A sneak peek into The Straits

 

Last month, I received an invitation to visit The Straits Medini but I had to decline as I was still abroad. This month, my Marketing Communications friend, M S Bobby, followed-up with me to seek a mutually agreeable date for tea at The Straits Medini.

 

Facade of the entrance to The Straits Medini

I have had the pleasure to work with M S Bobby in recent years while she was attached to international brand hotels, opened in Johor Bahru. After a brief hiatus in her hometown, she was back in Johor again and keen to let me have a sneak peek into a resort opened in Afiniti Medini, that aims to redefine senior living here.

 

Having participated in various events held in the Afiniti Medini since its opening in 2016, I am familiar with this integrated development in Medini designed for premium wellness living, established in a strategic joint-venture between Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd and Khazanah National Berhad.

 

I thought that the location of The Straits Medini within Afiniti Medini was ideal as it was complimented by the presence of the Gleneagles Hospital Medini, the Mall of Medini and Legoland Malaysia resort, all just a few minutes walking distance away.

 

Front entrance into the lobby
at The Straits Medini

Johor Bahru certainly needs a premium standard senior care facility for independent and assisted living in well-designed premises and I looked forward to my sneak peek into what was ready to meet the quality of life our seniors deserve.

 

My thoughts were on the seniors who worked hard to provide for their families, supported their children’s education and sent them abroad for further studies. These children achieved their education goals and went on to promising careers but many also decided to settle down abroad.

 

A turntable to play favourite vinyl
records to enjoy music together

While globe-trotting seniors may travel abroad to visit with their children and enjoy holidays together, there will come a time when seniors no longer wished to travel. Similarly, as young people get on with busy careers, their visits with parents may be less often.

 

For all couples, one partner will leave before the other and the surviving spouse will then live alone or in the company of a helper. Many seniors are highly-accomplished people who are still full of life and able to contribute to the community. But the lack of social connection may result in loneliness and mental health issues.

 

In their sunset years, these seniors who had worked hard and saved hard, deserved comfort and a quality of life with proper healthcare. They deserved a place where the elderly and retirees may continue to be active and where high-quality life and care was provided for those who are semi-dependent or needing some social life.

 

A comfortable lounge for tea
or a cosy chit-chat time

With these thoughts in mind, I made my way to The Straits Medini to meet with Bobby for my peek into the resort that promises to redefine the art of senior living.

 

It was good to reconnect with Bobby again and be introduced to the team led by CEO, Elvira Tan, who warmly welcomed me in.

 

From the lobby to the lounge and reception area, the ambiance was distinctly charming with Straits-born or Peranakan elements that reflected its Straits identity.

 

A guided walk-through of the premises gave me the impression that this was a boutique senior care facility that matches with the tastes of seniors who know how to enjoy their retirement.

 

Cosy nooks to rest and relax

The well-appointed furnishing and fixtures in the residential suites featured resort quality amenities and cutting-edge technology, designed for the safety of residents.

 

Each suite offers open-plan living and dining areas, a well-equipped kitchenette, spacious bedroom and stylish ensuite bathroom.

 

I liked that the bathroom, in particular, was installed with safely handles and sensors that are electronically linked to a closely monitored system that will ensure swift emergency responses.

 

Safety handles and sensors
are installed in the bathrooms

Elvira told me that residents are free to customize their own spaces to meet with their own tastes and are welcome to cook their own meals. Alternatively, they may order-in from the in-house kitchen or dine with other residents in the brasserie.

 

There was also a wellness center for residents to pamper themselves at the spa and stay well-groomed with the services provided by the nail spa and hair-dresser. A gym that features exercise equipment suitable for seniors, was provided for residents to stay fit.

 

This resort aims to provide a safe haven for seniors that welcomes multi-generational interaction in the Games rooms for board games and mahjong, and karaoke sing-along sessions. Yes, there was also a theatre to screen shows while viewers relaxed, stretched out on comfortable armchairs.

 

Wide corridor that links the 
brasserie to the activity rooms

As we chatted over cups of tea, I learnt that while this was just the pre-opening stage, the resort was already hosting weekend staycations with groups who were keen to explore and experience this premium standard of senior living that was now available in Johor.

 

Elvira shared briefly that this was Phase One of the resort with plans ahead to open The Straits in Penang and also abroad. With what was already in place in Johor, we look forward with eager anticipation, to how this resort will serve our seniors here.

 

The Straits Medini is located within the Afiniti Medini, No. 3 Jalan Medini Utara 1, Medini Iskandar, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.

 

For enquiries and appointments to view the show units, send your message via WhatsApp to Tel: +65 8819 7222 or send email to: contact@thestraitsresorts.com

 

For more information, visit website: thestraitsresorts.com