Malaysia entry procedure:

Beginning 1 January 2024 all foreign citizens travelling to Malaysia are required to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three (3) days prior to arrival. MDAC must be submitted via this link: https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main

Malaysia Hotel Refurbishment – Closure – Construction:

• Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley: Starting January 1, 2025, the lodge will begin constructing a new 3-story clubhouse and nine additional chalets on a 1.5-acre site beyond the Premium Villa Double Storey area. The expansion aims to enhance guest offerings and is expected to be completed by January 22, 2027, barring any delays.
• Perhentian Island Resort: the resort is renovating all the room categories. The work is expected to be complete by April 25, though this date will need to be reconfirmed.
• Pelangi Beach Resort & SPA:The Resort informed that part of their beach is currently undergoing restoration work, scheduled to be completed by the end of Feb 2025. Restoration work is to remedy the erosion of a small section of the beach. 

Malaysia Destination Updates:

• Langkawi Tourism Fee: In compliance with the Trade By-Laws under the Local Government Act 1976, a Local Tourism Fee of RM 10.00 per room per night will be charged directly to the guest upon check-out and RM 20.00 per room per night during special events ( Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace – LIMA 2025 / Le Tour De Langkawi / Ironman and Oceanman Malaysia.
• Taman Negara: The Canopy Walk at Mutiara Taman Negara remains closed for repairs until further notice. A new canopy walk is tentatively planned to open in March 2025, while the first one is still under repair.

Travel reminder for Peninsula East Coast:

To ensure a pleasant experience, on the East Coast islands and mainland Peninsular Malaysia, consider traveling outside of the monsoon season, which typically runs from October to February.

During this period there can be increased rainfall, strong winds and potential flooding in some areas. We recommend informing guests about these conditions when planning travel to manage expectations and ensure a smooth experience.

Singapore & Malaysia – Chinese New Year Office Closure:

The Wood Snake Chinese New Year will be celebrated in all our offices from the 29th to the 30th of Jan. During Chinese New Year, our offices operate with limited staff handling urgent matters, while our Customer Service and Operations teams remain available 24/7 at the following numbers: 

Malaysia Peninsula: +60 12 2523090
Email: [email protected]

Borneo: +60 13 8819332
Email: [email protected]

Customer Care
Email: [email protected]

Singapore: +65 8085 2376
Email: [email protected]

We will resume back on Friday 31st Jan. 

Chinese New Year, what to expect in our destination?

Traffic jams are likely when traveling during the days just before Chinese New Year’s Day. Many are heading from big cities to rural areas to celebrate New Year’s with family.. On New Year’s Day itself, however, the streets are eerily silent. Businesses largely close down (if Chinese owned), and all celebrations largely take place inside private homes.

Penang is the number one place to be for Malaysian Chinese New Year. In the island’s main city, Georgetown, there are numerous gorgeously decorated temples, including the famous tourist magnet known as ‘Kek Lok Si Temple’. Late at night this time of year, many locals head to Georgetown to view millions of coloured lights that are turned on every night.

In Kuala Lumpur, in Petaling Street, there are many temples where devotees come to pray for New Year’s blessings. There are also lion dances in the streets and fireworks going off overhead. More lion dances can be seen inside the shopping malls nearby during the first three days of Chinese New Year.

Singapore entry procedure:

• Please remind travellers to complete the Singapore Arrival card prior to arrival at Singapore’s Changi Airport. This will speed up the immigration process and allow travellers, in most cases, to use the automated immigration gates. This card can be filled out and submitted up to 72 hours prior to arrival. Please use the following link: https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/

Yellow Fever:

• To prevent the importation and transmission of yellow fever in Singapore, all travellers, including Singapore residents, with travel history to countries with risk of yellow fever transmission within six days prior to arrival in Singapore are required to have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. The list of countries includes 13 from Latin America and 29 from Africa. Please go to this link for more details: https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore/yellow-fever-vaccination-certificate 

Singapore Hotel Refurbishment – Closure – Construction:

Goodwood Hotel is conducting restoration works on the hotel façade above the Tudor Ballroom from now until April 2025, Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 6pm.