Photo: Sembayu Villa
Cover Photo: Sembayu Villa

Wake up to misty mountain views with these gorgeous eco-retreats about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur

Planning a getaway but low on vacation time in the last half of this year? Selangor and KL residents, in particular, can cut down their travel time and maximise their holidays by planning a wistful long weekend retreat in Seremban, less than two hours' drive from KL. A haven for enchanting nature retreats, Seremban never fails to enthral us with its mystic rainforest views, rolling greenscapes, and off-the-beaten-track retreats, including The Dusun, The Shorea, Sembayu Villa, and more that beckon weary urbanites with the promise of rejuvenation.

Whether you’re yearning for a spontaneous weekend getaway with your loved ones or a rustic family adventure, these hidden gems will surely provide the perfect antidote to the urban jungle.

Read more: Garden Getaways: 7 Malaysian Retreats Surrounded by Greenery

Sembayu Villa

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Photo 1 of 4 Photo: Sembayu Villa
Photo 2 of 4 A view from the panoramic room (Photo: Sembayu Villa)
Photo 3 of 4 The adults pool overlooking the forest. (Photo: Sembayu Villa)
Photo 4 of 4 One of the Luxury Room with a private balcony (Photo: Sembayu Villa)

Nestled 357 metres above sea level amidst the lush Berembun Forest Reserve, Sembayu Villa is an exclusive retreat where luxury meets nature. Perched atop Pantai Hill, this windswept haven offers breathtaking sunset vistas that defy comparison. Guests can wish for no better place to immerse themselves in nature’s embrace, trading their stresses for the serenity of calming greens and crisp high-altitude air.

The resort offers 15 rooms that can accommodate couples to larger groups of twelve guests, from cosy couple’s quarters with bathtubs on a private balcony to expansive family suites that offer incredible mountain views from the comfort of your bed. Fun fact: All the rooms at Sembayu Villa have Malay names inspired by the various types of trees and plants found in the local woodlands.

Sembayu Villa | Pantai Hill, Lot 3164, Kolam Air Pantai, Kampung Baru Pantai, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan | +6012-640 1768 or sembayuvilla@gmail.com

See more: Timeless luxury: Exploring Hôtel des Horlogers in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux

The Dusun

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Photo 1 of 2 The Dusun
Photo 2 of 2 The Emas House at The Dusun

Once a lonely rubber estate with no water source or electricity, The Dusun stands today as the labour of love of a couple who purchased this small hillside durian orchard in the 80s. Just over an hour away from Kuala Lumpur, this eco-friendly destination in the foothills of the Titiwangsa Main Range and Berembun Forest Reserve offers seven unique eco-bungalows, some that are wooden houses on stilts and others more modern with lofts and glass windows that proudly overlook the surrounding greenery.

Take note, travellers with furry friends—four of these houses are pet-friendly. We’d also like to add that the durians from the orchard are free for guests who are encouraged to pick and eat the fruits on the grounds.   

The Dusun | 3437, Jalan Kampung Baharu Pantai, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan | +6012-616 2585 or hello@thedusun.com.my

See also: 7 Airbnb stays in Malaysia for durian lovers

Berembun Rainforest Lodge

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Photo 1 of 3 Photo: Berembun Rainforest Lodge
Photo 2 of 3 Photo: Berembun Rainforest Lodge
Photo 3 of 3 Photo: Berembun Rainforest Lodge

Fulfil your childhood dreams of living in a farmhouse-like abode for a day or two and treat yourself to spectacular rainforest views at Berembun Rainforest Lodge. The lodge blends modern amenities with its atmosphere's natural, untouched beauty, treating guests to a peaceful and immersive rainforest experience. Its two modern style villas are connected by a shared living space, offering sweeping forest views and luxuriously appointed rooms.

Guests can relax by the pool or enjoy a soothing soak in the bathtub to the sound of birds chirping outside. Be sure to bundle up under the covers at night, as the weather cools considerably once the sun goes down.

Berembun Rainforest Lodge | Lot 73, Kolam Air Pantai Hill, Kampung Baru Pantai, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan | +6019-706 3347 or reservation@berembun.com       

Kairos Villa

You may be out in the blissful seclusion of nature in your stay at Kairos Villa, but it doesn’t deprive you of the finer things in life—be it a rustic art gallery, orchards brimming with petai, mangosteen and durian trees, or a peaceful site for bird-watching with over 75 species of birds. The resort’s private rooms promote an atmosphere of relaxation and restfulness, with the most spacious quarters on the ground floor linked to a separate garden entrance. The first and second floors each house three charming rooms, perfect for two to four guests.

Kairos Villa was initially built to be a bird sanctuary. It was later revamped into a nature retreat for guests who come to appreciate the beauty of its serene location 300 metres above sea level.

Kairos Villa | 3133, Jalan Pantai, Batu 9, Pantai, Negeri Sembilan | +6019-3166 988

Don't miss: 10 terrace houses in Malaysia with amazing renovations

The Shorea

Designed with locally sourced materials, The Shorea is a tropical haven that’s both luxurious and harmonious with nature. Nestled within the lush embrace of the Berembun Forest Reserve, this boutique eco-resort boasts eight villas comprising 15 rooms, accommodating up to 40 adults. It offers two distinct wings—The Shorea Estate and The Shorea Resort. The modern Shorea Estate boasts air-conditioned duplex villas with individual pools, while the rustic Shorea Resort features naturally ventilated wooden villas with forest views.

The Shorea Seremban | Kampung Kolam Air, Mukim Pantai, Jalan Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan | +6017-300 5810 or theshorea@yahoo.com

The Langit Rimba Eco Reserve

Situated on a high bluff in the mountains overlooking a forest reserve that's millions of years old, Langit Rimba delivers on its promise as a place where guests can “stare endlessly at sky-dominated forests”, as hinted by its name. The retreat’s accommodation consists of three beautifully designed units. The Hornbill Terrace boasts two bedrooms with washrooms, a spacious kitchen, and a dining-cum-living area that extends to an open air deck overlooking the valley and forest reserve. The second largest family room at Langit Rimba is the Kesidang, a two-room space accessible via a staircase covered in Bunga Kesidang or bread flower.

The Sunrise family room here owes its name to the sunrise views over the eastern valley that it overlooks. It has its own barbecue shed and private garden area with swinging hammocks and plenty of space to enjoy a meal out in the open fresh air.

The Langit Rimba Eco Reserve | Lot 27/3159, Kampung Kolam Air, Mukim Pantai, Jalan Jelebu, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan | +6019-911 3057 or my.langitrimba@gmail.com

De Serenity

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De Serenity
Above Photo: De Serenity

Guests who turn up at De Serenity to escape the urban hustle will be satisfied by the allure of this secluded jungle haven. Designed by the owner as a sanctuary for families and friends on group getaways or even spiritual retreats, De Serenity offers unparalleled privacy and comfort. Nestled amidst the Berembun Hills, every corner boasts a spectacular view, ensuring a peaceful and rejuvenating escape for the weekend.

Accommodation here consists of three villas and two family houses, shared by a wading pool for kids and an adults’ swimming pool with an option to host poolside barbecue parties that overlook the hills.

De Serenity | Kampung Pantai, Jalan Jelebu, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan | +6012 660 9525 

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