With a unique name, Rasa Sayang, which means a “feeling of love” in Malay is also the name of a popular local folk song. The resort has played host to some of the world’s most recognisable names; from royalty and prime ministers to celebrities and the rich and famous.
As much a part of Penang as the native betel nut palms, Rasa Sayang bears witness to the state’s transformation from a free port to an industrialised state and her eventual transition as island getaway to a rich heritage city. Perhaps, Leach’s famous “champagne wishes and caviar dreams” toast can best sum up the resort’s promise of indulgences to its guests.
Rasa Sayang has won accolades from international travel and specialist magazines such as the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard for 2018-2020 at ASEAN Tourism Forum (Sixth consecutive year), winner for the category of Innovative Restaurant (International) under the Malaysia Tourism Awards 2016/2017 by Tourism Malaysia, winner of Traveller’s Choice Award 2019 for Trip Advisor, ranked 5th in the Top 25 Leisure Hotels in Asia for Best in Travel 2019 by SmartTravelAsia.com, ranked 10th in Top 25 Spa Hotels for 2019 (SmartTravelAsia.com), winner of Luxury Beachfront Hotel of the Year in Malaysia for the Luxury Travel Guide Awards 2018.
There are two main wings at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang – the Garden Wing (main) and the Rasa Wing. The Rasa Wing features a private driveway and entrance and some of the most beautiful accommodation spaces in Penang. Guests in the Rasa Wing also enjoy a whole suite of privileges like lounge access, a private pool, and unlimited drinks during the cocktail session that you will not get in the Garden Wing. The Rasa Junior Suite King Room at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang is among one of the biggest rooms in this resort.
Rasa Junior Suite King Room
Here’s a sneak preview of how the balcony looks like and check out that impressive tub. If you are worried about privacy when taking a bath outside, electronic blinds can be controlled from a remote control found next to the TV. Even though the massive bathtub is located on your very own private balcony, the bathroom in the Rasa Premier Room still comes with a really good rain shower and jets for a rejuvenating shower. The Rasa Premier Room also has a huge desk for you to get work done. Taking a bath in the open while listening to the ocean waves is quite a unique experience – one that you do not get at many resorts. There is also a small seating area and a daybed for you to laze your afternoons away.
HIGH TEA (3pm to 4pm)
This is complimentary for guests staying at the Rasa Wing. As a Rasa Wing guest, you will enjoy a set of privileges that is exclusive to you – you will have access to this beautiful Rasa Lounge (which contains a mix of both indoor and outdoor tables) which gives you access to coffee, tea, juices, and soft drinks all day as well as a suite of other benefits. Afternoon tea is served daily at the Rasa Lounge from 3PM to 4PM. We were served this three-tier afternoon tea set.
EVENING COCKTAIL 5:30PM TO 7PM
If you feel that one hour is too short to fully relax at the lounge, stick around as the evening cocktail session starts at 5:30pm and ends at 7pm. The cocktail session has a lot of drinks selection including cocktail and wine. I especially like the sparkling wine perfect to set your mood for vacation. There are some canapes available during the session.
FULL-SIZE GYM
With all the eating and drinking it is a good idea to hit the gym in the morning to burn off some calories. The gym here is large and spacious and enough machines for everyone. You get to look out into the pool and garden while you run on the treadmill.
BREAKFAST AT SPICE MARKET
After the gym session, hit the breakfast buffet at The Spice Market. As a guest of the Rasa Wing, you get to choose to have the buffet breakfast at the Spice Market or at the Feringgi Grill. For our first breakfast, we decide to go to the Spice Market.
Spice Market Café has a team of international chefs specialising in different cuisines like Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nyonya and international cuisines. Instead of having separate outlets on the ground, there are several distinct open kitchens all conveniently located at a specially designed food and beverage area.
POOL TIME
As a Rasa Wing guest, you will have access to the exclusive Rasa Wing pool. It is a short walking distance away from several main pools and all are pleasant to swim in. In fact, there are so many pools that you will not get bored spending your time there
THE CHI SPA
Built around century-old tropical trees, CHI, The Spa has a 26-metre spa pool surrounded by lush greenery. Exclusive to the Shangri-La group of hotels and resorts, CHI, The Spa concept introduces age-old healing practices and philosophies from the Asian region. These relaxing treatments are based on holistic practices that restore balance and harmony to the mind and body.
The concept of Chi is to create a sanctuary of tranquillity inspired by the legend of “Shangri-La.” One of the main hallmarks of Chi is spacious, private spa suites and villas, designed to create a “spa within a spa” environment. Therapies are based on the ancient healing traditions, philosophies, and rituals of Southeast Asia.
This concept is further enhanced at the Rasa Sayang Resort’s Chi, by local cultural influences in architecture and interior design, treatment techniques and ingredients, and the luxuriant tropical landscape that has always been synonymous with Rasa Sayang Resort.
This first Chi, The Spa in Malaysia is a veritable sanctuary within 3,800 sq. metres of gardens complete with 11 treatment villas, yoga pavilion, reception, sanctum, all set amidst lush gardens beside one of the hotel’s private pools. Of the treatment villas, there are three Couples’ Villas and eight Garden Suites – some with outdoor spa tubs, and designed in keeping with Chi’s signature ‘spa within a spa’ concept with private changing, vanity, relaxation and bathroom facilities.
The spa area is enveloped by walls made of local granite, shaded by the canopy of century-old rain trees, and intersected by walkways through bamboo forests. All spa structures are open to the surrounding tropical vegetation. Tranquil interiors include teak walls, wood tiles and rich, dark silks, highlighted by Malaysian art and artifacts.
The Chi concept was developed in collaboration with a team of recognized specialists. Spa treatments and an exclusive product range have been to balance and rejuvenate the body. Signature therapies like the Rasa Hot Stone Massage and Traditional Malay Urut Massage use indigenous ingredients and techniques drawn from the ancient healing traditions of the Southeast Asian region.
Exotic local ingredients appear throughout the Chi, The Spa menu of more than 26 treatments, from poultices of lemongrass and ginger to oil of nutmeg and aromatic pandan leaves used in body treatments. The “Signature Herbal Asmaradana” (Loving Feeling) massage treatment and “Traditional Aromatic Herbal” body scrub, each involving traditional Malaysian techniques and ingredients, are destined to become signature therapies, opening a window to local Malay ritual and healing culture to contemporary spa-goers.
THE SEAFOOD BUFFET NIGHT, DINNER AT THE SPICE MARKET
AWARD-WINNING FERINGGI GRILL FOR BREAKFAST
Guests of the Rasa Wing have the option of having a full buffet breakfast at the Spice Market Cafe or a private and quieter one at the famous Feringgi Grill. I decided to go for Feringgi Grill on the second day for breakfast. The food quality was much better and the dining ambiance was classy. It is worth noting that even though the breakfast selection at Feringgi Grill à la carte, you may choose to order more or additional servings at no additional charge. The best thing about an à la carte buffet is that everything that comes out on your place is cooked à la minute. The Feringgi Grill also serves good coffee, if you enjoy an espresso-based drink.
Through the years, Rasa Sayang has garnered rave reviews for its food and beverage outlets. The award-winning Feringgi Grill has been voted the “Best Restaurant” by the Malaysia Tourism Board in recent years and was listed in the first annual “101 Best Hotel Restaurants Around The World” by The Daily Meal, New York. After the expansion plan, the Feringgi Grill overlooks lush green surroundings and the blue sea beyond.
The Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang totally surpasses my expectations. Not only were rooms gorgeous, but the service standards were also top-notch and the food within the hotel is excellent. You do not feel the need to step out of the resort during the stay. The location is at the northern tip of the island and offers an unobstructed view of the sea.
PROMOTION PAGE:
Penang Getaway with Daily Breakfast & MYR 200 Resort Credit per Stay
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang
Escape to Penang and experience everything that this unique Island has to offer. From the beautiful beaches of Batu Feringgi, to the world famous UNESCO world heritage site of Georgetown, experience it all when you book a 2 night stay or more at Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa.
Enjoy the best online rates guaranteed, and take advantage of instant rewards when you book direct and join Golden Circle loyalty programme. More benefits, more savings and free nights. Click here to join.
Offer includes:
- MYR 200 credit per stay to be used in any of the resort food-and-beverage outlets or Chi, The Spa
- 15% discount on all a la carte treatments at Chi, The Spa
- Daily buffet breakfast at Spice Market Café for 2 adults and 2 children below 6 years old
- Daily scheduled shuttle bus service to and from Georgetown
Here is the link.
- MYR 200 resort credit per stay must be charged to the guest room, and discount will be applied upon check-out. Resort credit is non-transferrable, non-cumulative and cannot be used against the room rate.
- A minimum 2-night stay is required.
- Room rate is subject to 10% service charge, a local government fee of MYR 3, and 0% government tax per room per night for stays on and between 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020. For stays from 1 September 2020, government tax will be readjusted to 6% per room per night, all other charges apply.
- Effective from 1 September 2017, the Federal Government has implemented a mandatory Tourism Tax of MYR 10, per-room, per-night, for all foreign passport holders. This amount is to be collected by the hotel, on behalf of the government, upon check-out. All Malaysian Nationals and Permanent Residents are exempt. Please be advised that the Tourism Tax is not included in your total room cost.
- Prior reservation is required and is subject to availability.
- Offer is not valid in conjunction with any other ongoing offer or promotion.
- Not applicable for group bookings of 10 or more rooms.
- Blackout dates may apply.
- An additional 3rd person staying in a Garden Wing room will be charged MYR 180++ per night (inclusive of breakfast and extra bed). A 3rd person staying in a Rasa Wing room will be charged MYR 250++ per night (inclusive of breakfast, extra bed and all Rasa Wing privileges). All 3rd person charges are subject to service charges and government taxes.
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