Make way for the Unmistakably Malay Tanjong Jara Resort as it reopens this February 2015

YTL Hotels’ Tanjong Jara Resort is set to welcome guests this February 13, as the ‘Unmistakably Malay’ resort reopens after nearly four months of annual closure. This sanctuary of luxury steeped in age-old Malay traditions, which garnered the coveted Aga Khan Award for Architecture, upholds a philosophy based on the Malay concept of Sucimurni, which emphasises on purity of spirit, health and well-being.

Well-known for its signature activities such as the Guided Bicycle Tour through a local fishing village, Sucimurni exercises with the ever-limber Captain Mokh, Morning Market visits with Chef Ann, and come March 1, the snorkelling and diving in Tenggol Island; Tanjong Jara Resort never falls short of activities for guests, whether couple or family, to embark on. New additions to the list this year include Wau or traditional kite flying on the beach, a petanque court and evening screenings of black and white Hollywood and P. Ramlee movies, the latter considered an icon of Malaysian entertainment; all of which makes for quality time with your loved ones.

Choose to stay in the refurbished sea-facing Anjung Rooms – with their sunken outdoor baths and refreshed decor and appointments, or in a Bumbung or Serambi room instead. Splurge on the standalone Anjung Suite – whichever the choice, at Tanjong Jara Resort, one is never far away from the long stretch of golden beach flanked by towering casuarinas and hypnotic lullaby of the waves. Revamped facilities beyond that include new dive centre for marine enthusiasts, a boutique purveying local handicrafts, souvenirs and toiletries, a meeting room that accommodates up to 90 persons and new volleyball and badminton courts.

Weekends at Tanjong Jara Resort are a much-anticipated affair as the resort reveals a warm insight into the traditional Malay way of life through its Kampong Sucimurni Lifestyle, reflecting the strong sense of community on the East Coast. Between 5pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, tantalising aromas fill the air as authentic local delights such as keropok lekor - a delicacy of deep fried fish and kopi kampong - a thick sweet local coffee, are served from thatched village-style huts. Guests may try their hand at congkak, a highly addictive local board game, play a round of sepaktakraw, a traditional woven rattan ball game or showcase their prowess in spinning several gasing (tops) at once.

With its restorative Malay treatments handed down from generation to generation, the award-winning Spa Village Tanjong Jara is not to be missed. Here, all treatments begin with a Mandi Bunga – a bathing ritual where each guest is doused with seven blessings of water, each bestowing purity, sincerity, health, beauty, happiness, prosperity and longevity. The signature treatment here, the Asam Roselle Experience, includes a relaxing massage and a rejuvenating scrub, concluding with Roselle tea. The red Roselle flower is known to have a plethora of benefits to the body and has long been used in traditional medicine and local delicacies.

To experience the best of Tanjong Jara Resort, take advantage of East Coast Dreamin’ which includes daily breakfasts, two- course lunches and dinners; a guided Jara Hill Walk with the Resident Naturalist (subject to availability) and Kampong Sucimurni Lifestyle (Saturdays and Sundays). Booking period is from now till March 30, 2015 and travel period is from February 13 till March 31, 2015.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia