Cove 55 is a new concept for Borneo. The hotel is a hybrid of service and private hire.
The 12 rooms (eight classic, and two larger suites) and two chalets can be hired exclusively, either in its entirety or individually. The main reception office hours are between 9am and 5pm, intentionally leaving you to yourself. After 5pm, the night manager and other staff are still on hand but seem to melt away, leaving you to complete privacy.
Your seclusion comes in the form of luxury accommodation and lush tropical surroundings. The property is Santubong Peninsular, Sarawak, with views across the South China Sea and Mount Santubong, the highest peak in the state.
There is a beach but it’s not recommended for swimming due to the nearby mangrove forests and muddy, sandy seabed. The hotel is upfront about this and I didn’t find this a problem. The 23 metre lap pool is an enchanting turquoise, beckoning you to take a dip.
The dazzling white exterior continues inside. The rooms have been designed to blend indigenous Iban culture with a chic artful look and every piece of furniture has been handpicked by the Iban owners. There are poems dedicated to the Iban goddess on the doors and walls.
Many guests choose to self-cater, making use of the full kitchen, large dining room and living area. Others prefer to engage the services of the on call chef. I thoroughly enjoyed the mixture of western and Malay cuisines at breakfast.
Spa services are also on call; you don’t even have to leave the privacy of your home away from home.
If you do want to explore the area, there are tandem and mountain bikes for hire. Damai beach, Santubong National Park and the Sarawak Culture Village are a short distance away. The famed Iban hospitality shines through in the staff. They are happy to give advice for activities across Sarawak and can organise trips for you.
The secluded Cove 55 is perfect, and is in demand, for weddings, private functions, retreats, or a getaway with close friends.
Cove 55 has been nominated as a finalist for the 2014 World Luxury Hotel Awards.
From US235+ per night
– The secluded nature of the property – dance like nobody’s watching – they really aren’t.
– Slightly awkward location means you have to plan transport in advance. Taxis need to come from Kuching city and the hotel is a request stop for the shuttle services. Of course, this isn’t a problem if you have your own transport or engage the services of Cove 55’s private driver.
Simone
Review Team
I look out my huge picture window at the stillness of the lake. The view is so spectacular that I move to my balcony to see if I can capture a picture of the reflections on the water in the dim light. Though it is well after 10:00pm, night has not yet completely fallen here in Whistler. The longest day of the year — June 21 — will soon arrive.
If you like peace and quiet, Nita Lake Lodge is your top choice for your visit to Whistler. It is located on the edge of a serene glacier-fed lake in Whistler Creekside, a five minute shuttle ride from “downtown” Whistler with its shops, bars and restaurants. You’re just 500 meters from the base of Whistler Mountain and the Creekside gondola.
The lodge has 77 rooms, all generously sized and luxuriously outfitted with king bed, double soaker tubs, glass-enclosed rain showers, heated slate bathroom floors, and basalt gas fireplaces. I stayed in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite which was spread out on two floors, and also included a discrete kitchen area. As lovely as it was, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the lake view through the two-story windows.
On-site facilities at Nita Lake Lodge include a spa, fitness centre, yoga studio, rooftop hot tubs, a lakeside pool, private dock and complimentary seasonal equipment like snowshoes, bikes, stand-up paddleboards, canoes and fishing rods.
There are three dining options on-site, led by executive chef Dean Hossack — the exceptional Aura Restaurant, Cure Lounge and Patio, and the locals’ favourite Fix Café — which all make use of the rooftop herb and vegetable garden.
From $189 (summer) and $239 (winter)
– L’Occitane amenities
– Dining at incredible Aura Restaurant and at the more casual Cure Lounge & Patio and Fix Café
– True mountain lodge feeling with the beautiful architecture and decor in Douglas fir, alder and red cedar wood
– If you’re sharing with kids or another couple, note that the 2-bedroom suites have only louvred shutters between the upstairs bedroom and the rest of the suite. If noise is a concern, it might be better to book connecting rooms
– Wifi needs frequent log ins
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
The first thing you notice when you walk through the doors of Governor’s House is the amazing array of antiques. It’s easy to see that Belgian owner and antiques dealer, Alan Garnier, has chosen to make his boutique hotel a living museum. The reception area has an antique cabinet from Versailles. Other parts of the hotel, including the rooms, house antique furniture from across Asia along with ceramics and other artefacts.
The building itself is 150 years old, a former residence of the governor, although it’s only been a hotel for two years.
Extensions and remodelling has created 12 unique bedrooms and an impressive triple height atrium. Funky bar area (try the Asian mojito), outdoor chill out zone, swimming pool and two dining areas complete the accommodation.
Each room is different, as is the furniture within. I loved my antique wardrobe and pre-Pol Pot era traditional Khmer desk. One room even had a desk which once belonged to Winston Churchill but a booking meant I didn’t get a chance to sit at it.
The bed was not antique. I’ve slept on some comfortable mattresses but I think this was the best one yet. The mattress gently cradled and cushioned me no matter which way I turned. Kind of like sleeping on clouds. Sweet dreams indeed.
The staff are incredibly welcoming and my name was written (and spelled correctly!) on the welcome chalkboard, which made it easy to meet fellow guests. Soft music plays in the public areas and seating on the balconies encouraged me to explore and relax as though it was my very own colonial mansion.
With only 12 rooms the hotel has high occupancy rates, mainly from couples and business travellers, with an increasing demand for twin and family accommodation.
With my love of history, I enjoyed being up close and personal to the history in the hotel and, from the elegant façade and the beautifully polished teak floors to the antique chairs, I felt right at home.
Governor’s House is a member of Secret Retreats (www.secret-retreats.com), a collection of boutique residences, hotels and boats throughout Asia and a brand that provides experiences for the discerning traveller.
From US75+ per night
– Museum quality décor yet a relaxed atmosphere
– I also loved the generous glass of fine Australian wine!
– Although I had three bath towels, oddly, there was no hand towel
– Extra hooks in the bathroom would be useful
Simone
Review Team
The longer I stayed at Knai Bang Chatt the less I wanted to leave.
This French colonial era hotel occupies a secluded stretch of the Kep seaside. With an infinity pool overlooking the rolling waves, you’ll get your fill of sun, surf and water.
The 18 rooms are housed in five 1960s art deco French villas, four of which are original, including the floor tiles. My ocean view double came complete with traditional Khmer bed, with a rain water shower I didn’t want to get out of, a mix of restored, new and recycled wooden furniture and amazing antique ceramics. There are mosquito nets in every room but, despite the garden setting, I didn’t notice many mosquitoes during my stay in July.
All the rooms at KBC have a unique layout and are individually decorated. Great care has been taken to select locally or nationally made furniture, tiles and Khmer ceramics. There is nothing sterile or ‘samey’ about this resort. It feels more like staying in a luxury home than a hotel.
Management want you to get out in the Kep countryside or explore the grounds of the resort so there are televisions in only two of the rooms, and in the communal library. The smooth running of the hotel appears effortless, with the hard work happening out of site.
The Strand restaurant has some of the finest dining in Kep, along with the adjacent KBS Sailing Club. The fresh crab cakes are the best I’ve had in my life. Breakfast was served every morning in The Strand, overlooking the sea. There is a buffet choice of freshly made pastries, bread, cereal, cheese and fruit. Hot food such as Khmer noodle soup, eggs Benedict or pancakes are made to order and are delicious.
KBC is popular with couples and discerning expats from Phnom Penh. Some of my fellow guests were repeat visitors and everyone looked so happy to be here. Families can also be accommodated in an adjoining room suite.
The hotel was undergoing a discreet ‘facelift’ so everything should be fresh for your stay.
From US130+ per night
– The adjacent Sailing Club is fantastic for activities, cocktails and food
– Overindulging at the breakfast buffet. Just watching the sea can make me hungry!
– The beach is nice to look at but low tide exposed a lot of rocks so it’s probably not suitable for swimming.
Simone
Review Team