Japamala Resort by Samadhi
Kampung Lanting, Tioman Island, Pulau Tioman 86800 Malaysia
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Room & Suite (328)
Pool & Beach (259)
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What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitised in high-temperature wash
- Face masks required for guests in public areas
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Hand sanitiser available to guests & staff
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
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Updated 07/10/20 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
Updated 07/10/20 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
#2 of 20 hotels in Pulau Tioman
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
JapaMala is Tioman Island’s only boutique resort, and one-of-a-kind in Malaysia. This small and exclusive resort of 13 rooms is hidden amidst 11 acres of lush tropical rainforest. A one-village-one-resort property, JapaMala has its own private and quiet beach. While some charming Malay village-style villas and chalets dot the jungle and beachfront, others nestle in the most breath-taking spots.Best described as an ‘eco-luxe’ resort, JapaMala transcends the experience of living close to nature by redefining it with a touch of luxury. Designed by natural streams, steep cliffs, towering boulders and where no trees are felled, the entire resort borrows from nature its elements to offer an exceptional sense of paradise, freedom from the real world. While serious relaxation is an elusive commodity for many, one can truly succumb to the healing effects JapaMala imparts through its holistic blend of sumptuous gourmet treats, intimacy between man and nature, unique spa experiences and truly unprecedented hospitality. Many say JapaMala is not just a place, but a state of mind.
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Property amenities
Free internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Diving
Airport transportation
Spa
Gift shop
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Snack bar
Hiking
Snorkelling
Fishing
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Umbrella
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Private beach
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
iPod docking station
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Malay
Location
Full view
Contact
Kampung Lanting, Tioman Island, Pulau Tioman 86800 Malaysia
Getting there
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708Reviews45Q+A100Room tips
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I cannot recommend the Japamala Resort highly enough. The hotel is beautifully designed and offers a real sense of retreat and calm. But what really makes the place stand out are the people who work there. Every member of staff was kind and helpful throughout our stay, making the whole experience a pleasure. Thank you for a wonderful vacation!
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Date of stay: September 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Our 4D3N tunamaya stay has been very memorable. It is really a romantic place. We can just swim in the pristine water right in front of our chalet. Have the opportunity to see coral reef sharks. Two peaks in the backdrop are so captivating, particularly early in the morning. Beautiful sunset view from the jetty too. Breakfast is yummilicious. Thanks to Mr Subra for having arranged a special dinner platter for us. Will definitely recommend to my friends and come for a visit again.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
We just came back from 3 days 2 nights stay at Japamala Resort. Pros - I like the vibe. Very rustic, full of nature. And I appreciate how Japamala is build around nature. Minimal trees were cut 👍 - Sea cliff chalet is excellent! Complete amenities. And yes it comes with a smart TV! Comfortable bed and pillows. Love our balcony overlooking the sea! - I appreciate the small complimentary services such as daily laundry, tea time, happy hour, snorkeling gears, kayaks, night cap (Imran’s favorite) and the attention to details in the room. - Service is good. All staff are friendly. Special thanks to Bell, Remon and all the staff for making our stay memorable. - The food..as usual in any resort in Malaysia, price doesn’t justify the taste. Standard hotel price. But overall it’s good. Nice presentation and food quality. -Ahhhh the elevated sunset bar is the best place to chill! - Since it’s a small resort, it’s good that the check in and check out time is not too rigid. Things to improve - Maintenance…yes the concept is “rustic luxe” but some areas looks very rundown especially the way to sarang’s room and construction towards pool area. Only the cliff side looks neat. -Don’t get me wrong, I understand and I’m fine staying in a jungle with insects but there’s wayyy too many ants. Even when there’s no food, there are still ants especially the sugar ants that you found at home. -Boat pick up from genting jetty. Ummm rm90 return per person for a boat ride that is less than 5 minutes?! This should be a complimentary service please -Happy hour. Need to make the drink a little bit stronger. -Breakfast drinks. Shouldn’t be called as smoothies and lassi because the consistency is like juice. Overall it was a great stay with certain things to improve. Other than that, we really enjoyed our stay at Japamala.…
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: The best rooms are the sea cliff chalets especially room number 16. Full sea view.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
We spent three nights at Japamala after staying in a five star hotel in Singapore. The location of the resort is just amazing. It is built to go in harmony with the jungle. Allegedly no trees where cut down during the building of the resort, and the materials are mostly reused wood from the jungle. Which also makes it a green choice. It is a calm and relaxing place, with a great beach, pier and a freshwater pool. The staff is always smiling and there to help you, whatever and whenever. The food was just terrific. They have the main restaurant which serves local Malay/Indian food, and a Italian restaurant where the pizza was like in Naples. Our cabin was great, with sea view and an outside sitting lounge which we used in the mornings and evenings. The internet was great. Good enough to stream Netflix on the large flatscreen. No problems at all. Overall the stay was perfect, and we regret not staying longer. We will most definitely come back!…
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Joe Jumadin, Innkeeper at Japamala Resort by Samadhi
Responded 7 Jul 2022
Hi J_rank, Thank you so much for the fantastic review. We are so glad to hear that you guys are enjoyed and like Japamala. Japamala team always trying their level best to be part of our guests holiday. Our resort are located in the rainforest and by the beach. we can see also your guys are enjoyed the view from your room. Thank you so much for staying with us and we are very exciting to welcome your guys real soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
View is beautiful from here. Staff were pleasant and friendly and ensure they know how to take care of their guests. Our initial room had a bit of a problem but they ensure that it is sorted so that we are comfortable. It was a great stay, my husband and I was there for a mini honeymoon and it was lovely. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a quiet time to rest, rejoice and rejuvenate.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Joe Jumadin, Innkeeper at Japamala Resort by Samadhi
Responded 7 Jul 2022
Hi Melody, Thank you for your amazing review. we are very glad to heard you enjoyed your honeymoon at Japamala. Our staff of Japamala always trying extra miles to make sure our guest are happy during their stay. Japamala team would like to say happy honeymoon and see you guys soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
This elegant boutique resort offers outstanding food and first class services. All private villas have an individual design and private terrace and sun beds. Everything is very clean and by far exceeding local standards. Tours offered by boat to go snorkeling or to visit highlights of Tioman Island. An amazing place - without the slightest doubt: 5 stars!
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Joe Jumadin, Innkeeper at Japamala Resort by Samadhi
Responded 7 Jul 2022
Hi raineranskinewitsch, Thank you so much for the amazing review. Our Japamala team very glad to heard that your enjoyed your stay with us. Your review will boosting our spirit to go extra miles. Thank you for staying with us and we are happy to welcome your guys real soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband and I had a wonderful stay at Japamala Tioman and our vacation turns out as what we have imagined. We were fetched from the arrival jetty to Japamala which is only a short distance away on their speed boat and welcomed by their very friendly staff Bell and Zai and other staff already waiting at Japamala jetty which is their most iconic spot. We love the resort ambiance - feels tranquil, calm, serene and we could just lay down under the gazebo not realizing the time passes by quickly. We love love love our sea cliff chalet with the balcony overlooking the jetty. We enjoyed the daily evening drinks / cocktails served at the Mandi Mandi Restaurant cum the jetty and looked forward to it everyday during out stay. We have no complaint about the food / menu - selections from Tamarind and Tempio are equally interesting. We enjoyed the hike from Japamala to the nearby village which was not a walk in the park but was interesting and challenging nevertheless. We feel many parts of the wooden bridges should be repaired / change to make the trail safer. The only disappointment was that the trail to the view point is closed as we were told it was not safe as the wooden steps leading to the view point were broken. All resort staff were friendly and I had an enjoyable time chatting with Zai. We loved it here and we will not hesitate to come back here again in the future.…
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: We love our sea cliff chalet 15.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Joe Jumadin, Innkeeper at Japamala Resort by Samadhi
Responded 7 Jul 2022
Hi Azian, Thank you so much for the wonderful review. Our Japamala team very glad to hear that you guy's are enjoy your stay with us. Japamala is the resort are build in the jungle by the beach. Our guests are able to enjoy two different experience which is jungle and beach experience. Our staff of Japamala are trying they level best to assist and be part of your holiday during your guys stay with us. Thank you for staying with us and hope to see your guys real soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Japamala is situated in a lovely beach enclave and the beach and landscape is stunning. Building the resort around the jungle really preserves the original jungle layout and gives the guests a feeling of connection to the wild. The reality definitely matches the photos online. Its great to see such a build in Tioman, definitely a contrast to the looks of nearby resorts. The staff is lovely, always available via WhatsApp (even around 8pm) and were always very expedite with any requests. A big shoutout to Zai who helped with anything. One thing I’d like to mention, was that often staff did not refer to my partner and addressed us always with “Sir” , looking at me, even when she was the one requesting something. But we loved the service regardless. The complementary sunset drinks were a great bonus. Foodwise, expect meals around £15-30 for a couple. With average main course around 40-60 Ringgit. Expensive for Malaysian standards, but there is nowhere else to eat realistically. The breakfast was great I definitely recommend purchasing its package. The beach was great and although I read some bad feedback relating to sandflies and “too many rocks” I found that: a) barely any sandflies (although I’m sure this might vary with seasons) and b) yes, there are some rocks in the beach, especially around low tide if you want to go for a swim - however, this is was not an issue for me and There is plenty of sandy patches in the water. Experiences like snorkelling and island hopping are quite expensive. One visit to Coral Island was about £70 pp, which compared to other options in the Island is quite expensive. I must say that despite this, we loved the experience and the bonus of going just us with the driver makes it much more relaxed and enjoyable. Shoutout to Sam for being a great driver ! We got the treetop chalet. The room was lovely, well decorated and comfortable, with a balcony with a great view. A few bugs in the room but that’s what you expect from a jungle. Not going to complain there. The stairs up to the room definitely need maintenance. Overall a great experience and from my research it’s probably the best place to stay in Tioman. You pay for it but you do get the value, especially if what you are looking for is Nature, Views and Quiet.…
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Definitely book the Ferry from Mersing to Tioman (Genting Village) on your own and arrange with...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Joe Jumadin, Innkeeper at Japamala Resort by Samadhi
Responded 7 Jul 2022
Hi Sherpa, Thank you for the fantastic review. We are glad to heard that you and your partner are enjoyed to stay with us. You're right Japamala is the resort build in the rainforest by the bay beach. Our guest can experiences both jungle and beach at the same time. For those who wanted to explore the jungle they be able to saw a few animals such as porcupine, giant squirrel and mouse deer if they lucky. By the beach they can snorkeling and relaxing at our pavilion also. Thank you so much for staying with us and see you guys soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at Japamala Resort for 7 nights - so we had plenty of time to explore the grounds and experience the service. Both were exquisite! We really enjoyed our stay overall so any critique I’m going to give is by no means very serious, but we did find some room for improvement which I’ll go into detail with below. Overall easy to recommend a stay at Japamala - it’s a piece of paradise! Grounds, facilities Japamala is beautifully tucked into the natural landscape with little to no disruption to its natural state. This was also evident by the sheer amount of wildlife we witnessed within the resort - from monkeys to porcupines to reptiles and a wealth of marine life (dolphins, barracudas, blue spotted sting rays to mention a few). Bring your snorkel - the left side of the jetty has some well to do coral and plenty of fish to witness. The closeness to nature also comes with a downside - I’m sure facilities get delapitated quickly in the weather and the last two years of being closed for a pandemic don’t help. There was evident wear and tear around the resort that they were clearly fixing up as well - these were not major things but among others our ceiling fan was entirely rusty and many or the beach furniture and bedding were in bad shape or stained. Hopefully the resort will be up to a higher standard soon. Service The entire team was super hospitable and took good care of us. Maybe the staff could receive some extra training on understanding special dietary requirements and requests and any exceptions in food orders seemed to always be a pain to get correctly. We also really enjoyed all the staff that took us out to our trips organized by the resort, the masseuse etc. Food Food is great - albeit very expensive for local standards but not surprising for a resort, especially a remotely located one. We enjoyed the food for the most part, although some of the Malay food on offer was way too rich and spicy for us. Additionally, we would have loved to see more variance and lighted options both for breakfast and lunch. Especially the lunch menu is very limited, most of the starters were not available for the entire week, which left very limited to non existent array of lighter dishes to be enjoyed in the midday heat which we would have preferred. We really enjoyed and appreciated the complimentary afternoon tea and happy hour as well - these really were well curated.…
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: The waterfall hike trip was lovely and reasonably priced - well worth it! 10 minutes walk towards...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Joe Jumadin, Innkeeper at Japamala Resort by Samadhi
Responded 7 Jul 2022
Hi latelammas, Thank you for your amazing review. Thank you also for the compliments that's was very helpful for our next guests information. We agreed that some of our property and equipment are look old especially at the public area. We are in the middle of process to replace and maintain the equipment's. After the pandemic, Tioman also struggling to handle from the impact of monsoon season. Some of our property received huge damage. But we will improve our property at the moment. Japamala staff doing the best they can to assist our guest during they stay. Thank you so much for staying with us and hope can see you guys soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We arrived at Japamala Resort on the evening of 20th May for a 6 nights stay. Our stay here was wonderful as although the chalets are rustic, they are clean with fairly comfortable beds and great views, including gorgeous sunsets. The elegant, beautiful, relaxed and natural ambience of the resort soothes your soul and resort staff are discreet, attentive and keen to please. Snorkeling from the resort’s jetty is also good, with some healthy coral and during the middle of our stay we were lucky enough to see a turtle which was impressive. Regarding the food it is fabulous quality and style, made to order, with no buffets and Julius the executive chef is a really great member of the resort team. Our only minor grumble is that at breakfast, drinks from the menu were restricted to 2 per person – a shame as there were a range of coffees and smoothies we wanted to indulge in… Regarding excursions, the resort has a number of trips that can be purchased and we chose to do the ‘Waterfall’ – which required the resort arranging a local speedboat to take us to a really beautiful village 15 minutes up the coast from Japamala, from which we walked through gorgeous scenery for 1 hour to a breathtaking waterfall. Over the years we’ve seen plenty of waterfalls – but this one was truly magical and beautiful. Speaking from experience and to be honest, Japamala Resort has more ambience, natural beauty, authenticity and charm than most resorts in the Maldives and we look forward to returning. Japamala staff in particular who made our stay really special were Zai, Rippon and Julius – they were so professional, helpful and charming. Note: please be aware of the impact of varying sea tides on crossings between the mainland and Tioman Island, especially if you are undertaking a half day road transfer to/from Kuala Lumpur. To be honest it might be wise to do a 1 night hotel stop en-route to/from Japamala (e.g. in Malacca) in order to ensure a relaxing travel schedule. Regarding making travel arrangements well in advance the sea tides only seem to be known/published a couple of months in advance. However, don't be worried by this and Japamala is definitely worth it.…
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Joe Jumadin, Innkeeper at Japamala Resort by Samadhi
Responded 7 Jul 2022
Hi Andrew and Sarah, Thank you so much for the wonderful review. We are very glad to hear that your guys enjoyed your stay with us. Your right! Japamala is just a small resort which is can giving the experiences with both jungle nature by the beach. Our guests can choose any activities in this island such as jungle trek, snorkeling or hiking and our staff always trying the best they can to be part of your holidays. Thanks for sharing the information about how to travel to Japamala Tioman which is very important for Japamala next guests. On behalf of our team in Japamala i would like to say than you so much for staying with us and hope we can see you real soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$234 - US$338 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
japamala hotel pulau tioman, japamala resort, japamala pulau tioman
LOCATION
MalaysiaPahangRompin DistrictPulau Tioman
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Japamala Resort by Samadhi
What are some of the property amenities at Japamala Resort by Samadhi?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Japamala Resort by Samadhi?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Japamala Resort by Samadhi?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Japamala Resort by Samadhi?
Conveniently located restaurants include Mandi-Mandi Restaurant, Tamarind Terrace, and Restoran White Seafood Cafe.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Japamala Resort by Samadhi?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Japamala Resort by Samadhi have airport transportation?
Yes, Japamala Resort by Samadhi offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Japamala Resort by Samadhi?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Japamala Resort by Samadhi?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Malay.
Does Japamala Resort by Samadhi have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.