8 Exciting Highlights To Expect at Resorts World Genting by End 2017

If you’re Singaporean, chances are you’ve been to Genting Highlands at least once. The iconic Malaysian hilltop resort was a large part of my childhood; the cool temperatures, all-round relaxation, family-friendly entertainment, and adult gaming (the casinos) meant that it was a popular destination during the school holidays.

58 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur and 6000 feet in the air, we felt like Resorts World Genting lost its relevance in 2013 when it announced the closure of its legendary theme park – it’s probably the first theme park for most of the Gen Y-ers. Well, that’s about to change, as the lifestyle destination underwent a RM10.38 billion transformation to become bigger and way, way more exciting.

Here’s what to expect at Resorts World Genting come the end of 2017. And yes, there’s a spanking new theme park that’s totally on par with Universal Studios!

Take a cable car ride with Awana SkyWay

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Remember the decades-old Genting Skyway that was always rather tedious and rocky? It’s since been put out of service and taken over by the state-of-the-art 2.8km Awana SkyWay, with gorgeous vistas and a much smoother ride to boot. 10 minutes is all it takes to get from the bottom to the top (and vice versa), passing the midway Chin Swee Cave station – you can disembark at this point to visit the stunning pagoda – to reach the resort’s SkyAvenue station. Be sure to pick one of the glass-floored gondolas for uninterrupted views of the 130 million-year-old rainforest below.

Pamper yourself with ultimate luxury at Crockfords
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Crockfords is the new collection of suites within Maxims Hotel, offering the most exclusive and luxurious accommodation you’ll find in the entire resort. Think heated indoor swimming pool, personalised butler service, home theatre system, a wine chiller, and other unparalleled facilities intended to pamper the well-travelled, the discerning, and the most discriminating lot. The suites don’t come cheap though, with the largest unit going for RM20,000 per night.

Experience the best of Malaysian street food
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They say Malaysian food is some of the best in the world, and we can’t help but agree. Malaysian Food Street brings you the 20 most popular hawker stalls from around the country into one location, spread across five distinct zones: Little India, Malacca, Teluk Intan, Kuching, and Chinatown. Expect the mouthwatering spread to include the likes of Sarawak Laksa, Klang Bak Kut Teh, Hainanese Chicken Rice (Genting’s very own), Penang Char Kway Teow, and Sotong Kangkung. Truly a glutton’s square, if we may say so ourselves.

Shop at SkyAvenue Mall
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Finally, a dedicated lifestyle space within Genting Highlands! At 1.4 million square feet, the sprawling SkyAvenue boasts top retail and restaurant brands from all around, with five whole levels of shopping, entertainment, nightlife, and dining choices. Opening in stages from the second half of 2017, get your wallets ready for a high street fashion floor, a luxury fashion floor, one of the most popular nightclubs in Asia, as well as a towering cineplex with IMAX facilities. Talk about an all-in-one destination, #amirite?

Dine at world-famous F&B chains
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Of the 70 F&B outlets across the five floors of SkyAvenue, look forward to some of the world’s most lavish restaurants setting up shop in the mall. Be transported to the cosy London neighbourhood of Mayfair with UK-chain Burger & Lobster, which specialises in premium beef burgers and Nova Scotian lobsters; to 1920s New York with Brooklyn pizza place Motorino and all its 10 pizzas; and then Paris with France’s top roaster Cafés Richard, where you’ll be able to enjoy original hand-brewed coffees. Also coming soon is the vibrant warmth of Spanish bodega Tapas & Wine.

Stay at First World Hotel’s new tower block
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The legendary First World Hotel has always been one of Resorts World Genting’s more iconic buildings, both for its striking rainbow facade and its official title as the world’s largest hotel. Now, its trendy and contemporary new rooms at Tower Three – spread over the five categories of Standard, Deluxe, Superior Deluxe, Y5triple, and Y5 Deluxe – brings the total capacity to 7351 rooms, along with separate glass toilets and shower, international electric sockets, and at long last, complimentary Wi-Fi in the rooms.

Shop till you drop at Genting Premium Outlets
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The base of the resort – right next to Awana SkyWay station – will soon see the Genting Premium Outlets, marking Malaysia’s second Premium Outlets store after Johor. Expect 150 designer and brand name stores, including Coach, Gap Outlet, Converse, Nike and Polo Ralph Lauren, offering anything from 25% to 65% in savings; and if you’re driving up; there’ll be 4000 parking bays for cars waiting for you!

Visit the 20th Century Fox World Theme Park
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The old Genting Theme Park’s closure in 2013 meant a dip in visitors for the last few years, but that’s all about to change. Come end 2017, the first-ever Twentieth Century Fox World Theme Park in the world launch with a total of 22 rides and attractions, based on favourite Fox films like Planet of the Apes, Ice Age, Alien vs Predator, Night at the Museum, and Rio!


Resorts World Genting is located at 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia.

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Deputy Editor

Gary is one of those proverbial jack of all trades… you know the rest. When not writing about lifestyle and culture, he dabbles in photography, graphic design, plays four instruments and is a professional wearer of bowties. His greatest weakness: spending more money on clothes than he probably should. Find him across the social world as @grimlay