JapaMala Resort – A Samadhi Retreats Property

Modern eco-resorts often tout the back-to-nature qualities of their settings, but the journey to JapaMala Resort might just have them all beat. Whether you fly to Tiomen Island (just off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia) or take a ferry, the change in mood from the churning metropolis of Kuala Lumpur to this rustic collection of villas at the edge of the jungle could hardly be more pronounced. With its open-plan chalets designed for equal levels of privacy and exposure to the unspoiled surroundings, this resort makes an art form out of leaving the busy world behind.

To backtrack a little bit, we should point out that the villas are equipped with wi-fi — but out here, it shouldn’t be too hard to unplug. Built to coexist with the landscape rather than subjugate it, the accommodations vary based on their location within the resort’s eleven-acre slice of the island. Treetop chalets are very much of the jungle, skimming the top of the canopy, while Seacliff rooms provide unobstructed views of the South China Sea. A sustainable theme runs through the building materials, and the interiors are soothing havens of exposed wood, with open-air baths and plunge pools adding an air of romance to the proceedings.

The grandest villa is a two-story beachfront affair, complete with a kitchenette and tanning beds on the terrace. For those less inclined to cook, there are two restaurants — Mandi-Mandi sits on stilts over the water while Tamarind peeks out of the jungle — and a spa that adds cliffside hot tubs to its wellness menu. What keeps these modern resort trappings from flying in the face of the hotel’s philosophy is the intimacy of the island setting, which provides a peaceful, inclusive harmony that’s impossible to fake.

How to get there:
Regular daily flights to Tioman from Kuala Lumpur are available all year round. Please note that Tioman is a relatively undeveloped island, so getting around is done mostly by trekking or by sea taxi. JapaMala Resort has its own boat which is available for hire on an hourly or per day basis.