Sementra Hot Springs Nature Retreat
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Tired of staying in? Plan a trip to these rustic and idyllic retreats in 2023

Ask anyone who’s been on a satisfying forest hike—there’s something profoundly soothing about surrounding one’s self with greenery and getting close to nature. In Malaysia, we’re lucky to have access to some incredibly beautiful landscapes that range from ancient rainforests to hot springs buzzing with elusive flora and fauna. There’s also no shortage of charming retreats that offer you a luxurious resting place to enjoy all of nature’s goodness.   

These dreamy nature escapes do have Internet access, though it can be unreliable due to their remote locations. So be prepared to unplug as you unwind in the arms of nature. 

Read more: The Best Nature Retreats Within a 2-Hour Drive From Kuala Lumpur

The Hooton Retreat, Negeri Sembilan

The peaceful sights and sounds of the quiet rainforest await at The Hooton Retreat, a dreamy glamping spot located about an hour’s drive from Seremban city and an hour and a half’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. The retreat owes its name to resident owls Misty and Starry, whose hoots can sometimes be heard on the grounds. Guests will have a grand time exploring the retreat’s swimming pool, campfire teepees, barbecue pit facilities, and spacious villas with viewing decks opening out to the forest outside.

The Hooton Retreat, Lot 2773, Jalan Kuala Klawang, Mukim Pertang, Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan, +6019 208 0633

Tanah Larwina, Hulu Langat, Selangor

Honoured with the Airbnb Green Stays Gold Award 2021, Tanah Larwina sits on a three-acre family farm by a serene cascading stream in Hulu Selangor about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. The main lodge itself, called Rumah Tebing, can accommodate eight people, while additional units nearby can collectively house an additional eight guests. On hotter afternoons, guests can enjoy a refreshing dip in the retreat's 12m-long saltwater pool. 

Tanah Larwina, Kampung Paya Lebar, Batu 23, Jalan Sungai Lui, Hulu Langat, Selangor, +6017 599 7655

Kebun Rimba Private Estate, Janda Baik, Pahang

Kebun Rimba was a rubber plantation before it was transformed into a stunning nature retreat and planted with native trees that have made the grounds somewhat indistinguishable from the surrounding rainforest. There's no shortage of wonderful things to do here for nature lovers, from a riveting 20-minute forest hike to the famous Lata Tampit waterfalls or a forest trail horse ride courtesy of Bidaisari Stables. 

See also: Inside a minimalist kamping retreat in Janda Baik

The luxurious accommodation here recreates the feel of a quaint Malay village, peppered with kampung-style wooden houses like the beautifully restored Rumah Penghulu structure alongside more modern abodes like the six-bedroom Grand Villa with its own private event space.    

Kebun Rimba Private Estate, Lot PT 12391, Kampung Cheringin, Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang, +6012 365 2121 

Sementra Hot Springs Nature Resort, Gopeng, Perak

Imagine waking up in a quaint chalet against the majestic rainforest in Gopeng. A highlight of Sementra Resort is its hot springs where the beautiful Rajah Brooke's birdwing butterfly is found, an endangered species. The retreat also has a swimming pool made from water sourced from the nearby mountains. The Lärva and Púupa chalets at this retreat are popular for the stunning lake and rainforest views, while the roomy Mekar bungalow chalets overlook the rainforest.

Sementra Hot Springs Nature Retreat, Lot 15918, Kampung Ulu Geroh, Gopeng, Perak, +605 352 0363

Kireina Villa & Cafe, Genting Highlands

Ever wish you could escape to a zen minimalist retreat in the mountains? Kireina Villa & Café in Genting Highlands opened in September 2022, offering guests a distraction-free space to embrace nature and hit ‘reset’ away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Relax in bamboo-covered interiors and soak your stresses away in a cosy jacuzzi filled with Onpo Japanese bath salts on the private balcony of your suite.

Whether you enjoy your meals out on the café terrace or a movie night under the stars, the experiences at Kireina Villa are designed to reconnect travellers back to nature.

Kireina Villa & Café, Lot 12195, Jalan Meranti Genting View Resort, Genting Highlands, Pahang, +6012 672 7131

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