Whether it’s via bus, flat-rate cab, or the new high-speed train, there’s no shortage of convenient and affordable ways for Singaporeans to explore our neighbour Malaysia. But things are quite different with the Eastern & Oriental Express train by Belmond. On this gorgeous vintage sleeper train, it’s not about the speed of travel, nor the final destination. Here, the journey itself takes centrestage – an invitation to savour each passing moment as you indulge in one of the most elevated forms of slow travel.
A couple of 4D3N round-trips on the Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore are available for choosing, but all involve multiple stops in Malaysia, including Gemas, Ipoh, and Butterworth. Amidst all the wining and dining – with generous daily breakfast, afternoon tea, and multi-course lunches and dinners by chef André Chiang – each day’s stops involve curated excursions with experienced local guides. Ours was the ‘Wild Malaysia’ trip, where we tried forest yoga in Taman Negara, whipped up local delights in the cooling hills of Penang, and explored the streets of Ipoh in search of traditional pastries.
Each jewel-toned private cabin is on the snug side, but comes with its own en-suite bathroom, and a dedicated butler at your beck and call ‘round the clock. As cushy and charming your room is, you’d want to leave some time to explore the other communal areas of the train, namely the bar cars with free-flow signature cocktails, bar snacks, and opportunities to socialise with fellow passengers. One of these bar cars extends to a semi-open observation area where you can feel the wind in your hair, while the other has a piano for live performances before and after dinner. These are also where optional hands-on workshops are conducted during some downtime – we had the pleasure of attending a cascara tea tasting session.
There’s also a karaoke room – highly popular after rounds of post-dinner drinks – and the extravagant Dior Spa for massages, facials, and sleep-improving wellness treatments.
With this being a luxury experience, prices are on the steeper end, starting from USD4,650 (almost S$6000) per person for the lowest room tier. If you’ve got the cash to splash, this is definitely an unforgettable bucket-list trip worth shelling out for, especially considering its all-inclusive nature and premium offerings. To find out more about what to expect, read our review of our Eastern & Oriental Express train journey.