My kids are at the age where water play, animals (think a visit to the zoo!), playgrounds and toys are their favourite things. So it was with great expectation that I set foot at The Haven Ipoh with my kids expecting a truly memorable weekend. Did the resort deliver?
The Haven Ipoh is a 2-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. The resort is spectacularly set amidst a rocky outcrop with glorious views all around.
The pool, that view…
Once you’ve arrived, just slap on that sunscreen and get those energetic kids to the pool. The smaller kids can splash around in the wading pool, while older ones can have fun on the water slide in the kids pool. We loved their (heated!) jacuzzi pool which is pretty shallow, so kids can jump in too. You can actually lie down (on lounge chairs IN the pool) while enjoying the jetted tub.
The glass infinity pool is a sight to behold. Did I mention the 280-million year old limestone hill surrounding the resort and the placid lake below the pool which make for spectacular views? It’s baffling to think amidst all this lush forest, the resort is a mere 15-minutes from the Ipoh City center!
Pets and games at The Haven
Besides the pool, the kids were super excited to find a Pet’s Corner. They saw some cute rabbits before heading to the toys in the Kids/Junior Playroom. Besides rabbits, the resort also houses a few ponies and guinea pigs on its surroundings. Go during feeding time (10am – 12pm for ponies and 2 – 4pm for the rabbits) and the kids will be all the more thrilled! There is also an outdoor playground kids could check out.
In the playroom, besides toys there was a foosball table and some board games which could keep older kids occupied. Instead of whipping out their iPad after dinner, these kids could play a game of foosball, put that carrom board to use or compete in a game of scrabble.
Food in Ipoh must be so good…!
For dinner, we headed to Cuisines Restaurant at the resort. We were really impressed with the food. I ordered pasta and panini sandwiches (I really want to get a panini press now!) for the kids and myself. My husband went local and had the Ipoh Curry Laksa. We thought everything was delicious and appropriately priced.
You could also drive out to the city and dig into some local fare at the various stalls and restaurants. You might want to head out early though during dinner time.
The next morning at breakfast, we found the fare moderate but scrumptious. While my other half headed to the omelette station, I had a look around. The usual suspects were all present. The buffet displayed cereals, salads, pastries, toast and local fare like nasi lemak and more. Our expectations were high, as many locals will tell you Ipoh City has some of the best food in the country. The expectations were somewhat met, but it was a resort after all and we settled for hotel-like fare.
Get kids one with nature
After breakfast, you might want to explore the 600m jogging trek here and its lush surroundings with your kids. Bring good walking shoes and set out with the family while pointing out the various insects, birds, flowers and tortoises you might see in the lake. There are bikes for rent as well.
Suites – great for families
All of the units here at The Haven Ipoh have either one, two or (mainly) three bedrooms. This makes it ideal for families. The suites are extremely spacious with a large living area, dining area and breathtaking views from the balconies.
So did The Haven Ipoh deliver? It sure ticked all the boxes of what the kids are into now. It was definitely the best domestic holiday we’ve had in a while.
Ask for a late check out and savour every minute at The Haven Ipoh. Once you’ve checked out, head over to The Lost World of Tambun (5 minutes away) or see other places in Ipoh to discover.
Our stay at The Haven Ipoh was sponsored. However all opinions, as always, are honest and our own.
