If you’re looking to get away from your usual stomping grounds for a long weekend of rest and recreation without leaving the country, why not head south to Johor? Here, the coastal town of Bandar Penawar has plenty to offer – not least of which is Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, a world-class brand offering good times for local and international travellers alike.
Here’s what you can expect from a two-night, three-day visit here, especially if you have the privilege of booking a Rock Suite for your stay.
Day 1
Check in at the Rock Royalty Lounge to your luxurious Rock Suite that spans over 1,000 sq ft – akin to a one-room condo without a kitchen or laundry area. It’s big enough to host a party of over half a dozen guests in the living area!
The interior is tastefully decorated, with a coffee machine, mini bar, shower, bathtub, Bose sound system, and two smart televisions with in-demand movies and music.
Room service is readily available, of course, but why not head out to The Elephant and the Butterfly for your first meal? This outdoor eatery is situated by the pool, with a relaxing ambiance perfect for winding down after your four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur earlier.
The Mexican-inspired menu offers a selection of cocktails and mocktails, in addition to beer, spirits, and fruit juices. Order yourself some starters – perhaps the deep-fried shrimp and jalapeño guacamole with tortilla chips: a great way to whet the appetite, with the crustaceans crispy on the outside and tender within.
For your main course, you can’t go wrong with the Frijoles Con Veneno (RM160) and Campesina (RM180), or Angus Tenderloin and Wagyu Rib Eye. The tenderloin is over 2.5cm thick and perfectly seared, and you can enjoy it as is even though the accompanying sauce is well tasty.
The wagyu, as you might expect, is of high grade: tender and melt-in-your-mouth – absolutely delicious!
Day 2
Start the morning with breakfast at the Rock Royalty Lounge, which offers a relatively limited spread but in a comfortable setting that will set your mood for the rest of the day.
Then it’s time to go on the Sungai Lebam river cruise, with guests picked up by tour organiser Junglewalla. A 15-minute ride away from the hotel, you can sail aboard a boat for a two-hour tour of the mangrove ecosystem.
Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot monkeys, kingfishers, lizards and crabs, while getting a whole lot of educational information from your guide about the local flora and fauna.
Return to the hotel and you may opt to relax in your room, or – if you’re hardworking – use the fully equipped gym, known as Body Rock, which includes one of the most advanced treadmills you’ll ever set sights upon.
After a good run, it’s time to refuel, and what better way to do so than to return to The Elephant and the Butterfly to sample its lunch menu.
This time around, try the seafood – the Colossal Garlic Scilla (or tiger prawns, RM140), or the Bacalao (codfish, RM120). Both are flavourful and well prepared; and you might find the sauce that accompanies the fish particularly delicious.
So, what can you do to fill the afternoon? Pamper yourself with a session at the Rock Spa, where you can enjoy the “serenity massage”, administered by skilled therapists, which is so good and relaxing that you might actually fall asleep while having the knots and aches soothed out of your body.
Come the evening, enjoy the cocktail session at Rock Royalty Lounge and partake of the selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food.
That said, if you’re tired out from your eventful day, there’s nothing more relaxing than staying in your suite for the night and ordering room service. Hey, it comes equipped with a living area and dining table, so why not?
Ordering is done via a TV remote control, which is fast, simple, and hassle-free. A call from the kitchen for confirmation later, and your king salmon dinner will literally arrive at your doorstep!
Day 3
This is a good time to check out the infinity pool and enjoy a morning swim. There’s also a spa area with strong water jets if you’re into receiving back massages!
Also, since the pool is right next to The Elephant and the Butterfly, you get to access its full menu while being semi naked. What could be better?
Finally, before checking out, take the opportunity to go on the free Hard Rock memorabilia tour, an hour-long look at the brand’s rockstar collections. There are items from Lady Gaga, Amy Search, No Doubt, Tim Skold, The Who, and much more, ranging from clothing and musical instruments to handwritten lyrics.
Time flies when you’re having fun… before you know it, it’s time to say goodbye to Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast – but no doubt you’ll be wanting to come back again, and sooner rather than later!
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
Jalan Pantai 3,
81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor
Read the original article here. Trying to influence your cravings since 2005, Kar Yeong was Guest Judge on Versus 1001 Rasa Baba’s 2018, R.AGE Food Fight Judge 2015 and NTV7 Foodie Blogger 2014. To read more about Kar Yeong’s food journeys, visit his blog at KYspeaks.com.