Summary

Get ready to add a new gem to your travel bucket list! The Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa made its grand debut in April 2024, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. This isn’t just any resort – it’s the first Marriott Hotel to grace the stunning Perhentian Islands, and the first in Terengganu and the entire East Coast of Malaysia! Talk about a major milestone for this tropical paradise. Nestled snugly on the northwest coast of Perhentian Kecil Island, this haven of luxury perfectly captures the soul of the region. Imagine a design that draws inspiration from the mesmerizing South China Sea, the vibrant coastal forests, and the rich tapestry of local traditions – that’s what awaits you here.

And here’s the best part: sustainability is at the heart of it all. The resort is committed to minimizing its environmental footprint by using local materials and native landscaping, creating a truly harmonious blend with the natural surroundings. You’ll find yourself seamlessly transitioning between indoor and outdoor spaces, fully immersed in the breathtaking beauty of this island destination.

We were lucky enough to spend five amazing days and four unforgettable nights at this brand-new slice of paradise this past summer. Get ready to dive into our itinerary and hear all our thoughts on what this incredible property has to offer – trust us, you won’t want to miss it!

DAY 1: Sunday, June 30th – A Rough Start

So our first day checking in at the Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa was a bit of a happy accident. We actually originally planned to stay at the Mimpi, located on Long Beach, not that far away from the Marriott. Our reservation there fell through, but as they say, when one door closes, a luxurious, beachfront door opens! We decided to just add an extra day to our existing four-day stay, making it a five-day adventure.

Since we booked a room on a whim, it wasn’t quite ready when we arrived. It all adds to the adventure, right? There was our reservation that we booked using cash, and then my parents, who were also staying, booked their one-night stay using points. The check-in process, though, was lovely. You arrive at their private jetty, and then a golf cart, big enough to fit a few people plus luggage, comes and fetches you to take you to the hotel lobby. Once at the lobby, you’re greeted with a complimentary refreshment drink and Malaysian dessert. For us, it happened to be a pandan lemongrass lemonade and a pandan kuih (a delicious Malaysian cake). Despite having already completed our check-in and enjoyed our arrival treats, we still had to wait about an hour for our rooms to be ready. So, naturally, we decided to grab some lunch! We opted for a restaurant off the property called Rosemary Café. There’s actually a gate that leads to the café that Marriott thoughtfully designed for guests to access, which is super nice. We had an escort buggy take us to the gate, which was then only a 30-second walk to the café.

At the café, we ordered char kway teow for both Aroob and I, alongside some tasty beverages, the lychee Bandung susu and lychee iced tea. My parents opted for some nasi goreng kampung style as well as the lychee iced tea. The prices here are very affordable and the quality of the food is surprisingly good, so if you have the chance to pay a visit, it’s a definite recommend from us.

After finishing our lunch, we had a buggy come and fetch us back to the lobby.

Tip: Typically, at the exit points of the property, there’s a security guard you can ask to call a buggy for you. A few of these access points include the gate to Rosemary Café, the gate to walk to Romantic Beach, and then the gate for a 10-15 minute walk to Long Beach.

Our rooms were finally ready, and we were escorted to our little slice of paradise. We were welcomed with a few surprise gifts, which was such a nice touch! On our bed was a woven basket containing some Malaysian snacks and a sarong, perfect for lounging around or going to the beach. We absolutely loved the room and especially the bathroom. (For a detailed tour of the room, check out our other YouTube video here!). After settling in, the weather decided to have a little mood swing. Storm clouds came rolling in out of nowhere, and it rained pretty heavily for a few hours, to the point where the satellite TV service wasn’t even working. We decided to coordinate with my parents and go out for dinner on the property at a restaurant called Dapur, which serves Asian fusion.

Our service at Dapur was a little slow, but it turns out they were short-staffed due to some personal emergencies, which is totally understandable. Despite the wait, the staff was super apologetic, and the service was nothing short of exceptional. They really went above and beyond.

Once we were all stuffed from dinner, we were exhausted from the journey we’d had to make to get to Perhentian Kecil and decided to call it a night. We got back to our room, took a nice hot shower, and dozed off in the super comfy bed, excited to wake up early the next morning for the all-inclusive breakfast we were given due to our Platinum status with Marriott. Gotta love those perks!

Day 2: Monday, July 1st – Testing the Waters

We woke up bright and early, eager to take advantage of the amazing complimentary breakfast – a perk of our Marriott Platinum status! Breakfast is served at Dapur, the same spot where we had that incredible dinner the previous night. The feast runs from 6:30 am to 10:30 am, giving you plenty of time to fuel up for a day of island adventures. Unfortunately, my parents, who were visiting us and had booked with points, only had Gold status, so they didn’t qualify for the free breakfast. They opted to check out the Rosemary Café instead.

Let’s talk about the breakfast at Dapur, though – it was phenomenal! Since the resort wasn’t super busy during our stay, we had our pick of tables. (Though I’d imagine if it were peak season, the hostess would likely seat you.) The moment you step into Dapur, the friendly bar attendant greets you and offers coffee, tea, or other hot beverages. For cold drinks, you can help yourself to the fridges lining the back wall, which are stocked with juices, sodas, and even Gatorade – a lifesaver in the tropical heat! The variety of food is incredible, with international cuisine stations serving up everything you could possibly crave. Plus, there are live cooking stations where you can watch your food being prepared fresh right before your eyes.

You’ll find everything from Western and English breakfast staples to Chinese and Malay specialties. And of course, there’s the classic salad bar, a selection of cold cuts, a cereal station, and a mouthwatering array of pastries. But the dessert spread? Don’t even get me started! We’re talking cakes, chocolates, ice cream, authentic Malaysian kuih, and even international treats like macaroons. It’s a sweet tooth’s dream come true!

After our breakfast feast, we met up with my parents. They were only staying for one night and had plans to explore Kota Bharu and Kota Terengganu, while we continued our island paradise adventure. The jetty offers two departure times back to the mainland – noon and evening. (The new Fairfield Inn in Besut wasn’t open yet, but it will be a convenient option for future travelers!)

With our parents waving goodbye from the jetty, it was just the two of us. Time for some Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us” vibes! We decided to check out the activities offered at the resort and headed to the YBD Dive Center to inquire about snorkeling packages. And here’s where the story takes a turn: they somehow convinced us to try scuba diving! Yes, you read that right – two people who were admittedly terrified of the idea and had never dived before. But the staff were so incredibly helpful, kind, and reassuring that we felt we were in good hands.

For those curious about pricing, we’ve included a list of all the activity costs below. As first-time divers, we had to download the PADI app, create an account, and complete some introductory training modules before our dive later that day. Bonus: we were each gifted two cool shirts for signing up, a great memento of our soon-to-be-conquered fear!

Back in our room, armed with our new shirts, we had some time to chill and complete the PADI training. It was surprisingly quick and easy – mostly videos demonstrating how to handle different situations underwater, like retrieving your mouthpiece if it comes out or clearing water from your goggles. But as our dive time crept closer, the anxiety started to kick in. Let’s be honest – Aroob and I aren’t exactly Olympic swimmers, and the open water is a little intimidating! Thankfully, our instructor, Josh, was amazing. He was super experienced, friendly, young and instantly put us at ease with his calm and reassuring demeanor.

We arrived at the jetty, hopped aboard the dive center’s yacht, and off we went! Now, here’s the thing about diving – you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. There’s no guarantee where you’ll end up, as the dive location depends entirely on the day’s water conditions around the island. For our beginner’s dive, we actually headed towards Long Beach, practicing our skills near the Mimpi jetty. Pro Tip for Aspiring Underwater Photographers: If you’re planning to bring a GoPro or any other camera, make absolutely sure to grab it when you transfer from the yacht to the smaller boat. You won’t be returning to the yacht (and all your belongings) until the dive is over!

Our intro dive was a gradual immersion – literally! We spent the first hour practicing the essential skills we’d just learned in the training videos. Once we felt somewhat comfortable (or as comfortable as two newbies could be!), it was time to descend. Our second dive took us down to about 6-7 meters, followed by our third and final dive – the longest of the day at around 10 minutes – at a depth of roughly 12 meters. We were officially divers!

We finished our underwater adventure and arrived back at the Marriott around 5:30 pm. After freshening up, we decided to embark on a little expedition to Long Beach. There’s a gate at the edge of the resort that leads to a path winding through a bit of jungle and a construction site – a true off-the-beaten-path adventure!

Jungle Trek Tips: If you’re venturing out at night, make sure you have a light source! Your phone’s flashlight will do, but a handy tip is to grab the portable flashlight provided in your hotel room closet. And most importantly: Mosquito repellent is your best friend! Seriously, load up on it. The mosquito situation at Long Beach is no joke – I’d even recommend wearing long sleeves to avoid getting completely devoured. The walk itself isn’t too strenuous, but keep in mind that the return trip is mostly uphill.

Our time at Long Beach was fun and a nice change of pace. We grabbed dinner at Panorama Café, a charming little spot right on the beach, adorned with twinkling string lights. We shared some tasty calamari and then I had a maggi goreng while Aroob opted for char kway teow. I also ordered a mango smoothie, which, to be honest, wasn’t the best I’ve ever had. Fair warning: the mosquitoes here are relentless! We could actually see swarms of them buzzing around the lights, to the point where the restaurant had to turn them off, which in the end was a blessing in disguise since we were the mosquitos dinner! Despite the mosquito onslaught, the food at Panorama Café was decent and affordable.

With our bellies full from dinner, we decided to take a leisurely stroll along Long Beach to see what this lively stretch of sand had to offer after dark. We meandered past the numerous tour operators lining the beach, and here’s a crucial tip for fellow travelers: the tour prices here are significantly cheaper than those offered at the Perhentian Marriott. So, if you’re looking to stretch your travel budget, booking your excursions on Long Beach is the way to go!

As we walked, we stumbled upon a mesmerizing fire show happening right near the jungle path we’d taken earlier. A talented performer twirled and tossed flaming batons, lighting up the night with bursts of fiery brilliance every 30 seconds to a minute. It was a captivating spectacle that added to the already vibrant atmosphere.

For those who enjoy a social smoke, Long Beach also offers hookah/shisha. While the prices were quite reasonable, the flavor selection was, shall we say, limited. In fact, they really only had one flavor available during our visit. Despite the lack of options, we figured, “When in Rome…” and ordered one anyway, just to soak up the quintessential beach vibes.

But our shisha session was short-lived. The mosquitoes, those relentless little vampires, were still out in full force, attacking with a vengeance that made it hard to relax. After about 30 minutes of swatting and itching, we decided to cut our losses and make a hasty retreat.

The walk back up the jungle path was a bit more challenging than the descent, a five-minute uphill trek that felt a little longer after our day’s adventures. Thankfully, upon reaching the security gate leading back into the Marriott, a friendly buggy driver appeared like a chariot from the heavens, whisking us back to the comfort of our room.

And what better way to end a night of adventure than with room service and anime? We indulged in a selection of desserts (because, why not?) and settled in for a cozy night of watching Demon Slayer on my laptop. It was the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring, diving, and battling the infamous Long Beach mosquitoes!

Day 3: Tuesday, July 2nd – Enjoying On-Site Activities

Another day in paradise, another epic breakfast at Dapur! We made a beeline for the familiar spread, eager to fuel up for whatever adventures awaited. This time, the selection was a bit different from the previous days, offering a delightful change of pace while still maintaining that consistently high quality we’d come to expect.

From “Beautiful Terengganu” to Roti Jala: An Unexpected Culinary Detour

After breakfast, we were feeling spontaneous and decided to just go with the flow. As we wandered past Dapur, we noticed an activity board listing something called “Beautiful Terengganu.” Intrigued, and having no clue what it was, we decided to investigate. Turns out, “Beautiful Terengganu” is actually a room connected to Dapur, and we assumed it was about to host some sort of event. We went back to the room to freshen up, and then came back to the restaurant to inquire what the event was. To our surprise, there was an ongoing cooking class happening in the ‘Beautiful Terengganu’ room. Before we knew it, Aroob was dragged into the kitchen, learning how to make roti jala! It was a fun and unexpected detour. She only learned how to cook roti jala, one of two items that the cooking class has you making. The second item is the pandan kuih, that we were given during our check-in. We originally came for our intended event which happened to be a property tour, led by recreation manager Lina. It was just us on the tour, which made it feel extra personal and exclusive. You can see the full tour on our YouTube channel – link here!

Romantic Beach: Sun, Steps, and Stunning Scenery

Once the tour wrapped up, we set our sights on our first beach adventure: Romantic Beach! Ironically, we were dropped off by the buggy near our original room, which is on the farthest side of the resort. From there, it’s a descent of approximately 175 steps to reach the sandy shores. Going down is a breeze, but just a heads-up – the climb back up is a different story!

Pro Tip: Bring an umbrella! The sun can be intense, and shade is scarce on the beach itself. Don’t worry if you didn’t pack one – your room should have an umbrella stashed in the closet, perfect for protecting yourself and your belongings from the scorching sun.

Once you’ve set up your little beach camp, it’s time to dive into the pristine water, teeming with vibrant marine life. Keep in mind that Romantic Beach is a shared beach, so you’ll likely encounter other beachgoers enjoying the sun and surf. During our visit, there was even a small boat nearby conducting a dive class! Apparently, Romantic Beach is in the process of becoming exclusive to Marriott guests, but the current status is unclear.

I have to say, the scenery at Romantic Beach is absolutely breathtaking. I flew my drone, and the shots of the shoreline juxtaposed against the lush jungle were simply incredible. After a few hours of swimming and soaking up the sun, we packed up our gear and prepared for the upward trek.

The climb back up is, to put it mildly, brutal. Especially when you’re carrying your swimming gear, camera equipment, and the weight of a thoroughly relaxed body. The good news is that the path is mostly shaded, so you can take breaks without getting roasted by the sun. And let me tell you, we took full advantage of those shaded breaks! Luckily, when we finally emerged, victorious, from the stair climb, a vacant buggy happened to be passing by. We flagged it down and were spared the walk back to our room. Score!

Sunset Spectacle and a Seafood Feast at Sekoci: Chef Sonny’s Magic Touch

We had special dinner plans that evening, courtesy of Chef Sonny, the head chef of both the Perhentian Marriott and the Fairfield Inn in Besut. We’d met him during that spontaneous cooking class, and he’d arranged a special meal for us at Sekoci.

So, after showering off the saltwater and sand, we headed to Sekoci a bit early to catch the sunset. The resort’s western location offers stunning sunset views, and tonight was no exception. We were treated to a vibrant spectacle of pink and orange hues as the sun dipped towards the horizon, even though some clouds partially obscured the view.

Once the sun had set, we were seated for our dinner. Typically, at Sekoci, you’d walk up and select your fresh catch of the day – anything from grouper and squid to shrimp and even some meat options. All the seafood is locally sourced from the nearby Fisherman Village, ensuring the ultimate freshness. However, since Chef Sonny had planned a special meal just for us, we skipped this step.

Our dinner was a true feast for the senses, a testament to Chef Sonny’s culinary expertise. We were welcomed by the amazing staff and served fresh cold Pina Coladas, made with coconut water. It was a perfect evening activity, from the amazing sunset to the impeccable service. We were very lucky to have met such amazing people.

After dinner, we were hoping to watch the stars from the yoga deck, but we were exhausted and still getting bitten by mosquitoes (since Sekoci is an outdoor restaurant). Instead, we ended up having a second drink in the great room, where the friendly bartender offered us a free second drink since we had only gotten one the night before. We even had some shisha, although the place was closing at 10:30 pm, but they were kind enough to stay past the closing time.

Finally, at around 10:45 pm, we headed back to our room, ready for a good night’s sleep. This island is truly a magical place, and we were looking forward to another day of adventure!

Day 4: Wednesday, July 3rd – Just Chill!

After yet another morning of devouring the delicious breakfast spread (seriously, it’s that good!), we had grand plans to explore the famous spots of Perhentian Kecil and Besar. However, the lure of relaxation was too strong, and for the first time in all our travels, we decided to truly embrace the resort life and indulge in the amenities available right at our doorstep. Adventure could wait – it was time for some serious R&R!

Our first mission? More snorkeling! This time, we ventured down to Marriott Beach (or is it Tranquil Beach? The official name remains a mystery…). It’s conveniently located right next to the stunning infinity pool and Sekoci. Bonus: the steps leading down are significantly fewer compared to Romantic Beach, making it a much easier trek. At the gate, there’s a handy list to jot down your info if you need to borrow some towels for your beach adventure. Now, be prepared: once you hit the sand, you’ll encounter a bit more dead coral along the shore. But trust us, push past it, and you’ll be rewarded with an explosion of marine life! We highly recommend bringing water shoes for navigating the coral. We were absolutely blown away by the variety of underwater habitats and even spotted giant parrotfish that were practically the size of me! It was an unforgettable experience. Aroob, ever the creative one, etched our “Travel Destinasians” name into the sand, complete with the date, for a unique drone shot from above – such a cool perspective of the beach and the resort!

We spent a few blissful hours swimming amongst the vibrant fish before heading back up to the pool area to unwind and refuel. We indulged in some of the finger foods and lunch items from Sekoci’s menu, and let me tell you, the Malay-Western fusion dishes are surprisingly delicious. We highly recommend the beef rendang pizza – it’s a unique and flavorful twist on a classic. And the calamari? Absolutely divine! Pro tip: if you’re aiming to snag one of the coveted cabanas, try to grab the one on the front left, closest to Sekoci. It offers the best views and a little extra space. They’re all first-come, first-served, so get there early!

After a refreshing dip in the pool and savoring the delicious poolside fare, we retreated to our rooms to freshen up and prepare for the highlight of the day: our couples spa treatment at the Qui Forest Spa! We were buzzing with excitement!

After a quick refresh, we headed to the Greatroom to enjoy our two complimentary drinks before hopping on a buggy bound for the spa. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the owner himself, who was incredibly kind and welcoming. We filled out the usual waivers and forms, indicating any specific areas we wanted our masseuses to focus on during the treatment.

Next, we were escorted to the couples room and given our spa garments to change into. Now, here’s a little heads-up for the taller folks: I’m a 6’0″ guy, and let’s just say the provided underwear was a bit…snug. Walking was a challenge, to say the least, and tearing was a real possibility. Luckily, they have spares, or you can always opt to wear your own – crisis averted!

And now, for the main event: the spa treatment itself. Two hours and forty minutes of pure, unadulterated bliss. They began with a luxurious foot massage, complete with various scrubs and techniques, all while we were comfortably seated with our feet soaking in a warm tub. Once our feet were sufficiently pampered, we moved to the massage tables, lying face down, and the therapists worked their magic from our torsos down to our toes. They paid extra attention to the areas we’d highlighted on the forms, ensuring a truly personalized experience.

After a thorough massage of the lower body, we flipped over, and the therapists repeated the process, working their way from our torsos down. Finally, the grand finale: an extensive facial treatment involving a symphony of creams and a wonderfully relaxing head and face massage. Honestly, the entire experience was so incredibly soothing that time simply melted away. I usually end up falling asleep during massages.

Emerging from the spa in a state of complete and utter relaxation, we were practically melting into puddles of bliss. Honestly, getting up and doing anything felt like a monumental task. But our stomachs eventually reminded us that sustenance was required. Thankfully, we mustered up the energy to head back to Dapur for dinner. We opted for a change of pace and ordered the fish and chips, a little surprising since it was our first venture into non-Malay or non-Asian cuisine during our stay. And guess what? It was surprisingly delicious! The fish was perfectly cooked, the batter was crispy, and the chips were on point. Who knew we’d find such a gem on a Malaysian island? After our surprisingly delightful dinner, we retreated to our room, completely and utterly spent, and crashed hard. The spa treatment had truly worked its magic, leaving us in a state of blissful exhaustion. It was the perfect way to wind down an already incredible day.

Day 5: Thursday, July 4th – Marriott Bon-Voy(age)

It was our last day on the island paradise, so we were taking it easy and savoring every last moment. We kicked things off by indulging in the complimentary breakfast at Dapur – and let me tell you, we went hard on the desserts. (We’ve got a major sweet tooth, what can we say?) We’d been putting off capturing the beauty of the resort for our content, so after breakfast, we got dressed up and spent some time filming around the stunning property. You can catch a sneak peek of the footage in our Marriott property tour YouTube video – stay tuned!

With a few hours to kill before checkout and our early afternoon ferry departure, we decided to end our stay in style with our two complimentary drinks at the Greatroom. And because no vacation is complete without it, we also indulged in some hookah! For those who appreciate a good shisha session, let me tell you – the hookah here was incredibly smooth and flavorful, leagues ahead of the one we had on Long Beach. Long Beach, while charming, tends to have more worn-out hookahs. While we did wish the resort offered a wider selection of flavors, the quality here was undeniably superior.

Now, let’s talk about checkout. It was a bit of an adventure! It took a little while to actually speak with one of the front desk associates due to a queue of other guests. We had two Marriott gift cards to use, and applying them seemed to be a little tricky for the staff. The front desk associate ended up jotting down our gift card details to apply them later and promised to send over our final invoice later in the day. Honestly, we were a tad nervous about whether the gift cards would be accurately applied after we left, but thankfully, we did eventually receive the correct invoice via email – phew!

Once the bill was settled, our bags were loaded onto a buggy, and we were whisked away to the dock. We were initially fooled by the luxurious yacht used for the YBD Dive Center – we actually thought that was our ferry back to Kuala Besut, lol! But before we could get too excited, the actual ferry arrived, which was a much smaller boat that could probably fit around 20 people max. Luggage was stowed in the middle of the boat, and as usual, life jackets were handed out and required to be worn. Then, we were off on our 20-minute ride back to the newly built Fairfield Inn.

Upon arrival, the staff helped us unload our baggage. We collected our things and quickly made our way to the main lobby of the Fairfield to escape the scorching sun. The Fairfield staff were incredibly kind and let us wait inside while my parents were on their way to pick us up. From there, it was off to Kuantan for the next leg of our adventure!