You don’t have to travel far to indulge in 5-star luxury. Just a mere 2-3 hours’ drive from the city of Kuala Lumpur is the luxury Kasturi Resort in the coastal village of Cherating in the east coast of Malaysia.
Beach frontage that spans more than 800m long, giving guests uninterrupted views of the beautiful ocean and the greenery that surrounds. The Kasturi Resort is truly embraced by land and sea…as it’s tag line suggests.
The resort spans over 15 acres, and fully embraces its rainforest home and uninterrupted beach frontage. The resort has been thoughtfully designed and built to incorporate into the nature, ensuring sustainable environmental practices are utilized.
Designed and owned by one of Malaysia’s most acclaimed architect, Hijjas Kasturi and his wife Angela, this Cherating resort is built with by a labor of love.
A love for architecture.
A love for the environment and preserving it.
A love for the local community.
A love for Malaysia.
During our trip, whilst sitting in the main clubhouse enjoying our afternoon cocktails, we had the pleasure of meeting Hijjis Kasturi himself, who shared more about the resort.
You see, it’s all in the details.
“Just look down at your feet and do you notice the terrazzo flooring?” he asked.
Hijjis shared that today it is not so easy to find because they don’t really make terrazzo flooring anymore. But through sheer determination, the Kasturi team managed to find a supplier who was able to produce and install this beautiful floor tiling. And ohhhh what a difference it makes.
Hijjis further explains that the villas in the resort have taken inspiration from the traditional Malaysian kampong style home, where the villas have been built with an A-frame roof. But for Kasturi’s villas, the rooms are slanted more and go right down almost touching the ground – why? To make the most of the lovely afternoon breeze.
You see, so much in the design has been thought about.
Table of Contents
Review of the Kasturi Resort in Cherating
Sustainable Practices at the Kasturi Resort
Environmental sustainable practices played an integral role in designing and building the Kasturi Cherating.
With 15 acres of land, in most other cases, developers would aim to try and maximise the land space. This is not the case for the Kasturi resort. The objective was to minimize their environmental footprint, which meant building only 19 villas.
Utilizing local materials and labor-intensive construction was a way that the Kasturi resort was able to support the local community and practice sustainability. This included terrazzo flooring sourced locally to building rubble walls to utilizing recycled timber that were reclaimed from old buildings.
And you know how some movies tell you that no animals were harmed in the making in this movie? Well in the case of the Kasturi Resort, every effort was made to minimize harming and clearing of the rainforest. Small plants were carefully bagged and used later on in the landscaping of the resort.
The Beach Front Villa
We called the Beach Front Villa our home during our stay at the Kasturi Resort.
It was like there was an auto-switch off as soon as we were in the resort, and we were able to forget all the woes of life. From the gentle breeze and sounds of the ocean waves, to the small sounds of the rainforest – Cherating had proven to be the perfect getaway weekend getaway from KL.
The Beach Front Villa, whilst ensuring environmentally sound practices, did not compromise on comfort and luxury. It was 261sqm of serenity…we didn’t want to leave. The resort itself is private and secluded, which makes for an absolutely relaxing holiday. Forget the woes of the city life, relaxing is on the menu when you’re at the Kasturi.
As soon as you enter the villa, you’re welcomed by your own private villa pool and uninterrupted views of the South China Sea. There is also an outdoor shower and a private gate to access the beach.
Inside the villa is just as beautiful as the outside. It’s minimally styled with statement pieces, enough to add that ‘wow’ factor. The extra-large king-sized bed is adorned with this amazingly indigo blue throw that decorates the end of the bed – I mean I loved it so much I wanted to buy it!
As you enter the inside, you’re welcomed by the sitting room area, which is surrounded by glass. This means you’ll always get to enjoy a gorgeous view of the outside. There’s a small set of stairs that lead up to the master bedroom, which is well-size with ample closet space. And as you guide yourself further into the villa, you’ll enter the incredibly spacious bathroom.
In the bathroom, there’s a standalone bathtub, and indoor and outdoor shower, his-and-hers sinks…ahhh how I would love this bathroom at home. And if you think the resort’s environmental practices stops here… think again. Look out for their green amenities – they’ve collaborated with Tanamera, a Malaysian company that produces natural and eco-friendly amenities. So once again, they are supporting local and maintaining their eco-friendly practices.
The villa is also well stocked to ensure you are kept comfortable during your whole trip. The mini bar is filled with a fridge full of non-alcoholic beverages, there’s complimentary water bottles, and you also have a pod-style coffee machine for that better-quality coffee. There’s all the modern comforts you’ll need, from a hairdryer to an iron to a flat screen TV, and an in-room safe. Truly, you don’t really need to leave the villa.
Hint: Set your alarm and wake up for the sunrise. It is just stunning! The sun rises right in front of your villa and is such a wonderful way to welcome the new day. It’s a total rejuvenating experience.
The Facilities
To get to any of the villas and the main clubhouse, you have to meander through the walkway that’s built into the rainforest. Your city life has left your site, because it is just you soaked into the nature – no sounds of honking cars, it’s just you, the sounds of the birds and insects chirping, and the cooling breeze. Simply beautiful.
And at night, the walkway is nicely lit up, which also makes for a lovely experience walking back to your villa after dinner in the main clubhouse.
It’s at the main clubhouse at the Kasturi Resort where majority of the resort facilities can be found. There’s a main resort pool, where is a great size if you’re also thinking of doing some laps to keep yourself fit and healthy while travelling. You could hit up the gym if you want to, which is located on the lower ground level of the clubhouse.
There is also a small spa called Ketapang Spa located on the second level of the club house. For each new guest, you are entitled to a free 15-minutes neck and shoulder massage, which is just delightful! It’s the perfect way to judge if the spa is any good, and trust me, the masseuses were fantastic. I was absolutely so relaxed during my massage.
Eating & Drinking
You’ll also find the main restaurant called Kenyang, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. We loved the local dishes here…after all, you are in Malaysia so go local. One of my favorites was the prawn cooking in a yellow coconut curry – wow was it oh-so-delicious!
The restaurant also offers quite a good wine selection, so you’ll be spoilt for choice here.
The mornings at Kenyang is where you’ll find the breakfast buffet. There’s a good selection of international and local delights…my favorite being the local breakfast offerings. I enjoyed the roti jala paired with the Malaysian chicken curry, and the spicy fried noodles. I remember learning how to cook roti jala during a cooking class in Kuala Lumpur, which brought back great memories. There were also juices, fresh fruit, a selection of cereal, and you could even order fresh-to-order eggs.
Opposite to the Kenyang Restaurant is the KetunBar Lounge, which is the perfect spot to relaxed in the afternoon. Pick up a book, grab that cocktail, and just relax by the couch whilst enjoying the cooling afternoon breeze.
Getting to the Kasturi Resort
It’s simple really.
From Kuala Lumpur, it is a mere 2-3 hours’ drive, and it is a comfortable drive because the roads in Malaysia are fantastic. The majority of the way is on highway, which makes for good driving. We chose to leave Kuala Lumpur before sunrise, which was a perfect choice. We got to watch the sunrise during our drive and it was gorgeous. Plus, it also meant we got to Cherating by around 9am.
Cherating is a quaint and tiny coastal town located on the east coast on Malaysia, in the state of Pahang. It is about a 40-50 minutes’ drive away from the city of Kuantan. There is not too much to do in Cherating, but you’re surrounded by untouched lush greenery, and the sounds of nature. It’s a great place to rest and just breathe in a relaxing state of mind.
We hired a GoCar, which is a local Malaysian company that offers car hire. With over 200 locations to pick up your car across Kuala Lumpur, Klang Valley, Langkawi, and Johor, GoCar has created a convenient car hire experience. And it’s all done via their app….you book through the app, you start your trip through the app, and you’ll even unlock your car with the app.
And so, if this has gotten you curious about a road trip to Cherating, check out my complete guide to organizing and planning your road trip in Malaysia.
The Verdict
The Kasturi Resort in Cherating is the perfect weekend getaway…heck, I could have even spent a week here! Being a couple of hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, it was easy to get to the Kasturi Cheratin and enjoy our mini holiday.
Rates start at RM1,025 per night for 2 adults (A$339 | U$263) for a villa. It is best to book in advanced to secure your room as they only have 19 rooms available.
What’s the best time to visit? April to September, which is the dry season. Between October to March, Cherating and much of the east coast of Malaysia experiences the monsoon season.
If you are looking for a short from Kuala Lumpur, where you want to just relax, I do recommend the Kasturi Resort.
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No compensation was received for this review, however we were guests of the Kasturi Resort. All opinions remains my own and I only promote products/services that I love.
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I'm Soraya, travel & food blogger and sunshine chaser at Hello Raya. You know that travel bug? I have been well and truly nipped, infinite times.This is my online nook to share my lifelong experiences of travel & food in hopes to inspire you to explore our beautiful world. 19 Comments on Serenity Amongst the Nature at the Kasturi Resort in Cherating, Malaysia
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This is absolutely beautiful. We’re off to Malaysia next month and I will see if we can still include this in our itinerary. This is also the first time we will use GoCar so, I hope everything goes well.
I’m not particularly into the kind of travel to resorts to just unwind, as I’m a pretty active individual who prefers to head out to explore foreign cities and towns as well as visit sightseeing hot-spots and attractions. Nevertheless, the resort looks like a nice place to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Looks like a gorgeous place to stay. I love that he didn’t try and overdo it and just built 19 villa’s properly and beautifully. The food looks absolutely fantastic as well!
Kasturi resort sounds to be a great place to relax in Malaysia! When I travel I hardly go near any luxury resorts but when I do, I would choose something similar to Kasturi resort mostly because they care about the environement which I think its important. I hope one day I will be able to have a dip on that private pool by the bungalow!
This is really the sort of place I should be staying more often at. I really admire the level of effort the builder and owner put into this property in order to minimize their carbon footprint. The views look gorgeous as well, and that lit up walkway has a lot going for it.
I really miss Malaysia. Just got back after a 3-year stint. This property looks so real and so close to nature. Love the stone and brick wall. Cheers!!
The resort does look stunning. More importantly, it seems to be at a good location. I like the use of traditional elements for the decor like the flooring that you explained. A complete luxury place to unwind. Lucky you
Wow, what a beautiful place. I love how so much care has been taken to be sustainable and mindful of the nature that surrounds it. When you think of a resort, it can all too often be a sprawling mass that tramples over everything. I love how the buildings are inspired by traditional Malaysian housing too. What a haven to spend a few days, or even a week! Just beautiful.
Sustainable & Responsible Tourism is a buzz word these days but still its hard to find hotels who are doing something impressive. It sure seems like Kasturi resort is one such hotel. love their minimalistic decor and the view from the pool in your beach villa. would love to stay there for a few night when we’re there!
This resort looks so peaceful. I love your photos of the clear waters and green nature. It’s wonderful that the resort is sustainable too. I’ve heard great things about Malaysian food so I’d love to try the cooking at the resort.
Wow! I love the tranquil vibes of the Kasturi resort. It looks incredibly beautiful and super luxurious. Such a relaxing getaway in the midst of nature. The sea view from the villa is another selling point. Food too looks great and tempting. Glad to know they practise sustainability and make every effort not to harm the nature.
We usually aren’t resort people but the Kasturi resort would change my mind for sure. It’s absolutely amazingly beautiful. And the photos of that food – I wanted to lick my screen and taste it.
The resort looks fabulous! I love that sustainability plays a huge role in the resort. I would love to check this place out when I head that way. Beautiful pictures by the way!
Love how more and more resorts are becoming environmentally friendly and it’s great that they support the local community too. It looks so luxurious that I don’t think I’d ever want to leave if I were you! Definitely checking this place out if I’m ever in Malaysia!!
Haha! Though you say its almost a stay-cation for you, for us, KL is a destination and this would be a vacation.
I’m yet to head to Malaysia and when I do, this is indeed the perfect place to stay.
So glad to know that they used traditional Malay style and nature friendly architecture.
Hello! Beautiful pics.
This resort looks fantastic! Since it is just 2-3 hours away from KL, I am sure it makes for a great weekend away destination. I love that they’re a beachfront property. Kenyang’s food looks sumptuous and since they have a great wine selection, it would be my dining choice for sure. It’s also good that they’re environmentally conscious.
Wow, what a lovely property! I’m told sold on the outfoor pool and the stunnig bathroom. With the secluded property like this it is one will definitely forget all the city woes in no time and escape to the world of luxury and bliss. Definitely a must for stress free weekend mostly for people living in KL.
I was there when we were doing conservation with Late Pak Su at Rimbun Dahan. The resort is very nice. 🙂