The Banjaran

I was looking forward to this trip for a while now. After the craziness that is my job, we were given a wonderful retreat/ holiday as a thank you from the company for all the hard work. What can I say, we work hard, play hard.

The Banjaran is a wellness high end retreat located in Ipoh. Located about two hours away from KL, I must say its deff worth a visit. They recommend spending at least four days there, and after going for only 2 days and 1 night, I do strongly recommend doing at least a few days there.

There are only 25 units at the Banjaran lending to its whole exclusivity. Children under age 16 are also not allowed in. You will understand why when you get there. There are a lot of natural hot springs that are piping hot - at 70 degrees, and its quite easy to accidentally fall in if you are a child.

The background is the beautiful caves and mountains of the area. You are essentially right at the foothill of the caves and there is water water water all around you.

Your private villa will have its own personal plunge pool, an outdoor dining and living area as well as a geothermal jacuzzi. Even though its sold as a wellness / retreat area, I can easily see it as a honeymoon spot. It was all great with the exception of the fact that

1) They view coffee as eeevvvviiillll. So there is no coffee in the rooms. I had to beg to get one delivered to me. They do offer tea as an alternative though
2) There is no room service. So you honeymooners that were thinking maybe you'll never leave the room, well think again. You probably need to head out for some nosh.


(The open dining room and living room, and yes this is part of your own private villa)


(View from the bedroom. Your own personal plunge pool, with the beautiful background)


(View from the dining area. The entrance door to your own unit is to the right. It opens to your private plunge pool, and on the left hand side of the pic is your bedroom)


(Bedroom view)


(The geothermal jacuzzi at the back of the villa. If you dont want to use the natural hot spring water, they also have the treated water options)


(The his and her bathroom)

Other features that I did love about the place. Jeff's celler which is essentially a cave that has been redone to house a bar and karaoke place. Amazing!!! perfect for a company dinner or small wedding. There was also the fish spa! outdoors. You know the one where you just put your feet in and all the fish will come and nibble the dead skin around it. Really good and sanitary cleaning services. They also have two yoga decks. One is outdoors and facing the amazing view of the mountain in the back, and the second one is actually IN the cave. Pretty amazing as well. They also have a natural steam cave, a juice bar, jungle trekking... so much to do! which is why I think you need to spend a few days there. But oh well, time to show more pictures!!


(Inside Jeff's cellar)


(in case the private plunge pool and jacuzzi isnt enough, there's also the large outdoor pool)


(They have managed the natural hot spring so that you can actually soak in and enjoy it. This dipping pool was 34 degrees)


(The indoor yoga deck... inside a cave!)


(The outdoor yoga deck. Imagine waking up and stretching to this everyday!)



(The juice bar)


(Karaoke in Jeff's cellar)


(Jeff's private collection)

http://www.thebanjaran.com/home.aspx
The Banjaran
Price : ~RM 1,800 per night (no, not cheap, but pretty worth it I would say. And this includes meals and a massage)