The beach town of Port Dickson is just a stone’s throw away from the bustling capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. It is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan. Locally known as PD, the coastline is lined with resorts and hotels, though the beach itself isn’t impressive. Don’t expect turquoise waters and white sand– it is a favourite weekend retreat for the local KLites because it is near and convenient. It takes us just over an hour to get to the closest sea, so we can’t complain!

Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson
The Lexis Hibiscus is a recent addition (2015) to the many resorts in PD, located a short drive away from the main town in the vicinity of Pasir Panjang.The resort stands out for its beautifully positioned villas that make out the shape of a hibiscus (Malaysia’s national flower) over the waters of the Straits of Malacca.

At the current moment, the resort is at its soft opening stage– construction works are still going on at certain parts with limited facilities in operation. However, I was still able to enjoy my resort experience, and had a wonderful weekend getaway.

Overview
The resort comprises of 639 pool villas– 117 in the tower, and 522 over the water. Each villa can accommodate 4 people, and is equipped with its own private dip pool and steam room. The rates for rooms vary by season, and could cost about RM899 (US$~200-250) for the Executive Pool Villas.

The private in-villa pools might be perfect for a dip; but if you prefer to swim or do laps during your holiday, the resort also has an infinity pool at its main building. Wifi is provided throughout the resort; and during my stay, there were only two restaurants and a lounge (with a live band) open. Once the resort is complete, there will be a variety of other facilities and restaurants; as well as the highlight– the Hibiscus Walk along the beachfront.

My Lexis Hibiscus Experience
The check-in time at the Lexis Hibiscus is at 4pm, but I arrived at the resort a little earlier. Check-in was simple and fuss free, and a deposit of RM400 (US$~100) is required. I wasn’t offered help with my luggage (I only had one small bag anyway), and made my way to the buggy area for a ride to my room.

The buggy line wasn’t long when I arrived, but it got really packed during the 4pm check-in time; and buggies were also limited during the 12pm check-out time. I couldn’t hail or call one then, so I had to walk to the lobby. However, outside of those times, I took many buggy rides during my stay and I absolutely enjoyed them. I noticed that the little children enjoyed them the most! The drivers are friendly and I had several good conversations with them during my ride to and fro from my room.

The Pool Villas
I stayed at the Premium Pool Villa at the petal area of the Hibiscus; my villa was facing the other villas, though I would have preferred looking out into the open sea. Nevertheless, it was perfect– the room is spacious with two king-sized beds and the bathroom has a glass panel on the floor to view the sea below.

It was hazy during my visit, so there were times when I lounged indoors in the comforts of the air-conditioning. The in-room television kept me occupied with its cable network and a selection of movies to choose from. Coffee and tea, as well as drinks from the mini-bar are all inclusive; and in the evening, the resort sent some fruits and cookies too.

The highlights of the villa of course, are the sauna and the private pool. Most of my lazy days were spent chilling by the pool– the sea in Port Dickson is not exactly ‘swim-friendly’, so immersing myself in the privacy of my own pool while watching the sea lapping below made up for it.

The pool is about 1.2m deep, and though it is a good depth for adults– if you are bringing kids, best to come equipped with your own floats or baby vests. I brought my own float too!

The Resort Activities
When I wasn’t relishing in the comforts of my villa– I was exploring the resort. The walkways around the hibiscus area of the resort twists and turns, making up the petals and the leaves of the flower. Best way to discover them is by bicycle. Bicycles (and tandem bicycles, as well as child seats) are available for rent at RM10 (US$~2.5) per half hour. It is pricey, so an alternative would be to walk around and admire the views. Look for a good spot to watch the sky turn colors as the day ends. I heard the sunset at Lexis Hibiscus is gorgeous; but I missed it due to the bad haze while I was there.

Another attraction at the resort is the Lexis Hibiscus Fountain— it is said to be the highest fountain in Malaysia, shooting water up to 400 feet. The fountain comes on at certain times of the day, and is most enchanting after dark when it’s lit up with colorful lights. Unfortunately, no one could point me to a proper spot to watch the fountain; so I ended up with a faraway, obstructed view. There are villas facing the fountain; but hopefully in the future, there will be a viewing platform.

The Restaurants
At the moment, there are limited dining options at the Lexis Hibiscus. Buffet breakfast is usually offered with the room rates, but if it isn’t included, it costs RM35 (US$~9) per person. The spread is quite basic– nasi lemak, porridge, Western breakfast choices; and salad, bread and fruits.

For lunch, I went to the Umi Japanese Restaurant. The set lunches there are actually pretty good and decently priced, ranging from about RM23-40 (US$6-10). I ordered the ‘Sushi and Udon’ set meal and the portion was just right for me.

On Saturdays, the Roselle Coffee House offers BBQ Buffets for RM98 (US$~25) per person. I enjoyed the buffet– they had a wide range of dishes from Asian to Western, and barbecued meat like lamb, beef, chicken, fish, stingray and oysters. I particularly liked the food station that helped diners cook their beef tenderloin to preference. If buffet is not for you, the restaurant also offers ala-carte meals for lunch and dinner.

At the End of the Day
The Lexis Hibiscus is a lovely place for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. There is a lot going on at the resort for everyone– so you can choose if you prefer time with the kids at the playground, zooming around on a bicycle, or having some me time in your own private pool. The resort offers a comfortable atmosphere for fun and relaxation for the family, and can also provide a romantic ambiance for the romantic couples.

The resort is huge and can accommodate a large number of visitors; so don’t expect too much personal service. There were times where I tended to my own needs and whims, and I still enjoyed my weekend retreat just as much.

Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson
Where: 12th Mile, Jalan Pantai Pasir Panjang, 71250 Port Dickson.
Website: http://www.lexishibiscuspd.com

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*She Walks the World visited the Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson as a guest; and as always, all opinions stated here are my own.
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