Wedged among Malaysia’s rich rainforests and vibrant fauna, pockets of serene escapes offer the best of urban comfort and outdoor living.
If you and your family love balmy days and experiencing the great outdoors, but don’t want to compromise on the luxuries and comforts of modern civilisation (like plush beds and polished bathrooms), here are 10 family glamping retreats you can find in Malaysia.
Immerse yourself in mountain mists and luxurious landscapes at Tiarasa Escapes, a unique creation by Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelin nestled in the foothills of Genting Highlands that offers an amazing family glamping experience. Having grown up reading Enid Blyton, Puan Sri Tiara captured childhood dreams in this gorgeously crafted, tribal-infused glamping resort — with Safari-inspired tented and treetop villas by the brook, arts and crafts, classic Malaysian games, wading pools, riverside picnic, bonfire, moonlight cinema, and more, that both kids and adults alike will enjoy.
Couple your nature-filled escapades with the Mitsubishi Outlander, the perfect 7-seater SUV to accommodate enough people and belongings, especially with its best-in-class cargo space, and you’ll get a rewarding and recharging staycation that the whole family will love.
The minimalist, open decor of Sekeping Serendah spans across their variety of tents, from the glass boxes to timber sheds to warehouses, and more. Furnishings are kept to a minimum, so you can soak in maximum dreamy daylight and verdant views while you’re on a family glamping trip. The biggest tent can accommodate up to 14 guests, and family-friendly outdoor activities include jungle trekking, fishing, and dipping in waterfalls. Nearby, Serendah Golf Course is great for a friendly match among golfing enthusiasts and budding golfers.
Perched on the hills of the pristine island of Tioman is Japamala Resort by Samadhi, a boutique resort that comes with a million-dollar view and a million things to do for nature-lovers of all ages. Enjoy activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, guided jungle trekking, and rock climbing.
The resort also boasts two swimming pools, a spa, and two dining places: Tamarind, a beachfront restaurant with Thai, Indo-Chinese, and Malay cuisine; and Mandi-Mandi, a pierside eatery with Italian-leaning international cuisine.The exclusive 13 private stinted wooden villas are each uniquely designed with private verandas to boot. It will be a family glamping trip to remember.
Get wrapped in the symphony of the outdoors and truly Malaysian countryside charm at Chengal Hill Retreat, inspired by traditional kampung homes. A range of accommodation types are available, from tents to chalets to Apache huts, and beyond. Some of them are made with chengal wood, carved and crafted in quintessentially Malay design and style. Ideal for family glamping, Chengal Hill Retreat has a safe children’s space with shallow water, barbecue pits, wading streams, nearby waterfalls and hiking trails, among many others.
Mitsubishi XPANDER’s powerful yet fuel-efficient MIVEC engine will get you to your destination with ease and help you save on fuel too, so you can get more mileage without having to give up performance.
Explore and enjoy over 40 acres of limestone hills, lakes, trees, and glorious areas at Tadom Hill Resorts, a bamboo resort that works closely with the Orang Asli Temuan of Kampung Bukit Tadom to give individuals and groups an exclusive and authentic taste of nature. The Orang Asli community and culture are deeply integrated into the family glamping experience, with many Orang Asli members being employees of the resort. Families can go for barbecues, bamboo raft building, ATV-touring, and discover all that Mother Nature has to offer.
Less than half an hour away from Genting Highlands, Glamz @ Genting is a dome-style glamping site that is close enough to the main cities, but far enough for families enjoy the crisp outdoor air and wonders of nature. Glamz @ Genting has spacious and minimalist tents, clean bathrooms, and cosy lounging quarters paired with campsite activities including barbecue and stargazing. The almost-transparent domed walls allow you to feel like you are really a part of nature during a family glamping trip, and the modern additions like fairy lights and the jacuzzi in the VIP Dome Room certainly elevate the atmosphere.
Tucked away within Kuala Kubu Bharu’s rainforests, The Sticks is an off-the-grid eco-resort powered by solar energy, with water sourced from nearby Sungai Meranti (Meranti River) and mobile signal as well as WIFI being virtually non-existent. This resort is as environmentally sustainable as it is ultra-luxurious and beautifully designed, with lodgings thoughtfully and harmoniously carved into the natural landscape.
The Sticks is a true hideaway with rivers and streams to laze in, jungle trails to explore, and adventures like paragliding and white water rafting to try on a family glamping trip. A full-board retreat with exquisite jungle homes including their special tendoks (portmanteau of tent and pondok), as well as scrumptious home-cooked meals, The Sticks blends the best of rustic retreats and luxurious living.
For an experience that leans more towards the authentic, true-to-life camping experience, Canopy Tribes is a campsite that lets you enjoy the outdoors in the open space, while still having access to the basic comforts of modern living like toilets and beds. There are waterfalls nearby, as well as barbecue and campfire pits available. On-site amenities aside, you and your family can go on mini road trips and drive to nearby outdoor attractions: have a picnic at Kota Tinggi Waterfall, see the glimmering fireflies at Firefly Valley Leisure Park, visit the Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm, hike the hills of Gunung Panti, or even spend a day at Desaru Beach.
Passengers of all ages will appreciate and enjoy the Mitsubishi Outlander’s in-car entertainment via the 7-inch audio touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, which provides greater audio connectivity and makes way for more enjoyable drives. So not just your stay at Canopy Tribes will be a pleasure, but your journey there too.
With the beauty of the doors literally at your doorstep, Time Capsule Retreat is a simple and quiet retreat with enough space and privacy for grown-ups and children that will make for a great family glamping experience. Set amid the forest reserve, it’s the perfect laid-back and relaxed place for a family-fun nature retreat. Choose from three types of lodgings: the White Cottage house, the parallel series, or the capsule series depending on your preferences. Just a stone’s throw away are outdoor attractions including trekking trails, suspension bridges, the wondrous Rainbow Waterfalls for a magical dip in the water, and Bukit Panorama for an enchanting sunrise hike.
The Templer Park Rainforest Retreat is a family’s paradise that sprawls across 3 acres, with hilltop accommodations just 60 metres from one another — the Villa, which can cater up to 16 people, and the Container, which can sleep up to 30 people — amid shrubs, evergreens, flowering plants, and friendly creatures like tropical birds that call the forest home. Soak in the 360° picturesque views of the Kanching Rainforest Reserve, have a dip in the infinity pool, or cook up a feast with barbecue pits, steamboat pots, gas stoves, and kitchen tools being made available for all guests. There is ample parking available, as well as viewing decks facing rolling mountains, a lake, and a golf course.
Whether it’s closer to an authentic camping experience or a more eco-luxury getaway, the family glamping options within Malaysia are as abundant as the natural wonders of this country. Rest assured that there is more than enough room to fit enough people and belongings for your next hideaway. Most of these areas are accessible by road, so your journey with the Mitsubishi Xpander will be just as delightful as the destination itself. Visit https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my/xpander/ for more details.
