langkawi magazine

Reviews SECTION

Berjaya Beach and Spa Resort in Rainforest

When exotic birds, squirrels and monitor lizards cross your path at a holiday resort, you know this is a place to get in tune with nature.

Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort is set amidst the more than 50-million-year-old tropical rainforests in Langkawi. Guests are usually in swimwear or shorts. For the nature lover, a trekking expedition to either Mount Machinchang or nearby Gunung Raya, which can last four hours or more, is just the activity to get into. The flora and fauna of both Mount Machinchang and Gunung Raya as well as fresh air are bound to put one in high spirits and all that hiking should be a great stress reliever.

The resort has enlisted the help of seasoned guide Muhamad Hamzah Abdullah, who runs Rimba Evergreen, to take charge of the trekking expedition and other nature related activities popular with guests among whom are politicians, local celebrities and movie stars.

Muhamad Hamzah is said to have taken a two-time Oscar winner and US actress on the jungle trek when she was in Langkawi with her girlfriend and also a member of the Qatar royal family. "Well, I am not allowed to talk about the celebrities whom I have taken on the trekking expedition. All I can talk about is the flora, fauna, birds and other nature related things," he says with a laugh. Nature, is very much Muhamad Hamzah's cup of tea.

While he is driving his visitors to the jungle expedition, he will take the trouble to stop by the road shoulder to point out either a bird or plant go into detail with the subject. But before the trekking starts, visitors will be taken to a nearby stall for a strong cup of either tea or locally brewed coffee to get to know each.

"I like all going on an expedition to be friends before we start our trip. This is important because we can look out for each other in the jungle," he says. As the trip proceeds, detailed information is given on the flora and fauna, and natural features in the area. "If the water in a stream in the jungle tastes sweet, don't drink it because there could be a dead animal up stream.

I learned my lesson the hard way, and so I am passing on the information to you," he stops to explain. After a few hours of hiking, climbing and walking, Muhamad Hamzah will make a thoughtful break taking a cool dip in a stream. "I always tell guests to bring along their swimwear. But for those who don't wish to get into the water, it's okay to watch others having a good time," he says.

If hiking is too strenuous for some vacationers, they can head straight for the spa, simply called The Spa, to be pampered by a myriad of health and beauty treatments. This is the only Japanese spa on the island. Jungle trekking followed by a spa visit is also a great combination.

The flotation chamber at the spa offer immediate relaxation. "Your mind goes into a state of deep relaxation when you are in the chamber," says assistant spa manager Andy Gonzales. "We offer a wide range of massages including aromatherapy, full-body, shiatsu, Swedish and deep tissue plus various types of facials. Guests come to the spa looking to destress themselves."

The Spa is set in the midst of rainforests and has outdoor pools filled with hot and cold water. Guests are known to drift off into their own world while taking a dip. Berjaya Langkawi general manager Hasni Hashim says important elements like sun, sea, nature and spa help pull in the visitors.

"This resort in very popular with European tourists who come to let themselves go completely and enjoy the rejuvenation of the body, mind and spirit," he says. "Besides the spa, guests are also taken up by the chalets set amidst the rainforests where monkeys, rare birds, iguanas and other animals can be seen roaming freely.

Some rare bird species have been seen on some of the chalet balconies," says Hasni. He adds that what sets the resort apart from others is that it is surrounded by flora and fauna that is thousands of years old. "Our guests feel extremely relaxed being so close to nature.

They get so excited when they hear crickets and we have some guests who think that these insects are actually some big animals judging from the amount of noise they make. "Since Berjaya Langkawi is the last resort on this stretch of the beach, outsiders generally don't come in to share the beach with the hotel guests. "The beach is private because the public doesn't have access to it."

Hasni says the resort enjoy a year-round occupancy of 60 to 70 per cent during the low season. "We also have a lot of long staying and repeat guests who have made the resort their second home. During school and public holidays and conventions, we will be packed with locals."

The resort has 388 chalets/rooms and is adding another 102 units, including villas, to cope with periods of peak demand. It is also into the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) market and has hosted the Langkawi International Dialogue four times from the time it opened its doors some 10 years ago. "We have one or two big conventions every month and MICE is our biggest strength. We also have been selling the resort aggressively in Europe and have worked in all the travel marts," Hasbi says.

Langkawi 8/5/2003