Just 40 minutes drive north of Kuala Lumpur, 10 km off the East-West Karak Highway and in the midst of rolling hills lies Bukit Tinggi Resort, a massive but carefully planned highland resort filled with fun and excitement for the whole family.

Covering an area of 16,000 acres and located 4,500 feet above sea level, Bukit Tinggi Resort is one of the Malaysia’s premier leisure and vacation destinations. It captures the essence of the different cultures of the world in a single unique destination. Here, your sense will be invigorated by the cool, pure mountain air while taking in the sights and sounds of attractions such as the scenic 18-hole championship golf course, Colmar Tropicale, Japanese Village and the Botanical Garden, not forgetting the abundance of natural greenery.

There is no lack of places to stay while at Bukit Tinggi Resort. There are 33 suites at the Bukit Tinggi Golf & Country Club, 204 units of one- to three-room apartments at the Meranti Park Suites, 2 units of Tatami Suites and 260 units of hotel rooms and one- to six-bedroom suites of Colmar Tropicale, all located within minutes of each other. Shuttle services are provided for guests’ convenience.

Eco-tourism activities such as picnicking, jungle trekking and night walks can be organized for the nature lovers.

Completed in 1997, Bukit Tinggi Golf & Country Club comprises the challenging 18-hole championship golf course, 33 luxuriously furnished suite rooms, 5 function rooms and a Sport Complex.

Business groups will undoubtedly find the club a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of the city. With capacities ranging from 10 to 200 pax, the club’s function room is fully complemented with audio visual equipment be if for a seminar, board meeting or a party.

There is a wide range of sports and recreational facilities in the sport complex such as 12-lane bowling alley, snooker room, badminton courts, squash court, table tennis court, gymnasium and bicycles for rent. The outdoor archery range, floodlit tennis courts and swimming pools are located within the vicinity.

Located 3,500 feet above sea level, the Japanese village is the first to be found outside the Land of the Rising Sun. The Japanese village comprises the Japanese Tea House, Sakura and Ume Tatami Suites (with three tatami-style and one western-style rooms in each suite), a souvenir Shop and the Botanical Garden. Authentic tea ceremony conducted by kimono-clad ladies can be performed for a fee for guests and visitors.

When visiting the Japanese Village, a picturesque Japanese footpath will lead you through a beautiful garden to a waterfall, over a bridge spanning a koi pond and up to the Japanese Tea House. Every detail you see captures the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship.

The Tatami SPA with its serene zen surroundings is the first of its kind in Malaysia. It embodies the essence of furo (spa bathing) to restore the spirit was well as the body.

The Botanical Garden is sited on 4 acres of natural forestland. A 1-kilometer walkway path weaves in and around the garden with two viewing decks for all to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. The experimental hut should not be missed as efforts are being made to cultivate pears, apples and seven different species of strawberries, to name a few.

There are 204 units of one- to three-bedroom apartment style suites, all of which either overlook the scenic golf course or the panoramic mountain range. All suites are fully furnished and amenities are provided for guests‘ comfort.

Like a picture postcard come alive at your doorstep, the aptly named Colmar Tropicale, is a French-themed Resort. It is situated 2,600 feet above sea level in a virgin tropical rain forest in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang. It is a replica of a collection of buildings from a north-eastern village in France dating back to the 16th Century.

Colmar Tropicale consists of eight blocks of architectural wonder, each with its unique style, from its colourful roof tiles to cobblestone ground. These blocks house 260 units of hotel rooms and one- to six-bedroom suites. The accommodation is an artful combination of old styles decor in warm pastel colours matched with modern amenities designed for maximum comfort.

The cool temperature climate makes the cobblestone central courtyard (know as Colmas Square) the ideal venue for outdoor dining while street artists juggle, ride on unicycle, walk on stilts, sculpting ballons or playing enchanting melodies in the background. Recreational activities like Petangue, a popular French game, children’s playroom and others are available.

There are eight choices of food and beverage outlets all around Colmar Square serving various specialities such as:

• La Cigogne Restaurant for haute French cuisine.
• La Cafe Coffee House is available all day for your meals.
• La Blason Lounge for exotic cocktail and assorted beverages.
• Le Glacier Ice Cream Corner for mouth-watering ice cream.
• La Terrace for sandwiches, burgers and delicious pastries, and
• La Flamme Sidewalk Deli for authentic Alsacienne speciality, the “Tarte Flambee” pizza.
• Les-Bains-Douches Poolside for cool refreshments and snacks.
• Le Poulet Roti Roast Chicken for a real heavy meal.

There are fountains and park benches in the square for relaxation after a hard day's work browsing through the 17 theme shops, or should one wish to take a breather from participating in the various activities. The drawbridge reminiscent of ancient castles, clock tower with an original cuckoo bird clock, and the viewing tower complements the ambience.