If you are looking for a short getaway close to Kuala Lumpur with family or friends, how about the Templer Park Rainforest Retreat… It is just a 30-minute drive from KL city centre and surrounded by the Kanching rainforest reserve. This place is located in a gated community. There are two houses at the retreat site – the Villa and the Container.
Our home for the weekend: the Container
Eight 40 feet shipping containers repurposed and stacked make quite an impressive structure! When we arrived at the retreat, we met with the friendly owner Han, who was waiting in front of the accommodation to show us around.
We stayed with three other families in the Container, which has five bedrooms and can accommodate up to 30 persons. The four family rooms fit up to seven persons each and are located on the first floor. Each room has its own bathroom with hot shower (no bath tub available) and all rooms have air-conditioning. The fifth bedroom is a twin room on the ground floor.
Also situated on the ground floor is the open-air kitchen, fully equipped for you to prepare your meals. There is a steamboat pot, a gas stove, woks, a soup pan, cutlery, an oven, a juicer, hot and cold water dispenser, two fridges, a toaster, BBQ pit with charcoal and much more. You can choose to bring your own food, bring catering in or travel out to eat (it is 8 to 10 minutes to a big supermarket and restaurants). We used the BBQ, which worked great for the size of our families.
Breakfast is included in the rate and it’s ready in the fridge when you arrive. This includes bread, butter, jam, eggs, oranges, coffee and tea and you will have to prepare this yourself. There is no dishwasher in the kitchen, so be ready for a bit of washing up.
Next to the kitchen and dining area is a small chilling area, with hammocks and a great jungle view for those who like to relax. If you feel you need to cool down, situated on the third floor is a big air-conditioned multipurpose hall with a 50” HDTV.
Swing on top of the roof
Last but not least, the container has a rooftop with a swing, a dining table with chairs and an amazing view over the area. Wi-fi is available and there is a car park right in front of the container; very handy as we brought our own food and drinks, which we could carry straight into the door.
We loved our stay at the Templer Park Rainforest Retreat and found it very well maintained and clean. As the retreat is situated next to the jungle and it’s an open concept, it is possible to have unexpected visitors during your stay like cheeky monkeys, monitor lizards, squirrels or creepy crawlers. There are specially designed bins which monkeys can’t open. We advise you to clean up every time after your meal.
Facilities and things to do
Just between the Container and the Villa is a large outdoor gathering area, with a green field for your kids to run around. An infinity swimming pool (1.2 meters deep) and a trampoline will keep the kids busy while parents can sit down and relax. If you are not feeling hot enough already, you might want to try the sauna that you also share with the villa.
We didn’t do any external activities, as parents and kids kept themselves busy during our stay. If you want to explore the area though, you can visit:
- The Kanching waterfalls, which are nearby – only a 5 minutes drive. It is a beautiful area with seven tiers of waterfalls which requires a hike up.
- The Batu Caves, which are a 15 minutes drive away.
- The Selayang hot springs, to soak your feet and body. The water is said to purify any skin complications.
Rates
The nightly rate at Templer Park Rainforest Retreat is calculated per person. We were with eight adults and eight children and payed RM 2200. There are similar jungle resorts nearby; please also read our reviews of De Serenity, Awanmulan and The Dusun.
We paid for our stay at Templer Park Rainforest Retreat. All opinions are honest and our own – as always!
