The Hindu Business Line : Fun and frolic... unadulterated and unlimited!

Nestled on the top of Pahany's Ulu Kali range, staring down imperiously at Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands Resort is quite in a class of its own when it comes to leisure and entertainment.

And it wants the world to know it.

This is a world of luxurious hotels and condominiums, recreational and sporting facilities, nouvelle dining, and gaming that can tempt the most diehard cynic. The result is simple. This is a self-contained city of leisure and entertainment that attracts some six million visitors annually, a large number being young travellers, newly-weds and honeymooners.

It is like any other hill resort, with one notable exception. Everything is owned by one company, so everything is organised and tailor-made for guests who visit for a variety of reasons that range from golf to gourmandising, from gaming to pure simple relaxation, and yes, for some good, old-fashioned romance.

The Genting summit is home to four hotels, the Highlands Hotel, Genting Hotel, Resort Hotel, and Theme Park Hotel, and also the Tia and Kayangan apartment complexes that afford more privacy. Some 3,000 hotel rooms and an astonishing 35 food outlets make for big-time business, and that is just what Genting is.

Gourmets will instantly feel at home. One is spoilt for choice, but not to be missed are the Coffee Terrace which serves a wide range of hawker specialities around the clock, the Kampong Restaurant that excels in serving authentic Malay cuisine, and the Peak Restaurant and Lounge, that is the highest outlet in Malaysia with surely the best view. Genting World Cafe, a happening party house, and Resort Cafe, Genting's biggest and liveliest eating outlet, are also integral to quality dining.

There's plenty to do night and day, day after day. The Genting International Showroom hosts international class acts and shows with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. The Arena of Stars is a general-purpose function hall for concerts and exhibitions, besides smaller halls for more private shows.

The local entertainment showpiece is the Genting Theme Park that stretches over an area of 12 acres, and is divided into outdoor and indoor sections. The outdoor theme park is a thrill seeker's idea of paradise with nerve — numbing, scream — inducing rides meant to "shake one up". Step on board the 2020 Space Odyssey ride or enter the Motion Master Simulator for a futuristic, super-realistic encounter. The 3-D Fun House boasts Super Cinema 3-D Technology that create solid effects which appear to come flying off the screen directly at you.

The indoor theme park contains a rich variety of skill and other games that celebrate the best of computerised wizardry. A fascinating train and boat ride allows one the chance to visit all the States of Malaysia and other countries around the world in one afternoon.

A great hangout in the midst of nature is the Awana golf and Country Resort that provides a green home for the Awana Tower Hotel. The 18-hole golf course here is listed among the world's top hundred. For the more adventurous, there is horse-riding, hiking and trekking into the surrounding jungles and hills, before unwinding with a hearty meal at the Rajawali Restaurant. For good measure, there is tennis, squash and a large gym and heated swimming pool.

Genting Skyway is another thrilling story by itself and a superb way of admiring the local scenery from a vantage point. This is the longest cable car system in South-East Asia, and reputed to be the fastest mono-cable car system in the world. Apart from the magnificent view, the cable cars afford complete privacy for those who seek it.

If you're looking for some risque excitement, try your hand at the large variety of temptations on offer at Casino de Genting, arguably Asia's best international casino resort, capable of making or breaking one's fortunes in a matter of minutes.

Beckoning would-be millionaires are a number of table games such as Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack, and French dice, to name a few. There are dozens of slot machines with prizes worth thousands of ringgit waiting to be won. `Prosperity', `Megamillion', `Win a Condo', `Win a Merz', and `Win a Car', are some slot machine jackpots.

To avoid congestion and provide variety, Casino de Genting is divided into several sections with different decorating schemes and themes. So there is Hollywood, Circus Palace, Monte Carlo, and International Room, and things are buzzing every night, swayed by the rhythm of fortunes made and lost. But for those seeking pure, simple fun, there is always a jackpot at the end of the night.

Genting Highlands has managed to do what many other large resorts haven't. It has succeeded in attracting a myriad set of clientele that comprises everyone from top executives to die-hard business people, from jet -setters to ordinary workers, from the super-rich to the not-so-wealthy, young and old, married and single. And lots of honeymooners and newly weds who don't seem to mind the crowds because they always manage to find "space".

This is a world for leisure seekers and people out for some pure, unadulterated fun, away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. The air here is clean and crisp, the scenery and views superb, and the sporting and leisure opportunities enormous in dimension. It is a world for romantics who seek solitude in the midst of nature, yet wish to be close to the action, just in case. It is world for those who seek bright lights but also crave for the soothing, soft glow of candle-lit dinners under the stars...

Fact file

How to get there: Genting Highlands is an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur, the main gateway into Malaysia, and taxis are readily available everywhere. Malaysia Airlines operates flights to Kuala Lumpur from Delhi and Chennai.

Where to stay: Accommodation ranges from deluxe to standard, to suit different budgets.

Tips: Indian nationals require a visa to enter Malaysia.

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