You’ve kept up with the city pace for the weekdays, running to work, chasing deadlines, crunching numbers, but it’s time to celebrate your efforts. A well-organised run at the office for 5 days deserves a weekend escape.

Let’s take a look at the 12 best Zen resorts that can bring this much needed pause to your life.

1. Sekeping Serendah, Selangor


The resort is one of the best choices when you want to switch from an alarm clock’s noise to nature’s voice. You can spend a peaceful night in the glass house and wake up to birds chirping at this place that is just an hour away from Kuala Lumpur. The resort is spread over 5 acres of tropical rainforest and with 10 sheds.

You can enjoy fishing at the lake nearby, jungle trekking, and golfing at Serendah Golf Course. Famously known as “The Glasshouse,” this place will definitely mesmerise you with its minimalistic modern architecture in the middle of lush and beautiful tropics of Serendah. You can enjoy taking an outside shower and a dip in the pool and get ready for the barbeque.

Location: About an hour-drive towards the north of Kuala Lumpur and 5 minute-drive away from Serendah town.

Price: The prices for different packages are given below:

●        Glass sheds: From RM500 per night.

●        Mud sheds: From RM320 per night.

●        Timber sheds: From RM630 per night.

●        Warehouse: From RM1,160 per night.

●        Glass box: From RM300 per night.

2. The Shorea, Seremban


If you are reeling from work pressure and in the need for an urgent weekend getaway, The Shorea might just be the place you are looking for. You can enjoy staying in Shorea Estate and resorts that come with duplex pool suites and villas. You could take a dip in the infinity pool at the resort and indulge in western fine dining and Asian dining.

That’s not all. You can also go for walks and treks in the Berembun Forest Reserve. The rock pools and waterfalls are some of the nearest attractions you can also check out during your visit. You can even enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural waterfalls around this resort and soak in sights of the flora and fauna you will find on your trek.

Location: Village Kolam Air, Mukim Pantai, Jalan Jelebu. 9km from Seremban town and approximately 1.5 hour-drive from Kuala Lumpur. The place is located in Negri Sembilan that is 3.5 hours away from Singapore.

Price: The following are the rate lists of the resort and estate:

●        Villas at Shorea Resort: Starting from RM530 per night.

●        Pool suite at Shorea Estate: Starting from RM1,060 per night.

●        Pool villa at Shorea Estate: Starting from RM1,060 per night.

●        The whole Shorea Estate: RM7,314 per night.

3. The Dusun, Seremban


The Dusun is a resort which has 7 houses on offer and can accommodate a maximum of 20 adults that is spread over an area of 12 acres. This includes Sunset room, Berembun house, Lanai house, Tembusu house, Emas house, Perling house, and Sora house.

You can enjoy a complimentary breakfast that will be served in a dining patio that is surrounded by huge Angsana trees and lush green gardens. You can also prepare your private barbeque. The resort has two infinity pools that can be shared between 5 houses around them. All of the houses in the resort have a private well-equipped kitchen.

Don’t forget to go on a jungle trek to the waterfalls and soak in the sights of the wildlife that surrounds you. You can also take part in cooking workshops on Minangkabau cuisine. Take time to relax and enjoy a Malay massage. Other attractions around the resort are an ostrich farm, deer park, Sri Menati Museum, and shopping at the wet market maintained by independent vendors.

Location: Kampung Kolam Air, Mukim Pantai. 1 hour and 15 minute-drive south of Kuala Lumpur and 30 minute-drive towards east of Seremban.

Price: The price list is given below:

●        Villas: Starting from RM600 per night.

●        Chalets: Starting from RM400 per night.

4. Kuang Kampung Retreat, Sungai Buloh


Your weekend getaway doesn’t necessarily need to be over the top and extravagant. If you’re hunting for a place to feel warm and comfortable, Kuang Kampung Retreat is the place for you. You can enjoy your stay in a three-bedroom house with dining patio, private kitchen, and a flat-screen TV set with satellite channels.

You can relax here and appreciate the Malaysian heritage through antique furniture in this resort. Take a dip in the swimming pools and flush out the stress. Enjoy a cool breeze on your face and scenic beauty of surrounding greenery.

Location:  Lorong Orkid, Kuang, 47000 Sungai Buloh. 40-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur centre and 1 hour-drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

5.AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor


AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort is stretched over a kilometre in water. The villa has 315 rooms you can choose from. The resort has 5 restaurants, two bars, and a lounge. You can enjoy Chinese and Malay cuisines and adore the sunset while sipping on tropical cocktails on a deck with sea breeze.

You can also play ball at the beach and meet gentle elephants at the elephant sanctuary nearby. But there’s another thing the resort has to offer, the thrill of Sepang F1 circuit. If you plan to book the resort during F1 racing event, you might just find the adventure you were looking for via your weekend getaway.

You can also go for a half-day tour on the Mangrove River cruise, agro tour to the rural village of Banghuris, and enjoy water sports like canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, and many more.

Location: Sungai Pelek, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Price: The prices are listed below:

●        Superior room: Starting from RM412 per night.

●        Family villa: Starting from RM564 per night.

●        2-bedroom villa: Starting from RM724 per night.

●        3-bedroom villa: Starting from RM1,956 per night.

6. Banjaran Hot Springs, Ipoh


The resort experience is designed to bring your relaxation and peace. It has accommodations in form of garden villas, water villas, and lake villas. Banjaran Hot Springs is located between Ipoh’s limestone mountains. It’s a perfect getaway for you from the concrete jungle. The resort is home for geothermal hot springs dipping pools, a thermal steam cave, and ice baths. You can also experience calmness in the meditation cave and crystal cave or take a walk in the jungle.

You can take a dip in the hot springs, get amazing spa treatments, facials, baths, holistic exercises, and massages here. Some of the closest attractions to this resort are adventure water-theme park Lost World of Tambun, Sam Poh Tong Temple, geological museum, Town of Taiping, among many others.

Location: Sunway City Ipoh, Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan.

Price: The following is the price range associated with the resort’s accommodation:

●        Garden villa: Packages starting from RM5,500 for 3 days and 2 nights

●        Water villa: Packages starting from RM5,100 for 3 days and 2 nights.

7. Malihom Private Estate, Penang


Malihom is a home-grown retreat that is located in Penang. The resort has bedroom villas that are converted from rice barns. The resort has 8 barns you can choose from. You can enjoy a new menu every day. The resort provides you bed and breakfast services as well as 3 meals per day.

You can book a hiking package to the hills of Balik Pulau and get yourself a relaxing treatment via Malay massage. These massages are designed to detoxify your body, stimulate blood circulation, and improve vitality. The water in the resort’s pool comes directly from natural springs. Unwind, relax, and enjoy the lush greenery that stretches as far as your eye can see.

Location: George town Penang

Prices: The following is the price list of Malihom Private Estate:

●        Barns with bed and breakfast: Starting from RM540 per night.

●        Barns (fullboard): Starting from RM890 per night.

8. Villa Samadhi, Kuala Lumpur


Located in the heart of the city, this resort offers you peace and relaxation without having to travel too much. Although the place is not too far away from the city, it helps you get out of the grasp of your everyday straining routine. You can choose to stay in cribs, luxury cribs, and sarangs. These rooms are inspired by traditional Malay architecture.

The resort has a lagoon-shaped pool where you can take a dip and relax. You can book trips to elephant sanctuary at Kuala Gandah and heritage food tour to Kuala Lumpur street food markets from here.

Location: 8 Jalan Madge, off Persiaran Madge, Kuala Lumpur.

Price: The following are the prices associated with accommodation at Villa Samadhi:

●        Luxe crib: From RM710.34 per night.

●        Sarang: From RM865.52 per night.

9. Templer Park Rainforest Retreat, Rawang


Templer Park is located on a hilltop in Kanching Rainforest Reserve over 3 acres. It has two houses, a villa and a container. The resort has a private access and a gated and guarded community. The villa has 4 bedrooms with washroom and hot water showers.

The place is your perfect weekend escape for chilled out afternoons surrounded by nature. The resort has an infinity pool, barbeque pits, trampoline, outdoor sauna, and many other facilities to make sure that you have a pleasant stay.

Location: Jalan 3/2, Templer Height, Templer Park, 48000 Rawang, Selangor. 30 minute-drive from centre of Kuala Lumpur.

Price: The following are the prices associated with the resort:

●        Villa: RM1,000 per night for the first 6 guests.

●        Container: RM1,480 per night for the first 10 guests.

10. Casabrina, Pahang

Casabrina is a posh 6-star resort built using eco-friendly material located in Pahang that is designed to help you unwind and relax. You can live in Villa Amertani and Villa Aranya. The resort offers spa sessions, a golf course, and even an elephant and deer sanctuary tour.

Some of the other activities you can take part in during your visit is white water rafting, jungle trekking, lakeside fishing, paintball, 4WD off-road adventure rides, and many more.

Location: Jalan Tras, Mukim Tras, Raub district, Pahang.

11. Terra’s Tree House, Cameron Highlands


You can enjoy living in adorable tree houses at this resort. If you’re looking for a low to medium-budget weekend getaway, this might just be the place for you. The resort is located in the middle of Brinchang Rainforest and the sounds of the rainforest around you will definitely bring in a sense of peace and relaxation.

The lodging is at a hike of 300 metres. The resort has 6 houses that are made up of natural materials.

Location: Jalan Sungai Mansion, Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

12. The Waterway Villa, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang


Wake up to misty view of hills and to a scenic sunrise at The Waterway Villa in Pahang. Away from Kuala Lumpur’s heat and traffic, this place is surrounded by a natural rainforest. The villa has a traditional design and has 5 types of villas to choose from.

You can go for jungle treks, hill climbing, fishing, or choose to cycle around the resort. Rejuvenate your body and mind at Bentong hot springs and visit the Perting waterfall near the resort.

Location: Bukit Tinggi, Bentong, Pahang. 50 minute-drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Price: The following list contains the prices associated with villas at the resort:

●        Bali villa: Starting from RM190 per night.

●        Deluxe villa: Starting from RM200 per night.

●        Stone villa: Starting from RM160 per night.

●        Glass villa: Starting from RM180 per night.

●        Bamboo villa: Starting from RM200 per night.

Be it a quick weekend trip or a week-long vacation, these resorts can help you get away from the noisy traffic and the hustle-bustle of the city and get you closer to nature that soothes your soul. Introduce a much-needed break to your ever-busy life.

Deborah Henry is a Content Marketing Journalist at BBazaar.my, an online consumer financial marketplace in Malaysia that will help Malaysians to make the smart choice and save money with personal financial matters. Stay tuned and learn about current financial market and products including credit cards, personal loans, insurance and more.