Largest Resort at Camerons and other Cameron Highlands, Malaysia Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Update: March 2007
The Equatorial Resort at Brinchang has two types of accommodation, hotel units and apartment style. The hotel units are suitable for 2-3 adults (with extra bed-which is chargeable), while the 1 BR apartments can accommodate up to 4 adults, 2 BR can accommodate up to 6 adults. The apartments may come with some cooking facilities. All apartments have at least 2 bathrooms and are very spacious so privacy is not a problem.
The hotel units are more conveniently located while the apartments are more spread out. If you have elderly people or young children, you may be better off staying at the hotel, because the facilities and restaurants tend to be within the hotel complex.

The barbeque buffet dinner at the hotel is good value, but during public holidays and school holidays, it's better to go a bit later (after 8pm) because the BBQ food tends to be snapped up as quickly as the staff can dish it out during peak times (6.30 to 7.30pm). However, there's lots of other food to eat, such as fried rice, salads, soup, breads, while waiting for the BBQ meats to be ready so you certainly won't go hungry.

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Original Tip: written in 2005
We stayed here some years ago when it was brand new. I came here with my family, my mum, my sister and her family, and we stayed together in a large three-bedroom apartment. We all enjoyed our stay tremendously. At that time, despite that the hotel being at 90+% occupancy, we never felt that it was too crowded.

As the gardens were large, we took many long walks within the gardens and also nearby to the farms down below. We were able to pick tamarillos that were growing wild immediately outside of someone's farm.

The Equatorial Camerons is a large hotel and has facilities for corporate groups. See the website for more details.

Unique Qualities: View: Good views of the farms & surrounding valley below (see pics)

Location: Good central location, right next to a Strawberry Farm/shop which sells jam and afternoon tea.

The pool was very COLD when we were there, perhaps it has improved. Despite the cold, we did go for a swim. The gym was new and not too bad and I had fun working out (more like I wanted to get away from the kids for half an hour - haha).

Slight Warning:The road around the entrance to the Equatorial Resort gets very jammed during public holidays and school holidays. This is because there are many stalls around the entrance to the resort and cars are always trying to get in and out. My suggestion: be prepared to wait & be patient. :-)

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: +605-496 1777
Address: Kea Farm, Brinchang
Website: www.equatorial.com
Other Contact: Fax: +60 5 496 1333

Updated in August 2006-
Cameron Highlands Resort by YTL Group

Need a little pampering? Whether you want a relaxing family getaway or a romantic interlude, that's not too far out from KL, look no further than the latest offering from the YTL Group.

The old Merlin Hotel property which fronts the Cameron Highlands's public golf course has been taken over and given a thorough refurbishment. This new "concept" resort offers breathtaking scenery, lush greenery, Tudor-styled cottages and includes a Spa Village (in Camerons!), a Japanese restaurant, Jim Thompson tea room and other up-scale dining options. With just 56 rooms and suites, you'll have loads of privacy while being served in a discreet professional manner by the same people who put Pangkor & Kuala Terengganu on the world map for discerning travellers everywhere (they also run Pangkor Laut Resort and Tg Jara Resort).

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Previous tip-Written in 2004
I stayed at the Merlin Resort many years ago and when I drove past this month (June 2004), it looks almost the same. Did not go inside, but the outside has been maintained quite well.

Scenic views of the Golf Course.

Within walking distance of key attractions.

Many areas to explore on foot and to enjoy the cool, fresh air.

Unique Qualities: Nearby to the Golf Course. Lots of walking trails.

It's also within walking distance to a strawberry farm and some stalls selling fresh vegetables and strawberries and souveniors.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: KL Sales Office-603 2783 1000
Address: Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Directions: Next to the Golf Course at Brinchang.
Read my transportation tips on how to get there using either Tapah route or Simpang Pulai Route.
Website: www.cameronhighlandsresort.com
Other Contact: www.ytltravel.com

Built by the late Colonel Stanley J Foster, this Tudor-style building is typical of many properties found in Cameron Highlands and Frasers Hill.

It is located on a hill overlooking a large lake and is within 2 km of the lowest Boh Tea Plantation/Estate.

This lake is used in hydro-electric generation and there is a large Tenaga Nasional station nearby. If you are visiting this resort, then you may wish to drive here from KL using the TAPAH route (and not the newer Simpang Pulai route)

Unique Qualities: Historical charm, nice gardens, large spacious rooms with four-poster beds and bathrooms come with long baths. During cool days, it is lovely to sit by the fire-side with a book and a snifter of brandy!

I didn't actually stay here, but we did stop to snap some pictures in the gardens. They do serve devonshire tea & scones in the afternoons.

Silting and earthworks further up Cameron Highlands once turned the lake into a mass of brown water. It has since been improved but the condition of the lake is subject to change due to heavy downpours and mud-slides from construction works.

The website mentions that the hotel is currently being refurbished and that the refurbishment should be finished by middle of May 2005. I am sure it will be great when it is completed.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Phone: +605-495 6152
Address: 30th Mile Ringlet
Website: www.lakehouse-cameron.com
Other Contact: info@lakehouse-cameron.com

My family and I have visited this resort many times. They have seven blocks of studio apartments, and also two and three-bedroom apartments which are suitable for family groups.

We stayed at the apartments which are large and comfortable, although the furniture was a bit old. During the day, you slide open the doors so that the rooms open up and you can see from one end to the other. At night, just close the sliding doors to have some privacy.

Unique Qualities: It has a good location which is up on the hill and the garden (seven acres on a hill 5,000 feet above sea level) is filled with beautiful flowers and pine trees surround the property.

Facilities include a squash court, indoor pool, sauna, tennis court, and jogging track. Having a barbeque in the garden is also possible with some pre-arrangement.

In 2004, they had an offer for Malaysian residents: RM188++ including a RM80 cash voucher to be spent on-site at the Restaurants. Not sure if they have any offer for 2005, but you can check with them.

If you don't have a car, and rely on public transport, then this would not be a good choice for you, as it is quite a way to walk up hill from the nearest bus-stop. However, you can always take a taxi.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Phone: +603-2162 6166
Address: Brinchang
Website: www.strawberryparkresorts.com
Other Contact: +605-491 1165