SPOILING YOURSELF WHILE PRESERVING THE PLANET

Charles Chua recounts his enjoyable stay at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast during Earth hour 2023

- CHARLES CHUA

LET ME SET THE STAGE: It was Earth Day, with lively processions taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. I’d already participated in the various green activities organised for the day, such as upcycling old bedsheets into tote bags or learning how to germinate seeds. And a great dinner was lined up before the hotel was scheduled to go dark.

But I’m getting ahead of myself here. Let’s rewind a little and go back to the start of my stay at this music-infused hotel in Johor, Malaysia.

The day before, I arrived at the hotel and hadn’t even stepped foot out of the car when the service people greeted me. You know it’s going to be a good stay if the welcoming party is this attentive to its new guests.

Checking in was pleasant and quick, and this is the process that you typically want to fuss the least about. Because the more steps involved, the more friction there is. Which is why I’m happy to report that getting from the main doors to my room was a seamless experience.

I was boarded in the Rock Suite, a generous 108 m² space, replete with the usual comforts such as a minibar, 55” LED TV, and not one, but two balconies with a great view of the surrounding greenery. They were also spacious enough to do some yoga stretches or callisthenics if I so wished.