The colonial charm of the Eastern & Oriental in Penang
SHE turns heads the minute she steps into Carcosa Seri Negara’s elegant lobby.
In a chili red, spaghetti strap dress which swishes over long, slim legs, Datuk Anna Lim draws every eye in the room.
She’s perfectly at home at the Carcosa and smiles warmly at staff and greets some of them by name.
In a chili red, spaghetti strap dress which swishes over long, slim legs, Datuk Anna Lim draws every eye in the room.
She’s perfectly at home at the Carcosa and smiles warmly at staff and greets some of them by name.
The stately hotel holds fond memories for the former beauty queen as her wedding ceremony was held there in 1995.
She and husband Datuk Jeffrey Lim have since celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries at the hotel.
She and husband Datuk Jeffrey Lim have since celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries at the hotel.
“It’s almost like a second home to us.
Read more: Women: Best luxury stays http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Women_Bestluxurystays/Article/index_html#ixzz10hIeld00
We are here so often and it holds many special memories,” says Lim as she lunches at the Carcosa’s modern-colonial drawing room.
The hotel is also among 86 five-star establishments featured in Lim’s latest coffeetable book, Magical Moments of Malaysia, which offers a detailed compilation of the top hotels in the country accompanied by stunning photographs.
The book, Lim’s third, after Beauty and Beyond in 2005 and Children: The Future of Tomorrow in 2007, was the result of a two-year venture that saw her travelling the length and breadth of the country to put together what she calls her “tribute to Malaysia”.
“Ever since my beauty pageant days, promoting Malaysia has become second nature to me and this book is a great way to tell people about the fantastic hotel destinations in the country,” says Lim, who was Miss Malaysia Universe 1990 and Mrs Malaysia World 2004/2005.
The book provides a detailed description of five-star hotels in the country with striking photographs that capture their architecture and decor.
The compilation includes the best that Malaysia has to offer — from stunning beach resorts in Sabah to luxurious city hotels in Kuala Lumpur and majestic, stately establishments such as the Eastern & Oriental in Penang.
Ipoh-born Lim, a former air stewardess, has always enjoyed travelling and she still recalls with pleasure the joy of sinking into a cosy bed in a beautiful hotel after a long flight.
The book, Lim’s third, after Beauty and Beyond in 2005 and Children: The Future of Tomorrow in 2007, was the result of a two-year venture that saw her travelling the length and breadth of the country to put together what she calls her “tribute to Malaysia”.
“Ever since my beauty pageant days, promoting Malaysia has become second nature to me and this book is a great way to tell people about the fantastic hotel destinations in the country,” says Lim, who was Miss Malaysia Universe 1990 and Mrs Malaysia World 2004/2005.
The book provides a detailed description of five-star hotels in the country with striking photographs that capture their architecture and decor.
The compilation includes the best that Malaysia has to offer — from stunning beach resorts in Sabah to luxurious city hotels in Kuala Lumpur and majestic, stately establishments such as the Eastern & Oriental in Penang.
Ipoh-born Lim, a former air stewardess, has always enjoyed travelling and she still recalls with pleasure the joy of sinking into a cosy bed in a beautiful hotel after a long flight.
She hopes the book will help offer information to her foreign friends who are always asking about Malaysia and the best places to stay here.
A colourful and trendy setting at Four Points by Sheraton Kuching, Sarawak
Read more: Women: Best luxury stays http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Women_Bestluxurystays/Article/index_html#ixzz10hIXQsoJ
“A hotel is a home away from home for tourists.
It’s the first thing they experience when they set foot in a foreign country, so why not promote the best we have to offer?” she says.
Working on the book meant adding more to her already hectic schedule.
Lim is a mother of three and managing partner of Beauty & Fashion Studio, a company she started with model Amber Chia to help women enhance their personal style and appearance.
She has also fine-tuned the art of multi-tasking.
A born planner, she makes use of every hour in a day and has managed to strike a balance between being mum, wife and businesswoman.
She has also wisely realised the importance of having time to herself.
“It’s so easy for women to feel overwhelmed when they have all these different responsibilities, but I make sure I take time to indulge myself, whether it’s signing up for a spa or massage or even going off on a holiday alone.
You need time to rejuvenate,” says Lim, who keeps fit with horse riding, yoga and swimming.
She and her husband, who have eight-year-old twins Dorothea and Dominic, are now also proud parents of an adopted baby boy, Francisco.
Lim has the help of two nannies to handle the daily care of her children, leaving her room to spend quality time with them while running a business and writing her books.
She explains that working mothers shouldn’t feel like they have to take on everything to the point of losing themselves as individuals, and they don’t have to be ashamed of admitting that they need help.
But having a supportive spouse certainly helps, she adds.
“I don’t want to reflect on life later and have regrets.
Read more: Women: Best luxury stays http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Women_Bestluxurystays/Article/index_html#ixzz10hIXQsoJ
“A hotel is a home away from home for tourists.
It’s the first thing they experience when they set foot in a foreign country, so why not promote the best we have to offer?” she says.
Working on the book meant adding more to her already hectic schedule.
Lim is a mother of three and managing partner of Beauty & Fashion Studio, a company she started with model Amber Chia to help women enhance their personal style and appearance.
She has also fine-tuned the art of multi-tasking.
A born planner, she makes use of every hour in a day and has managed to strike a balance between being mum, wife and businesswoman.
She has also wisely realised the importance of having time to herself.
“It’s so easy for women to feel overwhelmed when they have all these different responsibilities, but I make sure I take time to indulge myself, whether it’s signing up for a spa or massage or even going off on a holiday alone.
You need time to rejuvenate,” says Lim, who keeps fit with horse riding, yoga and swimming.
She and her husband, who have eight-year-old twins Dorothea and Dominic, are now also proud parents of an adopted baby boy, Francisco.
Lim has the help of two nannies to handle the daily care of her children, leaving her room to spend quality time with them while running a business and writing her books.
She explains that working mothers shouldn’t feel like they have to take on everything to the point of losing themselves as individuals, and they don’t have to be ashamed of admitting that they need help.
But having a supportive spouse certainly helps, she adds.
“I don’t want to reflect on life later and have regrets.
Beautiful architecture at Palace of the Golden Horses, Selangor.
Read more: Women: Best luxury stays http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Women_Bestluxurystays/Article/index_html#ixzz10hIRB1Pl
I make the best of every single day and enjoy the things that come my way.”
Magical Moments of Malaysia is priced at RM199 at bookstores nationwide.
Beauty & Fashion Studio will hold a two-day grooming workshop on Aug 7 and 8 at Hilton Petaling Jaya.
For details, visit www.beautyfashionstudio.info.
• All pictures of hotels courtesy of Magical Moments of Malaysia by Datuk Anna Lim.
Read more: Women: Best luxury stays http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Women_Bestluxurystays/Article/index_html#ixzz10hIRB1Pl
I make the best of every single day and enjoy the things that come my way.”
Magical Moments of Malaysia is priced at RM199 at bookstores nationwide.
Beauty & Fashion Studio will hold a two-day grooming workshop on Aug 7 and 8 at Hilton Petaling Jaya.
For details, visit www.beautyfashionstudio.info.
• All pictures of hotels courtesy of Magical Moments of Malaysia by Datuk Anna Lim.
Read more: Women: Best luxury stays http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Women_Bestluxurystays/Article/index_html#ixzz10hI9vrcy
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