Known for its beaches, rainforests and vast cultural influences, Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country occupying parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo.
Comprising of 32 million people, this bustling metropolis has been home to a plethora of ethnicities. Malaysia brims with nature's wonders, delicious traditional food and a vast variety of accommodations.
Taking this country as a whole, it would not be easy pickings trying to name the most favorable budget weekend getaways for less than RM 180, due to the great amount present.
However, if I MUST choose, it would be the subsequent seven and here's why!
9 Things To Know Before Your Trip To Malaysia
Image Credit: TimeCapsuleRetreat
If there is one hotel that has gotten people talking over the internet, without a doubt it's the Time Capsule Retreat.
Hidden away in the lush forests in the town of Sungai Lembing, the Time Capsule Retreat will offer you the best weekend getaway in Malaysia by providing a very unique lodging experience.
Instead of ordinary hotel rooms, you would be spending the night in cylindrical capsule rooms made of re-purposed enormous concrete pipes. The prices start at RM 139 per capsule, which can accommodate up to 2 guests.
If you're not feeling up for the adventure or if you don't want to leave out that third wheeler or a friend, you can opt for the Parallel rooms (the first reflective rectangular glass retreat in the world) or the White Cottage rooms.
Apart from having karaoke and BBQ facilities, the friendly folks will also help you sign up for hiking tours at a set price so you don't have to worry about being bored in the middle of the forest.
Nearby Attractions include Sungai Lembing town, Rainbow Waterfall and Bukit Panorama.
You can get to the Time Capsule Retreat by hopping onto Rapid Kuantan bus numbered 500 to go to Sungai Lembing.
You could also take the Komuter to Bandar Tasik Selatan Station from KL Sentral Station. From there, you would then want to take an express bus to Kuantan Sentral where you can catch a cab to the retreat.
Address: Sungai Lembing, 26200 Sungai Lembing, Pahang, Malaysia
Price: RM118 – RM498 (per night)
Contact: +013 963 8888
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Pro tip: Don't forget to pack an insect repellant unless you desire to be sucked dry by those hovering mosquitoes.
From being an unsightly crater which was remnants of excavated limestone hills, this site has now been revamped into an eye-catching eco-friendly resort placed next to a sparkling lake. About all of the resort is constructed from bamboo.
At Tadom Hill Resorts, you are provided with seven various settings that are inspired by the 'Orang Asli' structural design and manner. They range from the communal bamboo huts which mimic a dormitory to the plusher 'Gendul' bamboo chalets.
This resort provides its guests with nothing short of a fun experience. There is a wide array of activities that guests can decide on such as a Bamboo Diving Platform, Tarzan Swinging, and Bamboo Rafting. They also offer visitors outdoor games like Giant Jenga, Badminton and basketball.
These recreational activities are inclusive in the Day Pass rate and in the rate for overnight guests. If you have a couple of additional Ringits to spare, do sign yourself up for the Flying Fox.
Adding to the activities, Tadom Hill Resorts also supply amenities for rent such as a gazebo, grill, locker, mat, bean bags and BBQ facilities.
Nearby attractions include My Balloon Adventure, Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Putrajaya Lake.
To get to the resorts, you can take the train or bus from KL Sentral to KLIA, hop onto a bus numbered 471 from the bus terminal and get off at Petronas, Jalan Perak Kanan.
Another option is getting a cab from the airport which will get you to the destination in 15 minutes.
Transportation services by the resort are also available as two or one-way trips from KLIA 1 and 2. The rates would be cheaper if you travel in larger groups.
Address: Bukit Tadom, Kampung Labohan Dagang,42700 Banting, Selangor
Price: RM65 – RM300 (depending on the category of accommodation and peak season)
Contact: +6 012-522 5908/ +6012 – 522 5728 /+6012 – 522 5883
Surrounded by a rainforest and radiating with fresh air and greenery, The Sticks Resort is an ultimate getaway for a break with your loved ones. Built with the environment in mind, all rooms are powered by solar energy.
The Sticks consists of huts and chalets which go under the name ‘Tendoks' which is a combination of a tent and ‘pondoks' (wooden shelters).
The most basic Tendok can accommodate two adults with a starting price of RM140. They have a series of rooms that visitors can pick from – The Opera House, The Nest, The Bamboo House and so on.
The Sticks resort offers an abundance of activities like paragliding, trekking, botanical walks, white water rafting, and a selection of board games to pick from.
Picture: TheSticks
Common amenities like parking lots, toilets and 'dewans' (common halls) are provided as well. They also provide meals so you will not be left to fend for yourself in the middle of the forest.
You can pay a deposit of an extra RM50, which will be returned, to get yourself occupied with tubing in the river if you're feeling hot and bored,
Attractions that are close to the resort include Chiling Waterfall, Pine Tree Trail, and Hulu Tamu Hot Springs.
To get to The Sticks, you can take the Komuter from KL Sentral Station to Kuala Kubu Bharu Station. From there, you can take a taxi to the resort.
Address: 213, Jalan KKB, Fraser's Hill, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
Price: RM140 - RM480 (per night)
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Instagram
The Tanjung Inn has been in existence for almost 30 years and can be spotted on the borders of Pahang and Terengganu. One of the main attractions surrounding this location is the lush greenery present in the vicinity of the Tanjung Inn.
A major element that makes this Inn stand out from the rest is the way operations are conducted. This Inn does not function as an ordinary hotel, so get ready for some DIY activities such as cleaning up your room during your stay.
However, worry not as the rooms are still cleaned by the keepers of the Inn after visitors have checked out.
The Inn provides guests with quite a few accommodation options. Tents that are circulated around a pond will cost RM70 per night for two people.
The rooms which have fans and power are called `Tanjung Digs` and are RM100 per night. Those who wish to indulge in a more luxurious visit with adequate facilities can go for the chalets that will cost them RM180 per night.
Guests can hop on fishing boats at the close by Cherating River or head to the nearby Cherating Beach for a stroll or a swim.
From Kuala Lumpur, you can purchase a ticket to Kemaman from the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan bus station (TBS Terminal).
From KLIA/KLIA2, you can hop onto the train and get down at Bandar Tasik Selatan. You have to then walk to Bersepadu Selatan Terminal where you can purchase a ticket to Kemaman.
Nearby attractions include Cherating River, Cherating Turtle Sanctuary and Kemaman District Museum.
Address: Jalan Cherating Lama, Kampung Cherating Lama, 26080 Cherating, Pahang
Price: RM70 – RM253 (2 people)
Contact: +609 581 9081/ +6011 3989 9402
Email: [email protected]
Picture: Resimweb
Have a desire to visit Mongolia but haven't had the chance to? Fret not, the Wind Paradise will offer you a perfect Mongolian experience with their Mongolian Yurts (tents).
The labeling of the tents as `Mongolian Yurts` derive from the interior of the tents which are done up in Mongolian inspired designs.
A regular indoor room can fit two people for only RM170 per night. A yurt can accommodate three or four people for a price of RM250 - RM300 per night.
All rooms and yurts come with attached bathrooms with heated water. Upgraded lodgings come with TVs and spectacular mountain views. They also provide BBQ facilities, picnic tables, and a general kitchen.
Wind Paradise is a 9 minutes (2.8km) drive from Kundasang town and is located on the left-hand side when you go up the hill just before the Desa Cow Farm. Take a left turn when you spot the Wind Paradise.
Sosodikon Hill, Ranau Malaysia and Desa Dairy Farm are three of many attractions that are around the area.
Price: RM170 – RM380(for standard rooms) & RM220- RM300(for the Mongolian Yurts)
Contact: +6019 8000 201
E-mail: [email protected]
PS: Don't forget to clean up after yourself or get ready to incur RM50 cleaning fee.
If you want to escape the modernized life and get away from the technology-driven world, the Bamboo Village is a must visit spot.
To make it easier on the wallet, the Bamboo Village will let you stay for a cheaper rate if you put in three to five hours daily of your energy on voluntary work and if you help out for more than seven days you are scot free of all charges!
Due to the Bamboo village being a 100% nature retreat, there aren't any air conditioners installed in any of the rooms as they are constructed as Bamboo-styled houses.
Bathrooms are communal and an entire cottage can be rented for about RM120 for a group of five and above. A dorm is priced at RM45 a night.
The Bird of Paradise (Bungalow House), Frog House (Cottage for a maximum of 5 people) and Eagle Nest (Cottage for a maximum of 3 people) are a few of the famous accommodation types available.
You can partake in some of the activities such as jungle trekking, visit nearby hot springs and waterfalls or just waddle about in the pool.
To get to the Bamboo Village, you can take the MRT SBK Line to Taman Suntex Station from KL Sentral Station. The accommodation is just a 5 km Grab or Uber ride from there.
Address: Off Jalan Pelangi 5, Taman Desa Pelangi, Batu 11, 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor
Contact: 019-2275620 /016-2226424
Email: [email protected]
Picture: PermaiRainforestResort
Known for its extraordinary tree houses and the undisturbed lush natural beauty that surrounds it, Permai Rainforest Resort is the ideal spot for a perfect jungle getaway experience. As it is located close to the beach, one can enjoy and take in fresh air by going for strolls along the shore.
Every cabin at Permai Resort is set with a fridge, a tea/coffee maker and attached bathrooms with hot shower facilities.
This resort is just right for adrenaline junkies' to indulge in blood-flowing activities such as jungle trekking, flying fox, dolphin watching and other water sports like kayaking and snorkeling. A cafe and BBQ facilities can also be found here.
The Permai Rainforest Resort is a 50-minute road journey from Kuching International Airport. Permai Rainforest Resort also arranges and provides transport for visitors from the Airport to the resort and vice versa.
This will cost passengers RM40 per person, for a minimum of 2 to 3 people per journey.
Nearby attractions include Aquabase Scuba Diving, Mount Santubong, and Damai Beach.
Address: Pantai Damai Santubong, 1101, 93860 Kuching, Sarawak
Price: From RM150 (for the Cabin rooms) and RM170+ (for the Treehouse) per night
Contact: +6082 846487 / +6082 846490
Email: [email protected]
All in all, Malaysia is undoubtedly an enjoyable city with plenty of entertaining attractions. From the food to the culture to the people, Malaysia is spot on in all aspects. To top it off, it is budget-friendly so treat yourself with an affordable getaway!
