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Tioman Island features sun baked beaches, a rich rainforest, a diverse cultural history, numerous villages, duty-free shopping, and adventure for those willing to partake in it. Legend has it that Tioman is the resting place of a beautiful dragon princess from China, who offered shelter and comfort to passing travellers by taking on the form of an island.

JapaMala Resort, Tioman Island

Tioman is another one of Malaysia’s many island gems and JapaMala Resort is paving the way as one of the top places to stay in during your stay on the island. Uniquely designed to preserve nature and to leave it untouched, the resort contains 13 rooms the resort calls ‘sarangs’ (nests in Malay) that are each unique in their own way, and ranges from wooden houses, to hillside sarangs, to beachside villas. Some of the villas even have private plunge pools and come installed with modern amenities like iPod docks, Wi-Fi access, cable TV’s, and espresso machines.

Those who choose to stay at this enclave sandwiched between the jungle and the sea will also find themselves tempted to dine at least once at the Tamarind restaurant, which is the sister restaurant to award winning Tamarind Hill and Tamarind Springs in KL. The restaurant serves a mix of Thai, Indo-Chinese and Malay cuisine that perfectly reflects the theme of the resort and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A second restaurant, called the Mandi-Mandi, attracts guests with its water suspended design. Built upon stilts and featuring an open concept design to soak in the sun during day or to feel the cool ocean breeze during the night, the restaurant serves global cuisine with an Italian emphasis and does a nightly BBQ.

With a philosophy that caters around spoiling guests and providing a unique experience, services such as the serving of tantalizing Asian snacks during sundown, an aromatic turndown performed daily at dusk, and the ability to request for a private wining and dining experience, make it hard for guests to leave this remarkable Pulau Tioman resort without a smile on their faces.

JapaMala Resort Price Range:
The cheapest ‘sarangs’ range from RM510-680 per night depending on the season, while the most expensive two-bedroom villa could set you back by RM2000-2700. Check this link for their full rates and reservations.

Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort, Tioman Island

Standing toe-to-toe with JapaMala Resort on Tioman Island is Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort, a hotel that is just as unique and serves as a perfect getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its pristine waters, rich history and magnificent sceneries, it is no surprise that Tioman Island would come to hold more than one splendid beach resort.

Tunamaya resort comes prepared with several types of luxury villas, starting with the Garden Family Villa, the Beach Cluster Villa, the Rainforest Villa (with a Family option), and the Beach Villa (also with a Family option). It should be noted that all villas except the Rainforest options come with their own private beach area for that desired extra exclusivity. Room décor is modern and refreshing, giving off a new vibe and feel to the room.

Hungry and thirsty travellers have two dining options when staying at the Tunamaya. Pawana Restaurant, the only restaurant on the resort, opens from early in the morning till 10:30PM and rests next to the beach and offers both local and international flavours on the menu. BBQ lovers can also opt to indulge in freshly grilled seafood while those who prefer to dine in seclusion can do so at private dining rooms. After having your meal, those who seek after dinner drinks can pay a visit to the Ombak Bar, which opens till one in the morning and boasts a broad range of beers from around the globe. The bar also features a live band and is a great place to end the night with a little bit of socializing and dancing.

This Tioman Island resort further features a wide selection of island activities to do that compliment the surrounding beauty with scuba diving, snorkelling, spending a relaxing time at the spa, playing a round of golf, taking a round island tour, and going on a jungle trek through the resort’s backdoor rainforest. As a duty-free island, the resort also contains two shops for those wishing to purchase souvenirs and other odd trinkets for themselves or for loved ones. If given the chance, travellers should explore the island beyond the resort in order to really seep in Tioman’s exquisite beauty.

Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort Price Range:
Villas range from RM300 per night for the Rainforest Villa while the Family Beach Front Villa can go up to RM600 per night. Prices usually fluctuate depending on availability and season.

View Top Tioman Beach Resorts in a larger map

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