Japamala Resort

Great location, excellent staff, brilliant food. We had a Seaview sarang, it was spacious and cleaned daily to a high standard. The prices for food and beverages was very reasonable for a resort of this quality. Beach was long, sandy and clean of rubbish. Free use of snorkeling equipment, shuttle transfer from the main ferry terminal to the hotel only took 10 minutes

Japamala Resort is a wonderful place to stay and we cannot recommend it highly enough. What makes it particularly special are the team here who do everything they can to make you feel at home and totally relaxed. Our special thanks go to Shuvo for always being so friendly and taking such excellent care of us at breakfast time and at afternoon tea. We really enjoyed talking with you every day and it started our day on a lovely, warm note. A big thank you too to Ricky for your great service and smiles at dinner and sundowners. Thank you also to Ryan and John for looking after us so well and for the wonderful welcome by the whole team when we arrived. Everyone at Japamala is really excellent and we cannot praise them enough. Thank you too to the housekeeping team for making our beautiful room so clean and for all the special touches such as the lemongrass scent, candles and welcome notes left by the housekeeping service. It is these very personal gestures that make a stay at Japamala so memorable. We had one of the treetop rooms and it was such a great position looking out into the trees and seeing all of the wildlife. We must also commend the food which was beautifully prepared, delicious and plentiful. We also very much appreciated our speedboat transfer from Genting! All in all, a fabulous place to stay which we are very sad to leave.

It’s an amazing place! We enjoyed our holidayso much, everything it was perfect, Resort, Room, service, food, the beach…. They offer delicious Cocktails at the Sunset. I hope to return soon!!! Thank you to all of you for the wonderful hospitality. Eva and Jil.

Our stay at Japamala Resort from 13th to 15th December 2024 was nothing short of magical. This boutique resort is a true hidden gem, epitomizing how a boutique stay should feel—intimate, charming, and deeply connected to its surroundings. Though it was the monsoon season, which is not the resort's peak time, we found it to have a unique allure. The rain lent a mystical atmosphere to the resort, making it feel as though we were transported back to a simpler time. Staying in a beautifully crafted traditional wooden house amidst the lush jungle and overlooking the sea felt like stepping into a serene village lost in time. What made our experience truly special was the impeccable service. A heartfelt thank you to Kenny, Zaim, Amir, Edwin, Mike, and every other member of the staff who went above and beyond to ensure our stay was unforgettable. Their warmth, attention to detail, and genuine care made us feel like part of a family. Even during our short stay, saying goodbye was surprisingly emotional. We also want to highlight the small moments—shared laughter at the Permata View Point, thoughtful gestures, and the unspoken understanding that our comfort was their priority. These touches are what set Japamala apart and make it a treasure to return to. Thank you everyone in Japamala for giving us such a deep connection to our stay. It’s rare to find a place that touches the heart this much. Until we meet again!

If you’re looking to fully enjoy a 100% relaxing holiday, Japamala should be your top choice. No matter what issues arise, their staff is always there to help and make everything right. Despite a rather unfortunate holiday on my part, the team at Japamala went above and beyond to make up for any setbacks. Their service is simply unmatched! Beyond the incredible service, both the surroundings and the food provided an amazing sense of comfort and relaxation. The atmosphere here is truly rustic and natural. At night, you can hear the sounds of nature—monkeys climbing over your bungalow, leaves rustling in the breeze. Rainy days are usually a letdown at other resorts, but not here. Rainy days are actually the best! The rain brings relief from the tropical heat, and you get to enjoy the symphony of raindrops in the forest. Everything is crafted from wood, so walking around, you can hear the lovely creak of the boards beneath your feet. Staying here lets you experience both tropical rainforest and island vibes at once. The food is a must-try. If you’re at Japamala, you have to dine at their main restaurant. The Malaysian dishes here are divine, and every meal was a win for me—no misses! Breakfasts are also incredibly hearty, and I could barely finish half of it. What’s more, unlike other island resorts, the food here is reasonably priced, without those high island markups. My day here was perfectly balanced between relaxation and enjoyment, with Japamala organizing a series of delightful food offerings. After a delicious breakfast, I was often too full for lunch, but there’s afternoon tea right on the beach to hold you over. The afternoon tea experience was amazing, giving me a chance to take in the beauty of the beach. And just a few hours after tea, it’s time for sunset cocktails. Watching the sun set while sipping cocktails was a highlight. I initially thought sunset cocktails were a bit strange, but it turned out to be one of the best parts. The view was so stunning—I’m honestly at a loss for words. Japamala really knows how to showcase their scenery. Now, let me talk about their service. I unfortunately sprained my ankle on the stairs and couldn’t walk. Not only did they deliver meals to my room, but they also took me to the doctor and covered the medical expenses. From then on, all the staff showed genuine care and attentiveness. Wherever I went, they offered help in ways I hadn’t even considered. Once I could move around a bit, they helped me in the restaurant by propping my leg up with a chair. Since my partner had to support me while walking, the staff even took our bags to the room for us. They even provided a towel cushion for my seat when it was too hard and offered a wooden stick to use as a cane. Every staff member spontaneously offered these thoughtful gestures without me asking. It was incredibly touching. I visited Japamala to celebrate my birthday, and the staff went above and beyond to make it special. They surprised me with a birthday cake and even arranged a beautiful “Happy Birthday” display on the bed. This thoughtful gesture added so much to my stay and made me feel truly valued as a guest. The only downside is the journey to get there. It’s quite a hassle to reach this paradise. If you’re coming from overseas, you first need to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or Johor Bahru, then take a car to the pier, board a ferry to Tioman Island, and finally, the hotel sends a speedboat to pick you up. However, I think the hotel has streamlined this a bit; the hotel can pick you up directly from one of the Malaysian port. Although the journey is a bit rough, the sense of tranquility and relaxation upon arrival makes it all worthwhile. In fact, the effort it takes to get here is part of the reason why the island’s beauty remains so pristine.