5 Appealing Factors to Entice You to Stay at Tanjong Jara Resort

Situated on the pristine East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Tanjong Jara Resort boasts a crescent-shaped beach of golden sand, shaded by tall palm trees rustling in the breeze. This resort is designed to reflect the elegance of the 17th century Malay palaces. Based on the Malay concept of Sucimurni, which emphasises purity of spirit, health and well-being, this secluded hideaway encourages true rejuvenation of both body and spirit. Here are 5 reasons why you should take a trip to Tanjong Jara Resort.

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#1 – Impressive Infinity Pool

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Infinity pools are all about blurring the line between man-made and natural, and this particular one offers an incredible view of the turquoise sea. Relax at the edge of the pool gazing at endless vistas of sand and sea while listening to the calming sounds of the waves crashing against the shore. Time spent at the pool has never been so enjoyable.

Besides the infinity pool, there is also a 3-metres deep adult pool at Tanjong Jara Resort which is smaller in size, but oh-so-cozy! Bean bags surround the perimeters of this pool, and you can simply read your favourite novel while enjoying a refreshing juice in the tranquil environment.

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#2 – Private Beach

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I’m pretty sure everyone has a hideout where you go to escape the worries and stress of your hectic lives. For me, that place is the beach. It is extremely wonderful that the secluded beach at Tanjong Jara Resort is only accessible to guests of the resort. It is as though I had my own therapeutic swimming pool – the sea! You can choose to unwind in a hammock, gazebo, or simply just lay in the sand, close your eyes, and feel the gentle breeze brushing past your skin. This is the perfect place to daydream.

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#3 – Award-winning Spa Village

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A sanctuary anchored in an ancient Malay way of life, this beautiful complex of structures, gardens and pools, houses a therapy centre featuring programs for relaxation, reinvigoration and stress relief based on traditional healing methods. These unique restorative Malay treatments have been handed down from generation to generation, ensuring their authenticity, and therapeutic value. Natural ingredients found in various indigenous herbs and plants are combined with the skills of the professional masseurs to provide a very special health and beauty experience.

I was treated to the Asam Roselle (Roselle Body Treatment) which consists an Asam relaxing massage, a Roselle cream scrub, and Roselle tea. Red flowers from the Roselle plant have high vitamin content, containing vitamin C, fruit acids, calcium, iron, potassium as well as antosianin, and has long been used in traditional medicine and local delicacies. The flowers are known to benefit the kidney system, lower blood-sugar levels, and have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. They form natural collagen and assist in vitamin absorption thus improving complexion, and assisting with anti-aging.

Upon completion of your treatment at the Spa Village, you will receive a beautiful batik sarong, providing you with a memento of your own personal Sucimurni experience.

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#4 – Numerous Activities to Keep You Occupied at The Resort

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From diving at Tenggol island to turtle watching at the resort’s turtle hatchery to embarking on the Marang Eco River Cruise to jungle trekking to Chemerung waterfall to Batik painting, the activities at Tanjong Jara Resort are plentiful. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to try everything, and the monsoon period made waterfall trekking too dangerous, so I tried Batik painting. An hour drawing and painting puts my mind at ease, and I was so focused on creating the perfect masterpiece that I forgot all about life’s pressures and problems.

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#5 – Delicious Local Cuisine from 3 Restaurants Located in The Resort

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Di Atas Sungei is my favourite restaurant to dine at. In Malay terms, it means “Above the River”, and it is easy to spot this restaurant which literally sits above a river that flows into the South China Sea. Surrounded by lush tropical greenery and shaded by a huge ketapang tree, you can dine al fresco in the mornings and indulge in fresh seafood and other tasty items in the evenings.

On the other side of the resort, Nelayan, meaning ‘Fisherman’ in the Malay language, is inspired by the locally and internationally acclaimed signature restaurant, Fisherman’s Cove. Nelayan offers a variety of Asian and Western selections for lunch while dinner features a unique symphony of seafood themed dishes crafted by Chef Wai, the pioneer of Fisherman’s Cove.

Situated beside the resort’s free-form pool with a view of the South China Sea, Teratai Terrace serves grilled items and rice dishes for lunch, cocktails in the evenings and offers private dining experiences.

During my stay, I was hosted in the Serambi room. Positioned on the ground floor of a double-storey unit, the room is contemporary yet also features traditional Malay decorative elements and offers views of the lush landscaped gardens from the partially covered verandah. There is a luxurious bathtub to soak your aching muscles too!

Tanjong Jara Resort might not be the most accessible resort, but the amazing experience makes me want to return again. The service standard here is impeccable, and as I am typing this from my boring bedroom back in Singapore, I can already hear the pools and ocean calling out to me. It is an ideal resort for me, due to its luxurious offerings in an unpretentious environment.

Tanjong Jara Resort
Address: Batu 8, Off Jalan Dungun, 23000 Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia
Contact: +60 3 2783 1000 (Reservations) or +60 9 845 1100 (Resort)
Website: http://www.tanjongjararesort.com/
***Exclusive Offers for Singaporeans: http://singapore.ytlhotels.com/offers.html

Note that this is an invited stay, but the opinions are the writer’s own.