발라이 세라마 게스트하우스

Lovely place to stay, right be the river. The couple running the guesthouse are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are a good size and comfortable. There is plenty of choice for dinner and some lovely fresh juices. They also organised a day trip into the jungle, with an easy trek, a boat ride, a picnic lunch and some tubing down the river. Great day.

If you visit Taman Negara, there are not that many options where it comes to hotels. So try something a bit different for a change and stay at the Balai Serama guesthouse. We did, and we had the utmost pleasant surprise. First off, you won’t find it. That is why the owners pick you up as soon as you arrive in the village of Kuala Tahan. Be that by boat or by bus. For free, that is. Just call them, or ask a local. Where do you find it these days… The guesthouse consists of a sort of main building where the dining room is. The rooms are situated in a building next to that. In the middle you’ll find a beautiful garden. Ijat, the male owner, takes pride in maintaining it and that shows. In front of the premises, there is the river and jungle. Sometimes elephants pass by. You’ll hear lots of birds singing and the occasional monkey. You will also meet Marja, Ijat’s wife. She is from Holland and she will help you with everything you might possibly need. Be it a car transfer to the jetty, or to go out on an excursion. No trouble at all. The rooms are clean, with a separate bathroom, and a good working airconditioning. It is not that spacious, but large enough for a few days. Out front, there is a terrace with chairs and a small table. The beds sleep well enough for most people. Should you want to enjoy a drink, you can just approach Ijat or Marja. They have a selection of soda’s and beer (no wine) which is then charged to your room and you just pay when you leave. If you want, you can book some excursions through the guesthouse. Especially the whole day jungle tour is highly recommended. It is hard to get an experience like it anytime soon. The whole place has a really laid back atmosphere. No rush. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room which is entirely open on all sides. The meals are simple, but tasty and you’ll find that is is good and enough to get to to the next day. I wrote this in English as there are quite a few reviews in Dutch already. Apart from the Dutch guests, you will also find other nationalities so this will make it easier for you to read. I can recommend this place highly. We certainly had a great time and after the crowds and noise of Kuala Lumpur, it turned out to be a gem of tranquility. If this review was helpfull to you, pleas give a “usefull vote” so I know I was of help to you. Enjoy your stay! -