Malaysia & Singapore: Ian’s research trip

A few months back, our expert Ian packed his bags and headed back to one of his favourite parts of the world.He started in Singapore, then travelled through three very different Malaysian rainforests, on to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Belum and finally Pangkor Laut.The plan wasn’t just to see it all again. It was to revisit the places he already loves, try new stays and experiences, and properly sense-check everything we recommend, making sure we're completely up to date on the very best options for your holidays.What follows is his honest take. Where he’d stay. What he’d eat again in a heartbeat. What caught him off guard. And the small, on-the-ground details that help us shape a Malaysia holiday that really fits.

Starting with a few days in Singapore, I spent two nights in Downtown and one night in Sentosa. From here, I travelled west to the Desaru Coast for a night at the beach.Next, I headed into central Malaysia, to Taman Negara Rompin for the first of three rainforest visits and then continued on for a return visit to Kuala Lumpur.Then I travelled on into Taman Negara National Park, considered to be one of the oldest in the world, followed by a night in Ipoh and then two nights in Penang.To finish my trip, I spent two nights in the third and final rainforest, Belum and then a final rest in Pangkor Laut.The main aims of the trip were to experience the rainforest, explore the culture, and relax. Exploring three rainforest areas, seeing what experiences were available. Exploring towns and cities at my own pace, as our clients would. Searching out some hidden gems, or top tips which we can pass on!

The Desaru Coast on Malaysia's east coast is idyllic. With only a few hotels along that stretch, it's the perfect place to relax after Singapore or even Taman Negara Rompin.The Ananatara hotel specifically is amazing; beachfront hotel with two swimming pools, a real ‘Malaysian’ feel to the hotel – you know you’re in Malaysia and not just another big hotel. The amenities are fantastic, and they have a stunning fine-dining restaurant where you can sample local seafood caught that day!

Taman Negara Rompin is a great alternative to Taman Negara or Belum Rainforest. With lovely lodge-style rooms (not quite the same as a 5* hotel but a real rainforest feel).There are many activities you can do, but the best would be a morning trek to a waterfall, followed by an afternoon boat ride and a walk to a natural pool you can swim in! Of course, you will get some rain in the rainforest, but it really adds to the experience.It's not somewhere you are going to see wildlife (although I did see a flying squirrel on the night walk), but you get the full experience of staying in a Malaysian rainforest – humidity and all!

Sentosa Island was a really nice surprise; it’s not somewhere I had been before. About a 15-minute drive from Downtown Singapore, it is the perfect family-friendly location to base while still having access to the city's tourist sites.
The hotels are set up with plenty of amenities; restaurants, pools, etc., but you are also walkable to the beach. Along the beach, there are many payable excursions to do, such as the Skyline Luge, Bungee Jump, Ziplines, etc.
In addition, they offer free visits to the Skywalk and Fort Siloso.

Ooofff the food, I ate like a king for three weeks; honestly, my favourite thing about going back to Singapore & Malaysia is the food. I genuinely cannot pinpoint my favourite meal because all of them were so good. A few highlights below:

Maxwells is the most famous hawker market in Singapore, it really does live up to the hype. There's so much choice in terms of food and drink, and it is just so amazing. It can be slightly overwhelming when you first walk in, but soon you get the idea. For seating, it’s a share-a-table setup, so you just find a seat where you can; everyone is so friendly! I befriended two gentlemen who were third-generation Singaporeans. They live locally and visit Maxwells weekly, so if it is good enough for the locals, it’s good enough for me!

Lot 10, underneath the Pavilion Shopping Centre in KL. I would describe this as street food for beginners. It is much less noisy and busy than the actual street food markets, but the setup is very similar, and it is incredibly well-priced, plus it has air-con.

Jalan Alor is a must-try. Street food, incredible smells, amazingly busy and chaotic, such a local, Malaysian experience. Take 60 MYR (less than £12), and you will leave feeling more than full!

My Achilles heel is Bottega in Penang, a lovely little family-run Italian restaurant for when you are craving that Western taste of food. Freshly cooked pizza and cold tiramisu, it’s the perfect break from noodles & rice (just for one meal). So good, I have visited in 2023 and 2025!

Midway between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, just outside the colonial town of Ipoh, Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is all about switching off properly. Set among ancient limestone hills and geothermal springs, the setting alone does half the work for you.There’s a pool, spa, fitness suite and restaurant as you’d expect – but it’s the extras that make it stand out. Dinner in a cave at Jeff’s Cellar, cocktails with a view at On the Rocks, and long soaks in the 40°c geothermal pools while the steam rises around you. If you’re feeling brave, there are ice baths too.It’s peaceful, a little indulgent, and feels like a genuine retreat. It wouldn't be the right fit for every itinerary, but when it works, it’s a very good call.

What a gorgeous hotel. I would recommend treating yourself to the Deluxe Suite, as this comes with a view of the swimming pool and Straits of Malacca. The room itself is spacious, comfortable and has a separate lounge space. As well as this, they offer happy hour between 6pm & 7pm daily, where you can get some free drinks and canapes before you head out into Georgetown for dinner.

If you’re after a peaceful island-style finale without flying on to Langkawi, Pangkor Laut Resort is spot on. Around three hours by road from Kuala Lumpur or Penang to the jetty, then a short boat ride across, and you’ll find yourself properly away from it all.There are beachfront restaurants, a generous pool and spacious rooms clearly designed with slowing down in mind.And if you’re there on a Friday night, don’t miss the Malaysian street-food dinner. Stalls serving curries, roti, satay and fresh fruit, with the scent of it all drifting through the warm evening air. It’s a relaxed, flavour-full, and brilliant way to end a trip.

Back to Maxwells, where I befriended two gentlemen who were third-generation Singaporeans. They were telling me about their families and how they love living in Singapore – they were fans of tourists and enjoyed what tourists bring to the city! My driver. The best surprise was him turning up on Day one and us both realising he was my driver back on my Fam Trip in 2023. It was lovely to catch up and be able to just settle back into conversation like it hadn’t been two years!

It’s hard to pinpoint my favourite experience, because I honestly had the best time on this trip. I think just the fact that I get to do this for work, revisiting some of my favourite places on the planet and then inspiring others to travel to these places and seeing how much they love it. It doesn't get better than that.There’s nothing better than arriving somewhere where you've been before, and it feels like no time has passed at all. Stepping back in KL, walking the streets of Georgetown with my headphones in, pretending I’m a local because I know the way – it’s just the best feeling.

This trip had a lot of rainforest focus, so it was really good to visit three different rainforests and experience what each of them had to offer. Taking part in different activities and seeing how each resort was set up and how it worked was really interesting. I also learned that although it’s great to see as much as possible, it’s just as important to slow down and really experience what you are seeing. Spending the extra night in places so that you can really delve into the back streets or visit another hawker centre (always worth it). Nowadays, we’re always so quick to just jump to the next place, whereas this time, I really enjoyed every second of each place I visited.

Malaysia has so much to offer, and the highlights would differ from person to person. So, for me it’s all about that first chat to find out what you want from your trip, so we can work out where you can't miss from there.Between cities, towns, beaches, rainforest, UNESCO sites, there is the perfect Malaysia trip out there for everyone, so we just need to create the perfect one so that they don’t miss what THEY shouldn’t miss.

All year round. That’s the joy of Malaysia, there’s always somewhere to visit at all times.

Head to a food centre/hawker market and be prepared to enjoy them to the maximum. It can be overwhelming at first, but once you get used to it, it will really open your eyes culinarily, and some of the food is out of this world (and cheap!) I can talk you through it!