FYI, There's An Ancient Natural Hot Spring Retreat Only 2 Hours From Singapore

Imagine the most luxurious, reinvigorating wellness retreat you could have over the weekend – that’s probably something like what an escape to this eco-luxury hot spring resort in Malaysia would look like.

Um, hot water in a place that’s already as hot as Southeast Asia? We know – but hear us out.

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, near Malaysia’s colonial city of Ipoh, is nestled amidst a lush 17-acre valley amidst 260 million-year old towering limestone hills, cascading waterfalls and verdant tropical rainforests, the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat.

Although only a short 2 hours’ plane ride away from Singapore, it feels so removed from the modern world, you’d have no trouble surrendering to all that Mother Nature has endowed upon this sanctuary.

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The serene melody of flowing water greets you as you step into the resort. Then, you’re ushered into your Garden Villa, with your own private green space, or the Water Villa, perched on stilts in the placid lake.

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The therapeutic hideaway also houses geothermal hot springs dipping pools, a thermal spring cave, a meditation cave, a crystal cave for metaphysical healing, a spa and wellness centre, and more.

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3 million litres of water billow up daily from the ground below. Seek solace in the Thermal Steam Cave (pictured), said to restore and detoxify.

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Find calm in the Meditation Cave, devoid of external sounds and interruptions. Experienced consultants can also create a wellness programme specially tailored to your restorative journey – from rejuvenation to longevity.

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To keep active, embark on a leisurely jungle trek through the deep linestone hill forests to explore the unique flora and fauna, cascading waterfalls and mysterious caves.

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The food? Restaurants and dining experiences on-site include the magnificent Jeff’s Cellar (pictured), an ethereal wine bar in a cave (What?!). Fact: It was so named because it was once owner Jeffrey Cheah’s private wine cellar. The dream!

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Look out for local superfruit, the pomelo, at its namesake restaurant. Its sweet, lightly bitter flesh is packed with vitamins, nutrients and cancer-preventing limonoids. P.S. They’re great in salads!

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Haven’t savoured enough of this sublime escape? And at the end of the day, retreat back to your villa with private pool or sunken jacuzzi which can be filled with geothermal hot spring water, piped directly from its source.

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By Pinky Chng, August 2017

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