Welcome to Mama's Place, your Pulau Perhentian Besar “home away from home.” Mama's Place aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year.
Rooms at Mama`s Place Hotel offer air conditioning.
Guests of Mama's Place are also welcome to enjoy an on-site restaurant.
Pulau Perhentian Besar has plenty of Chinese restaurants. So when you’re here, be sure to check out popular spots like Belinda Cafe and Paradise restaurant, which are serving up some great dishes.
Best of all, Mama's Place makes it easy to experience some great Pulau Perhentian Besar attractions like Teluk Keke, which is a popular park.
Mama's Place puts the best of Pulau Perhentian Besar at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.
Stayed here last July. Booked a family chalet coz that's all they had that was on the beach which we wanted rather than further in. Price was decent for that humble but large room; we weren't planning to go backpacker style, we wanted to be comfortable enough to enjoy the entire stay without bugs and crawlies haha. Price was also negotiable (which probably made it "decent",come to think of it) so be nice and smile.
It's on a small beach but Perhentian is small anyway, so just walk around the corner and you'll find yourself on a much larger beach on Perhentian Island Resort (also more populated, of course). Mama's has nice staff, helpful people, our room was clean with two double beds. It's very simple, just a small dressing table, bedside tables and coffee table, a cupboard, airconditioner, ceiling fan, clean towels, and a decent bathroom with heater, also very clean. Electricity on the island is limited so if you're planning to stay in bed til 2pm be sure to check what hours the electricity is on for all the hotels you consider! Mama's has some extra hours compared to the other similar-rate or lower rate places we checked out.
Also, it's hard to pre-book your room for both Perhentian Kecil and Besar, so most people just show up and spend a few hours looking for a room they like. It's possible but you always run that risk of not getting what you were hoping for. If you're willing to downgrade OR can afford to upgrade, then i would still highly recommend going to the perhentians, it's so worth it.
Food at mama's was good too, and we also ate at the restaurant right next to it - Watercolours restaurant I believe it was called. Our first night we took a water taxi over to Perhentian Kecil to meet our friends who were staying on that side. Mama's is directly across the small island so water taxis are slightly cheaper from this end. Be prepared to spend some money if you plan to taxi across often. Food on the beach (perhentian kecil) where backpackers are known to party at was "meh", nothing really exciting there on the night we went, except for a small fire show on the beach.
Snorkeling was awesome, especially if you hire a boat and ask the boat guys where to swim to see the best things. Be nice and friendly with them, you can get a lot more insider info on where to look. Bring lots of bread to feed the fish if you like that kinda thing. We swam out around a "leg of land" (sorry no clue what the actual word is haha) to get from one beach to a very very quiet cove during our snorkeling day. This was probably the best part of the trip coz we got to see a lot more coral and it's a little bit deeper but still pretty safe (water wasn't choppy the day we went out) and still crystal clear down to the seabed. The cove was empty except for two other kayak-ers. There was a turtle nursery in one corner. Sand was pure white, very nice quiet spot. Other than that, our snorkeling trip included turtles, sharks, lots of jellyfish (not poisonous but they do prickle like mosquito bites and get a bit itchy for a short while. Unless you swim into a whole family of them like we did at one point, you're good to go)
Generally everywhere you go you'll get nice clean clear sand and sea. The only place that wasn't that great to visit was "the other side" of the big island where you have to hike in a bit across to the other side. This looked like wasteland,it wasn't incredibly dirty or anything but it wasn't the clean clear white sand beaches as with everywhere else. The hike trail had joggers, even cyclists so if you're into that, then yea.
We ate once at Perhentian Island Resort (where the large stretch of beach is), but everyone got mild food poisoning afterwards (including another family who happened to mention it when we were chatting the next day) so I'd stay away from their restaurant. Watercolours was our best bet, food was really good there.
Great place if you like beaches, snorkeling, relaxing, etc. Good for families too, I would say.
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Date of stay: December 2011
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:We took the Family room right next to "reception" which was right on the beach just...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A very good budget option on Besar. Rooms with AC or fan, sea view or cheaper options behind sea view bungalows. Good food, cheap, although no alcohol, but no worry 5 minutes walk is a place they serve cold Tiger beer. Every night a fresh BBQ is prepared. There is a wide variety of beaches, great scuba diving place plus great snorkeling... beware some fish although small bit ;). Mama's does great trips around the island where you can swim and snorkel with turtles. I recommend Mama's!
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Date of stay: August 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After 2 nights of nightmare at Long Beach (super tourist, dirty. loud music the whole night, expensive) , my boyfriend and I moved to Mama's place. The owner is a very welcoming person. The rooms are basic but clean and the cost X benefit is excellent (everyone had told us that the small island was cheaper but we were pain more there then here). The place is calm, well kept and really close to some beautiful beaches and snorkel area.If you are looking for a nice and calm beach holiday it is a great place. If you are looking for some party, this is not for you, go to the small island. The restaurant though belongs to the brother of the owner and I agree that it is not the best place to eat. Still you have a good fried rice for a reasonable price. There is a diving school attached and my boyfriend did some dive with them and told me that they are good and have good price. Overall was a great experience and I recommend this place! will surely go back,
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Date of stay: May 2012
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Trip 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
By this review I would like to share my TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE connected with Mama´s restaurant and discourage other travellers from visiting this place. On the 21st and 22nd of July 2011 I witnessed how Jeffrey, owner of Mama´s restaurant, and his employers STOLE EGGS FROM A GIANT TURTLE, which was laying the eggs on a sand beach. You will be told that they collect the eggs to protect them and safe from varans, but that´s just a lie for tourists. Local people know about what is really happening, but there is no one to stop such people. We recognised even a worker of the marine park among the people, who distributed the eggs among themselves. Jeffrey laughed at us and send us to the police, with obvious consciousness that nobody will punish him. All tourists pay RM5 to support the marine park, we tried to complain there after, but they just smiled... Let´s at least not support Mama´s restaurant and if Jeffrey offers you a snorkelling trip, you better choose another person and not the one, who is killing the marine life.
PS: Do you have any ideas about where to complain and what to do?
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Date of stay: July 2011Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beware of the Perhentians......it is not all as the pictures show!! We checked out all the resorts on Besar and not all of it is the paradise you are looking for! Firstly Mamas is clean comfortable and the value for money is superb. We had a garden room for MR65 and was there for 10 days (initially only booked 1!). The room is 30 seconds from the beach (which you could actually see from the balcony). The beach here is nice to chill on a lounger but probably not on the beach itself BUT 5 minutes round the corner is the beach of Perhentian island resort and that is brilliant. We also checked out the beach near Tuna Bay down to the campsite and I want to warn people that here it is not a patch on the northern beaches. We were amazed how dirty busy and unfriendly this section was. It also had jetties jutting out spoiling what little view is there. We were so happy that we hadn't unluckily booked around here because this is not paradise! Going back to Mamas Place, the staff are extremely friendly always saying hello and giving advice etc. The food is a little cheaper here then then rest of the beach and is of a good standard (if not penang standard!). The garden view rooms are an excellent choice for travellers on a budget.....you will not be disappointed.!
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Date of stay: June 2012
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The cheaper garden view rooms are better and actually look toward the sea. They are slightly...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Having booked with some trouble as it is not easy to join them, I was annoyed to see that their service desk in Kuala Besut opened so late compared to the others. We almost missed the first boat. The lady told us that unfortunately hotel is still closed, so they had transfered us to a hotel in Perhentian Kecil. I really did not want to go to the small island and I was right. It is so polluted and the beaches are so ugly. I asked whether there was a price difference with the new hotel and she finally admitted there was and she gave some money back. Had I not asked, I think I would never have known it. Then I asked to get the first boat but she said that my boat was at 11AM. I had previously told them I wanted the first boat at 8.30AM but they just disregarded the information. Crap, crap service....
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Date of stay: March 2011
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was my 8th time here. I usualy come here by default almost every year as I found this place the most relaxing, chilled and I simply love the family and people that runs Mama's place. Place and people who runs are laid back, but that is majority of Malaysian I meet in this part of Malaysia (Terranganu and Kelantan). For some this might be a bit strange or even insulting, but yes, this is not a 5* hotel where everybody will look after you with their professional gestures and smiles. Place has a character of a homestay and these people know very much what they are doing and where do they live and what is around them. If you will stay for a long time you will sense the vibe and rhythm of the place, you will soon know how to predict certain events and you will also not feel uncomfortable and you will see how that you are very valuable guest. Perhentians are my home far away from home. This year I stayed 8 days and I did also a diving with Turtle Bay Divers that is just attached next to the Mama’s chalet. Super underwater experience, very professional team of instructors and guides and a thing that you will be proud you did in your life. I highly recommend it.
I already wrote so many things in my previous reviews about that place so I hope I will not repate too much things and I will try to highlight the most important points and experiences from this year. Place is simple chalet type and I like it like this. I use it only to stash my backpack, late afternoon chill on small veranda and sleeping of course. When you will enter the room it will wait you in clean condition. So it is up to you how clean your room will be inside. For toiletries and fresh linen it is not a problem, it is provided at the reception without additional cost. Just ask for fresh linen. A bag of toilet paper is hanging on the reception hut so you will not have problem even you have shortage of paper during the early morning. Mama’s kitchen is on the same level as all years before. Also the menu did not changed a bit. I like a bit of this conservatism so I can taste favourite dishes more frequent. Great majority of my days there I ate at Mama’s restaurant and I like it. Every evening I took something else from the menu or combine it with the BBQ and I was very pleased. I still recommend squid black paper dish that comes with rice. It is very delicious. There are also some spicy soups which were very good. For BBQ I prefer red snapper the most. I was there during the Ramadan again and yes like years before you will need to accept the Muslim tradition that restaurant is closed from 17 – 20. Come a bit before 20 sit down, pick your favourite BBQ quick and you will be served among the first. Late arrival will need to wait a bit more. But outside the Ramadan it is not a problem, you can go to your dinner whenever you like. There is no alcohol in the restaurant so for these pleasures you will need to go to Thai restaurant that is down the beach. I was here during the World Cup Football championship and we had a great finale match at crazy early morning hour there, no alcohol though, only juice :). But it was super fun even though, Germany won, so who cares about alco :). Till next time Mama’s place again.
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Date of stay: July 2014
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:3 classes of accmodation: 1. Chalets with AC and new furniture, 2. deluxe garden with new...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was my 7th time at Mama's place. Place that I can not miss while I'm in Malaysia. I don't have so much more to add as I already wrote two reviews but still I will list some things for those who do not like to browse back. I usually always like to stay at the garden view type of chalet. Bungalow itself is not super duper high resort type but it more than basic. Rooms are clean and well maintained. I'm amazed that after all these years they always provide same quality and there is not signs of wear. I guess Aziz the owner and the staff look after that place good and provide good maintenance. I like to stay with Mama's as it is the only place you will receive a bit of that domestic Malaysian feeling with children running around and playing, relaxed staff, talking with owner, mama, papa, Aziz, Jimmy, Elvis. All are very nice and funny persons who I like to meet every time. Restaurant as usually provide good quality food. Food quality in all these years is the same. Menu provide same dishes so if you liked something like 10 years ago you will still get it :). BBQ is a must and sure I recommend to take some fish to try with the BBQ sauce it is delicious. During the Ramadan period be prepared that restaurant is closed from 5 - 8pm and be prepared that a big crowd of people will rush at 8pm so it will be very busy time and all the staff will have a lot to work to serve all the people. Try to be tolerant and relaxed and don't expect that dishes will come all at once. The best strategy here is that you order the same dishes otherwise it can happen that your partner will already eat everything when you are still waiting for your food. So another tip be prepared for that or avoid Ramadan period in Malaysia and visit Mama's place out of that time. This year we also took a great snorkeling trip to Rawa Island and we were very lucky as the water was the most crystal clear I ever saw here. It was a great experience. Place overall is very quiet, don't expect any parties or long hangings at the bar. This is no alcohol place so you will need to go somewhere else for that. Place is the most popular with relaxed divers, couples and families with children. If you want relaxed place and great family touch atmosphere that is a place to go.
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Date of stay: July 2013
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Beach row for ppl that needs more commodity, deluxe garden view for flashpackers and superior...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We paid 250 for very big seaview chalet. Interior was very nice and bright, big windows, large bathroom, big front porch. We had 2 large beds. Everything was renewed. Food in the restaurant was one of the cheapest in this beach. Coral view is much more expensive and chalets are smaller and very dark ! Staff at Mama's is very nice, they organize snorkling trips in good price.
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Date of stay: May 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Sea view air-cond chalets are the best
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was in this chalet with my family for 3 days and 2 nights. No drinking water was supplied and no kettle supplied to boil water. This means you must buy drinking water at RM4 per bottle from the restaurant operated by the same owner. Good money, huh.. When we went to other food outlets for our lunch or dinner, the operator and their staff were not happy and keep on passing remarks when we passed by their place. They are so mean and shouldn't be in this bussiness. I've already stayed in the place, they should be thankful but greed gets better of them and thus their action shows. The condition of the chalet is also not clean. They didn't sweep the floor and there were sands everywhere in the room. The unit we stayed in had a broken window and we didn't feel save ataying there. There is also no double lock when you retire at night. The room security is not up to the mark. The kitchen is also dirty and doesn't qualify for the 'B' certificate for cleanliness.
I for sure won't step into this premise again. Bad food and operator.. very disgusting , they shouldn't be in this tourism industry..gangsterism suits them better..
localtourist.
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Date of stay: September 2011Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Go to small island, the sandy beach is more inviting..
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Pulau Perhentian Besar area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
mama`s place hotel pulau perhentian besar, mamas place pulau perhentian besar
LOCATION
MalaysiaTerengganuPerhentian IslandsPulau Perhentian Besar
NUMBER OF ROOMS
35
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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