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The Granite Luxury Hotel

A Lavish Haven of Luxury: The Granite Luxury Hotel Exceeds Expectations

The Granite Luxury Hotel, located in Georgetown Penang, is the ideal destination for romantic escapes, family holidays, and business meetings.

I had the pleasure of staying at The Granite Luxury Hotel for two nights, and I must say that my experience was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I stepped foot into the hotel lobby, I knew I was in for an unforgettable stay.

The staff at The Granite Luxury Hotel is undoubtedly one of their greatest assets. Upon arrival, I was greeted with warm smiles and personalized service that made me feel like a valued guest. Bryan at the front desk assisted me with the check-in process and showed me to my room. He was very informative and helped me with bookings throughout my stay for various activities and eateries.

I checked into their Luxury Room, which had tasteful décor, plush bedding, and a comfortable ambience. The amenities provided were top-notch, including a welcome gift, a coffee machine, and a luxurious bathroom with premium toiletries. The room offered big windows which allowed for a great view of the city and a partial sea view.  The bed was exceptionally comfortable, ensuring a restful night’s sleep after a long day of exploring the city.

At turndown, the housekeeping set up a romantic bubble bath which included a bottle of sparkling juice, chocolates, and bath salts. They also dimmed the lights to create a romantic atmosphere.

The Mirage Pool Deck was the highlight of the hotel for me, it’s a stunning pool overlooking Georgetown and the pool area lights up at night.

The hotel has entered the Malaysia Book of Records for having the Highest Acrylic Bottom Swimming Pool. You can look down through the glass bottom of the pool and see all the way down to the street. It’s definitely a challenge for those afraid of heights. The pool is a great place to just chill and enjoy the views. Be sure to visit the pool deck around sunset time to get beautiful views with sunset hues.

The hotel’s fitness center was well-equipped with state-of-the-art machines, providing an excellent space for those who want to maintain their workout routine during their stay.

The location of the hotel was ideal, situated in the heart of the city and within close proximity to popular attractions, shopping malls and restaurants. This made it convenient for me to explore the city’s offerings and experience the local culture.

The hotel has another notable award, that was judged by the Malaysia Book of Records as the Tallest Automated Hotel Car Park.

Their Attic 23 Rooftop Bar is well-known in Penang, offering a spectacular 360° panoramic view of the city.

For dinner, the hotel arranged a special dining experience at a traditional Nyonya house which is over a hundred years old. It is a hidden gem that only accommodates a select number of patrons each night. Little Kitchen Nyonya is run by Baba Jay and his wife who are Peranakans. They are descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, Malacca, and various other nearby areas.

Baba Jay took us on a historical food journey giving us insight into his family’s history as well as how the Nyonya cuisine came about.

There were multiple small dishes being served, each with their own unique story. The dinner also allows guests to partake in the preparation of certain dishes if they so wish.

After dinner, we were given a tour of his house and met his family. This allowed us a glimpse into their culture. I would definitely recommend this if ever you are in Penang.

The hotel offers various different suite rooms, noticeably their ‘safari suite’ which is a themed room that offers fun and exciting toys for kids to enjoy. The room has two queen beds but together, to fit the whole family. There is a ball pit in the room as well as a tunnel around the room which kids will love.

There are also business suites which can double as ideal venues for small meetings, seminars, workshops, and job interviews. The hotel has also converted some rooms into co-working spaces which can be rented out per day. Professionals can enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi, access to the hotel gym, as well as a shared kitchenette with snacks.

The Granite Luxury Hotel also offers an event space that would be great for birthday parties, weddings, and events. It has a glass chapel with scenic views of Georgetown. There is an in-house event organizer that can cater to all your needs and requirements for your special event.

I would absolutely recommend this hotel if you ever find yourself in Penang, it offers something for everyone, and is a top-tier luxury hotel experience.

A special thank you to Jovan, the assistant hotel manager, who made sure my every want and need was taken care of during my stay. Jovan, Bryan and the team offered exceptional service and made my stay unforgettable.

Reviewed by World Luxury Awards Representative, Kayla Lourens

To book this hotel, visit their website: www.thegranitehotel.com

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Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa

A five-star luxury resort located on Sentosa Island, Singapore

The moment you walk into Sofitel Singapore Sentosa you feel instantly relaxed. It is a haven of tranquility and peace. The design, the décor, the ambience, it all represents luxury and opulence.

The staff are extremely welcoming and are happy to attend to your every need and desire.

The resort is located on the Southernmost tip of Sentosa island and has access to Tanjung Beach. The resort is perched on a cliff and is surrounded by lush greenery; a tropical ambience and the décor perfectly blends Singapore and France’s heritage.

The resort is the perfect place to relax and unwind, and it also offers many activities for those who want an active vacation.

Sentosa Island is home to the famous Universal Studios, as well as multiple scenic beaches and international restaurants. Sofitel Singapore Sentosa is the perfect place from which to explore the island. The beach and adjacent establishments can be easily accessed via the resort’s staircase, which also boasts a stunning view of the South China Sea.

They also offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from the Resort every half hour, which stops at the Harbourfront MRT station on the mainland, from which one can venture into the city.

The front desk staff made check-in a breeze, and also provided me with their shuttle schedule, weekly activities, and dining options. The Marketing manager showed me to my suite, which was in their tranquility wing. On the way to the suite, she explained some of the resort’s décor pieces and significant design touches. I really appreciated the warm and personalized welcome. The resort definitely had a Balinese feel to it, and the architecture was incredibly impressive.

I booked their Junior suite which had a comfortable king sized bed, a spacious lounge area, and beautiful décor. It is an open-concept suite with a lavish bathroom complimented by Balmain amenities.

The housekeeping staff go out of their way to make your stay special, and even left me a handwritten card on my bed.  

The room was thoughtfully put together with clear French touches, making it feel very classy.

The bed linen was plush, and the sheets were smooth; I slept very well throughout my stay. Next to the bed, there are multiple different power sockets, which was very convenient.

A QR code is visible at the desk, which allows you access to their online platform including their room service menu. The entire resort also offers high speed Wi-Fi.

This was the perfect place to escape the city life and have a luxury staycation where I enjoyed both French and local influences.

As you wander around the resort, enjoy the refreshing breeze and views of the ocean and beyond. While walking around be sure to look out for the resort’s resident peacocks.

The recreational facilities at the resort make it the perfect place for a weekend getaway. This resort is suitable for leisure travellers, business travellers, and even those with pets!

The resort has a new herb garden which is very well maintained and is part of the resort’s sustainability efforts. The herbs and vegetables such as basil, tomatoes, and lemons, are used in the hotel kitchen. Sofitel Singapore Sentosa has multiple sustainability efforts, in line with the Singapore government’s green plan for 2030.

The resort gym is located in the middle of the property and is well equipped for any type of workout.

The SO/Spa was one of the highlights of my trip. The spa is luxurious and has multiple pools and spa facilities. The spa has a lap pool with sun loungers, and they have indoor hot and cold jacuzzis, as well as a Turkish steam room. If you are on a couple’s holiday, be sure to book their romantic package and have your treatments in their couple’s room which features a private jacuzzi bath.

Their pool is an instagram-worthy spot, with a waterfall feature and surrounding greenery. Their therapeutic body wrap experience is a must-try, where you lather on a special mud masque all over your body and leave it on for a few minutes, then enter the mud pool to soak it off, leaving your skin soft and smooth.

What’s better than a staycation? A staycation with your pets. Sofitel Singapore Sentosa is pet-friendly and has a special “FurKid” package for those who want to bring their pets. They even offer special dog food menus at the restaurant. I spotted a Pomeranian at breakfast, and it made my day.

The resort is also an ideal destination for MICE events, meetings, and weddings. They have a grand ballroom and multiple meeting rooms. It is a stunning location for weddings, with multiple outdoor and indoor venues and great photo spots!

The hotel’s main pool is the place to be during the day. They offer single lounge beds as well as comfortable double lounge beds. Relax around the pool whilst enjoying the sounds of the birds and palm trees around you.

A rare and surprising feature of the resort is their fish spa, located next to Le Bar. The pond is filled with “Dr. Fish”, a special fish breed that nibbles on your feet, getting rid of your dead skin. The kids completely love this feature, and it adds to the many reasons why this property is one-of-a-kind.

Le Bar, located in the heart of the resort, offers a daily 1-for-1 cocktail happy hour and is a great place to enjoy an afternoon or evening drink. The bar lights up at night and has lively music playing.

Kwee Zeen is the resort’s all day dining outlet and offers delectable local cuisine and international favourites. For dinner, I had the beef cheeseburger and French fries, which had to be one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. I went to bed with a very full and satisfied stomach.

Start your day the right way with the buffet breakfast at Kwee Zeen, which features a made-to-order egg station, an Indian cuisine station, cold meats, and more. You can choose to sit inside with air conditioning or outside with the ocean breeze (and view). The breakfast offers multiple hot and cold dishes and a great selection of fresh pastries. The bread-and-butter pudding was so tasty.

Their other dining outlet is The Cliff, a restaurant with a delectable Italian menu. Pasta and Tiramisu, the perfect dinner combination.

I felt very cared for during my stay, the staff were attentive and their hospitality was of superior quality.

The Sofitel brand has French flair, and this resort lives up to the Sofitel name. It’s definitely an exceptional experience in Singapore.

The resort has multiple water features and fountains, which makes for a peaceful experience whilst wandering around the resort grounds.

On the one side of the fountains there is a lion statue, which resembles Singapore’s heritage, and on the other side there is a horse statue, which symbolizes French heritage. These special design details add to why the resort is so unique.

The resort staff were attentive, polite, and always had a smile on their faces. They also gave me great recommendations for shopping and nearby attractions.

I would consider Sofitel Sentosa a hidden gem in Singapore, and an absolute must-visit. It is the ultimate accommodation on Sentosa Island.

Thank you to all the staff at Sofitel Sentosa who made my stay out of this world. I look forward to visiting again.

Reviewed by World Luxury Awards Representative, Kayla Lourens

To book this resort, visit their website: www.sofitel-singapore-sentosa.com