Port Dickson needs no further introduction among the KL-ites that usually throng this beach on weekends for a quick, vitamin sea fix. But we’d say you have not left every stone unturned in PD, if you have not checked out its fanciest offering, the Lexis Hibiscus. This tropical paradise is the Guinness World Record holder for having the most swimming pools (639) in a resort, and the most overwater villas (522) in a single resort!

Let’s help you with the math. Each of its 639 rooms comes with its own private dipping pool, and if you stay in an overwater villa, you’ll get to dip in your own pool as you gaze into the waters of the Straits of Malacca. Now, ain’t that fancy?

The Lexis Hibiscus resort looks like it is shaped after a hibiscus flower, Malaysia’s national flower, when viewed from above. Stunning design aside, it is located along the Pasir Panjang beach, a little further away from where most resorts are located and so, offers more privacy for a restful weekend for its guests.

As we stepped into its lobby with wide, open spaces, timber walls and white marble floors, we felt like we’ve already been reset to retreat mode, after an hour and a half’s drive along the North-South Highway from KL. After a swift check-in, we took the buggy to our Panorama Pool Villa, which is located along the “stamen” of the hibiscus. The villas here offer a stunning, unobstructed view of the Straits of Malacca. That’s it, we have been officially been removed away from the hustle and bustle of city. Hurray!

Once inside the room, we felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz when she said, “Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.” Our room has two king-sized beds, a spacious, floor-to-ceiling marbled bathroom with his-and-hers amenities, an adjacent steam room. Every feature of this room oozes luxury.

Did we mention the bathroom comes with a deep bathtub overlooking the sea? Oh, joy!

Next, the amenities. Each room is equipped with an all-you-can-eat-and-drink minibar, WiFi access, specially-packaged toiletries and soft terry cloth towels for your maximum comfort.

The two huge beds are perfect for a family holiday, with enough pillows for a pillow-fight too! We love the wide, open spaces inside and outside the room, which is just nice if you need to step away for a little privacy. And with plenty of activity offerings at the resort, you can even add in a little bit of fun into your otherwise restful retreat.

If you’re the type who just can’t sit still while at a vacation, this resort has some pretty decent solutions for you. For the young ones, Kidz World, a jungle-themed indoor playground, is the ideal place to while their time away with fun and physical activities. Tired of slides but not gaming? There is also an arcade room if you just want to play video games, or satisfy the need for speed with driving simulators.

If it’s peace and relaxation that you’re looking for, then the spa is a must-do. The Lex Spa offers an indulgent menu of massage and beauty treatments to rejuvenate the tired body. We tried the Lex Spa Signature Massage, which is a combination of traditional massage using Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan massage techniques. The massage therapist used a blend of coconut oil and spices which promote blood circulation, increase physical fitness and reduce anxiety and stress. We certainly felt more relaxed and ready to take on the world after the massage!

For more family fun, the resort has various activities to choose from. Always wanted to be a Katniss Everdeen of Hunger Games’ fame? Then, give your best shot at archery or explore the resort’s compound on a bicycle. If you prefer to do water sports, head over to Hibiscus Walk where you can kayak, jet-ski or ride on a banana boat.

After all that activities, you might get too hungry to even head out for food. Fret not, the resort’s all-day dining menu will spoil you rotten with its delectable cuisine.

For a start, enjoy your complimentary breakfast at Roselle Coffee House. The all-day restaurant offers scrumptious buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners. From Malaysian favorite dishes such as nasi lemak, porridge, fried noodles, to an assortment of freshly-baked bread, your tank will be full in no time.

For lunch, we sampled the Wat Tan Hor (Cantonese-style fried kuey teow in egg sauce) at the Yuan Chinese Cuisine restaurant, and it was heavenly! The portion was huge, and the noodles were topped generously with shrimps, squids and chicken. It was the ultimate comfort food!

If Chinese food doesn’t tickle your fancy, the adjacent UMI Japanese Restaurant just might! Offering a wide range of well-known Japanese dishes such as tempura, sashimi and teppanyaki, your tummy will come away happy, we’d dare say!

If you feel like having a light bite, head over to Coralz Bistro for freshly-baked goodies such as steamed buns, sandwiches, cakes and pastries. Enjoy a cuppa while being entertained by a live band.

Feel the urge to splurge? Make Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson your next indulgent retreat for the weekend. Be warned: You might be reluctant to leave the resort!

Want to get a bird’s eye view of Port Dickson? Book a helicopter ride at the resort’s tour desk and enjoy a six-minute ride, where you’ll be able to see the blue waters of Port Dickson and the iconic Tanjung Tuan lighthouse, which is believed to be the oldest in the country. Prepare to be blown away by the stunning architectural design of Lexis Hibiscus, shaped after Malaysia’s national flower! The helicopter ride fits three people and costs RM195 per person.

Hibiscus heliport

3.00pm – 5.00pm (Friday)

11.00am – 5.00pm (Saturday and Sunday)

For 90 minutes, the sunset cruise lets you chill on beanbags, sing your heart out at the karaoke bar, enjoy complimentary snacks onboard, or relax in the saltwater jacuzzi. The cruise will take you from Lexis Hibiscus Jetty all the way up to Teluk Kemang, along the Straits of Malacca. Catch the breathtaking sunset to complete this amazing experience.

Sunset Cruise

6.00pm – 7.30pm (Daily)

Fees: RM88 for adults and RM55 for children below 12 years old

Did you know that Port Dickson is also known as an army town? Yes, that’s right! This small coastal town is home to several Malaysian army camps such as Sebatang Karah, Segenting, Si Rusa and Sunggala. Visit the Army Museum to learn more about Malaysia’s wartime history. A highlight of the museum is to walk through a secret tunnel, which is a replica of an underground tunnel network dug and used by communist soldiers during the insurgence.

Army Museum

Persiaran Pahlawan, Kampung Baru Sirusa, Port Dickson

Opening hours: 10.00am – 5.00pm (Wednesday to Monday)

Free entry

Whether you’re looking forward to a fun-filled weekend by the beach or catch up on a restful sleep, Port Dickson is the place to be. The best time to go might just be this weekend!

With such a wide range of accommodation options across the country, it can be a challenge to pick the one that’s best for you. To be in the know when it comes to Malaysia’s stand-out stays, keep your eyes peeled for Traveloka’s ‘Super Stays’ posts, a bi-weekly hotel special featuring our top picks!