The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands — Hotel in Pahang

Our recent stay at the Lakehouse Hotel in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, was nothing short of spectacular. Nestled about 150 miles north of Kuala Lumpur at an elevation of around 3000 meters, the hotel offers a serene and cooler retreat from the bustling city.||||We had initially considered another charming hotel, but after delving into more reviews, we were drawn to the Lakehouse. Having now experienced both, we can wholeheartedly say that the Lakehouse is the pinnacle of luxury and comfort in the area.||||With around 20 rooms, including the delightful deluxe rooms styled in a classic English country theme, our stay was exceptional. The room was equipped with a stunningly comfortable queen-size bed with exquisite bedding that made every night's sleep a dream. The bathroom featured a rejuvenating shower, a cozy bathtub, and a thoughtfully designed closet. The room also came with space-saving coffee-making facilities, a television, and luxurious bathrobes, elevating the experience to what felt like a five-star stay, despite the hotel's four-star rating.||||The Lakehouse is ideally located in one of the first towns you encounter when driving from KL to the Cameron Highlands, making it a perfect base for exploring this beautiful region. From the moment we stepped in, we were enchanted by the hotel's charm. The staff were not just friendly; they were incredibly warm and attentive, making us feel truly at home. The comfort level throughout our stay was unparalleled.||||We stayed for three glorious nights, and each morning we savored the hotel's breakfast, which was nothing short of a culinary delight. The selection, though modest, was of the highest quality, and the fruit juices were simply divine - fresh, flavorful, and a perfect start to the day. The absence of pork was no issue with the variety of beef and chicken sausages on offer, and for those who appreciate a good breakfast, the options were plentiful and satisfying.||||Lunch and dinner were equally impressive, with the hotel's menu offering a variety of dishes that changed frequently. Our steamboat dinner was a standout - an exquisite array of locally sourced produce like tomatoes, broccoli, potatoes, and lettuce, paired with imported meats such as succulent Norwegian salmon and tender Australian beef. Every meal was a celebration of flavors.||||The common areas were spacious and inviting, with numerous lounge areas boasting comfortable seating, stylish sofas, antiques, and an inviting open fireplace. It was the perfect setting to enjoy the hotel's stunning fruit juices, delectable cakes, or snacks throughout the day. The hotel's efforts to keep flies out were commendable, allowing us to fully enjoy our stay without any disturbances.||||The beautifully manicured gardens were a sight to behold, with a picturesque patio terrace where we enjoyed drinks while taking in the breathtaking views of the lake and countryside. The outdoor lounges were a perfect spot to relax and soak in the region's cooler climate. The convenience of free parking was also a thoughtful touch that added to our overall positive experience.||||Across from the hotel, a charming small market offered an array of local produce, vegetables, fruits, drinks, and popular flowers and cacti. We also took advantage of the short hike from the hotel, which allowed us to explore the stunning countryside around the Lakehouse.||||Our stay at the Lakehouse Hotel was truly unforgettable, and we cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone visiting the Cameron Highlands. For more insights and updates on this gem of a hotel, be sure to check out the Bonjour Asia...

I brought my wife here as a surprise for her birthday.

The place: The hotel was built in the 60s right after Malaysia achieved independence from the British. It was built by a British gentleman named Colonel Stanley J Foster. Therefore it retains a lot of the colonial heritage. There are a lot of antique wares from the colonial era for visitors to see. This would be very useful when showing the younger generation.

There are two structures: the main structure which houses the reception, restaurants and regular rooms. There is another structure on the hill called the Resident House which houses the suites and spa. You will need to make a short walk up the hill to the Resident House which also has a herb garden. One side faces a lake while another faces the forest. The lake is not owned by the hotel management and is almost completely covered with small plants. Regardless, it still makes for a good green view.

The gardens around the structures are amazing. The flowers are maintained well and the garden has comfy chairs and even swings. It is open to everyone to just sit and stare out in nature's beauty. My wife and I were fortunate to sit just outside the bar and enjoy our hot evening tea with scones while watching the cold evening rain - a sight we usually see on TV advertisements.

The staff: As any other place, the staff here are friendly and courteous. But what stood out is that my wife and I never once saw a member of the staff using the mobile phones, talking loudly or hurdled in a corner cracking jokes. This was a common site at most hotels we had been to despite being rated 5 stars or higher. During service, the staff have given us their undivided attention and maintained a pleasant attitude. During our three days and two nights stay, my wife and I never heard a single complaint from other guests. In fact, we did hear a hew compliments. One that stuck with me was a white lady who brought her two young children into the restaurant so that they could personally thank Thilaga (a member of staff) before they checked out that day. Both the kids who seemed to be no older than five, gladly thanked her for her service.

The experience: We stayed in the Foster Suite which was like stepping back in time into the colonial era. The bathroom was very spacious with it's own boilers in a separate room. The suite had a 4 poster bed and even a fireplace! This is an actual old style fireplace that uses firewood. If you need it to be lighted, a member of staff will come to your suite at around 9.30pm and light it for you. Playing some slow jazz music on the TV and sitting by the fireplace while sipping tea really set the mood for the holiday. Almost all objects in the suite were from the colonial era; the dialing phone, electrical switches, door locks, windows and furniture design. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but the older crowd would definitely appreciate stepping back in time to reminisce simpler times of life before the digital age.

I would like to thank the Guest Services manager, Mr Param.T, and his entire staff for the memorable stay at the Lakehouse. This was one of the best short getaways my wife and I spent where we just forgot the hustle and bustle of daily city life. Well done to the Cameron Highlands...

The Lakehouse has always been a special destination for us in that it's always represented a welcome retreat from the madness that is contemporary urban life with its cacophony of voices, perpetual noise and tight deadlines. It's like a time capsule, an enclave of 'Ole England' nestled in the Cameron HIghlands , ensconced in morning birdsong and misty mountains. ||||It was nice to return after a prolonged absence to find that while certain things had changed, the essence of the place still stayed the same. There is more reliable internet service now (vital for those who absolutely must stay in touch with the world), a redesigned main dining room whose soft colours and more upscale table settings point towards the boutique hotel's aspirations. Commensurate with the setting the food is memorable, with a menu that's more hit than miss, with two appetizers - the smoked salmon salad and French onion soup as particular standouts. Breakfast too, with a fairly extensive menu is hearty with wide choices. The service remains a high point, as virtually every member of the staff was invariably friendly, polite and helpful. ||||Not everything is perfect though: our room in the main building was generously-sized and well-equipped, but with little oversights like a chest of drawers missing a knob, and a beside reading light missing a bulb. Add to this, an afternoon tea what strove to be a combination of English and local styles that didn't quite gel (i.e too many sweet and not enough savoury dishes) plus an experience a bit compromised vey very aggressive flies (not the hotel's fault as any kind of meal in this geographical area runs the risk of these pesky insects interrupting one's repast) but perhaps zappers could be discreetly installed in certain areas, especially near common entrances so as to augment the mosquito screens. And finally, the nature trail is less a jungle walk than more of a low-grade mountaineering route replete with 45-degree inclines, overgrown roots and precipitous drops. Now this also not so much the hotel's issue as it does not seem to own the land behind the property but perhaps some cooperation between the management and local authorities could help to make the experience less of a battle and more of trek (i.e. clearing some underbrush, installing more safety ropes and generally making it more of a trail).||||Overall though, the place still has a lot of charm, and represents a unique offering. As a getaway far from the madding crowd, yet with the refinements and comfort of a bygone era while with one foot firmly in the present, the Lakehouse will continue to be a compelling...