Kudat Riviera puts the green into envy (Malaysia)
|
Kudat Riviera puts the green into envy (Malaysia)
|
Category: Asia Pacific - Malaysia - Industry economy
- Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2009-05-27
Exclusive resort in Malaysian Borneo set to raise the eco-luxury bar
A spectacular new must-see destination will be added to the global eco-luxury map with the up and coming Autumn 2009 opening of Exquisite Borneo Villa's (EBV) award-winning Kudat Riviera luxury villa estate resort in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Luxuriating in a vibrant, verdant and extraordinarily diverse natural environment, generously spread along a six kilometre stretch of pristine, coral-fringed coastline, The Kudat Riviera is blessed with an abundance of natural treasures. Combining the privacy and seclusion of an exclusive villa estate with idyllic white sandy beaches, crystal clear azure waters, secluded coves and mile upon mile of undulating hills and valleys, The Kudat Riviera will be the ultimate exclusive resort for discerning travellers with an appreciation of the wonders of the natural world.
Malaysian Borneo is arguably one of the planet’s most diverse destinations, a cornucopia of inspirational natural assets including unspoilt mainland beaches; tropical islands; some of the most bio-diverse and rich marine environments, offering exceptional scuba diving; primeval virgin rainforest and jungle rich in exotic flora and fauna; South East Asia's highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu; river valleys; rugged canyons; and warm, friendly, multi-cultural inhabitants as varied as the landscape, who welcome visitors with open arms. Options for tours, excursions and activities are nigh on limitless and, for those not content with sybaritic relaxation in the privacy of their exclusive villa estate, The Kudat Riviera is an ideal base from which to explore Malaysian Borneo.
The Kudat Riviera (www.kudatriviera.com) will feature signature restaurants including Rustique, an informal yet chic beach club restaurant, and, 900 feet above sea level, the spectacular Caviar Sky Lounge. Commanding mesmeric 360-degree views taking in the ocean, Mount Kinabalu, and the northernmost tip of Borneo, the Caviar Sky Lounge will also feature a deep-sky telescope, allowing guests to immerse themselves in an awe-inspiring infinity of stars. A wide range of facilities and services are also available, including watersports, in-villa spa treatments, a kids’ club, luxury yacht charter, scuba diving, helicopter tours, and an 18-hole golf course nearby.
The Kudat Riviera features 29 expansive luxury villa estates, each occupying between 1-8 acres of private ground, and spread over 70 acres of stunning coastline - 12 of which will open later this year as the first phase of the resort. Each individual property revels in its own expansive, manicured private gardens, and is centred around a capacious natural stone infinity pool, offering a level of space, privacy and seclusion that is almost unprecedented for a luxury villa resort: an average of 2-3 acres per villa.
Protecting the environment is foremost in the minds of EBV, and as such every possible effort has been made to create the greenest and most environmentally-conscious villa resort. The Kudat Riviera is currently in the benchmarking phases of Green Globe International, an internationally recognised group setting environmental guidelines for the hospitality industry, and EBV has implemented policies regarding solar panel usage; responsible waste management; organic farming; and bio-fuel usage in the form of abundant coconut oils as part of a comprehensive environmental programme.
EBV has also established a charitable arm, Ex’IST (Exquisite Borneo Villas’ Island Sustainability Trust) that will focus efforts on conservation via community outreach, education and betterment, with a firm belief that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Addressing some of the issues which can have a profound impact on the natural surroundings of local communities, Ex’IST will raise money through a direct profit contribution from resort revenues, the implementation of carbon off-set “taxes” and through guest activities and contributions.
Each villa is constructed of natural materials throughout, including forest managed timbers; rich coconut tree columns; alang alang grass thatch roofing; water hyacinth and river-grass woven furniture; and natural stone. Three villa designs range from the 6,000-square foot Coco Villas where the swimming pool sweeps dramatically out from the heart of the villa interior, to the mid-size Pandanas Villas and smaller traditional Rice Barn Villas.
All villas at The Kudat Riviera are provided with their own dedicated private butler, always on hand to provide as much - or as little - assistance as is needed to ensure an effortless and perfect holiday. Guests can also call upon a personal chef to provide truly unique dining in the privacy of their villa, or to create bespoke culinary experiences in extraordinary settings throughout the Kudat Riviera.
Malaysian Borneo is centrally located in the heart of South East Asia and is easily accessible from the UK, with multiple daily flights from gateway cities Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok, and Brunei to the capital, Kota Kinabalu. Onward transfers from Kota Kinabalu to The Kudat Riviera take just 40 minutes by private helicopter or twin otter scheduled flight; a pleasant 2.5 hours by road through rice paddy fields and quaint villages; or 2-4 hours aboard a luxury yacht.
Truly a land of diversity, Malaysian Borneo’s wondrous natural beauty is complimented by its warm, hospitable peoples, comprising over 34 ethnic groups and cultures: Guests of the Kudat Riviera will be swept away by the colours and flavours of the Rungus tribe which has populated the northern region for centuries. EBV is committed to preserving the cultural heritage of the Rungus community, and actively engages in a host of local employment and betterment programmes which aim to have a positive impact on local community welfare, as well as supporting ecological and conservation projects in the region.
The Kudat Riviera is being heralded as the best luxury villa development in the Asia Pacific region and has already won several awards, including “Best Architecture - Malaysia” and “Best Development - Malaysia” at the CNBC/Daily Mail International Property Awards.
|
|
