Cove 55 near Kuching, Sarawak offers a luxurious boutique experience with private villas, infinity pool views of Mount Santubong, and exclusive jungle golf. (Image courtesy of Cove 55.)
The moment I set my eyes on Cove 55 and took in the sea breeze, I knew this was going to be a most enjoyable and relaxing stay. The property is reasonably new, located between the Sarawak state capital of Kuching and the seaside destination of Damai Beach. This intimate boutique retreat is ideal for travellers seeking Borneo’s natural wonders in a remote part of Malaysia.
Recently, while on the Sarawak Roadtour with CAM Co-Star, I spent a night at this luxurious resort to take in all that it had to offer. I was discovering the delights of Sarawak, travelling on a CAM minibus which was flagged off in Kuching by YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts. Our mission was to discover the tourism delights between Kuching and Miri, and Cove 55 was the first night of the multi-day adventure.
Facing the South China Sea and the distant Bako National Park, guests aren’t encouraged to venture into the water off the resort, as it’s mostly a mangrove-lined shoreline with limited sandy areas and the occasional crocodile. However, guests can swim in the alluring infinity pool perched over the coastline while admiring Mount Santubong towering in the background.
What originally served as a weekend retreat for a local Iban family now has additional suites and between-the-mangroves villas erected, making it one of the premier accommodation options in Borneo. Iban motifs, textiles, artwork, and other cultural artefacts adorn the rooms and public spaces.
Restive rooms
Despite its inventory of just 28 rooms and villas, I discovered that Cove 55 offers nine different accommodation options, from garden rooms to two-bedroom ocean villas with private plunge pools. Both the Garden and Balcony Rooms, located on the ground floor of the main block, feature private courtyards with an outdoor day-bed and private dining area. Cove 55’s Balcony Suites, on the first floor of the villa wings, offer outdoor living with a dining table and chairs, plus a lounge bed.
The Mangrove Villa (which I stayed in), located amongst lush mangroves, was beautifully appointed and very private. Looking down from my verandah was like watching the Discovery Channel as crabs, mudskippers, and lizards scurried around in the coastal mudflats. As there are no interconnecting rooms, large groups or families travelling together should request adjoining villas.
The solitary Two-Bedroom Ocean Pool Villa offers uninterrupted views of the sea, and its generous plunge pool and deck space are its most alluring features. Here, the main bedroom is set up with a king bed, while the second bedroom can be configured with a king or twin beds. The maximum occupancy for this villa is six adults. The living room is spacious, with features such as a large television and a gourmet coffee machine.
All the rooms have a contemporary design, spacious bathrooms with rain shower heads, mini fridges, tea and coffee-making facilities, iron and ironing boards, robes, and in-room safes.
Contemporary cuisine
The restaurant, room service, and poolside snacking are the only dining options in the resort, but guests staying for only a few days should have few complaints with the range of local, Asian-inspired, and Western dishes they offer.
The meals served at Kechala Restaurant include local Iban, Asian, and Western dishes. The Iban menu is a tribute to indigenous herbs and sustainably sourced local produce. Guests can select dishes such as local Melanau umai of raw fish, red onions, chillies, and lime, as well as satay, Sarawak laksa, sashimi, and Thai beef salad.
There is a nearby fishing village with rudimentary restaurants serving fresh seafood, and the resort can provide transport there.
Pool pleasure
The resort’s expansive, infinity-edge, saltwater pool perched on an over-the-water platform is the resort’s most inviting proposition. This is also one of the places to take in the finest views of the majestic Mount Santubong.
Cove Bar is located beside the pool, and the cocktails and mocktails served here mostly take inspiration from local ingredients. The bar with panoramic vistas also serves craft beer produced locally. The pool, not the bar, remains open around the clock, making it an ideal retreat on Sarawak’s balmy tropical evenings.
Weddings and events
An enclosed event pavilion called Sera can seat up to 250 guests, and apparently, it’s very popular for weddings and meetings. The Ocean Pavilion, perched over the water, is available for a variety of smaller events, and its all-window surrounds make it a popular venue.
The Library serves as a reception counter, book exchange, guest relaxation area, and a repository for board games. Recreational activities are limited by the property’s size, but there’s a more than adequate gym to support the pool and the library.
Excursions and jungle golf
Cove 55 Staff can arrange off-site tours to islands, national parks, and cultural sites. However, the real drawcard is the resort’s own private and exclusive golf club.
One of Malaysia’s best-kept golf secrets is located just metres from the entrance to nearby Kubah National Park on the outskirts of Kuching. Matang Jungle Golf is a private nine-hole golf course that is the exclusive domain of no more than four golfers at any one time. Furthermore, the course is only accessible to registered guests staying at the luxurious Cove 55 property, located 30 minutes away. While not Pebble Beach, its exclusiveness guarantees bragging rights in any clubhouse locker room.
Fortunately, we had our minibus to explore the tourist attractions in and around Damai, including the beach, the Sarawak Cultural Centre, the hiking trail to the summit of Mount Santubong, and the small village of Santubong. While we didn’t have the time, we heard that dolphin tours were conducted along the Santubong River, and further afield to a turtle national park located just offshore from the river mouth.
Life on the slow lane
Cove 55 is a cut above most other offerings in this part of Sarawak, in the capital, and possibly all of Sarawak. Its expansive lawns and tropical landscaping will keep both children and photographers well distracted.
The resort’s accommodation is well-appointed, and general manager Christoph Leonhard and his team keep a close eye on the resort’s refinement, detailing, and any maintenance issues. The resort is located just 45 minutes from Kuching International Airport, and the resort can arrange transfers.
Address: Cove 55, Lot 55, Jalan Sultan Tengah (Santubong/Damai Road), Santubong, Sarawak 93010, Malaysia.
Contact: +60 82 846 068
