I had the most unusual but pleasant escapade last weekend at one of the most luxurious vacation spot I've ever set foot on, and the nearest ever to my home (20 minutes, to be exact)!!! I was a guest with my wife at Casabrina Vacation Villas and Spa at the invitation of its owner and developper Mr. Felix Tee (I got to know him recently by a bizarre twist of events and it turned out that we both are passionate about nature and conservation issues...).
Well, the villas are situated at the edge of Sang Lee village, nestled among rolling hills between Raub and Bentong but if you drive through the old trunk road, you might just miss it if you don't pay attention. It is nestled on the slopes of a private estate overlooking the Main Range. On arrival, we chatted awhile with the Finance Director, Deva who happenend to be at the Villas and were later shown to our suite (yes, a suite) at the forest house a.k.a Villa Aranya. I love how the organic design of the villas blend with the richness of Nature and took advantage of everything that the surrounding hills and forest have to offer (the architect is a famous Balinese architect). It is everything that one could ask for and yet need not go far to look for it. If you like nature and isolation for a meditative retreat and yet deplore having to share your space and travel far, leaving creature comfort behind, this might be your perfect fix (about an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur). The villas even offer helicopter transfer from the airport...meals are cooked according to your specifications (bespoke) and the staff are trained to anticipate your needs.
Visit the Villas at: www.casabrina.net
Here's a pictorial...
I love the horizon pools built onto the edge of every villa. This one has an attached outdoor jacuzzi. enjoyed it immensely...
Though you don't need to cook (meals are inclusive), a well-equipped kitchen with dining is provided with every villa.
sunbathe and relax al fresco as you wish, no one will disturb you...as one enters the estate, the is a sense of envelopping by the surrounding that you'll be completely cut off the world and be suspended in a very private moment of your own...
view of the horizon pool with attached outdoor jacuzzi at Villa aranya
the sun deck
our bed for the night
well-appointed chambre
I love the way the bath blends with nature: open air and private, each one with rain shower and bath tub
for morning tea if you wish so...
Mist came over the estate early in the morning and as we slept with fresh air (many times better than air conditioning, which was not necessary at the villas), I woke up to the calls of birds heralding the arrival of a new day...magical experience.
entrance to Villa Aranya
Many forest trees that attract birds and insect are kept intact like this beautiful fig tree
an incomplete wooden canoe as a bench, overlooking the Main Range at Villa Amertani, the main guest house
view of the Main Range...
Mist in the morning hovering over the canopy
Main salon of Villa Amertani
open air dining at Villa Amertani
Morning dip at the horizon pool anyone?
Villa Amertani from far
a jelutong-like tree with very sweet vanilla-cinnamon fragrance
faded Victoria lily flower on the pond
a new bud
a new bloom
