Genting Highlands otherwise known as Resorts World Genting is the flagship integrated resortdeveloped by Genting Group. It is nestled on a mountain peak (maximum elevation about 1760m) within the Titiwangsa Mountains on the border between the states of Pahang andSelangor of Malaysia. Resorts World Genting is operated by Genting Malaysia Berhad (formerly known as Resorts World Bhd), which also operates Awana chain of resorts & hotels. It is accessible by car from Kuala Lumpur in one hour, or also accessible by acable car called Genting Skyway (3.38 km)which at its opening used to be the world's fastest and South East Asia's longest gondola lift.
History
The idea of creating a hill resort located in proximity to Kuala Lumpur came up in the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong's mind during a business trip to the Cameron Highlands in 1964. He mooted this idea while enjoying the fresh and crisp air from the balcony at his hotel room. Subsequently, a study of the maps and Kuala Lumpur’s vicinity located the ideal site - the 1,800-metre Gunung Ulu Kali, just 55 km from Kuala Lumpur. Amidst the dense virgin tropical jungle and rugged terrain, the task to transform a remote mountain into Malaysia’s premier holiday destination seemed impossible, but not for Tan Sri Lim. A private company called Genting Highlands Berhad was set up on 27 April 1965, with the late Tan Sri Haji Mohammed Noah bin Omar, Tan Sri Lim successfully obtained approval for the alienation of 12,000 acres and 2,800 acres of land from the Pahang and Selangor State Government respectively between the years 1965 and 1970. An anomaly happened during the obtaining of the land approvals. While the Pahang state government swiftly approved a freehold lease, the Selangor state reluctantly approved a 99-year lease.
As a result, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong met the then Menteri Besar of Selangor, Dato Harun Idris and telling him that a freehold lease will be more feasible than a 99-year lease. Finally, the Selangor state government agreed to grant a freehold lease. On 18 August 1965, a technical and construction team began the herculean task that would take Four years to complete the access road from Genting Sempah to the peak of Gunung Ulu Kali.
To ensure the sound and prompt construction of the hotel-cum-resort, Tan Sri Lim devoted all of his time, capital and resources, including the reserves of his family company, Kien Huat Realty Berhad towards the making of this "dream resort".
On 31 March 1969, the late YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister graced the official laying of the foundation stone for the company’s pioneer hotel, the then Highlands Hotel, marking the completion of the access road to Genting Highlands Resort. The Prime Minister was impressed that the private sector, without the assistance of the Government, could develop a mountain resort for the enjoyment of all Malaysians; subsequently a gaming licence was suggested to help accelerate the development of this remote area. In 1971, the first hotel at Genting Highlands was successfully completed and was then named Highlands Hotel (now renamed Theme Park Hotel).
Since the opening of the first hotel in 1971, Genting Highlands Resort continued to grow from strength to strength. The development of the area continued to this present day to enhance Genting Highlands Resort as the premier holiday destination in the region while ensuring that the natural beauty of the rain forest is maintained.
To date, Genting Highlands Resort has six hotels (namely Maxims, Genting Hotel, Highlands Hotel, Resort Hotel, Theme Park Hotel and First World Hotel) and two apartment blocks (Ria and Kayangan Apartments) at the hilltop and Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Country Resort.
Together with integrated world-standard entertainment facilities encompassing various leisure, indoor and outdoor theme parks and gaming facilities, Genting Highlands Resort has become the "City of Entertainment" and Malaysia's Premier Resort.
In 1997, Genting Highlands Resort further boosted its facility attraction with Genting Skyway cable car system that provides a 3.38 km transport to the hilltop. Genting Skyway is also recognised as the "World's Fastest Mono Cable Car System" with a maximum speed of 21.6 km per hour and the "Longest Cable Car in Malaysia and Southeast Asia".
Attractions
Hotels
Resorts World Genting has six hotels. In 2006 Guinness World Records listed the First World Hotel as the world's largest hotel with a total of 6,228 rooms.
Dining
- Bakery - Pastries, sandwiches & desserts
- Coffee Terrace - Asian and Western buffet
- Genting Palace Restaurant - Cantonese cuisine
- Hainan Kitchen - Hainanese cuisine
- Imperial Rama - Fine Dining Thai-Chinese cuisine
- Ming Ren Restaurant - Xinjiang cuisine
- The Olive - Fine Dining Western cuisine
- VIP Restaurant - Thai-Chinese cuisine
Nightlife
- Safari
- Cloud 9
- All Sports Bar
- Patio Bar & Lounge
Theme Parks
The resort has three theme parks which are Genting Outdoor Theme Park, First World Indoor Theme Park and Water Park. There are over 20 signature attractions which include:
Genting Skyway
Genting Skyway (Cabin View)
Genting Skyway, located at the Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor side of Genting, Malaysia, is a monocable gondola lift serving the Genting Highlands Resort. Its lower station is located nearGohtong Jaya, and its upper station is located at Highlands Hotel of Genting Highlands Resort.
Amenities
The resort has five performance venues.
- Arena of Stars
- Genting International Showroom
- Genting International Convention Centre
- Pavilion Hall
- First World Plaza
Pavilion Hall
Pavilion Hall - the latest entertainment hotspot at Genting, is suitable for hosting dance performances and concerts as well as sporting events. It has a 2,000 stadium-style seating capacity and the whole Pavilion can be set up to accommodate more than 6,000 people.
Situated at the First World Plaza, the hall is easily accessible from any part of Genting and is located very near to all the conveniences and necessities. Shopping, fun and food is just a couple of footsteps away.
GLITZ , a brand new show event held at the Pavilion Hall, is offering an hour-long extravaganza bringing together internationally acclaimed performers in an East-meets-West concept from 1 November 2010 to 11 September 2011. Among the main acts featured will be the renowned magician, illusionist and escape artist – Charles Bach, the PuYang HuaChen Acrobatic Group and Daria Pushankina – the mistress of sand art.
Genting International Convention Centre
Genting International Convention Center or GICC is a favourite international destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
GICC has one of the largest column-free Grand Ballroom in Malaysia with a total built-up area of 181,467 sq ft and is equipped with state-of-the-art audio video and information technology equipment. It can accommodate up to 2,000 delegates in banquet-style and 3,500 delegates in theatre-style seating, and the entire area can be split up conveniently into two to four sections according to clients' needs.
The 20,000 square feet Convention Halls is multi-purpose and can be used for any functions. It can cater up to 1,200 delegates in theatre-style seating. The hall can be split up into 3 smaller halls according to clients’ needs.
GICC features 87,400 square feet of Meeting Rooms space as well as additional foyer areas that can be configured for your needs. Our comfortable, distinctive rooms will add energy and style to any gathering. Our meeting rooms can accommodate between 10 and 500 people.
Located in the lower ground floor of GICC, the Business Centre provides full business facilities including secretarial services, fax, and phone and Internet access. Three discussion rooms and three boardrooms are also available for use at the Business Centre. Each discussion room has a capacity of up to 5 people while each boardroom can accommodate up to 16 people. Each boardroom is equipped with a 42-inch built-in plasma screen for professional presentations.
.JPG)