Borneo Rainforest Lodge at Danum Valley, Sabah.

Known as BRL, this is one of Malaysia’s most exclusive and private resorts. Located deep in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, the nearest possible civilization is 4 to 5 hours away. The rainforest resort is built on stilts and wooden walkways above ground to preserve the rainforest floors.

The chalets are spaced perfectly for privacy, and everything here is back-to-basics. This means no air conditioning, as BRL uses a traditional cooling method for their chalet units. The service here is rated 5 stars, and the staff and nature guides are very professional and knowledgeable.

The multiple award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge is also well known for bird watchers, frog and insect lovers, and wildlife watchers. Visitors will always encounter something here 95% of the time. It is suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners, and families.

Unique Selling Point: The Amazing Danum Valley Canopy Walk.

Prices start from RM3,200+ per person for a 3-day, 2-night package.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge Website: www.borneonaturetours.com

Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa, Sarawak.

Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa

Previously known as the Royal Mulu Resort, this luxury property is now known as the Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa. It is located just five minutes from Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sarawak, Borneo.

This is also the only 5-star luxury resort in the entire Mulu region. The property offers everything from a banquet hall to a Balinese spa, cooking classes, cultural demonstrations, and Mulu Park activities, from rainforest hikes to the awe-inspiring Mulu Caves. It is also built on wooden stilts and walkways. This property suits singles, couples, honeymooners, and families. The resort also caters to large MICE groups.

Unique Selling Point: Minutes from Mulu National Park and Caves

Prices start from RM460+ per night.

Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa Website: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/myymu-mulu-marriott-resort-and-spa

Belum Rainforest Resort in Perak.

Belum Rainforest Resort

Branded as one of Malaysia’s ecotourism holiday destinations and set amid a 130 million-year-old rainforest, the Belum Rainforest Resort at Pulau Banding is the main gateway to the Belum-Temengor Rainforest in Perak, Malaysia.

Belum Resort also offers various accommodations, from superior rooms to deluxe rooms, traditional Malay chalets, and a unique houseboat. A luxurious standalone Villa @ Tanjung Satu is also available for the well-heeled traveller at a whopping RM18,000 a night.

This five-star resort offers some of the best nature experiences here in Peninsular Malaysia, while the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, is known to be spotted all year round. Birds are also abundant, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot the elusive Malayan Tiger, Tapir or even the Asian Elephant. This property is also suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners and families. The Belum resort also caters to MICE groups.

Unique Selling Point: The houseboat hotel, the 10 species of hornbills spotted here and the unique flora and fauna.
Prices start from RM700+ per night
Belum Rainforest Resort Website: www.belumresort.com

Tabin Wildlife Resort at Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Tabin Wildlife Resort  

This exclusive rainforest resort is located in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve near Lahad Datu and focuses heavily on eco, conservation, and environmental practices. The beauty of this 30-year-old rainforest resort is that the location has many highly endangered animals in the reserve, making it one of the premier destinations for seeing Borneo wildlife in its natural habitat.

Bird watchers will also find this place incredible; to date, over 260 species of birds have been spotted around the reserve. Activities include jungle trekking, night safari, night walks, wildlife spotting, birdwatching, and rainforest education.

A particular interest for nature enthusiasts in the form of bird watching, orchid or frog hunting, wildlife viewing or pursuing an interest in botany is also one of the highlights at the Tabin Wildlife Resort. Tabin Resort is suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners, and families.

Unique Selling Point: Amazing Wildlife, Pygmy Elephants and Birds
Prices start from RM1,750+ for twin sharing for 3 days and 2 nights
Tabin Wildlife Resort Website: www.tabinwildlife.com.my

Maliau Basin in Sabah is known also as the Lost World of Sabah.

Maliau Basin Conservation Area

This was subjective, but eventually, we thought this unique place needed to be on this list of rainforest resorts. The Maliau Basin Conservation Area totals 58,840 hectares in a Class 1 Protection Forest Reserve. It is also known as Sabah’s Lost World and is one of the last few remaining relatively untouched wilderness areas.

Branded as the mother of all rainforests in Malaysia, they are open to visitors apart from the leading research centre. This made the list because they have a luxurious villa unit with three rooms and a master bedroom with a jacuzzi and a rainforest view.

This is located at the main study centre, which also houses standard air-conditioned twin bedrooms apart from the beautiful dorms. Visitors need permission to enter the Maliau Basin in advance from Yayasan Sabah or a tour company that offers Maliau Basin tour packages.

Also, Maliau Basin is a remote, atavistic, isolated area with limited access, communications, and safety facilities. Perfect for any hardcore nature and outdoor lover, this property is also suitable for singles, couples, and groups.

Unique Selling Point: Maliau Sky Walk or Canopy Walk and the incredible trekking and hiking.
Prices start from RM4,500+ per person for a 5-day, 4-night package
Maliau Basin Website: http://maliaubasin.org

The Datai at Langkawi Island.

The Datai Langkawi

One of Langkawi Island’s unique luxurious properties is The Datai, which is located in an isolated area in the thick rainforest. Out of the 125 villa units, each room, suite, and villa enjoys the embrace of the lush rainforest and offers incredible views of the breathtaking Andaman Sea from private verandas.

The multiple awards-winning Datai has also been around for many years and is one of Malaysia’s top luxurious rainforest resorts offering world-class service and facilities. To say this is a best-kept secret would be wrong, as many luxury travellers already know of this property.

For a better perspective, imagine Sir David Attenborough’s luxury villa – this would be the closest resemblance to how prestigious this place is. The Datai’s minute attention to detail is incomparable, especially when staff goes that extra mile for service. For the well-heeled, take the Villa Hutan Datai unit; you won’t regret it. This property is also suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners, and families and caters to luxury MICE groups.

Unique Selling Point: Isolated, peaceful, beautiful and fantastic nature walks.
Prices start from RM4,500+ per night.
Datai Langkawi Website: www.thedatai.com

Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa, Terengganu.

Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa (This resort has been closed for many years now)

The Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa is the only luxury resort on Lake Kenyir (Tasik Kenyir), the largest man-made lake in Malaysia. Having been around for many years, this classic timber-designed resort will please any nature lover. Tucked away from all commercial areas, the resort sits at the side of the lake with chalets and villas providing fantastic lake views.

Activities include trekking, hiking, bird watching, nature walks and visiting the waterfalls. Fishing is also one of the highlights here. The Kenyir Lake Resort and Spa is also recommended, as it sits perfectly beside the lake. This property also suits singles, couples, honeymooners, and families. The resort also caters to general MICE groups.

Update: This resort is now closed for good.

Unique Selling Point: One with nature, trekking, hiking and the waterfalls.
Prices start from RM450+ per night
Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa Website: www.lakekenyir.com

Permai Rainforest Resort, Santubong Sarawak.

Permai Rainforest Resort

Twenty-five minutes from Kuching town is the Permai Rainforest Resort, an eco-resort set at the foot of mystical Mount Santubong in a pristine rainforest since 1990. This property is carefully designed to minimize its impact on the natural environment, offering visitors a unique rainforest experience.

Offering a range of accommodation types, they include cabins, single- and double-story units, and amazingly unique treehouse villas. In general, two words describe the Permai Rainforest Resort: Undisturbed natural beauty and wonderfully rich biodiversity, which nature lovers seek.

As for nature activities, you will find trekking, hiking, flying foxes, and birdwatching, and the list goes on here. This place is also well known for team building. This property also suits singles, couples, honeymooners, and families.

Unique Selling Point: The Tree House Rooms Units! Say no more.
Prices start from RM350+ per night
Permai Rainforest Resort Website: http://permairainforest.com/

Villas at the Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort.

Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort Sarawak

Miri is well known for the Niah National Park and the Niah Caves, and this standalone resort is just a 30—to 40-minute drive from Miri Resort City in Sarawak. The Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort is located between the town and the Niah National Park and, more importantly, by the Lambir Hills National Park.

During our recent visit, we found this resort perfect for groups and families due to the many facilities available. The resort offers a water theme park, rope bridge, flying fox, trekking, and team-building activities. It also caters to MICE for businesses or companies seeking a retreat.

Unique Selling Point: Water Theme Park
Prices start from RM300+ per night
Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort Website:
http://www.borneorainforestresort.com/

The unique Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort.

Batang Ai Longhouse Resort Hilton Sarawak (Now closed)

The unique longhouse hotel in the world managed by the Hilton resembles a traditional Iban Longhouse and is located next to the Batang Ai National Park in Sarawak. This incredible experience lets guests stay in a longhouse-style room and experience the beautiful Batang Ai rainforest surrounding the property.

The traditional native Borneo designs are unique, while the spa and restaurant offer authentic menus and experiences. Many of the activities here are nature-related, but one of the highlights is visiting an original traditional longhouse up the river. There is also a canopy walk at the back of the resort.

The Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort is suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners, and families. It also caters to MICE groups seeking a peaceful and quiet environment.

Update: New management took over this resort, now known as the Aiman Batang Ai Resort. (Also Closed)

The 12 resorts above were carefully handpicked by Malaysia Asia to share with everyone. Please note that I have personally visited and experienced 9 out of 12 of these resorts. Please note that a few photographs have been sourced from the hotel or resort website with permission.Please let me know in the comment form below if any other resorts need to be added to this list. Malaysia is home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests; these are just some of the highlighted rainforest retreats for anyone who loves the outdoors and nature. Many other resorts and eco-retreats are below the 3-star ratings and are a little more budget-friendly and commercial.

You can also view my other articles on islands to visit in Malaysia for island and beach lovers seeking the sun, sea, and sand. For nature and outdoor lovers, check out my Canopy Walks of Malaysia list. These are just some of my outdoor and nature articles for anyone wanting to know more about this fantastic tropical country in Southeast Asia.

However, if travellers are coming a long way to experience Malaysia or Malaysia Borneo, this list or place is highly recommended for you to experience at least one of Malaysia’s 12 Amazing Rainforest Resorts.