"Port Dickson is the closest decent beach resort to Kuala Lumpur which accounts for its fame and popularity. It is not just one beach but rather an 18km strip of coastline in Negeri Sembilan state with a series of beaches, some better than others."
Port Dickson or more popularly known as P.D., is a favourite weekend getaway for people from
Kuala Lumpur
and Singapore. Especially for those, who are seeking some time away from the hot,
stifling cities. During the weekend an estimated average of 45,000 people visited the
beaches in the district stretching about 25 kilometres facing the calm sea
of Straits of Malacca.
Refreshing cool breeze blowing in from the
Straits of Melaka and the
relaxed environment was one of the reasons for choosing this tiny seaside
village as a colonial beach resort. Sir Frederick Dickson
who 'founded' PD, was a leading official in the Straits Settlement during
the 1880s. He had been searching long for a suitable deepwater port. To
reduce transportation costs, he was hoping that he could shorten the
travelling time from the interior tin mines at Sungei Ujong to the coast by
setting up a port at PD instead of using the old, winding land route all the
way to Klang.
Before Sir Dickson came along, all there was of the place was
a small village called 'Arang', of which the villagers made their living
from burning wood in kilns. Arang means 'charcoal'
Port Dickson has kilometers of fine sandy beaches fringed
by Casuarinas, palms, and the intricate, above-ground root formations of the
Banyan tree. A complete menu of leisure activities is available in Port Dickson,
including water-skiing, canoeing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and sailing, all
of which can easily be handled through the reception desk at your hotel.
At Kota Lukut, a mere 7 km from Port Dickson, stands the fort
of Raja Jumaat, a renowned nineteenth-century Bugis warrior. The fort was
built in 1847 to control the lucrative tin trade in the area. The road along
the Malaysian coastline is very lovely and resisting to stop for a
rest and a swim is almost impossible. Vendors along the road offer
thirst-quenching drinks of coconut water and sugar-cane juice. Another
rewarding site is the lighthouse at Cape Rachardo, built by the Portuguese
in the 16th century in order to guide ships to the safety of Malacca's
harbour. The lighthouse is still functioning today, and visitors can ascend
its narrow spiral stair to the beacon, which offers a magnificent view of
the coastline of Sumatra. The Cape is also a popular stopover point for
migratory birds. From September to March, flocks of sparrows, honey
buzzards, and swifts can be seen here, together with birds of prey, such as
hawks and eagles.
To catch a glimpse of the locals at 'work', a night market comes alive every Saturday at an open
car park next to the Petronas Petrol station on 4th mile. Lots of snacks,
food and produce to buy for the weekend stay over.
Along the coastal road the lovely old bungalows are
replaced by 10, 20, 30th floor condominiums, apartments and hotels.
Blue Lagoon (10 miles from PD town) is still the favourite beach as it was 20years ago and
is very popular with local visitors. It's
the most famous picnic spot and is an excellent spot for the water sport
enthusiasts. However, the more crowded
beaches are often covered with litter and you may find it hard to find a
clean bit of sand to park yourself. If only there were trash bins located
along the beaches and a little bit of civic duty from the local
holidaymakers, then the councils may be able to counter this predicament.
Other than numerous holiday resorts, Port Dickson is also well known for
its oil refineries belonging to the giant oil companies of Shell and Esso. In
addition to these two giant industrial complexes there are also another two
oil related industries comprising of Castrol and Cabot to add to the
landmark of Port Dickson.
The oil industries generate a huge number of heavy
traffic comprising of oil tankers plying Port Dickson and other parts of
Peninsular Malaysia.
Port Dickson is about
an hour away from Kuala Lumpur. Take the
North-South highway and exit at
Port Dickson. From the exit, take a right turn at traffic lights after the
toll. Follow signs to Port Dickson. There's another highway that leads to
Port Dickson from there. On this stretch of highway, you can exit at Lukut or head straight to PD.
Avillion Port Dickson
A fishing village was the inspiration for the concept and design of this cozy boutique hotel located in the center of Port Dickson. This is a family oriented accommodation with the nature lover in mind. Guests of Avillion Port Dickson are treated to lavish amenities like king-sized beds, Jacuzzis, and private balconies. Wake up to a very early breakfast and sunrise at the Crow’s Nest Restaurant as it is open 24 hours a day. For evening entertainment, visit Jungle Fringe Karaoke Bar and sing until the late night. Drop the kids off at the children’s cabin and run to the spa for a day of pampering and relaxation. The fitness center, Tai Chi lessons, swimming pool, and tennis courts are available for the Avillion Port Dickson’s more active guests.
Ideal for fun and relaxation, Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson is located in the Si Rusa area of Port Dickson. From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city's must-see destinations.
At Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson, every effort is made to make guests feel comfortable. To do so, the hotel provides the best in services and amenities. Guests of the hotel can enjoy on-site features like 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, facilities for disabled guests, luggage storage.
The hotel features 639 beautifully appointed guest rooms, many of which include television LCD/plasma screen, additional bathroom, clothes rack, complimentary instant coffee, complimentary tea. The hotel's sauna, outdoor pool, pool (kids), garden are ideal places to relax and unwind after a busy day. With an ideal location and facilities to match, Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson hits the spot in many ways.
For travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Port Dickson, Paradise Lagoon Apartment is the perfect choice. Set from the excitement of the city, this 2-star hotel commands an excellent location and provides access to the city's biggest attractions. Also within easy reach are Oceanic Mall, Renalteam Dialysis Centre Port Dickson, Masjid Qariah @ Bagan Pinang.
Take advantage of a wealth of unrivaled services and amenities at this Port Dickson hotel. While lodging at this wonderful property, guests can enjoy car park, elevator.
In addition, all guestrooms feature a variety of comforts. Many rooms even provide air conditioning, desk, balcony/terrace, fan, television to please the most discerning guest. The hotel offers an excellent variety of recreational facilities, including fitness center, sauna, outdoor pool, spa, massage. Whatever your reason for visiting Port Dickson, the Paradise Lagoon Apartment is the perfect venue for an exhilarating and exciting break away.