Minor Hotel Group Rebrands Hotel in Malaysia

Avani Hotels & Resorts, the upscale brand launched by Thailand-based Minor Hotel Group in 2011, has added its fifth property – Avani Sepang GoldCoast Resort in Malaysia.

The resort is located on the country’s west coast in the state of Selangor, close to Sepang International Circuit – home to the Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix – and 45 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Formerly operating as Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa, the resort has a distinctive design in the shape of a palm tree and has relaunched under the Avani flag following the completion of the first of two phases of a total MYR 15 million refurbishment programme. Facilities at the resort include five restaurants and two bars, a spa, an extensive selection of activities and an 840 square metre ballroom.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotel Group, Avani’s parent company, said, “We are very happy to launch Avani Sepang GoldCoast Resort in Malaysia, a great addition to our growing Avani portfolio. This resort will be joined later on this year by several further rebranded Avani properties, with the first new-build Avanis to follow next year.”

Surrounded by the sheltered waters of Malaysia’s Malacca Straits, Avani Sepang GoldCoast Resort offers a secluded tropical hideaway that blends easy accessibility with a feeling of getting away from it all. Set along Sepang GoldCoast’s 22 kilometre shore, the resort has a mainland beachfront setting with lush gardens and a palm structure built on stilts which extends over warm shallow waters. The overwater palm features 392 contemporary Polynesian-inspired guest rooms and one, two and three bedroom villas, all with a sea view. Guests staying in a Three Bedroom Villa also experience butler service including welcome drinks and a special check-in service, before being taken to their villa by private buggy. So that all guests can enhance their resort experience, this exclusive butler service can be booked for all accommodation types.

The resort has an impressive selection of dining options. The five restaurants include Sepoi Sepoi with a café ambience and a Malaysia-Chinese coffee shop menu of freshly brewed coffee, casual lunches, afternoon snacks and laid back dinners. Two restaurants are located in the central area of the palm and have both been fully refurbished. Translating as “anytime”, Bila Bila’s all day international buffet and a la carte offerings can be enjoyed in air conditioned indoor comfort or on an outdoor deck with a sea breeze, whilst Hai Sang Lou is the resort’s Chinese fine dining specialty restaurant serving both lunch and dinner. The beachfront restaurant Perahu boasts a sundowner experience from the deck and imaginative local and global flavours, including Malay barbeque delights, with the mood picking up at night when a live band hits the stage. Another great sunset spot and evening dining, Stimbot impresses with artfully prepared oriental specialties.

For poolside refreshments, the refurbished Buloh Bar offers extensive beverages and light bites and after sundown kicks up a notch with live entertainment. Selat Bar on Sunset Beach serves tropical drinks with waves breaking just a few steps away and offers karaoke, billiards and pool. In addition, an ideal meeting place is Bayu Lounge, a contemporary lobby venue which has been completely refreshed with a touch of Malaysian design and serves snacks, pastries, cakes and desserts.

A resort designed for every age and interest, the kids’ club offers an action packed daily programme, including beach and garden activities, a trampoline and bouncing castle, pool fun, swimming lessons and arts and crafts. Activities for all the family include croquet, petanque and ping pong, beach soccer, volleyball and cart sailing, yoga and zumba classes, as well as bicycle tours around the local area. In addition, at Extreme Park, the on-site activity centre, guests can enjoy some competitive action on the go karting or paint balling courses. Those who simply want to unwind can sunbathe to their heart’s content and take refreshing dips in the resort’s swimming pool. Avani SPA pampers guests in a calm environment with a choice of results-driven treatments for total wellbeing and a gourmet spa menu of personalised packages.

Enjoying the resort’s facilities and getting out and about is easy. Guests can hop on a buggy to travel around the resort and take the complimentary daily shuttle bus to Kuala Lumpur for a day of shopping and sightseeing. A great range of local tours are available, including a mangrove river cruise and visits to a local village to delve into rural life. Guided excursions to the up and coming modern city of Putrajaya, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historical Malacca and Kuala Lumpur introduce travellers to the region’s heritage highlights. Sepang is also home to Formula 1 and the annual Malaysian Grand Prix, bringing adrenalin pumping glamour to the area.