{"id":95750,"date":"2026-10-26T23:03:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T15:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=95750"},"modified":"2026-10-26T23:03:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T15:03:02","slug":"tanjong-jara-resort-seaside-kampung-luxury-in-terengganu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=95750","title":{"rendered":"Tanjong Jara Resort: seaside kampung luxury in Terengganu"},"content":{"rendered":"


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MALAYSIA \u2013 When Singaporeans plan a holiday across the Causeway, the usual choices are Johor, Melaka, Penang and capital city Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n

Terengganu, tucked along Peninsular Malaysia\u2019s lesser-visited east coast, rarely makes the list.<\/p>\n

But my two-night stay at the state\u2019s seaside Tanjong Jara Resort in September convinces me that Terengganu is worth visiting for its coastal and cultural attractions.<\/p>\n

I arrive at the resort after a four-hour drive from KL, the final stop of a multi-day road trip that includes stops such as Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.<\/p>\n

There is a quicker way, of course. Pahang\u2019s Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport, served by non-stop flights from Singapore, is around two hours by road from Tanjong Jara Resort.<\/p>\n

I have been to many beach resorts, but Tanjong Jara sets itself apart with an elevated take on coastal kampung life.<\/p>\n

It captures the spirit of a traditional seaside Malay village, such as the constant breeze, bright sunshine, sweeping sunrises and quiet, moonlit nights \u2013 within a luxury setting.<\/p>\n

Here are some highlights.<\/p>\n

Royal treatment<\/h2>\n

The resort\u2019s architecture is modelled after grand 17th-century istanas (royal palaces), with steep pitched roofs and timber structures on wooden stilts.<\/p>\n

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The beach is just a few steps away from many of the rooms.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: TANJONG JARA RESORT, YTL HOTELS<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The design draws on traditional Malay architectural wisdom, allowing the natural ocean breeze to circulate through open-air pavilions.<\/p>\n

I stay in the resort\u2019s 592 sq ft Serambi Seaview Room, which has a private verandah that overlooks the beach. Rates start at RM1,299++ (S$407++) a night for two adults.<\/p>\n

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The Serambi Seaview Room overlooks the South China Sea.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: TANJONG JARA RESORT, YTL HOTELS<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can call for a buggy service on the 30ha property, but I prefer to explore the expansive grounds on foot.<\/p>\n

I discover items peppered throughout the resort that are more than just decorative \u2013 they also provide a history and cultural lesson. These include antique pots from an 1830s shipwreck that were used to store fresh water from rivers, wells and rain.<\/p>\n

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The resort\u2019s architecture is modelled after grand 17th-century istanas.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: TANJONG JARA RESORT, YTL HOTELS<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An unexpected highlight is witnessing the resort\u2019s unique mandi bunga procession. Couples celebrating a special occasion such as anniversaries or birthdays are selected at breakfast and offered the chance to take part in the ceremonial parade at no extra charge.<\/p>\n

They are escorted along a coastal pathway towards the spa village, led by an entourage of 14 staff members in traditional Malay outfits playing kompang, or drums, and carrying bunga manggar (a traditional Malay decorative item) \u2013 just like in a Malay wedding.<\/p>\n

Along the way, the procession pauses to scoop water from the aforementioned antique pots, which will be used for the mandi bunga (floral bath).<\/p>\n

The spectacle draws the attention of other guests in the resort, many of whom were seen whipping out their phones to take photos and videos. For those who are shy or prefer privacy, this is not the activity for you.<\/p>\n

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The spa village offers traditional Malay massages.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: TANJONG JARA RESORT, YTL HOTELS<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the spa, treatments are rooted in the philosophy of Sucimurni, which means purity of spirit and health.<\/p>\n

Each session begins with a 10-minute mandi bunga. An a la carte traditional Malay massage (from RM300 for 50 minutes) uses deep strokes and herbal oil to soothe muscles and stimulate circulation.<\/p>\n

If you are looking for more pampering, the three-hour package (RM750) includes specialised treatments such as Boros Akar, a herbal root scrub made of galangal and ground turmeric which exfoliates dead skin.<\/p>\n

Every Saturday afternoon, a lawn on the property hosts Kampong Sucimurni, an outdoor gathering that celebrates the camaraderie of village life.<\/p>\n

I wander between stations to sample snacks such as freshly fried goreng pisang, make teh tarik and watch guests and staff join classic games such as sepak takraw and tarian buloh, or bamboo pole dancing.<\/p>\n

Other paid activities include hour-long batik painting classes (from RM85), where I learn from a local artisan how to apply molten wax, use a traditional canting tool and layer vibrant dyes to create a 46cm by 46cm artwork to take home. It is beginner-friendly and you do not have to possess any drawing skills, as there are several templates to choose from.<\/p>\n

I pick a turtle design and, after tracing the lines, the instructor helps me apply wax. Once that is done, all I have to do is apply the various colours with a brush. The wax helps to keep each coloured dye contained within the lines so the brushwork ends up looking neat and, dare I say, quite professionally done.<\/p>\n

The resort also offers all the perks of a modern resort, from karaoke rooms with a catalogue that ranges from Queen to Ariana Grande, and a well-stocked games room.<\/p>\n

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Guests can experience traditional activities such as tarian buloh, or bamboo pole dancing.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: TANJONG JARA RESORT, YTL HOTELS<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Secrets of a Malay kitchen<\/h2>\n

Food at the resort centres on Terengganu heritage.<\/p>\n

One morning, I join the Secrets of a Malay Kitchen Experience (RM300), which begins with a 10-minute drive to the nearby town of Dungun for an hour-long visit to its main morning market, with the resort\u2019s chefs as our guides.<\/p>\n

Seeing the vast array of fresh ocean catch, from small sharks and shellfish to stingrays and squid, brings back memories of accompanying my mother on market runs decades ago.<\/p>\n

The market also sells Terengganu delicacies such as lekor, or fish sausages or crackers, and budu, a fermented anchovy sauce popular on Malaysia\u2019s east coast.<\/p>\n

Back at the resort, chefs lead us in a 90-minute cooking class. I am a novice cook, but under their guidance \u2013 with ingredients portioned out neatly in advance \u2013 I manage to whip up east coast-style beef rendang, enriched with a toasted coconut paste called kerisik, and spicy ayam masak lemak cili padi, a spicy and creamy chicken stew.<\/p>\n

I tuck into both dishes for lunch, which turn out surprisingly decent. But I am not sure I will be able to recreate these at home without help from the chefs and their kitchen staff.<\/p>\n

Riverfront and seaside dining<\/h2>\n

Most of my meals at the resort are at Di Atas Sungei or \u201cabove the river\u201d, one of the property\u2019s three restaurants built directly over a rushing river that flows towards the ocean.<\/p>\n

It serves traditional Malay dishes, including highlights such as Signature Roselle Chicken (from RM50), which is crispy wok-tossed chicken with a sweet and tangy roselle sauce, and Rendang Daging Asli (from RM70), Terengganu-style mild beef curry.<\/p>\n

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Nelayan, the resort\u2019s beachfront restaurant.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: TANJONG JARA RESORT, YTL HOTELS<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I have a hearty lunch of Nasi Dagang Bersama Gulai Ikan Tongkol (RM70) \u2013 fish curry served with fenugreek rice and crackers, roti jala and freshly made lekor \u2013 at Nelayan, the resort\u2019s beachfront restaurant.<\/p>\n

I also tuck into a variety of local dishes at Taste of Terengganu (RM150), a buffet held on Saturday evenings.<\/p>\n

This is usually an outdoor affair held at the same location as Kampong Sucimurni, if the weather allows. It includes food not commonly found in Singapore, such as satar, a type of spiced fish wrapped in banana leaves, and akok, a traditional egg custard.<\/p>\n

The buffet breakfast at Di Atas Sungei features yet more local fare like laksam, a traditional east coast Malaysian noodle dish, as well as an assortment of Malay kueh and ulam and kerabu, Malay-styled salads.<\/p>\n

Turtle sanctuary<\/h2>\n

Beyond cultural experiences, the resort is also involved in marine conservation.<\/p>\n

In partnership with Malaysian non-profit marine conservation organisation Pulihara, it has a beachfront sea turtle hatchery where I learn about efforts to safeguard vulnerable turtle eggs from poaching, and predators such as monitor lizards, by housing the eggs in wooden trellis structures.<\/p>\n

If nature aligns and the timing is right, guests can also witness newborn hatchlings being released into the sea.<\/p>\n

The partnership with Pulihara began in 2016. According to YTL Group\u2019s sustainability reporting, more than 110,000 eggs have been protected and about 84,000 hatchlings released by 2025.<\/p>\n

Sitting on the verandah on my final evening, cooled by the coastal breeze, I marvel at how the resort entices tourists to swop glitzy attractions and city life for the leisurely tempo of a seaside kampung. For me, it has been a welcome trade.<\/p>\n

Travel tips<\/h2>\n

Scoot flies from Singapore to Kuantan\u2019s Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport in about an hour. Round-trip flights in December cost around $187, based on checks by The Straits Times in October.<\/p>\n

From the airport, it takes about two hours by road to Tanjong Jara Resort, which can organise transport (RM700 for a one-way trip).<\/p>\n

Rooms at the resort start at RM1,299++ (S$407++) a night for two adults, including breakfast. Promotion packages for Singapore residents, which include perks such as meals, massages and exclusive rates, are also available at www.tanjongjararesort.com.<\/p>\n

Terengganu experiences its monsoon season from November through March, so check the weather forecast before planning a trip.<\/p>\n

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