The Kasturi, Cherating Pool Villas

The Kasturi

Monica Tindall

Only a three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, a little piece of paradise awaits city-dwellers inviting an escape from the urban jungle to a peaceful seaside retreat. The Kasturi in Cherating is nestled between the rainforest and the sea on 15 hectares of private land. Fronted by an 800-metre stretch of beach and bordered by lush jungle, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived at the promised land.

The Kasturi Cherating

“Luxury embraced by nature” is The Kasturi’s motto, but we find it hard to draw a line between where nature stops and luxury begins. After all, with around only 30% of our wilderness left, isn’t nature itself the ultimate luxury? We think so and take great pleasure in the property’s grounds.

Not blocked by an urban landscape of skyscrapers, exercising our vision feels like a highly gratifying yoga stretch for our eyes. Deep, slow breaths, an unhurried pace and the opportunity to inhale pristine air thanks to the encompassing ocean and trees are at the top of our gratitude list.

Our weekend in a private pool beach villa at The Kasturi in Cherating is filled with coastal walks, rainforest strolls, dips in the sea and the pool, a night cruise spotting fireflies, as well as lots of lounging, reading and writing. We couldn’t be happier. 

3-Day 2-Night Dreamy Couple’s Retreat

We wanted to leave decision-making in Kuala Lumpur with the rest of our stresses, so we are thankful for the 3-Day 2-Night Dreamy Couple’s Retreat package. The package includes two nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, two dinners, a light afternoon snack, a massage for two and a cruise to see the fireflies. When it’s turtle hatching season, guests can also choose to participate in the release of the hatchlings. With just about everything we could need included, our minds are free to truly relax.

Beachfront Pool Villa – The Kasturi

We couldn’t ask for more peaceful or desirable digs than our beachfront pool villa at The Kasturi. The star of the show (besides the views) is the infinity pool that drops down to the jungle, beach and ocean. As the villa is safely set back from the shore, the ocean is seen through trees and greenery. This provides exclusivity and privacy. 

The deck holds two sun recliners and a dining table and chairs. With breakfast delivered to our room, we happily start our day sipping on coffee by the pool. The recliners transform into reading and napping chairs as the sun shifts, and the patio becomes shaded.

The glass-walled living area opens up to the deck. Ceiling fans are enough at certain times of the day, and we welcome the opportunity to take in the fresh air. At night, though, individually controlled air-conditioning units in the bedroom and living room enable us to close the doors and stay protected from insects.

The accommodation is split-level with the lounge downstairs and the bedroom and bathroom upstairs. Plenty of wardrobe space holds a mini-bar, safe and room for storing luggage and hanging clothes. The bathroom is also spacious with double sinks, both indoor and outdoor showers, and a huge tub. 

Many natural materials such as stone and upcycled timber are used in the design, integrating the villa seamlessly into its surroundings. We could pack an esky, order room service, not leave this space for the entire weekend and be perfectly fulfilled.

Main Building

We do get out and about though, not wanting to miss anything. The main building holds a restaurant, lounge, gym, meeting room, spa and communal pool. Additionally, there are six suites here. They’re not as costly as the villas and don’t have their own private pool, but they offer unobstructed sea views all the same. The main building is a pleasant five-minute walk from our room on an elevated walkway through the forest. Buggies are available but we love soaking in the jungle air. Even in the heat of the day, the temperature here is pleasant, thanks to the dense foliage. 

Meals at The Kasturi

The 3-Day 2-Night Dreamy Couple’s Retreat includes breakfast, which can be delivered to the room or taken in the restaurant. It’s a small old-school menu of eggs, sliced bread, nasi lemak and noodles. Yoghurt and some commercial cereals are also available. With a late breakfast, early dinner and some fruit in between, we don’t really need lunch, so the two dinners included in the package are enough to get us through.

Our first night launches the weekend with a romantic candlelit dinner. Tables in the sand, white linen, warm lanterns and the sound of the sea set the stage. We have a choice of two menus, and each offers three different mains to pick from. Our line-up consists of Prawn Kantan Ragout, Pumpkin Lemongrass Soup, Grilled Ribeye Steak, Pan-seared Ocean Bass and Banana Bread Tiramisu. To be honest, it’s not high-end gourmet, but it satisfies our hunger, the service is warm, and we finish with a nightcap in our private pool. It’s a near-perfect evening.

The second night is more of a do-it-yourself adventure with a steamboat dinner. Two types of broth, chicken and tom yum, are the vessels for cooking chicken, beef, seafood, veggies and noodles. This is an enjoyable meal, fun to prepare and tasty.

Activities

In all earnest, living the harried lives we do, we’re not really looking for a lot of activity on a weekend getaway. If we have opportunities for exercise, time in nature and a dip in the pool or sea, we’re quite content. Unless, however, there is a chance for a spa treatment – that’s always a bonus!

The 3-Day 2-Night Dreamy Couple’s Retreat just happens to include a 60-minute massage for two people! The spa is on the first floor of the main building, an attractive and relaxing space. Izad and Azie, our therapists, have strong hands and confident techniques. The massage oil is of high quality with several aromas to choose from, and the booking begins with a refreshing lime cooler and ends with warm ginger tea. 

Additionally, guests taking the 3-Day 2-Night Dreamy Couple’s Retreat can choose from a cruise along a local river to spot fireflies or a visit to the turtle hatchery. It’s not yet the season for turtles, so we head out on the fireflies excursion instead. It’s a beautiful clear night and the journey down the river in the cool evening air is a treat in itself. We learn about the luminescent insects and marvel at how our guide, Hafiz, “calls” them toward our boat. If you’re a nature lover, this is really an interesting experience.

3-Day 2-Night Dreamy Couple’s Retreat – The Details

The 3-Day 2-Night Dreamy Couple’s Retreat at The Kasturi, Cherating, is priced at RM 3138 for two people. It includes two nights’ accommodation in a Beach Front Villa with breakfast in bed (or in the restaurant); afternoon tea with local kuih at Kenyang Restaurant (or delivered to the room); pre-dinner cocktails for two with canapés at KetumBar Lounge; a candlelight dinner by the beach (subject to weather conditions); a seafood steamboat dinner; a 60-minutes traditional body massage for two; welcome drinks upon check-in; flower and chocolate bouquet; room decorations (towel swans and rose petals); fruit basket; chocolate pralines; soap gift set; mini-bar (excluding alcohol); and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Reasons to stay at The Kasturi: beautiful location and stunning private pool villas with views to the sea; a private and serene experience surrounded by nature – the sea on one side and the jungle on the other; a good deal in the 3-Day 2-Night Dreamy Couple’s Retreat; quick escape from Kuala Lumpur (3 hours mostly on a quality highway).

The Kasturi Resort
KM 32.5, Jalan Kuantan/Kemaman
26080 Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia
the-kasturi.com
+609-582 5000
[email protected]

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