The latest edition of the annual Robb Report Malaysia Ultimate Drives witnessed participants covering up to 2,000km of driving the length of Peninsular Malaysia. This year’s journey featured stops at the idyllic holiday destination of Desaru Coast; Melaka, the bedrock of modern Malaysia’s history; the age-old limestone hills of Tambun; the charming isle of Penang; up the cool mountains of Genting Highlands; on the Sepang International Circuit; and finally to the heart of metropolitan Kuala Lumpur.
Day 1
The epic odyssey began in the booming city of Johor Bahru. Southeast Asia’s tallest residential towers, The Astaka, welcomed Ferraristi from Malaysia and Hong Kong. Against the stunning backdrop, chef Joe Tan of Hinotori created a special Japanese lunch complemented by the sublime notes of Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé wine, thus setting the tone for an afternoon of indulgence.
The pinnacle of the evening materialised at One&Only Desaru Coast, where a welcome dinner at Ambara Restaurant awaited participants. Prior to dinner, guests were treated to the effervescence of Champagne Armand de Brignac Brut Gold and delectable light bites at the Dusky Monkey lounge. The ambience was further augmented with a heartfelt toast from the president of Robb Report Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, Michael von Schlippe. The day concluded with a serene return to Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, embracing the promise of a tranquil night ahead.
Day 2
Following four hours of driving, the convoy rolled into The Majestic Malacca, amid the rich cultural tapestry of the city. Participants then indulged in a Kristang lunch at The Mansion. The day took a spirited turn as guests delved into The Balvenie whisky-tasting experience of its signature cask-finished expressions, guided by Jin Boone Ooi, co-founder of Wholly Spirits.
As the sun dipped, the fleet of Ferraris roared into Encore Malacca, a prelude to an immersive session at The Sail Experiential Centre. Here, guests unravelled the world of Sheng Tai International, a beacon of development, real estate, investment management and hospitality. The night ended with a dinner hosted by Sheng Tai International, accompanied by The Balvenie single-malt whisky.
Day 3
The second leg of the Ultimate Drives would see participants head northwards, beginning with lunch at the Gamuda Gardens Esteem Lounge, before arriving in the lush environs of The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat,
Dinner was a grand affair held at Jeff’s Cellar – a restaurant situated within a 260-million-year-old cave. Cocktails would feature the sustainability-inflected Champagne Telmont, a prelude to an unforgettable meal with the Rose and Blanc de Blanc paired with foie gras, caviar, botan shrimp, halibut, lamb tenderloin, charred cod, Japanese A5 wagyu and yuzu parfait, then capped by a ceremonial tasting ritual of Louis XIII cognac, led by the head of Louis XIII Malaysia, Cheryl Xie and enjoyed by all.
Day 4
This day began with a jubilant morning as the convoy purred towards Penang island. A pit stop at W Social Club to witness the F1 Japanese Grand Prix was accompanied by the unmissable Penang char koay teow lunch. The space also showcased Mywow²’s exclusive collection of international watch brands such as U-Boat, Charriol, Daumier and Junghans.
Participants then enjoyed a restful interlude at The Edison George Town before heading to The Blue Mansion. Here, where Crazy Rich Asians came to life on the silver screen, the participants enjoyed pre-dinner drinks featuring Johnnie Walker Blue Label which segued into a sumptuous dinner at Indigo. The night concluded with a whisky-tasting session conducted by Johnnie Walker ambassador Daphne Tan as well as a lively lucky draw in collaboration with Mywow². Throughout the night, the melodies of the Chinese zither wafted through, adding enchantment to the night.
Day 5
Back in Kuala Lumpur, the fleet of Ferraris gathered and checked into EQ Kuala Lumpur for the start of what would be a nocturnal sojourn That evening, members and participants of the Ferrari Owners’ Club Malaysia (FOCM) convened at the Sepang International Circuit for high-octane action with Ultimate Drives 2023 taking to the track.
A sumptuous array of coffee and croissants, courtesy of Illy, offered a pre-race boost as members also explored an exquisite range of fragrances by Acqua di Parma. Notably, the car diffuser, a collaborative creation with Poltrona Frau, promises to envelop drivers in a multisensory experience that renders each journey unforgettable. A glimpse of the lap challenge prizes showcased the newest KGear electronics and speakers by K-array—an Italy-based manufacturer for the professional audio market—amplified the anticipation of the overall experience.
Track participants soon made their way to the pit lane to kick off the Robb Report Malaysia Ultimate Drive: Lap Challenge. Those who ended in podium positions walked away with Illy’s Y3.3 iperEspresso machine. The top two prize winners in the two race categories each received a two-night at Fuji Speedway Hotel, located in Oyama, Japan, and also two tickets to the adjacent Fuji Motorsports Museum.
Day 6
The next morning, a buzz of excitement ensued as the fleet of Ferraris pulled up at Resorts World Genting to check in at Crockfords Hotel, the only five-year consecutive recipient of the five-star rating by Forbes Travel Guide. The evening proved to the the highlight, as dinner unfolded at the exclusive Genting Rouge club, with a presentation of the L’Or de Jean Martell Assemblage du Lapin, a commemoration of the Chinese lunar year’s zodiac animal.
Dinner began with the iconic Cordon Bleu by Martell to accompany the dishes, before the supernova spotlight of the exceptional L’Or de Jean Martell. Crafted from a blend of more than 700 different cognacs, L’Or de Jean Martell showcases layers and dimensions characterised by rich, nuanced notes and finishes with an impeccably velvety profile. Bastien Michaud, brand ambassador of Martell, then introduced L’Or de Jean Martell 1715 Assemblage du Lapin, a limited Martell Zodiac Rabbit edition (RM55,000). The night would carry on with participants enjoying live music at the adjacent club with plenty of merriment and high spirits.
Day 7
Following brunch at Sky Avenue Genting, the participants made their way down to The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur. At the foyer of Astor Ballroom, guests were welcomed to a cocktail reception by The Macallan.
As dinner commenced, Jeremy Lee, The Macallan’s whisky ambassador, introduced The M Collection showcasing The Macallan M, The Macallan M Black and The Macallan M Copper; a trio of stellar expressions that celebrates the foundational stones of this legendary single malt.
A lucky draw added an additional frisson to the evening’s proceedings, with enticing prizes from the esteemed sponsors that had graciously supported Robb Report Malaysia Ultimate Drives 2023. These included a designer fragrance by Acqua di Parma and Escentials, The Guest porcelain figurine by Lladró, premium cigars by Cohiba Atmosphere, leather pouches by Poltrona Frau, plus stays at three Aman properties in Bali, namely, Amandari, Amankila and Aman Villas at Nusa Dua.
The final lucky draw prize featured an exceptional personalised painting by Qing Gallery’s Karwai Chan in collaboration with One Corsa, which is known for its rare and exotic automotive collection. The painting was inspired by La Fiamma Rossa, a sculpture birthed from the beauty of an eternal racing heritage.
As the night drew to a close, dinner concluded with joyous laughter and clinking glasses, marking a triumphant end to Robb Report Malaysia Ultimate Drives 2023.
Robb Report Malaysia would like to thank all our partnering brands and venues, whose participation and support helped make this year’s Robb Report Malaysia Ultimate Drives an exceptional experience.
Partners
Acqua di Parma
Aman Resorts
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
Armand de Brignac
Cloudy Bay Te Wahi
Cohiba Atmosphere Kuala Lumpur
Desaru Coast
EQ Kuala Lumpur
Estrella Galicia
Fuji Speedway Hotel
Illy Malaysia
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Langkawi Pure
Lladro
Luen Heng F&B
Louis XIII
Martell
Motorsport Playground
Mywow2
One Corsa
One&Only Desaru Coast
Poltrona Frau
Resorts World Genting
Sepang International Circuit
Sheng Tai International
Telmont
The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
The Balvenie
The Edison George Town
The Macallan
The Majestic Malacca
The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
Veuve Clicquot
Vida Zero
Photography by: Momenz Creation
