Nestled amidst the exotic surroundings of the Malacca Straits, it is an international jetsetter's haven of luxury villas sprawling over the lush tropical greenery of a private island.
Pangkor Laut's concept of "one island, one resort" has validated YTL's ability to precisely cater to the needs of its customers. Like the Vistana, it also performs well, outpacing all other Malaysian resorts in its class.
There are currently five flights a week into the island from Subang airport, to Pangkor Airport. With a bigger runway and airport, catering to 72-seater planes, it is possible to have more flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and even Singapore. The present air-strip could only accommodate a 48-seater aircraft.
Pulau Pangkor Laut or Pangkor Laut as it is popularly known, is a small continental island of approximately 120 hectares (300 acres). It is located one and a half kilometers (one nautical mile) to the south-east of the main island of Pangkor, off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
A British Colonel, Freddy Spencer Chapman DSO, was one of the first Europeans to make Pangkor Laut his destination for thirty-six hours in May 1945. After spending three and a half years in hiding from the Japanese in the jungles of Malaya, Spencer Chapman made his way to Pangkor Laut’s Emerald Bay to escape by submarine. Despite the short visit, the beauty and tranquility of the resort left a great impression on Spencer Chapman and his time on the island is detailed in his book “The Jungle is Neutral.”
Around the year 1960, the late Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Iskandar Shah discovered the peace and tranquility of Pangkor Laut with its beautiful beaches and mystical tropical forest. Although he never had the chance to live on the island, His Royal Highness made frequent day trips occasionally inviting special guests to enjoy the beauty of Pangkor Laut.
Pangkor Laut has all the trapping of a world-class resort. It was in this light that the then Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Shah saw the tourism potential of this island. In 1982 His Highness approached YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of Yeoh Tiong Lay Corporation (YTL Corp) with the idea of building a resort on the island. The beautiful natural features on the island at once captured YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh’s imagination and fired his enthusiasm which has not waned since. Almost immediately YTL Corp set about preparing plans for the birth of the project. The Resort, albeit in somewhat humble beginnings, was initially named Pansy Resort and officially declared open by former Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Honorable Tun Dato` Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad on 18 July 1985. Sadly, Sultan Idris Shah passed away before the completion of the Resort and did not see his dream come to fruition. Nonetheless,
His Highness had not dreamt in vain.
As the popularity of the Resort increased, YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh saw its growing potential. He wanted to improve and expand the original developments and set about making plans for an additional phase at Coral Bay at the southeastern end of the Island.
Coral Bay opened in December 1990 and became the first and only resort in Malaysia featuring villas on stilts over the sea. At about the same time the Royal Bay was closed for redevelopment. Over the years, the economy of Malaysia grew and YTL Corp’s success and fortunes likewise grew with it. More than ever, YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh was determined to establish a world-class resort on the Island. This resulted in another construction phase of the Resort at Royal Bay.
Opened on 1 July 1993, the newly enhanced Pangkor Laut Resort with just 126 air-conditioned Villas, may well be the most exotic luxury resort in Asia. Its Sea Villas are on stilts over the emerald-green waters while the Beach Villas are right by the white sandy beach. The Hill Villas, perched dramatically on slopes in the midst of the rain forest, offer breath-taking views of the bay below.
From the 35-metre lap pool and frog pool, tennis courts, jacuzzi and air-conditioned fitness centre to the television lounge, Pangkor Laut Resort has extensive facilities to offer even the most discerning guest. In essence Pangkor Laut very much resembles an idyllic traditional Malay village with a very welcome addition of modern luxuries. The idea is simple but the experience is sublime.
On 24 March 1994, Pangkor Laut Resort was officially launched by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
To mark the occasion, opera maestro, Luciano Pavarotti, was invited to sing to a specially invited audience under the Island’s idyllic surroundings. Luciano Pavarotti was invited once again to the Resort to officially open Spa Village Pangkor Laut on 6 September 2002.
As early as 1993, Pangkor Laut Resort collected the Prime Minister’s Award for Quality in the Prestige Category, and FIABCI’s (Federation Internationale des Administrateurs de Bien-Conseils Immobiliers) Award of Distinction for Malaysia’s Best Resort Development. The above awards were followed by a string of others in the later years.
As the popularity of the resort flourished, YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL, improved on the original concept and over the next few years embarked on a remarkable reconstruction and refurbishment programme creating Pangkor Laut Resort as it is today – “One Island, One Resort”.
-ENDS-
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