Malaysia's stunning islands, cool highlands and breathtaking coastlines are blessed with gorgeous rainforests. Tucked away inside them are some of the finest tropical resorts in the world.
From a private mansion to VIP suites inside a gated research centre, here are the 10 best places to get away from it all:
Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL), Danum Valley, Sabah
Best feature: The Danum Valley canopy walkway
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Borneo Rainforest Lodge, known as BRL, is arguably one of the most exclusive, luxurious and secluded resorts in Malaysia. Set deep within the Danum Valley Conservation Area, the nearest town is a 4 to 5 hour drive away.
The entire complex is built on wooden stilts with walkways raised above the ground to preserve the forest floor. The 30 chalets are perfectly positioned for privacy, yet everything is kept simple. That means no air conditioning, since BRL's cottages are cooled using an ingenious traditional method.
Wildlife is a common sight across the grounds of this award-winning resort. Service is top-notch, with professional, knowledgeable staff and nature guides.
Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa, Mulu National Park, Sarawak
Best feature: Tours of the Mulu caves
Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa (formerly known as the Royal Mulu Resort) sits just a five-minute walk from Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island of Borneo in Sarawak.
It's the only five-star resort in the Mulu region. The resort offers everything from a banquet hall, a Balinese spa and cooking classes to cultural performances. Activities include rainforest treks and jaw-dropping tours of the Mulu caves.
This resort and its walkways are also built on wooden stilts.
Belum Rainforest Resort, Pulau Banding, Perak
Best features: A houseboat, 10 species of hornbill (of roughly 55 in the world) and the world's largest flower
Belum Rainforest Resort is the main gateway to the 130-million-year-old Belum-Temengor rainforest, one of the oldest rainforests on the planet.
Besides hotel rooms and traditional Malay chalets, guests can also stay in a houseboat or the luxurious standalone Tanjung Wan villa.
This five-star resort offers some of the best nature experiences in Peninsular Malaysia. The world's largest flower, the Rafflesia, can be seen year-round. Birds are plentiful here. Now and then you might spot the elusive Malayan tiger, tapirs or even Asian elephants.
Tabin Wildlife Resort, Lahad Datu, Sabah
Best features: Pygmy elephants and an abundance of birds
As an exclusive resort within the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Tabin Wildlife Resort places a strong emphasis on conservation and eco-friendly practices.
The beauty of this 30-year-old rainforest resort lies in the sheer number of endangered animals living in the reserve, making it one of the best places to watch Borneo's wildlife in its natural habitat.
Birdwatchers will find the place incredible, as more than 260 bird species have been recorded in the reserve to date. Activities include jungle treks, night safaris, wildlife tours and rainforest education.
Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah
Best features: The Maliau sky bridge, the treetop walk and hiking.
Also known as Sabah's Lost World, the Maliau Basin Conservation Area covers 58,840 hectares (588.4 square kilometres). It has been declared a protected forest by the government and is one of the few relatively untouched wild areas left in the world.
The site is primarily a research centre, but its grounds include a luxurious three-room villa, complete with a master bedroom featuring a jacuzzi overlooking the rainforest. The villa sits within the main research centre, where standard air-conditioned twin rooms and dormitories are also available.
Most facilities are open to visitors, but entry into the Maliau Basin requires prior permission from Yayasan Sabah or a tour operator offering packages to the basin.
Guests should also bear in mind that the Maliau Basin is a remote, isolated area with limited access, communications and security. It's ideal for any keen nature lover and outdoor enthusiast.
The Datai Langkawi
Best feature: Secluded, peaceful and beautiful nature walks (the list goes on).
If revered British wildlife broadcaster David Attenborough owned a luxury villa, it might well resemble the prestigious Datai Langkawi.
Nestled in dense rainforest in a secluded corner of Langkawi island, the Datai's 125 rooms and villas offer incredible views of the forest and the Andaman Sea.
Around for many years now, the repeatedly award-winning Datai is no longer a "best-kept secret," but it remains one of Malaysia's finest rainforest resorts, delivering world-class service and amenities.
The attention to detail at the Datai is unmatched. Guests won't regret splurging on the Villa Hutan Datai, a 550-square-metre retreat set apart from the main resort grounds, with separate pavilions for each of its three rooms plus dedicated dining and living areas.
Permai Rainforest Resort, Santubong, Sarawak
Best feature: Treehouses. Enough said.
The eco-resort Permai Rainforest Resort sits in pristine forest at the foot of the mystical Mount Santubong. Carefully designed to minimise its impact on the environment, it has been offering visitors a distinctive experience since the 1990s.
Accommodation comes in the form of cabins, one- and two-storey lodges and remarkable treehouse villas.
Permai Rainforest Resort describes itself as "pristine natural beauty and stunningly rich biodiversity," which won't disappoint nature seekers. As for outdoor activities, there's hiking, zip-lining and birdwatching. The list goes on.
Mutiara Taman Negara, Pahang
Best features: Countless creatures and river cruises on longboats
Also one of the world's oldest rainforests and the largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia, Taman Negara boasts endless nature and ecotourism experiences for lovers of greenery and the great outdoors. The national park is home to more than 10,000 plant species, 25,000 invertebrates and 200 mammals.
And Mutiara Taman Negara resort is well hidden among the ancient forest. The eco-resort has 108 rooms, Malaysian wooden chalets, bungalows and guesthouses.
Also available are dormitories, hostels and a 2.5-acre campsite for those who prefer sleeping under the moonlight. Tents and sleeping bags can be rented.
Borneo Highlands Resort, Sarawak
Best features: A cool (in both temperature and vibe) highland rainforest
An hour's drive from Sarawak's capital, Kuching, Borneo Highlands Resort hides away in a mountain rainforest, 1,000 metres above sea level. It's well known among golfers thanks to the 18-hole Hornbill golf course. But there's plenty here for just about any visitor.
You can hike through the cool highlands, where temperatures hover between 18 and 25°C year-round, up to the Kalimantan viewpoint (overlooking Indonesia) or simply explore the area to spot mountain birds, insects and plants.
The spa is one of a kind too, the world's only traditional Bidayuh spa (named after the region's indigenous tribes).
Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort, Sarawak
Best features: Two national parks and a water park
Bordering Brunei, Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort is conveniently located. It's just a 40-minute drive from Miri, Sarawak's second-largest city, and close to two national parks: Niah (home to the archaeological sites of the Niah Caves) and Lambir Hills.
With amenities such as its own water park and a rope bridge, this resort is perfect for groups and families, as well as for team-building activities.
