Retreating city-folk desperate for the scent of salty airs go down the North-South Expressway, making a beeline towards The Grand Beach Resort located in the country’s beach hot spot, of which its iconic curved roofs of the Minangkabau architecture of the resort greet guests pulling into the driveway. After settling into rooms and changing into beach attires, cross the brown picket fence that separates the hotel from the beach to reach the warm waters of the Straits of Malacca. Alternatively, one may opt to dive into the hotel’s swimming pool, practice racquet serving at the onsite tennis court, or shed the plebeian status and be waited on with a butler service provided by the hotel.