Pangkor Laut, Malaysia
Good things come to travelers who spend many hours on an airplane. Especially when the destination is the mystical country of Malaysia. Or, more precisely, Pangkor Laut, a privately owned island off the west coast of Malaysia where the exotic Pangkor Laut Resort awaits jet-lagged travelers with unmatched luxury. The 300-acre island is covered with lush tropical forests surrounded by a coastal fringe of palm trees and sweeping bays with white sandy beaches. First step(s) lead to the Spa Village, where a host of Asian healing practices rejuvenate and inspire. (Think a Chinese “foot pounding” followed by an Ayurvedic herbal wrap and massage.) The Sea Villas sit on stilts in Royal Bay overlooking the emerald green Straits of Malacca—the ultimate romantic retreat. Each evening, the resort offers a leisurely sunset dinner at sea: sail along the coast until the captain finds a quiet cove where you can enjoy a four-course dinner. It doesn’t get much better than that.
