Hill resorts in Malaysia

Everybody remembers their first road trip up to the hills and mountains. Panoramic views, surprising stops, the time spent with family and friends or with your own thoughts.

Many of Malaysia’s charming hill resorts are perched on generous open green expanses, surrounded by fresh mountain air and breathtaking flora and fauna. With temperatures averaging 16 to 21°C, Malaysia’s highlands offer a refreshing change for those seeking a respite from the warmer tropical weather.

Stroll around cool strawberry or tea plantations, trek through misty jungles or tee off above the clouds for an uplifting experience at the best hill resorts in Malaysia.

Resorts World Genting Highlands

If you are looking for round-the-clock excitement in the cool highlands, the glitzy ‘City of Entertainment’, Genting Highlands, beckons. Situated some 1,800m above sea level and just under an hour’s drive from Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur, this resort is popular among locals and overseas visitors for its fine mix of tranquil and thrilling attractions. Known as the Las Vegas of Asia, Genting Highlands is home to First World Hotel, the world’s largest hotel with 7351 rooms, two massive indoor and outdoor theme parks and Malaysia’s only casino.

Swiss-Garden Hotel & Residences, Genting Highlands

Copthorne Cameron Highlands

There is much to see and do in Cameron Highlands, the largest of Malaysia’s hill resorts in terms of area. Be it walks through lovely little villages and charming butterfly, strawberry and honey bee farms, or visits to delightful Tudor-style country inns and sprawling tea plantations, this hill resort complex will captivate you with its rustic charm. Situated 1,500m above sea level, about a two hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands comprises a series of little townships that include Ringlet, Tanah Rata, Brinchang, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja.

Copthorne Cameron Highlands

Fraser’s Hill

Sitting pretty amidst the Pahang rainforests is the little hamlet of Fraser’s Hill. At 1,524m above sea level, this highland resort is a naturalists’ paradise boasting innumerable plant, bird and animal species. This Malaysian hill resort is popular with those who are interested in gentler, nature-based pursuits such as trekking, bird watching, horse riding, fishing and camping.

The Pines@Fraser’s Hill

Bukit Larut

Bukit Larut, one of the smaller hill resorts in Malaysia, overlooks Taiping, a town in Perak famous for its lake gardens and well-preserved colonial architecture. The fact that nature has been left alone to flourish so bountifully makes this hillside resort unique. Gazetted as a permanent forest reserve in 1910, Bukit Larut’s untouched montane forests teem with bird life while squirrels and gibbons roam freely. This hill station, consisting of colonial-era bungalows and rest houses, is especially popular with nature lovers, bird watchers, day trippers and others looking for a tranquil getaway.

Novotel Taiping

Penang Hill

North of the country, across the Straits of Malacca, Penang Hill majestically towers over the UNESCO World Heritage island of Penang. Here you can take a ride on the funicular railway, explore enchanting nature trails, walk among 30-metre tall trees, and glory in the magnificent views from the peak, about 800m above sea level. Malaysia’s oldest hill resort has much to offer in the way of its cool unpolluted air, historical heritage and environmental significance.

Hickory Penang Hill

Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi

Just an hour’s drive from central Kuala Lumpur, Colmar Tropicale, also known as Berjaya Hills Resort, nestles amidst 16,000 acres of rugged wilderness enveloped by lavish tropical rainforests and green pine trees. Looking like a castle from a storybook, Colmar Tropicale is a charming reproduction of a 16th century French village from the Alsace region near the border of Germany and France. Over here, you will find a unique hill resort that captures the essence of medieval French market towns and tranquil Japanese landscaped gardens in a single destination.

Colmar Tropicale, Berjaya Hills Resort

Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, Kinabalu Park

On the rainforest-clad island of Borneo lies Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, Mount Kinabalu rises prominently 4,095 metres above sea level. Marvel at the wealth of rare flora and fauna and stunning waterfalls that appear to cascade from the heavens. From the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, and the many nocturnal creatures, to the spectacular hike through ancient jungles up foggy peaks, and finally above the clouds to bask in an awe-inspiring sunrise – this is the one adventure you will want to check off of your list!

Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, Kinabalu Park