A member of the On the Beach team was good enough to tell us about his recent trip to Dubai and Kuala Lumpur …
On the journey from the airport into Kuala Lumpur, it was obvious that this was a city very different to the capitals of Malaysia’s South-East Asian neighbours; the orderly neighbourhoods reminiscent of the American mid-west. If arriving in Kuala Lumpur for the first time and expecting to find something similar to the chaos of Bangkok or Saigon, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
There isn’t a great deal to see in Kuala Lumpur (the eye catching War Memorial and the stunning Batu Caves being two notable exceptions), but its charms lie in the friendly locals and amazing food. The mix of three cultures which are all known for their exquisite cuisines make it a must-visit destination for lovers of Asian food, the stunning soups and curries leaving a lasting impression.
One absolute must-do in Kuala Lumpur is the Sky Bar at the Traders Hotel; the views afforded of the Petronas (‘Twin’) Towers are quite simply breathtaking. I have been lucky enough to enjoy a cocktail in Sky Bars in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City, but none come close to matching the incredible mix of views and décor that the Traders offers. The swimming pool down the middle of the bar being a nice touch, even though nobody seemed too keen to try it out!
There was a definite twinge of sadness when leaving Kuala Lumpur, the highlight of the final evening being a chance encounter with the King of Malaysia who was attending a wedding at the Shangri-La. The sadness was soon banished to the back of our minds upon check-in at the Atlantis in Dubai; I didn’t think anything could top Bellagio in Las Vegas but this was easily the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed in.
From the incredible Aquarium and the fantastic food, to the friendly staff and the stunning setting, the hotel deserves top marks across the board. The day at the water-park was easily the most fun I have had since I was about 12 years old and the hotel as a whole was perfect, not only for families, but for those who are young at heart as well.
The icing on the cake of a wonderful trip was a tour of the opulent and extravagant Bridge Suite. Accessed only via a private lift, with its own billiards room and massage room as well as a television the size of a drive-in cinema screen, it was an experience I doubt any of us will get to sample again.
I always rate my trips abroad by the food I get to sample, the people I meet and the once in a life time things that I get to do… judging this holiday using that criteria, it’s hard to imagine a better way to spend 7 days of your life.
Check out On the Beach offers to Dubai here.
