Japamala Resort by Samadhi

Everything was excellent! The best hospitality and I travel a lot. So many small touches in the room and around the property. Food was amazing too. And of course the monkeys!!

The location is beautiful, with its own beach and jetty. From the moment you arrive to when you leave, the Staff went above expectations. The room turn around in the mornings was fast, invisible, and thorough. The staff remembered preferences for coffee and where we liked to sit in the restaurant. The extra add-on package we purchased was completely worth it - the afternoon tea was a lovely break after relaxing or swimming, the sundowner cocktails where tasty and different each day, the turn-down service each evening was such a lovely touch with the bedtime cookies and small drink. Tea selection in the rooms was great, and the plunge pool / verandah area was cleaned and tidy each day. We also went diving and the dive leader was knowledgeable and safe - we received a safety brief prior to each dive and assistance with equipment. Overall, I wish we could have stayed longer at this resort. Super relaxing and also private with cabins scattered about the jungle property without line of sight to each other.

The staff was caring, the best room i ever hard !

Just to say something (because it was perfect) the bar closes early.

A small, charming hotel on the coast with cozy little villas. Breakfast is excellent, with a menu to choose from, and lunch and dinner can also be ordered à la carte — no buffet lines, which is a nice touch. The hotel operates even during the off-season, which is a big plus! You can book excursions or arrange services outside the hotel. Staff meet you by boat from the ferry, adding a touch of convenience. Keep in mind, though, that life on the island really starts to pick up only after the monsoon season ends, around March 25.

The downside? The pool. Its greenish water looked more like rainwater, so no one dared to take a swim. Getting to the island's center isn’t exactly easy either: it’s either a boat ride or a challenging walk along a forest trail.

We spent 11 nights here at the beginning of the monsoon season (mid-November) and were lucky as it only rained for the last two days, otherwise it was sunny and hot. The hotel is a very lovingly designed small complex that blends in perfectly with its surroundings and almost disappears into the rainforest. Great importance is obviously attached to sustainability, which can be seen from the building materials to the rubbish bins (no plastic bags). The water quality in the restaurant and on the island is excellent and the water is safe to drink, even for Europeans. The rooms are detached, large, comfortable and lovingly furnished huts that are connected to each other and to the centre of the resort (reception, Tamarind restaurant, spa...) by wooden walkways. There are different categories - from those that stand "in the back", i.e. in the middle of the rainforest to those that are enthroned above the cliffs and offer a magnificent sea view to particularly large chalets with their own small infinity pool situated almost directly on the beach. The staff is extremely friendly, helpful and courteous and cater to guests' every wish. There are three restaurants in the resort. Due to the season (monsoon, few guests), the small restaurant directly at the end of the jetty was closed. In the "Tamarind" restaurant you could enjoy Italian and Malay cuisine. There is a very long time slot for breakfast from early morning to mid-afternoon. As there were so few guests present, there was no buffet but breakfast was served instead. First there was toast with butter and jam and a platter of tropical fruit, plus coffee, tea and various fruit/yoghurt cocktails. Then you could choose from a large selection of sweet and savoury "main courses" for breakfast, from French toast to crepes, waffles, eggs in any style, sausages, bacon, ham and cheese to even a Malay soup pot.

:-) For lunch and dinner there was a choice of Malay and Italian dishes (starters, main courses, desserts). Both cuisines were excellent, both the quality of the food and the way it was served. The prices were comparatively high, but not overpriced. The homemade ice cream is particularly recommended... The water in the hotel pool had a very dark, brown-greenish colour and was not at all inviting for a swim. The sea, on the other hand, was exceptionally beautiful with crystal clear water. There is a fine sandy beach directly in front of the resort, with shaded sunbeds available on a slightly elevated area, thus protected from sand flies. There are good snorkelling opportunities right in front of the resort and we were able to see countless fish and even moray eels and (very) young sharks. Unfortunately, like almost everywhere else in the world, coral bleeching is so massive that over 80% of the corals are dead and you are practically snorkelling in coral graveyards... Mosquitoes and ants were absolutely no problem. The gang of monkeys living in the forest around the resort is delightful to watch, but you shouldn't leave the doors open if you stay further away from your room - otherwise there is a risk that the monkeys will "check" your luggage and raid the minibar... The "excursion possibilities" on your own on site are limited. The next village, Genting, is about 40 minutes' walk to the north along a well-maintained path. To the south, there is a jungle path to a viewpoint above the resort and to the village of Nipah. However, this path is a real challenge, so good shoes and surefootedness are recommended. Alternatively, Japamala offers and organises a wide range of excursions (by boat). Snorkelling trips, shorter and longer hikes (Mukut and Asah waterfall, Tekek/Juara jungle trip etc.), fishing etc. are on the programme and all recommendable.

The island is SO beautiful and the rooms are amazing. The staff are extremely friendly and accommodating. The food is exceptional. I enjoyed my stay a lot and will definitely be coming back!

There were lots of ants everywhere, but that’s to be expected staying in a hut in nature :)

Absolutely lovely and friendly staff!