Living in a tropical country, we Malaysians are used to the hot and humid climate. But every once in a while, it’s nice to escape the heat and head somewhere with cooler weather.
In Peninsular Malaysia, the most popular highland getaways are Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Fraser’s Hill and Berjaya Hills (formerly known as Bukit Tinggi). The less popular hill resort is Bukit Larut in Taiping. There are plenty of places to stay at these places, catering to every budget.
Well, if you’re planning to run to the hills for a few days, here are some of the best places to go. Each of these resorts offers guests a unique experience besides the usual hotel facilities.
Crockfords, Genting Highlands
Image credit: Trip Advisor
The blurb on the Crockfords website says the luxe resort spared no expense to create an atmosphere of “modern elegance with classic charm”. Step into the hotel premises and its classy but understated style leaves no doubt that this is a premium place.
The 4-star hotel has only 80 rooms (each commanding a magnificent view of the surrounding rainforest), so privacy and exclusivity is ensured. Besides the usual hotel facilities, amenities and services, Crockfords also features an indoor swimming pool and its own in-house casino (of course, it’s Genting).
With prices starting from RM2,700++ a night, Crockfords clearly caters to high-rollers, VIPs and those who enjoy the finer things.
The Genting Grand Hotel, Genting Highlands
Image credit: Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide
With rooms starting from RM1,000++ a night, Genting Grand is another hotel that caters to the well-heeled. A mere 10-minute walk from the main shopping district of Genting and a 15-minute stroll to Genting Highlands Resort, Arena of Stars, and Genting Theme Park, there’s no shortage of activities for guests to enjoy.
Those who just want to soak in what the hotel has to offer can enjoy being pampered at the in-house spa. Or they could soak in the heated indoor swimming pool. Of course, the hotel also features an in-house casino. It is Genting after all, right?
The Chateau Spa and Organic Wellness Resort, Berjaya Hills
Image via booking.com
Inspired by the 12th-century Haut Koenigsburg castle in Alsace, France, The Chateau Spa and Organic Wellness Resort in Bukit Tinggi is a luxurious getaway indeed. The Chateau provides a wide range of wellness and beauty programmes for just about any need.
This award-winning destination offers a world class spa and wellness retreat a mere 45 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur. The Chateau welcomes guests from all over the world and offers most of the latest beauty and wellness treatments available.
Besides therapists and beauticians, the resort also retains the services of beauty consultants, nutritionists, trainers and doctors, so guests are assured of getting all the pampering and treatments they need for a glowing, healthful body and mind.
Cameron Highlands Resort, Tanah Rata
Image credit: slh.com
Set amidst the tea plantations and rolling hills of Tanah Rata is Cameron Highlands Resort, a grand colonial house with an adjacent 18-hole golf course, a spa with tea treatments, and some of the finest dining in the country.
With only 56 rooms, and rooms that start from RM800++ per night, this is a resort that you can enjoy a luxurious getaway with privacy and exclusivity assured.
This boutique hill retreat is steeped in old-world glamour, from its sumptuous rooms with four-poster beds and silk fabrics, to the wood-shuttered French doors opening up to glorious views of the highlands, to the quintessentially English afternoon teas served by attentive staff in colonial uniforms.
You can also arrange to have the hotel prepare private picnics in the tea plantation for the full colonial experience.
The Lakehouse, Ringlet
Image credit: lakehouse-cameron.com
The Lakehouse is a boutique resort set amidst the gentle hills of Cameron Highlands, in an area dubbed the “The Valley of Eternal Spring”. This Tudor-style country house sits atop a hill overlooking the serene Sultan Abu Bakar Lake.
The charming property takes the English heritage seriously, with its wooden ceiling beams, four-poster beds, Reading Room and Games Room. Oh, not forgetting the working fireplaces.
With just 19 rooms in total, a holiday at the Lakehouse is truly a private affair. And the old world charm is evident everywhere. Rooms here feature antique pieces, such as antique table fans and rotary dial telephones. But it also has the usual amenities expected of a modern hotel, like flat screen TVs and wi-fi.
Room prices start from RM500++.
Ye Olde Smokehouse Hotel, Tanah Rata
This English Tudor-style boutique hotel opened its doors in 1937 and is still going strong today. Guests have a choice of staying in individually appointed cottages, suites or rooms, with prices starting from RM300++.
All accommodations feature colonial-style four-poster beds, art pieces and antiques, and fireplaces that are lit every night. And the luscious award-winning gardens are really something.
The hotel also has magnificent views of natural greenery, as well as the adjacent 18-hole golf greens. The Smokehouse is well-known as one of the finest dining venues in Cameron Highlands and is perhaps most famous for its traditional English breakfast and afternoon tea-and-scones.
It serves up jolly good English fare such as Beef Wellington, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding as well.
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