Located only about 45 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur city centre, the AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort is the perfect escape for locals looking for a quick weekend getaway, as well as tourists flying in for an exotic retreat.
When viewed from above, the resort’s unique layout is reminiscent of a palm tree – a design meant to represent the tropical paradise of Malaysia. The AVANI’s laidback vibe and location – surrounded by sea – certainly made me feel like I was on a tropical island. Set on stilts, the resort’s 315 rooms barely graze the calm waters of the Straits of Malacca. With water all around, this is the perfect setting for those seeking a tranquil escape.
Within its walls, the resort is a bustling hive of activity, much like a metropolis on its own. Guests on bicycles traverse elevated pathways while electric buggies speed along, transporting people to their respective rooms. At the centre of the resort lies the Club House, the heart of AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort where most of the resort’s F&B options can be found. This is also where yoga, Zumba and spin classes take place, as well as impressive performances, such as Hawaiian dance routines and fire-breathing shows.
You can also find a lovely infinity pool at the Club House. It’s a great place to gaze at the horizon and enjoy the peaceful waters, especially when the live band performs at dinnertime.
But, I much preferred taking in this sight from the balcony of my spacious 883 square feet Family Villa. The moment I stepped into my abode for the weekend, which comprised a master bedroom, twin sharing room and living area, I was engulfed in a sweet, refreshing scent. I later learnt that this fragrance came from the thatched alang-alang (a type of long grass) roof that the AVANI staff weave and maintain by hand. My villa was constructed as a unit on its own, which meant that noise from neighbouring villas was kept to a minimum. I loved the attention to detail that the resort put into its furnishings. The concept was minimalistic but there was elegance in its execution, and its zen-like design featured timber flooring and a natural, earthy palette with splashes of fresh green, evoking a soothing vibe.
Visitors would not go hungry here, as the resort’s five restaurants and three bars offer a wide variety of cuisines, including vegetarian options, which for vegetarians like me, are much appreciated!
The Perahu Restaurant was definitely my favourite dining outlet at the resort. There was a distinct sense of tranquillity about dining on a deck overlooking the beach, especially during sunset. The innovative menu included such delights as blue swimmer crab cake baked in phyllo pastry with tomato-balsamic salad and basil-chili aioli, as well as pan-seared scallops, cauliflower ragout and tomato chips as starters, and espresso braised short ribs with king oyster mushroom and truffle-encrusted Black Angus tenderloin for mains. While I could not indulge in these offerings, I enjoyed the forest mushroom cappuccino and roasted shallot-russet potato soup, minus the meat trappings, and savoured the simple vegetarian dishes available in the buffet, keeping space for the desserts. I filled up on lemongrass crème brûlée served with citrus-ginger ragout and orange sorbet; and chocolate-polenta soufflé cake served with green tea ice cream and whipped mascarpone. I also enjoyed dining at Hai Sang Lou restaurant where the signature appetiser of crispy fried eggplant sprinkled with salt was a delicious one. The chefs there even created a wholesome dish especially for me: braised bean curd in a thick, savoury broth tossed with carrots, corn and peas. Must-tries for non-vegetarians include roast duck and butter-fried prawns, and for dessert, the mango custard with vanilla ice cream and sago is out of this world.
Other dining options at the resort include Stimboat, which serves hotpot dishes; Bila Bila, with its grilled seafood and western specialties; and Sepoi Sepoi, which serves local cuisine.
A stop at the AVANI Spa, designed with hot baths set in stone, reminiscent of old Roman baths, was another unforgettable experience. Before my session, I was asked to fill a consultation card detailing the type of massage I wanted. As I was hoping to alleviate some muscle aches, I ticked the corresponding boxes for the therapist to focus on. The spa menu includes hair treatments, warm herbal baths, body treatments using ginger, coconut and hibiscus, as well as aromatic floral facials using orange blossom, chamomile and damask rose, for top-to-toe pampering.
Activities are abundant in the resort. All guests can enjoy the resort’s complimentary activities, which include cart sailing, speed sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddling and Zumba, to name a few. Nearby the resort is the Extreme Park, where guests can try their hand at paintballing, go-karting, ATV (all-terrain vehicle) riding and archery. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, and if given a chance to return, I’d do so in a heartbeat.
AVANI SEPANG GOLDCOAST
Address: 67, JALAN PANTAI BAGAN LALANG, KG. BAGAN LALANG, SUNGAI PELEK, SELANGOR
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