The four-pearl Cameron Highlands Resort is set on a grand colonial-era property adjacent to the Cameron Highlands Golf Course, near the towns of Brinchang and Tanah Rata. The resort has two restaurants -- the main restaurant is formal and serves international fare, while the more casual open-air venue focuses on local Malaysian cuisine. There's also a piano bar and an afternoon tea lounge. Its 56 rooms, which include suites, recall the elegance of a bygone era, with the addition of modern amenities like rainfall showers, but also traffic noise. Travelers seeking more solitude could compare rates with the Lakehouse, Cameron Highlands, which is farther from the beaten path, but more expensive. 

A good 40-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur, the 281-room, luxury Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside is far from the shopping and nightlife that draws so many tourists, but travelers looking to avoid the crowds appreciate its relaxed location. A private sandy beach provides an outlet for water sports like boating and water skiing, and there's an outdoor pool with a separate kiddy pool. The rooms come in four different themed styles, based on regional ethnic influences, from China to India, and one- and two-bedroom apartments are available. Guests can compare rates at the luxurious five-pearl Putrajaya Shangri-La on the opposite side of the lake.