The Chateau Spa and Organic Wellness Resort is nestled within the lush hillside resort of Berjaya Hills, in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang. It is an idyllic haven for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, with its expansive views of the surrounding rainforest and beyond. The resort is enchanting, romantic and intimate.

I went to experience my luxurious 2-day 1-night stay at The Chateau on a weekday. I have to say that from the time I was picked up and upon my arrival at the resort; to my entire stay until I said goodbye — I felt stress-free, relaxed and absolutely pampered. And here are the 10 reasons why.

1. A Heritage French Castle

A bird’s eye view of the pretty chateau in the middle of the hills.

It looks exactly like a pretty pink French castle.

Dancing my way to the romantic glasshouse.

Ever dreamed of feeling like royalty, walking through a castle that is entirely your own? Well, at The Chateau, you can. Walking around the lavish resort, I felt like I was transported into a real life fairy tale land. Inspired by a heritage French castle — the resort comes complete with turrets and spires, jagged walls, pink bricks, stone arches and winding staircases.

And there’s also the newly constructed Glasshouse, aptly named La Serre (greenhouse in French) — which is the epitome of a fairy tale for that intimate and glamorous event… ehem, or more romantic still, wedding. Cause then, you’ll really feel like a princess. Or prince.

2. Organic Dining Choices

Enjoying my delicious buffet breakfast spread at the Belle Vue.

The La Vie all-day-dining restaurant serves both organic and non-organic meals.

The gorgeous L’assiette fine dining restaurant and its pretty chandeliers.

The Chateau is the first organic spa destination that introduces a journey towards health and well being. I loved that I had the choice of selecting organic meals that uses fresh and pure ingredients. I had my lunch and dinner at the all day dining restaurant La Vie, which is situated just next to the swimming pool. The menu is a choice of a specially curated international menu — so I could have hummus starters and lamb shank as mains for lunch; and then rice paper rolls as starters and local beef noodles for dinner. Delish!

My buffet breakfast in the morning was served at Belle Vue Tea Room — and I had it in the loveliest setting amidst blooming bougainvilleas on the balcony. There’s also the L’assiette Fine Dining restaurant for degustation menus, and the Le Rouge Bar and Salon Cigar Lounge for evening drinks.

3. Being With Nature

The Chateau is surrounded by greenery and rainforests.

View of the hills in the distance.

Enjoying my time in the midst of nature!

I was walking to dinner at night, when I heard the loud constant cricking of insects. It was a sound I have never heard of before — a shrill scream that just went on and on and on. And then I found out it was the mating call of cicadas. It was the sound of jungle. The music of the night. And it reminded me that I was in the middle of the forest, and gave me a kind of calm that I don’t get at home in the city.

I also loved waking up to the view lush greenery as far as the eye can see — from the window of my room to the balconies and open-aired walkways of the resort. And the weather! As The Chateau is located in the hills, it was definitely a little escape from the sweltering heat everywhere else in the country (or region)!

4. The La Sante Spa

The reception area of the La Sante Spa.

Care to jump into this warm bubbly jacuzzi?

Located on the same floor of the spa is the fully equipped gym.

I had the most wonderful spa treatment session at The Chateau’s La Sante Spa. Upon arrival at the spacious spa lounge, I was given an introduction and tour of everything offered at the spa — customised fitness and yoga programs, steam and sauna rooms, a fully equipped gym, the relaxing outdoor jacuzzi, various spa treatment rooms, and of course, a display of all the European organic products used in its spa treatments.

There are programs with specialists to give you a complete journey of rejuvenation and relaxation — but for my visit, I was blissfully contented with my 75-minutes La Sante Signature Massage, a combination of the Swedish and Shiatsu massage. I felt all my stress and tension fade away as the masseuse worked her way through all my stiff muscles and knots. Then I dozed off.

5. The Luxurious Rooms

The living area of my luxurious suite at The Chateau.

Loving my comfy bed with its regal bedhead and the velvety bed runner!

Found a spot where I could just chill with a view.

I was so thrilled to see my 1-bedroom Suite — complete with a carpeted living room with a plush sofa, velvet cushions and television, a guest powder room, a luxurious bathroom with a tub and separate shower; and of course, the grand bedroom with another television and the most comfortable bed (and gigantic pillows too)! My suite had lovely views of the surrounding greenery from its full-length windows, and I could almost make out the many little hills in the distance too.

The other room types — the deluxe rooms, the premier rooms, the suites that come with jacuzzis and 2-3 bedrooms; all come in the same traditional yet sophisticated European designs.

6. The Salt Water Pool

Dancing along the pool pathway.

The pool at The Chateau is a salt water pool… in the middle of the hills.

And then I felt as if I could walk on water.

One of the places I need to visit when I stay at a hotel/resort is the pool! And The Chateau‘s pool is a lovely place to spend the entire day…. it is right next to the La Vie all-day dining restaurant so you never have to let the pool out of your sight, and it’s surrounded by little gazebos to keep you out of the merciless sun should it get too scorching. There’s also a little flooded pathway between the two pools that make such pretty pictures!

Best of all, in line with the resort’s health and wellness focus — the pool is a salt water pool. And that means non-chlorinated; and some of the benefits of salt water is that it’s good for the skin, has anti-stress properties, and is said to be better on the joints.

7. Visiting a French Village

Colmar Tropical, the French village-inspired resort.

And then I’m transported to France for a little while.

A little run down at the sides, but this is still a quaint little place that brings back memories.

Just next to The Chateau is the French village-themed resort, Colmar Tropicale. Inspired by the actual 16th century town of Colmar in Alsace, France — crossing over the hanging bridge and walking through the entrance tower of the resort will transport you straight to that very same quaint village. Despite it being a resort (with rooms to stay in), visitors are allowed entry; and you can dine alfresco at the cafes and restaurants, climb up the viewing tower, play an arcade game or two, and buy little trinkets at the souvenir shops.

My first visit to Colmar Tropicale was more than 15 years ago — and other than looking more dated than it did back then, nothing much has changed. Oh, except for that Starbucks.

8. Wearing a Kimono in a Japanese Garden

Taking a walk in the Japanese Garden at the Berjaya Hills.

A garden with tiny waterfalls, coy fish, and pretty little Japanese huts.

Wearing a kimono in this Malaysian weather.

During my stay at The Chateau, I also made a visit to the Japanese Village — situated about 3,500m above sea level. It is divided into two parts, the Botanical Gardens on one side, and the Japanese Garden on the other. The Botanical Gardens make a good climb downhill and uphill with its exotic plants and rare Tiger Orchid (largest orchid in Malaysia), but what I really enjoyed was the Japanese Garden.

Malaysia’s Japanese Garden is apparently the location of the world’s first Japanese tea house set in a tropical rainforest. Aside from getting to admire the tea house, hop over the tiny waterfalls on mossy rocks, and feed the coy fish in the small ponds — I get to play dress up and walk around the garden in a kimono.

9. Other Fun Activities

Entrance to the Adventure Park for some adrenaline rush.

Some rock-climbing, a little canopy walk, and a whole lot of zip-lining!

I did it! I zip-lined all the way above the lush rainforest!

Oh, how I love my adrenaline pumping activities — and I got my doze of adventure at the Adventure Park. It’s home to the longest single line zip-line in Malaysia, and it runs high above the rainforests with a combined length of 1km. It was so fun walking over the canopy walk and climbing up the shaky ladders to get to the flying fox towers — and then just flying across the trees. I think my screams can be heard all throughout the hills.

There are so many other things to see and do all around Berjaya Hills — from horse trails and a rabbit park, to an organic farm where you can enjoy an outdoor picnic while being surrounded by nature. Sounds so romantic!

10. A Stone’s Throw Away from the Capital City

Being chauffeured all the way from Kuala Lumpur to The Chateau in a Mercedes Vito.

The imposing spires of The Chateau greeting me upon arrival.

A day in the luxury of a castle.

A staycation, a weekend getaway, or a family trip to The Chateau is a great vacation idea as the resort is situated within an hour’s drive from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. It provides a romantic setting for couples, wellness and health packages for the spa and health enthusiasts, facilities for premium corporate clients, fun times for families (children are welcomed) and friends; and of course, for anyone who just wants to relax and enjoy nature in a luxury setting.

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I had a great time at The Chateau — from getting chauffeured all the way from Kuala Lumpur (and back) in my own private car, to experiencing impeccable service and being referred to as ‘Madame Mynn’. It was wonderful waking up in the morning and feeling like I’m in a faraway place — cause isn’t that what vacations are all about?

The pastel colors of The Chateau makes the prettiest backgrounds.

Twirling around this fairy tale castle makes me feel like a princess.

The Chateau Spa and Organic Wellness Resort
Where: KM48, Persimpangan Bertingkat Lebuhraya Karak, 28750 Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia.
Visit: The Chateau

*She Walks the World was invited to stay at The Chateau as a guest. And as always, all opinions stated here are my own.