18 Nature and Outdoor Retreats in Malaysia

Are you looking for a nature retreat for a weekend getaway in Malaysia? You came to the right place, as I have compiled a master list of the best retreats out of Kuala Lumpur.

This list caters to everyone, especially locals who have little time but need an escape from city life to somewhere nearby. 

Some nature retreats are located near Kuala Lumpur or just a short drive or flight from here.

The retreats listed here are also based on price for entire villas or bungalows or by persons; therefore, you need to double check when booking. Weekends and public holidays are always priced higher than weekdays. 

The list is also for Peninsular Malaysia only, as it is not easy to find resorts or retreats in this genre for this part of Malaysia. They are also in no order and vary from state to state around here. 

Slightly on the pricier side but well worth it for anyone wanting a bit of luxury away from the mainstream tourist places of Penang but still within reach. 

This Eco retreat has been the talk of social media for many years and attracts all walks of life, namely millennials, hipsters and the occasional corporate group or family. 

There are a total of 10 units available, and a lot of companies use this place for group retreats or events. Avoid long holiday periods here as it can get crowded or booked quickly. 

This rainforest escape is located in Negeri Sembilan and provides eight individual homes with unique names. Six units cater to four or six people, while the remaining two villas are for couples only. 

Nature activities like hiking are available for those who want to explore the area, and transport options are available for those needing it to get here. 

This beautiful rustic property offers six beautiful wooden villas suitable for couples or families. 

Each villa is around 150 to 200 square meters, with king-sized beds, LCD television, complete bathroom and coffee amenities.

The showers are pretty cool as they provide open-aired bathrooms with outdoor showers. Only breakfast is provided, so you must arrange other meals.

The property can also be rented for private events or photography, but avoid booking during the rainy season. 

Green Acres is an organic farm with over 500 fruit trees and a selection of unique spice plants, and it is perfect for the green traveller. 

The villas are styled towards a Malaysian ‘Kampung’ home and are 250 meters above sea level.

Green Acres is suitable for groups, families or even couples and the property is nestled away from commercialization. If you love durians or local fruits, this is your mecca and highly recommended. 

Terra’s Treehouse is located in the cool climate of Brinchang in Cameron Highlands, and you can expect the best of nature here.

Here, you can expect temperatures from around 14-25 degrees Celsius in a natural and organic retreat. If you are looking for something different and back to basic, this is it. 

Four treehouses cater to six people, while two accommodate up to 12. It is very natural but a little modern; there are electrical outlets, proper bedding, mosquito nets, a shared bathroom and an activity area.

I recommend coming here on a weekday because the place is famous for groups and team-building activities on weekends. 

The resort sits in a 12-acre orchard, which is 800 meters above sea level in the Berembun Forest Resort here. There are six different bungalows which cater to families, groups or couples. 

Activities include trekking, bird watching, waterfall visits, and a cooking workshop. 

From Kuala Lumpur, it is only an hour and a half to get here, and this would be one of the closing weekend retreats from KL. 

Swimming pools face the beautifully landscaped forest where sunsets can be enjoyed. 

Activities around here include trekking, waterfall visits and good old nature walks. 

Set on natural terrains, meandering paths lead to a jungle stream and a waterfall. The resort is also constructed using recycled timber, so you know it’s a natural Eco retreat.

Yes, the name sounds confusing as many people think it is Tanah Aina Resort, the group name. 

She has also branded this as an exclusive Eco resort, which sits 1,700 meters above sea level. This equals a cooling and private getaway in the rainforest of Pahang. 

For accommodations, there are villas and camping available. Based on reviews, Farrah Soraya Resort gets really busy on weekends and long holidays; hence, I recommend visiting this place on a weekday. 

One unit is a luxurious villa, while the other is a container-style unit, and both are far apart. Activities include trekking and hiking to the Kanching Waterfalls and its surroundings. 

After all, if you desire to book the entire place for a romantic escape, that would work, but you must pay the entire fee. 

The incredible views at Casabrina Villa (Photo by http://www.casabrina.net/)

13. Casabrina Vacation Villas

Cssabrina is perfect for small families or groups that seek hidden and private property away from it all. 

Natural landscapes surrounding Tanah Larwina (Photo by http://www.tanahlarwina.com/)

14. Tanah Larwina Retreat 

The unit sits just by a river, while there is a special campfire site outside the unit. There is also a barbecue and cooking area and for larger groups, there is a campsite available.

The owner is currently adding two pods which cater to couples wanting privacy. They are to be opened in early 2018. Extension plans are also in the process for an additional villa in 2018.

Website: http://www.tanahlarwina.com/

Kampung style villa at Selepas Hujan (Phot by http://selepashujan.com/wp/)

15. Selepas Hujan 

Only two bungalows or villas are available here, traditionally built in wood combined with modern designs and fittings.

Selepas Hujan means after the rain, and it is here that you will find one of the best private escapes to nature.

Consider this place one of the premium luxury escapes in a pristine forest reserve near Kuala Lumpur, as it only takes about one hour to drive here.

Activities include trekking, bird watching, and simply doing nothing but relaxing. One of the villas is a honeymoon villa, perfect for the newlyweds with little time to travel.

Selepas Hujan 
Address: 43A (Lot 3154) Pantai Hill Orchard Resort, Jalan Kampung Pantai, 71770 Pantai Negeri Sembilan
Price: RM700 to RM1,500+ per night
Tel: +6012-931 5147

The beautiful Enderong Resort in Janda Baik (Photo by https://enderong.wixsite.com/enderongresort)

16. Enderong Resort

The Enderong Resort has one villa with eight rooms, a four-room cottage, an Annexe with 18 rooms, and a multipurpose function hall.

All of this combined, and you get the perfect venue for small gatherings, retreats, weddings and anything else that says ‘Out of KL, but near KL’.

The location is pretty close to Bukit Tinggi and Genting Highlands, making this one of the logistically perfect retreats for just about anyone.

The critical factor is that it is only 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur. Tends to get crowded on long weekends and holidays; therefore, book on a weekday for privacy.


Enderong Resort
Address: Lot C21, Persiaran Enderong, Jalan Tanarimba Pine, Tanarimba, Janda Baik, Bukit Tinggi, 28750 Bentong, Pahang
Price: RM370 to RM4,200 per night
Tel: +609 2330533

One of the villas at the Waterway Villas in Bukit Tinggi (Photo by http://www.thewaterwayvilla.com/)

17. The Waterway Villa

Waterway Villa consists of five different types of villas, each representing a different type of material.

Choose from Balinese, Timber, Stone, Glass and Bamboo design villas as each provides a different staying experience. The resort also comes with a shared swimming pool.

The catch is that you either visit on a weekday when the retreat is less crowded or just book the entire place for your own function or event. Otherwise, you will be sharing the place with other visitors. 

Stand-alone Plasid Villa in Seremban. (Photo by http://gan-lifewalker.blogspot.my)

18. Plassid Villa

This villa, owned by Patrick, is a stand-alone unit that sits on a hill overlooking the beautiful natural landscapes.

The villa is designed after a traditional ‘Kampung House’ that is modern, contemporary, and simple. For accommodations, the villa comes with two bedrooms, eight beds and two baths with standard amenities.

Privately owned, the owner takes the initiative to complete the villa with almost anything you can think of in terms of snacks or drinks.

Locals from Kuala Lumpur take a quick weekend break here with friends or family to escape the busy city life. 

This is what some of the villa retreats look like inside. (Photo by http://www.casabrina.net/)

What To Bring For Your Retreat or Getaway?

Depending on which retreat you book, some only provide basic amenities, while others offer full service.

You need to double check when booking. Most of them provide breakfast only, and you can buy your own food to cook there or barbecue.

Some retreats also provide fridges, complete kitchen utensils and storage spaces. As for snacks, it is always best to bring them as there are no places for you to buy them at night, so stock up if needed.

As for mosquitoes, these places are located in the rainforest, and some areas may have mosquitoes, so it is best to bring insect repellent. And if you plan to swim or go trekking or hiking, please bring the necessary attire for them.

And finally, because these are purely nature retreats, please, I repeat, please do not throw your rubbish everywhere. Especially smokers, please use an ashtray or a makeshift one.

We all know this reminds you of a hotel, where you can leave the place in a mess, but please practice good ethics at these places.

Trekking to a waterfall at The Dusun (Photo by http://thedusun.com.my/)

This list was specially created for reader requests as many people want to know where to find some nature resorts or retreats for a family getaway over the weekend from Kuala Lumpur. I have yet to visit any of these resorts to date.