Relax - Kicking back in Lumut

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Kicking back in Lumut

By REVATHI MURUGAPPAN, The Star | Wed, Jan 20 2010

Lumut holds promise as a weekend getaway.

Keywords

resort

golf

(above: The award-winning golf course at Swiss-Garden Golf Resort & Spa Damai Laut.)

When people scout for holiday destinations at islands off the west coast, they usually head to Penang, Langkawi or Pangkor. But Lumut town, famed for its port and Royal Malaysian Navy base, is steadily drawing in tourists because it is just a ferry ride away from Pangkor.

On invitation to check out Lumut’s Swiss-Garden Golf Resort & Spa Damai Laut recently, I was expecting a laid-back place with few tourists but was I in for a shock as our chauffeur drove us into the hotel grounds.

Almost every vehicle in the carpark had plates registered in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur! I half expected to bump into my neighbour or colleague at the lobby. (After all, I once stumbled upon a yoga student working in a cafeteria at a national park in Alaska!)

Since Lumut is only a three-odd hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur, city dwellers tend to flock here on weekends and during holiday season.

People arrived in droves and came armed with prams, milk bottles, wheelchairs, fishing rods . . .

But me? I brought along my friend Megan and a laptop.

Smiling porters and a gentle salty breeze greeted us as we stepped into the lobby. We completed the formalities and were whisked into our recently remodelled rooms.

The newly refurbished deluxe, sea-facing room.

Our balcony had a view of Pangkor Island, the Straits of Malacca and the two swimming pools. Ahhh, the serene blue sea and squealing kids . . . I immediately locked away my laptop.

The 425-acre (172ha) Swiss-Garden Golf Resort & Spa Damai Laut comprises the Damai Laut Golf & Country Club, Swiss-Court Holiday Apartments and Swiss-Villas, the latter being their bestseller. At the Malaysia Tourism Awards 2008/09 last week, the hotel walked away with Best Hotel Services 4-star (resort). Not surprising as the place is managed well and has a friendly appeal.

The hotel is in the midst of being refurbished in stages and the rooms exude a comfy tone with its soft hues and traditional fittings, which are reminiscent of its Perak heritage.

While the Holiday Apartments operate on a time-share basis and have their own pool and restaurant, the 10 Swiss-Villas act as a home away from home. The charming villas, complete with four bedrooms are tastefully furnished with attention to detail and overlook the golf course. It has all the amenities one would want in a city condominium minus the bustling lifestyle. Guests can choose from the contemporary pattern or resort concept but I found both equally inviting.

A walk in the grounds comes highly recommended because the landscaping is delightfully done. The premises provide the perfect backdrop for water and team building activities and there’s something for every age group. Work is also underway to build a jungle hut.

We tried the hotel’s latest addition — the eight-element rope course that runs along the fringes of the jungle and the 100ft (30.5m) flying fox, which was a real thrill because you had to catch the net at the end. It is relatively easy if you’re reasonably fit but if you’re not a brave soul, opt for the four-element course instead.