Just a distant hum from the Karak highway reminds you that you are less than an hour away from the heart of KL. The Acres at Kampung Bukit Tinggi is one of the new hotels that have started to mushroom in the area of Janda Baik, with more urbanites looking for fresher – and cooler – air and tranquility of the countryside.
Janda Baik’s magnificent nature
We city dwellers can forget how beautiful Malaysian nature is! This modern hotel is surrounded by green hills and small farms, and the views are just beautiful. You can enjoy the view here or from the gorgeous swimming pool. It was many degrees colder than the city pools, but that didn’t stop the children. We came armed with our own pool toys – what a great idea from one of the experienced traveller mums in our group.
Activities
There is a large grassy area in front of the rooms – perfect for running around and playing games – as well as a playground suited for the youngest ones. There are a few bikes for kids to ride, and a playroom upstairs for the tiny ones. And, there is a karaoke room for those looking for a sing-off!
There are enough activities available to keep you busy for a few days. Ponies, rabbits and turtles live on the little farm behind the hotel and can be fed in the mornings and afternoons.
The kids were offered a chance to get muddy at the farm planting seedlings – everyone said yes! Many of the vegatables served at the restaurant come from the farm and it was interesting to see the different fruit trees in the orchard. There are fish ponds, too, if the kids want to feed the fish.
We felt energetic and decided to go on a jungle walk to the nearby Tanglir waterfall. A guide from the hotel accompanied us on his motorbike to show us the way up the fairly steep path. It’s more like a road in a bad condition, rather a jungle path. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the top of the waterfall, where the kids happily jumped into the freezing cold pools. There is also a temple further up the hill, but we had no energy to keep on going. We spotted many creepy crawlies along the way – from leeches to caterpillars.
The rooms at The Acres
The rooms are modern and clean, with lovely designs and lots of space. We had a family room that came with two big beds and had ample space for all four of us.
There are rooms on two floors, all opening to the courtyard with the swimming pool and the playground. We were a part of a big group, so didn’t mind the kids running in an out and making a racket in the pool. If you are looking for a piece and quiet, maybe a room upstairs in the far end would be the safest bet.
The rooms have a TV and fridge, in case you want to bring snacks and drinks to enjoy on your balcony admiring the view – something we would recommend you do! Those traveling with babies will be provided with cots and even potties if needed.
The food at The Acres
Breakfast and dinner are included in the price of the room. The restaurant is airy and full of natural light. Perhaps because we were such a large group, mealtimes were a bit of an ordeal with food coming out very slowly.
The breakfast was a simple cooked breakfast with eggs and home made bread. Specialty coffees can be ordered for an extra fee, and are also available throughout the day.
The dinner menu had four simple options to choose from: rice with pork, fish or fried chicken and a side of green leaves, as well as a steamboat with two different soup options. The steamboat was the favourite of our group, and also had the only vegetarian option available.
Dessert was not on the menu, but we asked for fruit and the staff was quick to serve some. The menu changes only every few months, so if you stay for more than a few nights or want more variety, you probably want to explore other restaurants in the area. There are many and just a short drive away. The hotel restaurant only does dinner, so you’ll also need to venture out for lunch.
The hotel facilities are modern and comfortable, and it was a great place to come and spend time with friends, just a short drive from home and the bustle of the concrete jungle. The room rates start at RM480 for a double and RM780 for a family room, more on weekends and public holidays.
You can find more info at The Acres website and you can read the Tripadvisor reviews here. If you are more into glamping, check out our review of Tiarasa Escapes and Dusun Bonda.
