AVANI Hotels and Resorts, the vibrant upscale brand launched by Thailand-based Minor Hotel Group in 2011, added its fifth property – AVANI Sepang GoldCoast Resort in Malaysia – earlier this year. 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.
The resort has a distinctive design in the shape of a palm tree and has launched under the Avani flag following the completion of the first of two phases of a significant refurbishment programme. Now offering a refreshingly different beach resort experience, facilities include five restaurants and two bars, an Avani Spa and an extensive selection of activities.Surrounded by the sheltered waters of Malaysia’s Malacca Straits, Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort offers a secluded tropical hideaway. Set along 22 kilometres of shore, the resort has a mainland beachfront setting with lush gardens and a palm structure built on stilts, extending 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 first-class butler service, welcome drinks and a special check-in service, before being taken to their villa by private buggy. This exclusive butler service can be booked for all accommodation types.The resort has an impressive selection of dining options for guests to enjoy. The five restaurants include Sepoi Sepoi, a Malaysia-Chinese coffee shop menu of freshly brewed coffee, casual lunches, afternoon snacks and laid back dinners. The Bila Bila and Hai Sang Lou restaurants, located in the central area of the palm, have both been fully refurbished. The beachfront restaurant Perahu boasts a superb sundowner experience from the deck. Offering 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 live entertainment. Selat Bar on Sunset Beach serves tropical drinks and Bayu Lounge offers 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 the family include croquet, pétanque 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 try the Avani Spa. 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 are available to Putrajaya, the Unesco World Heritage site of historical Malacca and Kuala Lumpur. As part of Minor Hotel Group’s global expansion of diverse quality brands, Avani Hotels & Resorts was launched in late 2011 as a sister brand to Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, to consolidate the group’s presence in city and resort locations across Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East and Africa. ‘Avani’ stems from the Sanskrit word for ‘earth’ – a meaning which is expressed through a grounded personality and simple sense of style.