If you have already been to Johor Bahru 13,809 times, and are looking for a new affordable getaway spot near Singapore, Kuala Lumpur is a good idea for your next reality escape.
Nested right next to the bustling city is a large rainforest dotted with affordable retreats priced from as low as $11/night per person. All of the ones listed below are suitable large groups so you can head down for some fun family time, or a budget weekend trip with your friends!
Psst… if you need ideas for your itinerary, check out these cheap activities in KL and where to find the most happening clubs in KL.
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Image credit: @stephyshuen via Instagram
It’s no surprise that locals rave about The Sticks – the glamping chalet is a playground for nature lovers. Since it is located right by a river, you can splash around or enjoy rubber tubing with the floats provided. Nightfall is so dark here, you can spot the milky way.
Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with hiking, white water rafting (RM190, ~S$54), and paragliding (RM355,~S$102), all of which can be arranged with the staff.
Image credit: @thesticksguide via Instagram
Stargazing at The Sticks.
The rustic rooms can fit anywhere from 2 to 7 people, and most of them come with a woody interior and billowy curtains that allow views of the surroundings from your bed. Prices start from RM970/night (~S$277) for the Singing Sharma Room for 7 pax, with breakfast and BBQ or steamboat dinner included.
Image credit: @thesticksguide via Instagram
Distance from KL: 1h
Price: From RM970/night (~S$277) for 7 people, or S$40/pax
Image credit: Qowiy Village Langat
It’s no secret that the tiny home hype has taken the online world by storm. If cute houses in semi-circle, dome, and triangle shapes sound like a great getaway, don’t sleep on a weekend trip up to Qowiy Village Langat, where all the rooms are adorably smol.
Image adapted from: Qowiy Village Langat
Think glamping but better. In spite of the small space, each room is packed with facilities and amenities like air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and even en-suite jacuzzis. Call one of these homes your crib from just RM590/night (~S$189) for 6 folks. Talk about bougie on a budget.
Distance from KL: 1h
Price: From RM590/night (~S$189) for the A – Type Pool Side With Jacuzzi, or $32/pax
Villas from RM990/night (~S$283).
Image credit: Tiarasa Escapes
Now, if you want nature, but still wish to retain the ability to wear pretty outfits and live in comfort, your answer may just be Tiarasa Escapes Glamping Resort, located in Janda Baik.
Image credit: @alethiatoh via Instagram
Enjoy a dip in a clean and chlorinated swimming pool, while being surrounded by the forest. Thanks to bug nets, you’ll wake up to the sound of birds chirping, instead of itches from bug bites. Bonfires, an outdoor cinema, nature walks, and fishing activities are available to truly unwind.
Rajah Brooke Family Suite – each suite comes with 2 bedrooms and is equipped with a bathtub.
Image credit: Tiarasa Escapes
There are 5 types of rooms to choose from, from safari tent-style villas to family suites on stilts. Groups of 4 can swing for the spacious Rajah Brooke Family Suites with pool views, priced at RM1,844/night (~S$528) for 4 people.
Distance from KL: 50min
Price: RM1,844/night (~S$528) for 4 pax, or S$132/pax
Enderong Resort is on a different playing field from the rest with its humongous Enderong House, which may as well be called a mansion. We’re talking a 3-storey bungalow that can fit up to 26 people.
Image credit: @jiengalacticpresident via Instagram
This is a superb spot for birthdays, wedding parties, bonding trips; basically any large group gatherings you can think of.
Image credit: Enderong Resort
Inside, floor to ceiling windows in the bedrooms give you panoramic views from the moment you open your eyes in the morning.
But it isn’t just go big or go home with this resort as they have smaller Twin Rooms priced from RM400 (~S$114)/ night that are suitable for cosy couple trips.
The swimming pool appears connected to the large pond beside it.
Image credit: Enderong Resort
If you are looking to build up some sweat, there is a hiking trail right next to the resort and trekking tours available that you can sign up for. Before heading up, remember to register your vehicle with the resort as Enderong sits in a private estate and security is tighter there.
Distance from KL: 1h
Price (Enderong House): From RM4,800/night (~S$1370) for 26 people, or S$52/pax.
Image credit: @mytravelguide via Instagram
The Glasshouse @ 325 gives you the feeling of being encompassed in nature without the mozzies and summer heat. With floor to ceiling windows stretching across 2 storeys, you get to marvel at the vast wilderness in the comfort of an air conditioned room.
Image credit: @zuraposdzi via Instagram
If even that isn’t enough, step out into the balcony where you get to see the vast rainforest lying below you! Full blown panoramic view, check.
Snuggle up in this lush “treetop” bedroom.
Image credit: darentimes
There’s also no need to chiong in to chope the best rooms here – the architects made sure to give each of its cosy 4 bedrooms a great view of the woodlands around.
Distance from KL: 1 hour
Price: From S$513/night for 10 people, or S$51/pax
Address: Jalan Tanarimba Sumsum 28750 Kampung Janda Baik, Pahang, Malaysia
Contact: The Glasshouse @ 325 website
This kampung-style retreat is a throwback to the olden days, and it’s so authentic that you’ll hear chickens crowing every morning.
Image adapted from: Kameel Ispha via YouTube
If you’re coming in a large group of around 12 people, stay in the Bird of Paradise Bungalow RM390/night (~S$130), where the cost for each person works out to be S$11/night. This bungalow blends straight into the jungle with its rattan walls and traditional gabled roofs lined with tree vines.
Image credit: Bamboo Village
There are regular beds available, but if you are looking for a little twist, opt for the roll out mattresses.
Image credit: Murujan
Other than with ringgit, you can pay for your stay in another way: Bamboo Village runs a Workaway-like scheme where you can actually choose to work and stay there for free.
They also take the kampung life very seriously there, so keep in mind that air conditioners or hot water aren’t available – it’s just purely you and nature.
Distance from KL: 30min
Price: From RM390/night (~S$111) for 12 people, or S$11/pax
Image credit: Twinkle Villa
Hidden by towering trees and accessible only by a short pathway leading into the forest from the main street, the rustic-modern Twinkle Villa is the very definition of a hidden gem.
Open concept kitchen and dining room in Twinkle Villa.
Image credit: Twinkle Villa
The entire building is tastefully decorated with framed paintings and nature inspired sculptures, giving this place a tingle of class and modernity. If you appreciate art, this might be the retreat for you.
Image credit: Twinkle Villa Janda Baik
Inside, the walls are lined with bricks and decorated with wooden furniture, creating an uber cosy vibe. The large windows and open spaces also ensure maximum natural lighting during the day.
Image credit: Twinkle Villa
You can book the rooms individually or rent the whole villa to own the entire space for a night or 2. The Twinkle Villa can house up to 10 people in its 4 bedrooms.
Distance from KL: 1h
Price: RM2,000/night (~S$573) for 10 people, or S$57/pax
Image credit: @ananivilla via Instagram
If you’ve been feeling stressed, staying right in the midst of the Pahang Rainforest ought to relax that wound-up mind. Anani Villa offers adventure activities like waterfall abseiling, jungle trekking, and ATV rides to let loose and forget about work deadlines and KPI.
Junior Suite for 4.
Image credit: Anani Villa
The villa has its design all set to zen with its minimalist layout, simple furniture, and monochromatic colour scheme. Choose from 3 types of dormitories – with 8 to 16 beds in 1 room – from RM120/bed (~S$35). Couples can instead pick suites that are priced from RM400/night (~S$114) per room.
Image credit: @ananivilla via Instagram
Distance from KL: 30 min
Price: From RM120 (S$35) per person.
Image credit: @mrsgracechew via Instagram
Templer Park Rainforest Retreat hits all the latest trends with its stylish container rooms and infinity pool overlooking the surrounding Kanching Rainforest.
Image credit: Templer Park Rainforest Retreat
Villa bedroom.
Image credit: Templer Park Rainforest Retreat
Each room in the container house is spacious and can fit up to 7 people. For in-room entertainment, you can use their 65″ HDTV with Netflix and Youtube to hold a cosy movie night with your roommates.
Image credit: Templer Park Rainforest Retreat
This resort sits on spacious, elevated land, and it makes full use of its vantage with gazebos and hammocks where you can get a game of carrom going with your vacation buddies in front of a stunning view.
Image credit: @mandaisme via Instagram
If you manage to pry yourself away from the cool pool waters, delve further into nature by exploring the nearby attractions. Kanching Waterfalls and Selayang Hot Springs are just a 5 and 15 minute drive away respectively.
Distance from KL: 30min
Price: RM1480/night (~S$423) for the first 10 guests, or S$42/pax
Don’t be put off by its name. Unlike the usual kampung affair, Balik Kampung Villa will give you a luxurious experience as each room comes with a private infinity pool and gazebo that faces the Hulu Langat Rainforest.
Image Credit: Balik Kampung Villa
Their furniture and layout is inspired by the Bali culture; meaning a spacious and airy living space. In fact, their smallest villa is more than 3 times the size of your regular HDBs!
As a cherry on top, there’s a secret waterfall nearby that only people in the area know about. Try asking the staff at Balik Kampung to find out where it is!
If you are looking to escape from the concrete jungle into an actual ones, Kuala Lumpur is where you’ll find your sweet escape. With huge nature resorts that can house your entire gang of kakis, there’s no way anyone would be left out.
These nature-immersed vacation spots are relatively unknown – at least for now – so check them out while they’re still under the radar.
For more things to do in Malaysia:
Originally published on 25th February 2018. Last updated on 24th November 2023.
Cover image adapted from: Travelog, Tiarasa Escapes, @ananivilla via Instagram
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