Janda Baik Sailor's Rest (セーラーズ レスト) [Hotel in Malaysia]

Stay in a fruit orchard amidst Malaysia’s stunning nature!! A cool retreat lined with small-scale boutique resorts.

Hi there! I’m Aya, a Japanese wife in Malaysia who has been devouring durians non-stop now that durian season is in full swing. (Though the season is coming to an end soon.) In Malaysia’s eternal summer, the high temperature hovers around 31–33°C, while the low stays at about 22–23°C. Thanks to its proximity to the equator, the climate is tropical rainforest, meaning the temperature remains fairly consistent month after month. If you ask Malaysians, “What’s the weather like in Malaysia?” they will all unanimously reply, “Hot, hot, and hot!” Naturally, people here often crave a “cool place.” While the famous casino resort of Genting Highlands is the go-to hill station near the capital, Kuala Lumpur, there’s another spot gaining huge popularity just before you reach Genting: Janda Baik village. It’s cool and enjoys a climate reminiscent of Karuizawa. For travelers visiting Malaysia or expats living here, a staycation just a short drive from the city center is a fantastic idea. Today, I’d like to introduce Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort, located in Janda Baik.

Sailor’s Rest Resort (セーラーズ レスト) serves authentic Malay home cooking. It’s incredibly delicious! I’ll be honest—I’m not a fan of city-style Malay food because I find it too spicy and oily. But the rural Malay cuisine here is mild, light, and packed with fresh vegetables. It was absolutely wonderful.

Breakfast: Curry, Roti Canai (a type of naan), fried rice, sandwiches, fried eggs, and more

Dinner: Fish dishes, karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken), curry, grilled lamb, vegetable soup, tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette), stir-fried vegetables, and more

(Note: The menu may be subject to change.)

We were also joined for breakfast by the owner of Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort. Mr. Hashim, who is of Malay descent, used to serve in the Marine Corps, which inspired him to name his boutique hotel Sailor’s Rest Resort. Moreover, he owned the land and lived in a house on the property.

Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort has been in operation for about 20 years. Today, Janda Baik is lined with small boutique resorts and standalone villas available for rent via Airbnb, giving the area a more commercial feel. However, Sailor’s Rest has been here since the early days. Mr. Hashim renovated the land and villas he owns, creating several guest rooms, camping spaces, a dining area, a pond, and other amenities on the property, transforming the entire site into a park-like fruit orchard. Guided by the belief that humans are the visitors here, while insects, animals, and plants are the original residents, the resort is managed with a deep respect for nature.

Mr. Hashim prefers to invest most of his funds into maintaining his one-hectare garden and fruit orchard, rather than spending it on interior renovations for the rooms. He even closes the property for a month during the fasting period to focus on plant maintenance, driven by his desire for guests to experience the beauty of nature.

So, what kind of activities can you enjoy? Let’s start with “fishing”! While many Japanese people take up fishing as a hobby, this was my very first time trying it. As expected, my dad and mom are much better at fishing than I am! The dining hall at Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort is located right next to this pond, so you can enjoy some fishing before dinner. And here’s the best part: if you catch any fish, you can hand them over to the kitchen staff, and they’ll prepare them as part of your dinner. That’s right! They’ll cook them for you! What kind of dishes do you think they’ll make? (Unfortunately, you can’t specify the cooking method…)

I’m so clumsy that I can’t do it without my dad’s help… They lend out fishing rods and bait (bread slices) for free. However, since the number of available rods is limited, they might not be able to lend one if it’s crowded.

Wow! Got it! That was a great catch! The dining hall is right behind me, so this is where we’ll be having dinner. They said they’ll cook the fish I caught for me. Most of the fish in the pond are small, but occasionally you can catch a big one. Fishing was surprisingly fun!

Next up, it’s “fruit picking”! Yeah, happy vibes! There are passion fruits and mulberries (桑の実, Mulberry) everywhere! While passion fruit is a familiar favorite, mulberries are delightfully light and sweet, with a mild acidity that makes them super easy and enjoyable to eat! And at this farm, you can eat as much as you want!

There are several mangosteen trees, and you can pick as many as you like! At Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort, not only can you enjoy unlimited small fish fishing, but you can also pick fruit freely! There’s no extra charge for this, and you’re even allowed to take your picks home! Just make sure to bring a bag. I’m already completely satisfied!

He even climbed the coconut tree on the spot to fetch one for us! So fresh, so fresh! While we usually wash down the heat with beer back in Japan, in Malaysia, it’s all about quenching your thirst with fresh coconut water! He brought one for everyone in the family. Once again, everyone was thoroughly satisfied!

In Japan, it’s rare to find the chance to enjoy coconut water from a whole coconut, so while you’re in Malaysia, be sure to drink your fill! They also cultivate a variety of herbs in addition to fruits.

Next up is a jungle trek—hiking enthusiasts will absolutely love this! Right next to Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort, you’ll find a river and mountains, so you can either enjoy water activities or explore the lush forest. Families with kids can let the little ones play and splash along the riverbank, while the jungle trek is a great adventure for all. If you’re traveling with children, just let the caretaker, Mr. Rahim, know in advance, and he’ll guide you through the forest at a scheduled time. Cross this bridge, and you’re stepping into the heart of Malaysia’s rainforest.

Cut this tree, and water will flow out from within. It’s essential survival knowledge for making it through in the forest! Mr. Rahim will show us. Now, what do you think will come next?

This is a plant that looks like ginger.

So, what is this? Mr. Rahim showed us two types of leaves: a regular one (left) and a special one (right), and crumpled both of them. The regular leaf became completely crushed and even tore. However, the special leaf, while crumpled, did not tear. This special leaf is Tongkat Ali!!! Even the leaves of Tongkat Ali are so powerful that they don’t tear even when crumpled by hand. Amazing!!! It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a leaf that doesn’t tear. Known as the “Malaysian ginseng,” Mr. Rahim says eating it boosts your energy. It’s also gaining attention for its ability to promote male hormone production. While the roots are commonly boiled and drunk, it turns out that steeping the leaves in hot water is also effective. Additionally, he demonstrated various other things, such as making sounds using bamboo shoots, giant bamboo, and honeycombs, and imitating the calls of baby animals to attract adult animals.

Breakfast looked like this—packed with nutrients and delicious. As expected, rural Malay cuisine is light and easy to eat. It’s not greasy, with a gentle, comforting flavor.

Breakfast before checkout. What an incredible amount of food… The sound of birds chirping, the fresh countryside air. Ah, I don’t want to leave…

This is the room where we stayed.

The room is a bit old, but you can enjoy the unique experience of staying in a fruit orchard surrounded by nature, and at night, you’ll hear the symphony of frogs croaking (depending on the day).

The TV reception wasn’t great, and there’s no Wi-Fi. Embrace the escape from city life and enjoy a truly unique experience.

Must-Know Money-Saving Ayat Tips

・There is a spacious parking lot at the entrance, so you can stay with your car for free!

• To enter Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort, you’ll need to cross a slightly narrow iron bridge. Large vehicles cannot pass through, so please let us know in advance, and we’ll check if your vehicle can make it. Standard passenger cars are fine.

Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort: Key Selling Points

“Stay at a fruit orchard nestled in nature” + “Enjoy unlimited fruit picking right on the property” + “Delicious, authentic rural Malay cuisine”

A quick look at our cozy room

(1) Modern Chalet. Sleeps up to 3 guests. Features one king bed or two single beds. Please note that WiFi is not available. (One guest will require an extra bed.)

Janda Baik Sailor’s Rest Resort Address

Lorong Dato’ Panglima, Kuala Lurah, Kampung Janda Baik, 28750

＜Breakfast＞

＜Dinner＞

＜Surroundings＞

＜Fishing＞

＜Fruit Picking＞

＜Jungle Trekking＞