian island.
The rooms are also equipped with two-screened layered roller shades: the outer one for full block-out while the inner one is opaque so that guests can control the degree of natural light entering the room from the large framed singular window.
When guests step into the bathroom, they can find the revitalising ‘This Works’ toiletry products conveniently mounted on the wall next to the shower, close to the huge and deep bathtub to soak out stress, and toilet that is kitted out with the futuristic Toto washlet system.
Dining options
Dining at Marriott Resort Perhentian is a culinary adventure. Dapur, which means ‘kitchen’ in Malay, is the resort’s all-day dining outlet serving local and international favourites, suited to everyone’s palate and preferences. Among the must-try dishes are the local favourites Nasi Kerabu and Nyonya Laksa.
Specialty restaurant Sekoci, located by the Lap Pool, is a poolside dining experience with an alfresco concept, serving a delicious range of options, particularly indulgent international cuisine for lunch, and grilled seafood delights for dinner.
Meanwhile, The Great Room and outdoor terraces, which face the Family Pool, are open for relishing expertly crafted cocktails and local delicacies. This is where guests can imbibe fantastic aperitifs or digestifs; be sure to try The Great Room’s uplifting signature drink called Earl Grey Teh Tarik. As the drinks are being prepared, guests can feast their eyes on the unique collection of metal batik stamps mounted on the wall above the bar.
Things to do at the resort
To get their bearings right and be immersed in local culture, guests are encouraged to explore the rest of Perhentian Kecil, including the adjacent Perhentian Besar, so that they understand what Perhentian is all about.
If guests didn’t feel like venturing far from the resort, they can instead access the almost secluded Tranquillity Beach to frolic on the sand or dip in the sea by going down the staircase that begins from the Tranquil Terrace. However, guests should be mindful that Tranquillity Beach is outside of the resort’s grounds and is actually a public area, only made accessible using the steps constructed by the resort. So, do take precautions when exploring the beach.
The resort holds nature walks too for guests to appreciate the flora and fauna found within the resort’s grounds, extending all the way to the jetty to spot various kinds of marine life that are visible through the crystal-clear waters.
By the same token, Penyu Club – the resort’s children and teens club – is a hub of fun, tailored for young guests aged between three to 17 years, further elevating family escapes with leisure and educational activities that delve into the richness of local culture, products and marine life.
Another facility at the resort is the Beautiful Terengganu Arts, Crafts & Cultural Centre, where guests can discover more about the timeless beauty of Terengganu’s traditional arts and crafts through workshops, demonstrations, and activities.
Guests who wish to maintain their workout routines during their travels should head to the 24-hour fully equipped Fitness Centre, with the Yoga Deck on its roof for guests to sweat it out in the open and surrounded by captivating views. Guests can cool themselves afterwards by getting into any of the three outdoor pools and jacuzzi, all filled with dechlorinated water for an environmentally conscious and refreshing experience.
The Qi Forest Spa & Wellness is perfect for guests wishing to pamper themselves and unwind by undergoing various spa treatments, including the traditional Malay massage. This hub of rejuvenation vaunts nine treatment rooms: six single rooms, two couple rooms, and one hair spa. Guests are recommended to try the invigorating 90-minute Qi Forest Signature Massage, which is the spa’s signature treatment.
Diving hub of Perhentian
With direct beach access, exploring the beauty of Perhentian’s underwater begins at the outstanding YBD Dive Centre – the most complete diving school in South East Asia – that is attached to Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa, a boon for all experienced and budding divers.
YBD Dive Centre possesses top-notch facilities for Scuba Diving, Mermaid, Freediving Certification Courses, and Scuba Divers of all levels, including an educational centre called the YBD Coral Discovery Centre, an initiative by iKHASAS, for children to learn intimately about corals to understand their significance and contribution to the fragile marine ecosystem. It also serves as a hub for research, education, and conservation through educational activities to increase understanding of these keystone species, apart from playing a key role in the scuba divers’ certification programme at YBD Dive Centre.
Good to know:
Supported by Sultanah Terengganu, Her Royal Highness Sultanah Nur Zahirah, the YBD Coral Discovery Centre has allocated around 50 acres to create the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Coral Sanctuary. Extending from the Marriott Resort Perhentian’s house reef to Turtle Beach on Pulau Perhentian Kecil, the sanctuary showcases the centre’s dedication to reef preservation.
As mentioned earlier, YBD Diving Centre might just be the best diving centre in Perhentian since it has a world-class compressor room for filling up the tanks with air and enriched air (Nitrox). Nitrox is better for the body during diving because divers are exposed to less nitrogen; the gas reduces exhaustion too. Divers need to be Enriched Air (Nitrox)-certified first before using Nitrox tanks, hence Nitrox course is offered in-house as well.
Conclusion
Being the first five-star international chain to open on a Perhentian island, Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa – ranging from international standard accommodations and facilities to an excellent diving centre, all situated on one of the most beautiful islands in the world – sets a new benchmark for luxury and elegance in the Peninsular Malaysia East Coast region, turning it into an indisputable game-changer. To experience Perhentian like no other, do yourself a great favour by booking a room at the resort now before it gets ever more popular…
For more information and booking, visit www.perhentianmarriott.com
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