Balai Serama Guesthouse

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! -

Nice guesthome at the water, clean rooms, organized a nice Tour from the hotel to the jungle. Breakfast and diner are ok. Friendly. Beds too hard for our liking. No WiFi allthough displayed that there is. Overall a good stay

An absolute gem of a guesthouse. Superb location - peaceful with great views overlooking the river, surrounded by the jungle and a beautiful garden. The hosts were extremely friendly and nothing was too much trouble - just ask and the activities were organised! Do the day trip to Kuala Sat - away from most other tourists and a great experience) A free shuttle service to take you where you need ( the guesthouse is several km from Kuala Tahan but that just added to its charm). Spotless, comfortable rooms and good plentiful food ( even for a vegetarian 😁 If you are headed to Tamen Negara don’t miscount on this place ! SH

Visited Taman Negara for Chinese New Year 2022. This place is certainly the best in town. Our host was fantastic. The guesthouse is composed of 7 or 8 rooms, very clean and with comfortable bedding. The front garden is taken care of with lots of attention by the owner and the view on the river is unbeatable. Food is good, very well suited for all tastes, whether you are asian or westerner. Breakfast and diner served with a view on the river - just fantastic after a day in the heat, trekking or enjoying the river beauties. I strongly recommend this place even if you need to drive the 3km to Kuala Tahan to reach the Park entrance, it's a small price to pay and very much worth it.

Visited on 1st week of March 2022. My family (3pax) was the only visitor at Resort. Many cancelled as last week has flooding at Jerantut but not at this resort. My family had a wonderful time. We stayed 3nites 4days. Resort owner (Ijat) was super helpfull. Ijat helped organise actives for us. All was well planned not too tiring. My hubby ❤️ love the jungle serenity. Our stay comes with breakfast and dinner. Since only 3 of us - the variety was good and we were often full. Tasty dishes too. Room was clean. Had good view of garden

We were trapped in Kuala Tahan due to the massive floods in Dec 2021. We were desperately seeking shelter amidst the torrential downpour, and luck was on our side as we came across Balai Serama. To our surprise, this place is a hidden gem offering such beauty and tranquility. A gorgeous view of the beautiful garden and vibrant flowers greeted us as we stepped into this cozy guesthouse. The owner, Mr. Ijat, is a truly amazing gentleman. He has gone above and beyond to offer us comfort and safety during the floods, constantly updating us on the situation, sourcing for scarce food supplies, and even brought us on breathtaking mountain sightseeing and boat riding trips. Breakfast consists of a simple yet healthy and quality selection of toast, jam, eggs, cereal, and fruits. The papaya is so sweet and juicy, harvested from their own trees. Dinner spans a spread of delicious local cuisine, authentic and rich in flavor. The dining area is huge and extensive, overlooking a serene river view. A comfortable place to read and work. The double room is spacious, with a comfortable toilet and shower. The front balcony is perfect for chilling out, where you can relish an invigorating morning view of the garden, or the coolness and tranquility of the night. And I was greeted by superbly fluffy and friendly cats! All are well cared for, spayed, and some became my good fur-riends, meowing seductively for my belly rubs and accompanying me work. Balai Serama is strategically located 5 mins away from the Kuala Tahan jetty to cross over to Taman Negara, and only 3 mins drive to reach an area with mini markets and food stalls. Mr. Ijat has offered us nothing but the very best during our stay, and I cannot recommend this place enough. It is not just a typical hotel or guesthouse, but one filled with genuine care and personal touch from the honest, humble and talented owner. Our sincerest thank you to Mr. Ijat and Balai Serama!