Banjaran

"Bang the Gong" ,a ritual for guest to make a sound by banging the Gong to signify  that they  have just arrived at the 'Banjaran 'greeted by smiling staffs that will lead guest to  the chalet. Situated between the limestone hills and natural hot spring ponds and lake this luxurious spa and retreat  in Tambun seems like the most peaceful place.It's forte is health and rejuvenation as well as a yoga retreat.

"It used to be a waste land during the 70s with an old public swimming pool filled with natural hot water from the hot springs of the area.Then it was left unattended and no one bothers till Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah,owner of the Sunway groups bought over the 16.19 acres of the land which includes the hot spring and caves."said Raymond Koh,Director of operation.

"Banjaran may seems exclusive and expensive for Ipoh standard with chalets that cost one thousand ringgit a night but it is popular among people from Kuala Lumpur and international tourists."

What makes Banjaran different and special is the fact that it has natural hot springs in the massive tropical gardens as well as the 25 chalets.Every chalet has their own hot spring pool.There are two types of chalet, one is the garden chalets and another is the water chalets.Both type are charming.

The garden chalet is bigger and it faces the tropical garden and the water chalet is smaller but it overlooks a beautiful pond with lotus and waterlilies.

Nature lovers will love this resort because everything here is connected to nature. There is a jungle trek that leads guest to the Lost World and are allowed to use the facilities of the Lost World for free.There are four natural caves with stalagmites each  for different purposes.

Since Banjaran is also a yoga retreat, one can expect to do their meditation in a cave which is how meditation should be done.

The sauna at this resort is in a cave.Bubbly hot spring inside this cave which will make one sweat at the right temperature and then when you are done with sweating it out,you will be ushered  to a well with cold water dubbed the "cold dip" for cold splash of water

There are  spas and each spa specialises in different kind of massage and therapy.There is the traditional Malay massage, aromatherapy massage,Chinese style of massage and cupping.There is also a fish reflexology called Dr.Fish whereby one put their feet in a long pool with fishes that will bite off dead skins of the feet.One can be totally pampered at this resort.

There are health professionals to explain about what the massages and cupping are good for and also a yoga guru at hand.Whenever you want to practice yoga,the staff will call the guru and you can indulge in yoga outdoor with  a perfect ambience.

The chalets have a living room,dining room,a pool of hot spring and a huge room.It is really comfy and one won't feel like going out when you are in the room.

Near the chalets stood the library for guest to unwind with a book .They have a restaurant called the Pomelo which serves local and western food and it has a real Asian setting with courtious waiters and waitresses.

" The Cave is about 230 million old and long ago the Japanese used it for their hide out . There are still writings from that era in the cave."

One of the cave is called 'Jeff Cellar '.Here is where Jeffrey keeps his favourite wines and champagne. It is also a place for the guest to have a drink while listening to the music.

Impressive would be an undestatement.That surreal feeling you feel it is as though you have found nirvana.  That's how it is in Banjaran. The chalets are beautiful without a doubt,but if you have seen an exclusive chalet before,then you have seen it all.I really feel that the hot spring with its algae and the caves are their best features.