<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Rasa Malaysia &#187; Travel &amp; Lifestyle</title>
	<atom:link href="http://rasamalaysia.com/travel-lifestyle/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://rasamalaysia.com</link>
	<description>Easy Asian Recipes</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 17:55:55 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Alila Villas Soori, Bali</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/alila-villas-soori-bali/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/alila-villas-soori-bali/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:23:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hotel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=22789</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love I’m a fan of Eat, Pray, Love, and I especially find Gilbert’s take on the quest for happiness compelling. And that’s what brought me back to Bali, the third time, to up my happiness level a notch, no, maybe a few notches higher, and more importantly, to complete my annual Eat, Pray, Love sojourn. I wouldn’t be so conceited to say that I’ve seen every part of Bali, but my stay in Kuta, Nusa Dua and Ubud during the last two visits would have sufficiently shown me what the world comes cramming into this 5,632km² Island of God in Paradise yearly for. So this time, I wanted to be away from the madding crowd, to rediscover Bali from a different lens, and to experience happiness and love with my two men (yes, my husband G and my little boy Baby G traveled with me). And Alila Villas Soori opened its door for us. Tucked away in the southwest coast of Bali fronting the cerulean Indian Ocean bordered by the rich, glistening volcanic black sands beach and cradled within the endless emerald green terraced rice paddies, Alila Villas Soori has the best of everything Bali has to offer. I believe this is the few places on earth where you can get so intimate physically and spiritually with the...<br /><br /><div><img src="http://rasamalaysia.com/images/homepage/alila_soori_hp.jpg"/></div>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/alila-villas-soori-bali/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Banyan Tree Samui</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/banyan-tree-samui/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/banyan-tree-samui/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 01:13:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=22263</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Banyan Tree—a name that conjures up a dream-like imagery of luxury pool villas, exotic locales, friendly smiles, impeccable services and luxury vacations. I have always wanted to stay in Banyan Tree, any Banyan Tree. Having read so much about Banyan Tree and its exquisite collections of boutique resorts, residences and spas, I told myself that I would one day bring myself to its Sanctuary of the Senses to rest and relax, to be pampered, and also to scout for worthy resorts for my travel and leisure clients. Together with my son Baby G, I made my dream come true during my annual year-end break in Asia few months back. I bought us a ticket to the paradise island of Koh Samui and checked ourselves into Banyan Tree Samui. It was truly a paradise. A paradise on earth. Since its opening in July 2010, Banyan Tree Samui has blazed the pages of major travel and lifestyle magazines and has received rave reviews from travellers around the world. I was immediately sold on all the publicity just as soon as our taxi arrived at the entrance of the property. I fell instantly in love with the commanding view of the picturesque Lamai Bay from the reception area where we had our welcoming drinks. Taking in the view of cascading terraces dotted with the villas as the backdrop against the cobalt blue sea, I could not help but gasped under my breath, “Hea-ven!” At that moment, I fully understood why so many others fell under the spell of Banyan Tree Samui. Banyan Tree Samui is especially special to me as it captured Baby G’s two firsts. Here in Banyan Tree Samui, he had his first every golf buggy ride. Since the resort covers a massive area and situated on the hill slope, the...<br /><br /><div><img src="http://rasamalaysia.com/images/homepage/banyantree_hp.jpg"/></div>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/banyan-tree-samui/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Hansar Samui, Koh Samui</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/hansar-samui-koh-samui/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/hansar-samui-koh-samui/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:29:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=22001</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The last stop of my Thai sojourn was Koh Samui, a beautiful island off the east coast of Thailand which the whole world comes for a truly tropical vacation. Since I had developed such great liking and affiliation with Hansar Bangkok, the first leg of my sojourn, naturally I chose to stay at its sister property in Koh Samui, Hansar Samui. I mean, what could be more inviting than a luxury resort and spa situated so close to the airport (just 10 minutes away) that offers a world of island life at Koh Samui’s up-market Bophut Bay? I practically alighted from the plane and was greeted by paradise in no time. Just like what is promised, the Sea View Room we stayed in was simply spacious, tastefully decorated and generously stocked for a thoroughly relaxing and luxurious stay. The openness of the balcony gave me a limitless pleasure of private view of the endless stretch of sun-kissed sandy beach bordered by the wind-swept turquoise waters of Bophut Bay. At that moment, I fully understood and felt the true meaning of Hansar, which in ancient Sanskrit, means happiness and joy. My happiness and joy at Hansar did not stop at the room with a wonderful view. My breakfast also came with a view. While enjoying the sumptuous spread of breakfast, I also feasted my eyes and mind on the tranquil blue of the sea in the early Samui morning. What joy! My dining experience in Hansar Samui has opened my eyes and proven me wrong that fine dining is not quite possible during a laid-back resort stay. In fact, Chef Stephen Jean Dion, the Executive Chef of Hansar Samui, has artfully crafted a unique dining experience that bewitched, captivated and humbled the gastronome in me. Having the privilege to quietly enjoy the...<br /><br /><div><img src="http://rasamalaysia.com/images/homepage/hansar_samui_hp.jpg"/></div>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/hansar-samui-koh-samui/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/137-pillars-house-chiang-mai/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/137-pillars-house-chiang-mai/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:05:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=21689</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My Thai Sojourn in December 2012 with Baby G began in Bangkok, the heart of Thailand. From there, we tracked the fragrance of the “Rose of the North,” landed ourselves in Chiang Mai, the fifth largest city of Thailand that bears great historical and cultural significance. And my quest during my stay in Chiang Mai was to explore and understand as much as I could its heritage, culture and history. For that, I chose to stay in 137 Pillars House, a luxury boutique hotel with a rich and unique historical past. A quick search on 137 Pillars House will tell you that it was originally a large teak wood house built in 1889 as part of the East Borneo Company headquarters, restored to recreate its former glory and to perpetuate its fabled history. Besides its intricate past, 137 Pillars House totally captures my fascination with smaller, hence exclusive hotels that offer greater intimacy and privacy. In its 30 carefully designed suites that capture the old world charm and elegance of the Orient in their own distinctive ways, the guests get to re-live the elegance of the past in the comfort of the present. The beautiful airy garden, bamboo tree-lined pathways, decks, ponds, and century-old banyan trees further add to the exclusivity and upper-class vibes of this gorgeous and luxurious hideaway. The Rajah Brooke Suite we stayed in was quite possibly one of the best suites I have experienced. It comes with a poster king size bed and provides all the basic amenities for a relaxing stay, with a touch of class. What captivated me was the extended vintage tiled veranda that gave me such expansive view of the swimming pool and the Grand Lawn. I could sit there for hours just soaking in the beauty of the vine-covered wall that...<br /><br /><div><img src="http://rasamalaysia.com/images/homepage/137pillars_hp.jpg"/></div>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/137-pillars-house-chiang-mai/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Hansar Bangkok</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/hansar-bangkok/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/hansar-bangkok/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:02:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hotel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=21444</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Whenever I go back to my home country Malaysia, I will make it a point to visit our neighboring country, Thailand for a dose of its amazing hospitality. I made no exception this time. The only difference was that I was not alone. So, in December, I went to Bangkok with one mission: to eat and to pray. And I accomplished it, and more, at Hansar Bangkok. When I was on the lookout for a nice city hotel for my little boy and me on our mini escapade in the Land of Smiles, I wanted nothing but the best for the two of us. The DestinAsian’s Luxe List 2011 that showcases the best new hotels and resorts in the Asia-Pacific region came in handy for me. To be on that list, the hotel has got to exhibit a “rare convergence of style and substance that sets a place well above the rest” (DestinAsian, 2011), and there it was on the list, Hansar Bangkok, selected for its distinctive brand of hospitality. So that was how I came to check myself and Baby G into Hansar Bangkok, a beauty so close to the heart of downtown Bangkok. Tucked in the city’s most prestigious Rajdamri Road and within walking distance to the BTS Skytrain that connects one to every major part of the city, Hansar Bangkok is a rising favorite among business, leisure travelers, and even celebs. For someone who takes first impression rather seriously in her judgment, Hansar Bangkok conquered my heart the moment I walked into the entrance of our suite, greeted by a rare interior garden wall radiant with lush tropical greenery. I could imagine how this would instantly calm the fatigued bodies and minds of those who have just gone through a day of grueling business negotiations or long meetings. And of course...<br /><br /><div><img src="http://rasamalaysia.com/images/homepage/hansar_hp.jpg"/></div>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/hansar-bangkok/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lone Pine Hotel, Penang</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/lone-pine-hotel-penang/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/lone-pine-hotel-penang/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 07:42:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=21161</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One is sure to be spoilt of choices when looking for a perfect getaway in the beautiful island of Penang, my homeland. With its enrapturing tropical charm, its rich historical heritage, and its dizzying array of local gastronomy, Lone Pine Hotel which prides itself as the first and only boutique hotel on the famous Batu Feringghi beach is just the right place to be for a quiet yet never lonely retreat. Established since 1948, Lone Pine has gracefully withstood the test of time and after more than 60 years, it is still standing tall among other hotels along the coastline. Originally a 10-room premium hotel, Lone Pine has been groomed to bloom into the new exclusive boutique hotel with 50 sea-facing guest rooms that are tastefully designed for those who have a special quest for classic charm and contemporary comfort. Lone Pine appeals to me for a few reasons. The first being that my first ever hotel visit experience belongs to Lone Pine. When I was a little girl, my sister took me there for a stay and I was totally in awe of and in love with its casual elegance and luxury. I was so glad to see that all these were not lost in transition but have merely been artfully translated into a harmonious blend of old and new, classic and contemporary in various parts of its new 3-storey building. The humble yet elegant wrought iron archway bearing the name “Lone Pine” brought back flood of memories of me as an exciting little girl, eager for her first hotel stay. It is this overwhelming feeling of nostalgia and the emotional intimacy that binds Lone Pine very closely to my heart. And I believe this is so for many who have stayed there before. As someone who finds showy...<br /><br /><div><img src="http://rasamalaysia.com/images/homepage/lonepine_hp.jpg"/></div>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/lone-pine-hotel-penang/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/the-cosmopolitan-las-vegas/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/the-cosmopolitan-las-vegas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:46:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=19432</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;re looking for a boutique luxury resort in Las Vegas, especially one located right on the Las Vegas Boulevard a.k.a. &#8220;The Strip&#8221;, look no further than The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Strategically emerged in between Las Vegas City Center and The Bellagio, this $3.9 billion hotel is the newest luxury resort Casino in Las Vegas, and to me, probably the most stylish, fashionable, and happening hotel in Sin City now. I&#8217;ve never been a big fan of Las Vegas, to be honest. What others consider as dazzling, fun, and eye-opening, I think of Vegas as superficially shallow, boring, or fake. The man-made wonders of miniature New York, Paris, Rome and Venice are too Disney-like for me. The all mighty golden lion statue at MGM and the giant Sphinx of old Egypt are mere &#8220;sights or attractions&#8221; where bus loads of tourists stop by to take pictures. I&#8217;ve never taken a liking to all these mega hotels, their all-you-can-eat buffets, and the theme-park like amenities. I wish that there are more hotels and resorts which have a more unique character instead of cookie-cutter Las Vegas themed resorts. The thing I like most about The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is that it almost doesn&#8217;t fit the bill to be a hotel on the Strip. It has no theme, the tall glass building is generic-looking, there is no volcano eruption, fountain dance, or pirate show every 30 minutes. The ultra modern decor, the room and the vibe might well place it as a high-end boutique hotel one will find in Manhattan, Chicago, or downtown Los Angeles, even Tokyo, Shanghai, or Hong Kong, which is ultimately the reason why I adore it. Staying there doesn&#8217;t remind me that I&#8217;m in Vegas, as long as I don&#8217;t pass by the casino. We stayed at...]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/the-cosmopolitan-las-vegas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ma Du Zi Hotel, Bangkok</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/ma-du-zi-hotel-bangkok/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/ma-du-zi-hotel-bangkok/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:08:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=14514</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bangkok is one of my favorite cities in Asia. Other than an endless array of delicious foods, be it street-food or fine-dining restaurants, Bangkok offers some of the best—and most trendy—boutique hotels in the region. Flip through any travel magazine and you will read about new, happening, chic resorts and boutique hotels sprouting up all around Bangkok. I travel there every two years or so, and each time I discover something new. In March I visited Bangkok with baby G and my niece. It was a short trip but packed with lots of fun. I chose to stay at Ma Du Zi Hotel. Ma Du Zi means “come and see” in Thai, and it occupies a prime spot in the bustling Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, located within walking distance to the Asoke BTS station and the new mall, Terminal 21. The hotel is home to Yuya, one of the most talked about French restaurants in Bangkok. Ma Du Zi is also part of the following luxury boutique hotel groups: Mr. &#38; Mrs. Smith, Small Luxury Hotel of the World, Design Hotels, and Tablet Hotels. It has everything I look for in a hotel. . My first impression of Ma Du Zi was the extreme privacy of the property. The main gate of the hotel is closed and guarded. All hotel reservations must be made in advance as they do not accept walk-ins. The overall aesthetic and decor is ultra-hip and sexy without coming across as kitschy or pretentious. We were greeted by two friendly staff who helped us with the registration, and even offered shopping tips on where to pick up baby’s supplies and food. The warm and friendly services made us feel right at home. . We stayed in the Studio 53 room which was spacious, exceptional and cozy....<br /><br /><div><img src="/images/homepage/maduzi_hp.jpg"/></div>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/ma-du-zi-hotel-bangkok/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>19</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/long-overdue-post-my-weekend-at-rasa/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/long-overdue-post-my-weekend-at-rasa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:45:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rasamalaysia.com/wordpress/my-weekend-at-rasa-sayang-resort-and-spa-penang-malaysia/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A few months ago, when I was home in Penang, I took a &#8220;weekend vacation&#8221; away from my parents&#8217; house and stayed at the revamped and remodeled Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa&#8211;the legendary hotel/resort that pretty much shaped up and defined the hospitality and tourism industry in Penang, Malaysia. Rasa Sayang Resort holds a special place in my heart; I remember my childhood days when my parents took me out on picnics by the beach, and we would always end up at the Batu Feringgi beach fronting Rasa Sayang. When I was in high school, my buddies and I would go to Rasa Sayang&#8211;snapping pictures of our youthful and silly selves in the beautiful and exotic environs of Rasa Sayang. When friends or family members visited Penang, Rasa Sayang was always &#8220;the&#8221; tourist attraction I would take them to, even just to walk through it. And not to forget my second sister&#8217;s wedding in its majestic ballroom when my family hosted one of the most special&#8211;and grandest&#8211;weddings in my family. So many old memories conjured up in my mind just thinking about Rasa Sayang. I was very happy I finally had the opportunity to stay there, even just for two nights. I checked into a standard suite at the exclusive Rasa Wing and found the service very attentive and impeccable. I am no stranger to great hospitality and have stayed at some of the world&#8217;s best hotels, but I was completely blown away. I especially loved the bath tub in the balcony where my butler prepared a hot ginger bath for me. Other personal touches include the complete line of Etienne Aigner products in the bathroom; a welcome champagne, fruit basket, warm tea and chocolate(!) when I checked in; complimentary English high tea at Rasa Wing&#8217;s lounge every afternoon; and...]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/long-overdue-post-my-weekend-at-rasa/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>18</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Featured on Budget Travel May 2011</title>
		<link>http://rasamalaysia.com/budget-travel-may-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://rasamalaysia.com/budget-travel-may-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 04:36:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rasa Malaysia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel & Lifestyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rasamalaysia.com/?p=8402</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Rasa Malaysia (and my Penang Private Tour and Culinary Tour) is featured on Budget Travel May 2011 issue!! Click here to read why Malaysia is Southeast Asia&#8217;s next foodie magnet. If you are a foodie, what are you waiting for? Pack up now and go sample the goods!]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://rasamalaysia.com/budget-travel-may-2011/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
