Hola from Borneo Highland Resort!
Many of you may not heard of this place, and we almost forgot its existence when planning this trip to Kuching. Therefore, we decided to explore this unconventional resort located in Puncak Borneo.
Borneo Highland Resort is located about 80km from Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. It is perched at approximately 1,000m above sea level on Penrissen Range, surrounded by one of the world oldest rainforest. At first glance, it sounds like Genting Highlands or Cameron Highlands but the reality is different. Unlike these 2 places which is flocked by thousand of tourist, Borneo Highland Resort is tranquil and offers a peace of mind from big crowd and pollution. Apparently, the resort is a popular spot for golfers.
How to go to Borneo Highland Resort
You can go to Borneo Highland Resort via a few ways but unfortunately public transport is not a viable option.
Since we like the free and easy way during travelling, we rented a car from Kuching and drove all the way to Borneo Highland Resort, which took about 1 hour 20 minutes. However, the car company only allow us to drive to the foothill, citing steep road and unfavourable road condition.
Luckily, the resort is able to arrange transport to pick us up from the foothill to resort for RM 53 per pax, inclusive of return trip. Just message the resort via your booking platform and the person in charge will book a time to fetch you from the foothill.
Nevertheless, you can still drive to Borneo Highland Resort if you feel confident. It is not advisable to do so during heavy downpour as we can see strong water current flowing through the road.
Since we like the free and easy way during travelling, we rented a car from Kuching and drove all the way to Borneo Highland Resort, which took about 1 hour 20 minutes. However, the car company only allow us to drive to the foothill, citing steep road and unfavourable road condition.
Luckily, the resort is able to arrange transport to pick us up from the foothill to resort for RM 53 per pax, inclusive of return trip. Just message the resort via your booking platform and the person in charge will book a time to fetch you from the foothill.
Nevertheless, you can still drive to Borneo Highland Resort if you feel confident. It is not advisable to do so during heavy downpour as we can see strong water current flowing through the road.
Another alternative is to consult Borneo Highland Resort to arrange for a transport to pickup in Kuching town but it would incur a high cost.
Let's have a look at the resort room first. It features classic woody and simple design, no television, poor Wi-Fi connectivity (you may have to purchase the access) and no air-conditioner. Fret not, as the weather here is chilling and the ceiling fan can do most of the cooling job.
So what did we do here on the first day?
Nothing much, just relax, enjoy some fresh air and return ourselves to the nature!
Meanwhile in the morning of second day, we took the tour provided by the resort to 3 different spots within the vicinity. Most people only go for the popular Kalimantan viewpoint but we opted for all 3, including a horticulture farm and a mini garden since we have traveled so far here. Each drop point cost RM 10 per pax.
If you have a car, you can drive yourself to these attractions and save the cost!
Interestingly, we were the only 2 guests checked in the resort and it was a total quiet time for both of us!
Just a tips here - almost all mobile service provider has weak signal here. We had Digi, Celcom, and U-Mobile, and apparently only Celcom offers 1 bar of 4G line in our room.
The second check point is Horticulture Nursey, where workers in Borneo Highland Resort grow a range of plants. Just have a quick stroll here and take some pictures, and off we go.
As a matter of fact, you can walk here from your resort and the entire journey is about 2km distance. Not too far and probably took about half an hour.
I did walk here on my own during the first day upon late arrival, and let Shirleen alone in the room. Not a wise decision as it gets rather creepy in a total dark compound with nobody around.
Eventually, I ran as fast as I could back to resort and almost sprained my ankle. Do not be like me, go there in early morning instead.
What to Do in Borneo Highland Resort
Let's have a look at the resort room first. It features classic woody and simple design, no television, poor Wi-Fi connectivity (you may have to purchase the access) and no air-conditioner. Fret not, as the weather here is chilling and the ceiling fan can do most of the cooling job.
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| The view outside of our room at 5pm |
So what did we do here on the first day?
Nothing much, just relax, enjoy some fresh air and return ourselves to the nature!
Meanwhile in the morning of second day, we took the tour provided by the resort to 3 different spots within the vicinity. Most people only go for the popular Kalimantan viewpoint but we opted for all 3, including a horticulture farm and a mini garden since we have traveled so far here. Each drop point cost RM 10 per pax.
If you have a car, you can drive yourself to these attractions and save the cost!
Interestingly, we were the only 2 guests checked in the resort and it was a total quiet time for both of us!
Just a tips here - almost all mobile service provider has weak signal here. We had Digi, Celcom, and U-Mobile, and apparently only Celcom offers 1 bar of 4G line in our room.
i) Kalimatan Viewpoint
Borneo Highland Resort is located neighbouring to international border of Kalimantan, and there is a strategic location that you can have a view of our neighbour country.
Here is a good place to get the sea of clouds view in early morning but we woke up late. Therefore, only clear sky view as a consolation reward for us.
Just take some pictures and have fun here! 30 minutes is more than enough for you to explore this place.
ii) Horticulture Nursery
The second check point is Horticulture Nursey, where workers in Borneo Highland Resort grow a range of plants. Just have a quick stroll here and take some pictures, and off we go.
iii) Mini Garden
The last check point is a mini garden which we saw yesterday en-route to the resort.
Most of the flowers appear not yet reaching the blossoming period, resulting a rather plain view. However, it is a good place for a quick stroll and take some pictures.
As a matter of fact, you can walk here from your resort and the entire journey is about 2km distance. Not too far and probably took about half an hour.
I did walk here on my own during the first day upon late arrival, and let Shirleen alone in the room. Not a wise decision as it gets rather creepy in a total dark compound with nobody around.
Eventually, I ran as fast as I could back to resort and almost sprained my ankle. Do not be like me, go there in early morning instead.
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| The route on the way back to resort without any street light |
iv) Enjoy the Night View
We wandered to the entrance of resort around 10pm to have a look at the night sky and it was amazing!
It was a starry starry night but unfortunately no Milky Way can be seen during that night. Be assured of safety as there is a guard on duty near to the entrance of the resort.
Accompanying us during our short excursion that night was music made by insects.
v) Other activities
There are other activities such as sauna, massage and pool access you can arrange with the resort at a cost. On top of that, you can play golf here or consider a hiking. There is a pathway that lead to a mystery rock named "Batu Panggah" that resembles a human face.
Food at Borneo Highland Resort
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| Breakfast at Borneo Highland Resort |
There is only a single restaurant in Borneo Highland Resort and you will get all your meals fixed here. Interestingly, they only serve vegetarian menu.
Upon reading all the reviews on the Internet, we started to get paranoid. It appeared that the restaurant was so bad in terms of service and food quality that did not warrant any visit.
However, we manage to prove that not all the reviews over the Internet are correct. We had an enjoyable breakfast with good food here, and the service by the crew was impeccable.
As we were the sole guests here on the first night, the restaurant called up our room to check whether we wanted to have dinner, and they will be serve it as room service! Nevertheless, we turned down the dinner opportunity as we were rather full still.
The next morning, we were given a few menu to choose for breakfast, namely - The American, The Continental and The Malaysian (choice of fried rice, fried noodle or nasi lemak).
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| Kampung Fried Rice |
We really like the Kampung Fried Rice. It has a hint of hot component and nice aroma. Spice it up with the delicious sambal provided. The wonderful taste of the kampung fried rice is still lurking in my tongue and we are really missing it now. This is probably one of the best fried rice we ever had.
Meanwhile, The American Breakfast is what the casual western breakfast set you will get, featuring cereals, breads and egg with your preferred preparation method. Simple and nice.
The wood furniture in the restaurant made all the photos taken has a rustic feeling and Instagrammable.
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| The restaurant compound |
At one moment, we regretted for not having the dinner here yesterday. It could have been a great gastronome discovery.
Conclusion
Overall, Borneo Highland Resort is a place that exceeded our expectations. Not many people are aware about existence of here comparing to Cameron Highland and Genting Highland, which is a good sign. It is so sparingly populated that makes it retain its beauty, and hope it stays such way.
Aside from the wonderful staying at Borneo Highland Resort, the friendliness and warmness displayed by the staff here also commendable.
After checking out from the resort on the second day and descending to the foothill, our car battery dies out without any reasons and we panicked due to a flight to catch at 6pm in Kuching International Airport. Fortunately, the staff in the resort quickly came down and helped us to fix our car battery so we can continue our journey swiftly.
They did so with just a call from the security hut without any charges. We are so thankful to their wonderful help, especially Hazel (the receptionist), Johnny and Mac (who rushed down from the resort and fix out car).
By the way, you realize there is a slight bulging on Shirleen's stomach right?
Borneo Highland Resort
Tel (Front Desk): +6016 - 8860790 / +6019 - 8290790
Email: [email protected]
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