THE A-LIST 2020 X DESARU
THE A-LISTERS HEAD DOWN TO FOR A SHORT STAY TO RELAX & REJUVENATE
LOCATED ON THE southern tip of the Malaysian peninsular, the Westin Desaru Coast Resort warmly welcomed the August Man A-Lister community both past and present for a short weekday getaway. The destination resort is fully equipped with all the amenities to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay without having to truly leave the premises. Filled with an array of facilities from its Heavenly Spa, 24-hour access gym, several in-house dining options and more, which are all merely a short walk away from the white-sand shores overlooking the South China Sea.
DAY 1
Upon arrival, following the mandatory check-in and SOPs, the boys were greeted and ushered to the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant ‘Seasonal Tastes’ for tea and a light bite after the long drive down. Presented on a tiered platter was a mixture of sweet and savoury treats. A tea cart was stationed nearby to provide an array of flavours to wash down the mouth-watering delectables or cool down and refresh from the heat.
After filling their bellies, the boys were given a tour of the premises beginning with the adjacent signature Italian restaurant ‘Prego’, which they would be dining at that evening, followed by the Heavenly Spa and the fully-equipped gym.
But the pièce de résistance had to be getting settled down into their respective sea-view rooms to relax and refresh before the evening festivities. Luxuriously spacious, every room overlooks the Desaru beach from the comfort of their living spaces.
The A-Listers moved towards the ambient setting of Prego for a four-course meal of authentic Italian cuisine. Beginning with a platter of alternating fresh mozzarella to roasted tomato slices garnished with basil pesto and rocket salad. Next to be served was a wide-rimmed bowl of cream of wild mushroom, sauté mushroom and truffle essence. On to the main course, the choices were between the grilled Angus rib-eye steak, pan-seared sea bass fillet or roasted corn fed chicken, mushroom sauce grilled chicken with a side of potato wedges. To end on a sweet note Prego served its signature tiramisu̶ Italian traditional mascarpone mousse with espresso ladyfinger biscuit.
DAY 2
The second day began bright and merry with a hearty breakfast at Seasonal Tastes that had everyone spoiled for choice. Consisting of international and local cuisine as well as assorted stations, of which some food were made-to-order.
The next activity lined up was a quick round of golf at the neighbouring ELS Golf Club where four out of the nine A-Listers had got to experience the Ocean Course. The skies were clear and only lightly windy for the nine holes game between the four.
In the meantime back at the resort, the rest were wasting no time at all by either choosing to sweat it up at the state-of-the-art gym or sunbathing and reigning in a natural sunkissed look down by the pool or beach.
The group then reconvened once again for lunch at Seasonal Tastes. On the menu that afternoon was a pre-selected course of Nyonya dishes. After which the A-listers proceeded to maximise their leisure time bonding at the pool while others decided to take some muchneeded r&r in the comfort of their rooms.
“FOR ME, THE HOTEL IS TRULY AMAZING. I REALLY LIKE THE DESIGN OF THE ROOM, IT’S VERY WELL THOUGHT OF, IT FEELS VERY INVITING, YOU FEEL IMMEDIATELY WELCOMED AND VERY COMFORTABLE.” — AIMRAN AZIZI
For their last night together, the group headed down to the beach dressed in floral clad button-downs for a casual dinner at the Beach Bar. It was a bittersweet evening as plates of local delicacies occupied the shared long table and the Mid-Autumn Festival moon rose and illuminated the waters of Desaru.
The night was not over just yet, the A-Listers were brought to enjoy the remainder of their last night at the Coral Lounge. A cosy intimate lounge where the boys let loose with drinks, intimate conversations and music to dance the night away.
DAY 3
At dawn, the boys headed down for the last activity on the books. Before they could get comfortable on the long ride back to up north to KL, the Run Westin coaches got the boys actively warmed up for a scenic run around the grounds of Westin as they lead them on the route. The boys ran along with the rising sun, the warm orange hue as their backdrop.
After the guided cool down, stretch and a much-obliged group selfie to commemorate the occasion. There was nothing that could beat the satisfaction of a well-deserved meal at Seasonal Tastes. Lastly, to commemorate their memorable stay, everyone gathered for a group photo with the staff and general manager before they were off; already reminiscing the sound of the ocean waves as they departed in the All-New RAV4 SUVs assigned to them for the trip.