We’ve all heard of the term urban farming being thrown around, and for those who don’t know, let us get you acquainted. It’s all about growing plants and sometimes even raising animals right in the heart of the city. While not all the places on our list have animals, they do offer fresh produce.
As we look to the future and try to live a more sustainable lifestyle, how we produce and consume food becomes super important. Traditional farming methods might not cut it anymore due to environmental changes. But fear not; urban farming comes to the rescue!
It’s the perfect solution to ensure food security and reduce waste, especially in the hospitality industry. Malaysia has embraced this urban farming movement, using every available space to grow veggies, fruits, herbs, and spices. Rooftops, empty corners, and rooms are being transformed into lush green urban farms.
Who needs sunlight to grow plants these days? Urban farming has become a piece of cake thanks to the fancy tech and controlled environments. So, let’s check out some incredible hotels and resorts that have joined this farming movement; they’re all about that fresh and sustainable lifestyle!
1. Sunway Resort Hotel, Selangor
When you combine technology and agriculture, the possibilities for growing your own greens are endless! One well-known method is hydroponic urban farming, and Sunway X Farms is paving the way in Malaysia. You can find it right above the Premium Leisure Lounge, where they offer a fantastic farm-to-table experience. The best part is that it’s open to the public so that you can savour the freshness of their produce.
Sunway has some big plans for the future, too –– they’re aiming to set up four urban farms, each covering a whopping one million square feet, all across Malaysia in the next few years.
They already have over 70 varieties of veggies, fruits, and spices on their existing farms, and you can even order them online. If you’re even more curious and eager to learn, join one of their workshops on how to be a pro at urban farming.
2. Shangri-La KL, Kuala Lumpur
Shangri-La KL has been on board with the sustainable future train, supporting local agriculture since as far back as 2014. They launched the awesome ‘Rooted in Nature’ campaign to help people connect with their food sources and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. It’s all about understanding where our meals come from and how we can live in harmony with nature.
Shangri-La KL is also currently teaming up with City Farm Malaysia to bring you some hydroponic farming goodness. This means they’re growing fresh produce with a smaller carbon footprint right on-site, and it’s all picked and served right there too. It doesn’t get any more farm-to-table than this. While you’re there, be sure to sample their ‘Rooted in Nature’ menu available at the Lemon Garden Restaurant.
3. Parkroyal Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Taking urban farming to the next level is Parkroyal Collection with its amazing setup, boasting a whopping 50+ varieties of fruits, herbs, and greens growing right in the city. And the best part? They put all that fresh produce to good use — you can find it in their restaurants, bars, spas, and even in the guests’ rooms. Talk about a green paradise! They’ve carefully curated and designed the farm to ensure guests get the freshest greens.
Even the sleeping ritual service at Parkroyal is jumping on the sustainable bandwagon. Guests are served freshly brewed rosemary tea, picked straight from the farm, right before hitting the hay. And to add to the tranquillity, they use naturally-sourced essential oils to create a relaxing atmosphere for a good night’s sleep. This is pure heaven for workaholics or anyone dealing with sleep deprivation.
So, whether you’re a nature lover or just need a good night’s sleep, Parkroyal’s urban farming and sleep ritual combo is the perfect way to unwind and recharge.
4. The Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa, Kedah
BoomGrow‘s super cool collaboration with the Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa is another that’s worth adding to the list! They’ve brought some innovative agricultural technology right into the heart of Langkawi with urban farming in a container project. And it’s all about maintaining the wellness of their guests, which includes offering a balanced and nutritious menu with farm-to-table goodies.
You won’t have to venture far from the lobby to see the magic happen — just a few minutes away, you’ll find their controlled environment container. Inside, they’ve got the freshest kale, rocket, ice plant, and other delicious produce growing. And it’s all organically preserved, thanks to their top-notch systematic maintenance and high-end technology. So, the next time you’re at the Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa, check out BoomGrow’s incredible container farm.
5. Hotel Casuarina Ipoh, Perak
Located on the second level of Hotel Casuarina in Ipoh is another urban farming spot. The hotel has been quietly doing its own urban farming thing for a couple of years now, and while it’s not open to the public, we’re still going to add them to this list.
Since getting on board with this sustainable movement, they’ve planted over a thousand pots of vegetables like Japanese cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red and green coral through the hydroponic method.
The hotel is not only growing the vegetables for themselves, but thanks to the strong sense of social responsibility, their harvest is also packed up and sent to orphanages around Ipoh. This is all part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, and it’s just one of the many ways they promote sustainability within the community.
So, even if you can’t visit their farm directly, know that Hotel Casuarina is making a real difference with their urban farming and giving back to those in need!
Urban farming is gaining serious popularity in Malaysia, and it’s not just limited to the hospitality sector — it’s catching on across various segments. Thanks to multiple collaborations and ongoing research and development, we can see a variety of food being grown in urban areas. This only means the farm-to-table experience will become even more popular than it already is!
