A local holiday destinations, Tanjong Jara Resort is in fact a world class treat not to be missed.

It is a shame that many of us would rather travel far and away to exotic destinations, even when we have a variety of equally alluring and exciting vacation spots in the country. The general thought of being too close to home and can be done anytime is what makes these getaways overlooked.

Let’s be honest, when was the last time you’ve gone on a holiday to Terengganu – more specifically to Tanjong Jara Resort. If your answers range from never to a long time, you’re in for a real treat. The ‘Unmistakably Malay’ resort by YTL Hotels & Properties is a must visit retreat by Malaysians and tourists alike.

To get to the resort, head on over to Subang Skypark and board a Firefly flight to Kuala Terengganu. Simply convenient, Firefly flies daily from their hubs in Subang and Penang to major cities in Peninsular Malaysia. Also, friendly flight staff will start your journey with a hospitable greeting that will instantly make you feel right at home.

Once you’ve arrived at the Sultan Mahmud Airport, the Tanjong Jara Resort is about an hour and 15 minutes away by car, which you can pre-book through the resort.

Malaysian Hospitality

Adding to the whole authentic Malaysian charm, a delightful elderly man dressed in his dapper traditional Malay clothing (‘Baju Melayu’), fondly known as Pak Esah, sends a warm welcome by striking the old-fashion Malay gong. You will find yourself being slightly amused and feeling a little regal because of the gesture.

As you relax in huge comfy sofas sipping the resort’s Roselle fruit signature drink, the friendly staff will fill you in with places of interests on the resort’s brochure-cum-map, as well as the list of activities you can participate in daily.

Checking-in is a simple affair and in no time, you will find yourself being led to your respective rooms. Guests can choose from four different room types – Bumbung, Serambi, Anjung and Anjung Suite.

Part of a double-storey unit, the Bumbung room, which means roof top in Malay, is situated above the Serambi room. Both are similar in size and furnishings, but the latter has its own partially covered veranda. Nevertheless, both overlook the resort’s tropical gardens and the ocean.

On the other hand, the Anjung room is situated along the beach front, equipped with a symmetrical sunken outdoor bath in the room’s private garden.

If you’re into something more luxurious, the one-of-a-kind Anjung Suite may be for you. The suite rests above the river waters with a view of the South China Sea. Biggest in size, Anjung Suite offers the best view by far among all the other rooms.

An Adventurous Retreat

Although painted as the perfect romantic getaway, it doesn’t mean Tanjong Jara would not have exciting activities for you. In fact, the resort has a long list of things to try during your stay.

Among the must-do is the snorkelling or diving trip to Pulau Tenggol – a nearby island off the coast of Dungun. First time snorkelers and divers should not worry, as the guides are well-trained. Once in the water, you may feel disorientated for a while but we assure you that it is worth going for, where you will find the marine life to be an amazing experience. If you’re lucky you might find yourself being in the presence of rare sightings like turtles. Unfortunately, the unpredictable local weather plays a big role in the quality of your experience.

If you’re more inclined to on-land activities, Tanjong Jara Resort offers guest a nature walk on the Jara Hill and a visit to its home-grown Malay herbal garden. The area’s resident naturalist, Capt. Mokh, an ex-military commando will take you through an insightful journey of discovering nature. You will find yourself learning natural remedies by using ingredients available in your garden or even in the kitchen.

From Adventure to Relaxation

What is a resort vacation without visiting its spa? The award-winning Spa Village of Tanjong Jara Resort is something you wouldn’t want to skip. Since the Roselle plant plays an integral part of the resort’s identity, guests should consider the Asam Roselle treatment for their first time.

The treatment will begin with a traditional ceremony of ‘Mandi Bunga’ – a Malay Floral Bath experience and is said to cleanse one’s body, mind and soul. After the refreshing bath, you will be treated to a deep and relaxing Asam Roselle Massage using a naturally asam (sour) scented oil, a blend of Roselle, ginger, nutmeg, galangal and karoteno oil. The combination helps nourish and rejuvenate your body as it is full of vitamins A, C and E.

After you have unwound your body, it is time for you to scrub away all the dead skin cells using the Roselle Cream Scrub. Indulge your skin with the moisturising aromatic mix of rice and coconut oil, added into the creamy Roselle scrub. We are not kidding when we say you will come out of the spa feeling refreshed and glowing. Top it off with a cup of steaming Roselle tea – a treat that is high in anti-oxidants – and you are good to go.

On a parting note

Beside the great activities and facilities available for guests, the one thing that will impress you is most likely the service. Every time you bump into a staff member, you will be greeted warmly at any time of the day.

Putting all these elements together, Tanjong Jara Resort is an all-rounder destination – especially for those wanting a romantic interlude with a bit of spice.