12 Amazing Rainforest Resorts in Malaysia

Amazing Rainforest Resorts in Malaysia

While Malaysia is blessed with beautiful rainforests, here are 12 Rainforest Resorts in Malaysia for the outdoor, adventure and nature lovers to explore.

The resorts are categorized based on their locations in one of the world's oldest rainforests and have a minimum of three-star ratings. 

Update: Some resorts listed here are no longer operating, especially after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Rainforest Resorts in Malaysia

For anyone wanting something unique in the rainforest, below is a list of the best rainforest resorts in Malaysia, and in no order, too.

The prices per night are also based on walk-in rates and may increase during peak seasons.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge Danum Sabah
Borneo Rainforest Lodge at Danum Valley, Sabah.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL)

Known as BRL, this is one of Malaysia's most exclusive and private resorts. Located deep in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, the nearest possible civilization is 4 to 5 hours away.

The rainforest resort is built on stilts and wooden walkways above ground to preserve the rainforest floors. 

Chalets are spaced perfectly for privacy, while everything here is back-to-basics. This means no air conditioning, as BRL uses a traditional cooling method for their chalet units. Service here is rated 5 stars, with very professional and knowledgeable staff and nature guides. 

The multiple award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge is also well known for bird watchers, frog and insect lovers and wildlife watching as 95% of the time, visitors will always encounter something here. Suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners and families. 

Unique Selling Point: The Amazing Danum Valley Canopy Walk
Prices start from RM3,200+ per person for a 3-day, 2-night package. 
Borneo Rainforest Lodge Website: www.borneonaturetours.com

Mulu Marriott Resort Spa Sarawak
Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa, Sarawak.

Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa

Previously known as the Royal Mulu Resort, this luxury property is now known as the Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa, located just five minutes from Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sarawak Borneo. 

This is also the only 5-star luxury resort in the entire Mulu region, where the property offers everything from a banquet hall, Balinese spa, cooking classes, cultural demonstrations, and Mulu Park activities, from rainforest hikes to the awe-inspiring Mulu Caves. This resort is also built on wooden stilts and wooden walkways.

This property also suits singles, couples, honeymooners, and families. The resort also caters to large MICE groups. 

Unique Selling Point: Minutes from Mulu National Park and Caves 
Prices start from RM460+ per night
Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa Website: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/myymu-mulu-marriott-resort-and-spa

Royal Belum Rainforest Resort
Belum Rainforest Resort in Perak.

Belum Rainforest Resort

Branded as one of Malaysia's ecotourism holiday destinations and set amid a 130 million-year-old rainforest is the Belum Rainforest Resort at Pulau Banding, the main gateway to the Belum-Temengor Rainforest here in Perak, Malaysia.

Belum Resort also offers various accommodations, from superior rooms to deluxe rooms, traditional Malay chalets, and a unique houseboat.

A luxurious standalone Villa @ Tanjung Satu is also available for the well-heeled traveller at a whopping RM18,000 a night. 

This five-star resort offers some of the best nature experiences here in Peninsular Malaysia, while the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia, is known to be spotted all year round.

Birds are also abundant, and if you're lucky, you may even spot the elusive Malayan Tiger, Tapir or even the Asian Elephant.

This property is also suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners and families. The Belum resort also caters to MICE groups. 

Unique Selling Point: The houseboat hotel, the 10 species of hornbills spotted here and the unique flora and fauna. 
Prices start from RM700+ per night
Belum Rainforest Resort Website: www.belumresort.com

Tabin Wildlife Resort Sabah
Tabin Wildlife Resort at Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Tabin Wildlife Resort  

This exclusive rainforest resort is located in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve near Lahad Datu and focuses heavily on eco, conservation, and environmental practices.

The beauty of this 30-year-old rainforest resort is that the location has many highly endangered animals in the reserve, making it one of the premier destinations for seeing Borneo wildlife in its natural habitat. 

Bird watchers will also find this place incredible; to date, over 260 species of birds have been spotted around the reserve.

Activities include jungle trekking, night safari, night walks, wildlife spotting, birdwatching, and rainforest education.

A particular interest for nature enthusiasts in the form of bird watching, orchid or frog hunting, wildlife viewing or pursuing an interest in botany is also one of the highlights at the Tabin Wildlife Resort. Tabin Resort is suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners, and families. 

Unique Selling Point: Amazing Wildlife, Pygmy Elephants and Birds
Prices start from RM1,750+ for twin sharing for 3 days and 2 nights
Tabin Wildlife Resort Website: www.tabinwildlife.com.my

Maliau Basin Conservation Area
Maliau Basin in Sabah is known also as the Lost World of Sabah.

Maliau Basin Conservation Area

This was subjective, but eventually, we thought this unique place needed to be on this list of rainforest resorts.

The Maliau Basin Conservation Area totals 58,840 hectares in a Class 1 Protection Forest Reserve. It is also known as Sabah's Lost World and is one of the last few remaining relatively untouched wilderness areas in the world.

Branded as the mother of all rainforests in Malaysia, they are open to visitors apart from the leading research centre.

Why this made the list is the fact that they do have a luxurious villa unit with three rooms and a master bedroom that has a jacuzzi with a rainforest view.

This is located at the main study centre, which also houses standard air-conditioned twin bedrooms apart from the beautiful dorms. 

Visitors need permission to enter Maliau Basin in advance from Yayasan Sabah or a tour company that provides the Maliau Basin tour packages.

Also, note that Maliau Basin is a remote, atavistic, isolated area with limited access, communications, and safety facilities.

Perfect for any hardcore nature and outdoor lover, this property is also suitable for singles, couples, and groups.

Unique Selling Point: Maliau Sky Walk or Canopy Walk and the incredible trekking and hiking. 
Prices start from RM4,500+ per person for a 5-day, 4-night package
Maliau Basin Website: http://maliaubasin.org

Datai Langkawi Island
The Datai at Langkawi Island.

The Datai Langkawi

One of Langkawi Island's unique luxurious properties is The Datai, which is located in an isolated area in the thick rainforest.

Out of the 125 villa units, each room, suite, and villa enjoys the embrace of the lush rainforest and offers incredible views of the breathtaking Andaman Sea from private verandas. 

The multiple awards-winning Datai has also been around for many years and is one of Malaysia's top luxurious rainforest resorts offering world-class service and facilities.

To say this is a best-kept secret would be wrong, as many luxury travellers already know of this property. 

For a better perspective, imagine Sir David Attenborough's luxury villa - this would be the closest resemblance to how prestigious this place is.

The Datai's minute attention to detail is incomparable, especially when staff goes that extra mile for service. For the well-heeled, take the Villa Hutan Datai unit; you won't regret it.

This property is also suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners, and families and caters to luxury MICE groups. 

Unique Selling Point: Isolated, peaceful, beautiful and fantastic nature walks. 
Prices start from RM4,500+ per night.
Datai Langkawi Website: www.thedatai.com

Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa Terengganu
Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa, Terengganu.

Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa (This resort has been closed for many years now)

The only luxury resort on Lake Kenyir (Tasik Kenyir), the largest man-made lake in Malaysia, is the Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa.

Having been around for many years, this classic timber-designed resort will please any nature lover. Tucked away from all commercial areas, the resort sits at the side of the lake with chalets and villas providing fantastic lake views.

Activities include trekking, hiking, bird watching, nature walks and visiting the waterfalls. Fishing is also one of the highlights here.

The Kenyir Lake Resort and Spa is also recommended, as it sits perfectly beside the lake. This property also suits singles, couples, honeymooners, and families. The resort also caters to general MICE groups.

Update: This resort is now closed for good.

Unique Selling Point: One with nature, trekking, hiking and the waterfalls.
Prices start from RM450+ per night
Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa Website: www.lakekenyir.com

Permai Rainforest Resort Sarawak
Permai Rainforest Resort, Santubong Sarawak.

Permai Rainforest Resort

25 minutes from Kuching town is the Permai Rainforest Resort, an eco-resort set at the foot of mystical Mount Santubong in a pristine rainforest since 1990.

This property is carefully designed to minimize the impact on the natural environment; it offers visitors a unique rainforest experience. 

Offering a range of accommodation types, they come in cabins, single and double-story units, and amazingly unique treehouse villas.

In general, two words describe the Permai Rainforest Resort - Undisturbed natural beauty and wonderfully rich biodiversity, which nature lovers seek.

As for nature activities, you will find trekking, hiking, flying fox, birdwatching, and the list goes on here. This place is also well known for team building. This property also suits singles, couples, honeymooners, and families. 

Unique Selling Point: The Tree House Rooms Units! Say no more. 
Prices start from RM350+ per night
Permai Rainforest Resort Website: http://permairainforest.com/

Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort Sarawak
Villas at the Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort.

Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort Sarawak

Miri is well known for the Niah National Park and the Niah Caves, and this standalone resort is just a 30 to 40-minute drive from Miri Resort City in Sarawak.

The Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort is located just between the town and the Niah National Park and, more importantly, by the Lambir Hills National Park.

From our recent visit here, we find this resort perfect for groups and families due to the many facilities available here.

From a water theme park, rope bridge, flying fox, and trekking to even team-building activities. The resort also caters to MICE for businesses or companies seeking a retreat.

Unique Selling Point: Water Theme Park
Prices start from RM300+ per night
Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort Website:
http://www.borneorainforestresort.com/

Borneo Highlands Resort Sarawak
The beautiful Borneo Highlands Resort in Sarawak.

Borneo Highlands Resort Sarawak (This resort is now closed)

A highland resort 1000 metres above sea level and located in the montane rainforest with no one else around, this is the Borneo Highlands Resort in Kuching, Sarawak.

The place is well-known to golfers due to the 9-hole golf course and many other activities for just about anyone.

Take a trek in the cooling weather, from 18-25 degrees Celsius all year round, and head to the Kalimantan viewpoint or simply explore the area to spot montane birds, insects and plants.

There is also a unique sap found here, which is one-of-a-kind, and it is the only traditional Bidayuh Spa in the world, too.

Besides golfers, the Borneo Highlands Resort is suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners and families. Remember the nature and bird lovers too.

Unique Selling Point: Rainforest in the Highlands
Prices start from RM200+ per night
Borneo Highlands Resort Website: http://www.borneohighlands.com.my/

Mutiara Taman Negara Resort  Pahang
Mutiara Taman Negara Resort - Photo from RamaTours.

Mutiara Taman Negara Resort

This rainforest 4-star getaway is an ecotourism resort with 108 rooms offering a variety of accommodation types ranging from typical Malay timber chalets and bungalows to guest houses.

Also available are dormitories, hostels, and a 2.5-acre camping ground. Tents and sleeping bags are available for hire.

Located in the largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia, Taman Negara boasts endless nature and ecotourism experiences for anyone who loves green and the outdoors.

This property is also suitable for singles, couples, honeymooners and families. 

Unique Selling Point: The wildlife and river cruises using longboats
Prices start from RM470+ per night
Mutiara Taman Negara Resort Website: http://www.mutiaratamannegara.com//

Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort Sarawak
The unique Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort.

Batang Ai Longhouse Resort Hilton Sarawak (Now closed)

The only unique longhouse hotel in the world managed by the Hilton that resembles a traditional Iban Longhouse and is located next to the Batang Ai National Park in Sarawak.

This incredible experience lets guests stay in a longhouse-style room and experience the beautiful Batang Ai rainforest surrounding the property.

The traditional native Borneo designs are unique, while the spa and restaurant offer authentic menus and experiences. Things one can do here are nature-related, but one of the highlights is visiting an original traditional longhouse up the river. There is a canopy walk at the back of the resort, too.

The Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort suits singles, couples, honeymooners, and families. The resort also caters to MICE groups seeking a peaceful and quiet environment.

Update: New management took over this resort, now known as the Aiman Batang Ai Resort.

Unique Selling Point: The Longhouse!
Prices start from RM600+ per night.
Batang Ai Longhouse Hilton Resort Website:
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/malaysia/batang-ai-longhouse-resort-managed-by-hilton-KUCBLTW/index.html

Eco rainforest resorts Malaysia
Some of the beautiful rainforest retreats are found in Malaysia.

Above are 12 resorts carefully handpicked by Malaysia Asia to share with everyone. Please note that 9 out of 12 of these resorts have been personally visited and experienced by me.

Please note that a few photographs have been sourced from the hotel or resort website with permission.

If any other resorts need to be added to this list, please let me know in the comment form below.

Malaysia is home to one of the world's oldest rainforests; these are just some of the highlighted rainforest retreats for anyone who loves the outdoors and nature.

Many other resorts and eco-retreats are below the 3-star ratings and are a little more budget-friendly and commercial.

Conclusion

You can also view my other articles on Islands to Visit in Malaysia for island and beach lovers seeking the sun, sea and sand.

And for nature and outdoor lovers, check out my Canopy Walks of Malaysia list. These are just some of my outdoor and nature articles for anyone wanting to know more about this fantastic tropical country in Southeast Asia.

However, if travellers are coming a long way to experience Malaysia or Malaysia Borneo, this list or place is highly recommended for you to experience at least one of Malaysia's 12 Amazing Rainforest Resorts.

Malaysia Asia

Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. Since 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards). After 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.

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