Cameron Highlands Resort

Cameron Highlands Resort, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property in Pahang, Malaysia, is widely celebrated for its colonial charm, exceptional service, and serene highland setting. It consistently garners high praise, making it a top choice for a luxurious and tranquil escape.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Cameron Highlands Resort is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "wonderful," "excellent," and "outstanding." It's recognized as a "beautiful & cozy gem" that offers a luxurious getaway, evidenced by its inclusion in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection and its Michelin Key selection. Guests often report exceptional experiences, with many expressing a strong desire to return.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the resort:

• Service & Hospitality: The staff's professionalism, warmth, attentiveness, and friendliness are repeatedly highlighted as a standout feature. Numerous reviews mention specific staff members by name for their outstanding hospitality, often making guests feel like family.
• Colonial Design & Ambience: The resort's beautiful colonial architecture and heritage design create a nostalgic, elegant, and "old-worldly" atmosphere. Features like cozy lounges with fireplaces, a charming grand hall, and the overall timeless decor contribute to this unique ambiance.
• Location: Situated opposite a golf course with views of mountains and tea plantations, the resort offers a peaceful and picturesque setting. Its location in Tanah Rata is convenient for exploring nearby attractions while providing a tranquil retreat.
• Amenities: The Spa Village, offering unique tea and strawberry-inspired treatments, is a significant draw for relaxation. Other appreciated facilities include a reading room with Wi-Fi, various dining venues, and a karaoke room.

3. Room Quality

The rooms and suites at Cameron Highlands Resort are generally described as "spacious," "very clean," "comfortable," and "immaculate." They are elegantly furnished with timber floors, beamed ceilings, and four-poster beds, complemented by polished teak furniture and silk fabrics, all contributing to the colonial charm. Many rooms feature private balconies overlooking the golf course or lush hills. Modern amenities such as flat-screen televisions and in-room coffee makers are provided. While most feedback is positive, some older reviews have noted instances of "ricketty" beds or bathrooms being on the smaller side with potential issues like leaky shower doors or less soundproof louvered doors.

4. Dining Experience

Dining at the resort is a highly praised experience, blending traditional English cuisine with Asian flavors.

• Breakfast: The à la carte breakfast served in The Dining Room is frequently described as "exceptional," "delicious," and "tasty," offering a wide selection of freshly baked pastries, fruits, yogurt, cereals, eggs, pancakes, and traditional noodle dishes. Guests often feel it's a fine-dining experience rather than a typical hotel breakfast.
• Lunch & Dinner: The Dining Room offers colonial classics, Western, and local specialties for dinner, with some dishes like lasagna receiving high recommendations. Gonbei, the Japanese restaurant, provides a memorable "Steamboat" dinner experience, with guests praising the food and interactive concept.
• Afternoon Tea: The Jim Thompson Tea Room is a popular spot for a traditional English afternoon tea, which is highly enjoyed by guests.
• Atmosphere: Dining venues offer elegant surroundings with views overlooking the golf course, with dinner often enjoyed in a soft, candlelit ambiance. A proper dress code is required for dinner in The Dining Room.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Cameron Highlands Resort is consistently highlighted as one of its strongest assets. Staff members are frequently described as "professional, helpful, and friendly," "warm, attentive," and "top-notch". Guests appreciate their politeness and eagerness to cater to needs, often going above and beyond, such as making special arrangements for unwell guests. Many reviews mention staff by name, commending their individual contributions to a memorable stay. The resort aims to offer "traditional English charm" merged with "discrete Asian hospitality."

6. Location & Accessibility

The resort is ideally located in Tanah Rata, directly overlooking an 18-hole golf course and surrounded by the iconic tea plantations and rolling hills of Cameron Highlands. This provides a tranquil and picturesque backdrop. Nearby attractions include the Cameron Highland Golf Club, various tea plantations (BOH, Bharat, Blue Valley), strawberry farms, waterfalls, nature trails, lavender gardens, and the lively Brinchang Night Market.

Accessibility to the resort from Kuala Lumpur International Airport takes approximately 3.5 hours, with private transfers available. Getting to the resort from the Tanah Rata bus station is a short 10-minute taxi ride. However, it's worth noting that the winding roads leading to Cameron Highlands can be an issue for some, and the area can experience significant traffic jams, especially during weekends and public holidays, which is a common complaint about the destination itself rather than the resort directly.

7. Value & Pricing

Cameron Highlands Resort is considered a luxury property, and its pricing reflects this. A one-night stay for two adults can start from approximately RM 650.0 (or about $143.49 USD), though prices vary based on dates and availability. Guests generally find the resort to be "worth the money" given the high level of service, luxurious amenities, and unique colonial experience. A tourist tax of RM 10 per room per night applies to foreign guests. The resort also offers promotions, including complimentary spa massages for direct bookings of two nights or more on selected offers. There is a child surcharge of MYR 150 per night for children aged 2-11, which includes breakfast.

8. Common Complaints

While highly rated, some recurring criticisms and issues mentioned by guests include:

• Noise from the Road: A notable number of guests have reported noise disturbances from the busy road situated in front of the hotel, particularly from large vehicles. Some reviews suggest that improved soundproofing could enhance the guest experience, despite the provision of earplugs.
• Lack of Certain Amenities: For a luxury establishment, some guests express surprise at the absence of a swimming pool or a dedicated kids' club. Additionally, the resort does not have a lift, though staff are always on hand to assist with luggage.
• Bathroom Size/Condition: A few reviews mention that bathrooms can be small, and some instances of shower doors not sealing properly or louvered doors lacking adequate sound privacy have been noted.
• Limited Breakfast Selection for Europeans: While breakfast is generally excellent, one review pointed out a limited à la carte selection specifically for European tastes.
• Area-Specific Issues: The broader Cameron Highlands area can suffer from overcrowding and severe traffic congestion during peak seasons, which can detract from the overall travel experience to the region, although this is not a direct criticism of the resort itself.

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